Patriots sign DL Alan Branch, and release LB Deontae Skinner

[PatsFan2]

Saw some plays from Easley and he did very well might be a spring board for him going forward. Easley is going to see increased playing time now so he might as well make the best of it. When C Jones comes back we might have that consistent pass rush we have been looking for. Things can only get better going forward Defensively. With those High powerd Offenses we have coming up, to have any chance we have to win most of the Battles on Defense.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Hey Allen. You're rich. Hire a F@hk!n Limo or cab from now on.

 

[AzPatsFan]

The lack of depth at LB continues to be a real challenge.

There seemed to be a plan that James Anderson would be a viable fourth LB, and hopes that Fleming or Beauharnais would be a solid fifth. Anderson and Beauharnais didn't work out, none of the udfa's really stepped up, and Fleming has been back and forth on the practice squad. Then remove Mayo and it's real trouble. I guess the hope is now that Casillas can contribute more in New England than he did in Tampa Bay.

The team continues to miss a real middle linebacker.

I view it differently. After several years of trying, Belichick had his three very good starters, but not much could be expected from his now proven limited reserves. Anderson was tried and found wanting, so BB loaded up with a new batch of PS types to see if one would blossom, and crossed his fingers, until the 2015 Draft.

He had a chance to acquire a legitimate young starting caliber LB in Akeem Ayers and snapped him up, for next to nothing. Jon Cassillas is not as good, but was viewed by the Bucs as a starter, and he got him for nothing. But he is young, experienced and currently dinged up.

BB still , took him, since if nothing else, he is the Larry Izzo ST LB, who can also play regular defense, without being a big liability. BB always seems to reserve a spot or two in his LB corps for such a LB.

BB has constructed a complete LB corps, in the middle of the season, as if he had just conducted a Draft.

The Pats just keep getting better.

 

[Oswlek]

he is the Larry Izzo ST LB, who can also play regular defense, without being a big liability

We have a few Larry Izzos, I'm hoping for a Matt Chatham and a Don Davis. Can I even dream of Roman Phifer?

 

[Deus Irae]

I view it differently. After several years of trying, Belichick had his three very good starters

No, he didn't.

 

[Deus Irae]

He had a chance to acquire a legitimate young starting caliber LB in Akeem Ayers and snapped him up, for next to nothing. Jon Cassillas is not as good, but was viewed by the Bucs as a starter, and he got him for nothing.

Tampa is the same team that has had Dane Fletcher start 3 games this season. Casillas has started only 15 of 53 games played during his career. Fletcher has started only 9 of 45 games played During his career.

 

[ATippett56]

He could be a good acquisition. After a couple of decent games, Casey Walker showed he's not really a starting-caliber lineman. A big body and little else, his lateral movement was completely non-existent.

I agree.

I don't see Casey Walker on the roster once Sealver Siliga returns from the retroactive injured reserve list.

 

[AzPatsFan]

No, he didn't.

When anyone dares disagree with one of your ex cathedra pontifications, you go into this pedantic mode of Tit-for-Tat tantrums, for a bit.

Please cease, as it undermines and detracts from your usually very useful contributions.

 

[ATippett56]

He had a chance to acquire a legitimate young starting caliber LB in Akeem Ayers and snapped him up, for next to nothing. Jon Cassillas is not as good, but was viewed by the Bucs as a starter, and he got him for nothing. But he is young, experienced and currently dinged up.

Casillas was never viewed as a starter for the Buccaneers and is not better than Lavonte David as a weak side linebacker.

You don't have a clue what you are talking about.

Heck, Dane Fletcher has been active for more games than Jonathan Casillas, 7 to 3.

 

[Deus Irae]

When anyone dares disagree with one of your ex cathedra pontifications, you go into this pedantic mode of Tit-for-Tat tantrums, for a bit.

Please cease, as it undermines and detracts from your usually very useful contributions.

There's no tit-for-tat tantrum, so you can settle down. Collins is not now, and had not been before then, a "very good starter".

 

[ATippett56]

There's no tit-for-tat tantrum, so you can settle down. Collins is not now, and had not been before then, a "very good starter".

Collins has issues with run defense.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Casillas was never viewed as a starter for the Buccaneers and is not better than Lavonte David as a weak side linebacker.

You don't have a clue what you are talking about.

Heck, Dane Fletcher has been active for more games than Jonathan Casillas, 7 to 3.

I Never said he was better than David. Casillas has had a bad hammy all season, in case you don't know. That is one reason for his multiple game inactive status, and a reason he was available for the proverbial bucket of warm spit.

The Bucs preseason roster/ depth chart, showed him as the Strong-side starter, at 227 lbs, believe it or not. You can question their sanity, but that is what the Bucs coaches contemplated. (It also helps explain their coaching record,)

 

[mayoclinic]

No, he didn't.

Yes, he did.

 

[Urgent]

No, he didn't.

This is not an argument -- this is just contradiction!

No it's not!

 

[Deus Irae]

Yes, he did.

History, prior to the year, was on my side.

Recent history, since the beginning of this year, is on my side.


Collins is not a good starter. It's simple truth. He's a sub player who can't defend the run.

 

[AzPatsFan]

This is not an argument -- this is just contradiction!

No it's not!

Tit-for-Tat tantrums. Q.E.D.

 

[ATippett56]

I Never said he was better than David. Casillas has had a bad hammy all season, in case you don't know. That is one reason for his multiple game inactive status, and a reason he was available for the proverbial bucket of warm spit.

The Bucs preseason roster/ depth chart, showed him as the Strong-side starter, at 227 lbs, believe it or not. You can question their sanity, but that is what the Bucs coaches contemplated. (It also helps explain their coaching record,)

Preseason means squat.

Backup linebacker Brandon Magee surpassed Casillas on the Tampa Bay linebacker depth chart and Magee is a second year linebacker.

 

[mayoclinic]

History, prior to the year, was on my side.

Recent history, since the beginning of this year, is on my side.

Collins is not a good starter. It's simple truth. He's a sub player who can't defend the run.

Your opinion is irrelevant. BB sees him as a 3 down player, and his usage this year reflects that.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Hope Branch can help this year. Would like to cut down on Wilfork's snaps. 4 man rotation at dt with; Wilfork, Silega, Branch and Jones. I think we'll see Easley mostly at de this year given Chandler's injury and where he's getting his PT.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Preseason means squat.

Backup linebacker Brandon Magee surpassed Casillas on the Tampa Bay linebacker depth chart and Magee is a second year linebacker.

Why does that not confirm why he was available for nothing?