Who gets the #9 LB spot?

[mgteich]

The following should get 95% of the reps at LB
Colvin, Vrabel, Thomas, Seau, Bruschi
Woods, Alexander

IMHO, Izzo is staying, period. BB values experience much more than many here.

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For me there is not much advantage in Rogers or Lua being on the 53. They add little. The would be inactive in every game. We COULD pay them roster level salary.

 

[363839]

Rogers seems to be making his presence felt.

 

[RayClay]

That's a tough one., I have to say.

I wish we had better choices, to tell the truth.

And that's giving Alexander and Izzo a spot.

I'm not really arguing that, but I could see 7,8,9 being replaced at least by next year.

 

[MetalBleachers]

Maybe Rogers is this year's Patrick Cobbs (big impact in the first preseason game), but I liked what he showed at OLB.

 

[WhiZa]

I said Rogers mainly because of all the buzz. In reality, Mays will probably make the squad based on his one year of experience and ST play while Rogers and Lua are designated to the PS.

we'll have the best PS squad of any team this year

 

[BPF]

The following should get 95% of the reps at LB
Colvin, Vrabel, Thomas, Seau, Bruschi
Woods, Alexander

IMHO, Izzo is staying, period. BB values experience much more than many here.

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For me there is not much advantage in Rogers or Lua being on the 53. They add little. The would be inactive in every game. We COULD pay them roster level salary.

If experience is valued than Brown stays as well. Looks like Rogers, Mays, Lua and Brown are battling for 1 spot. Too early to decide here.

 

[DarrylS]

Have been hoping that someone like Mays or Lua would play big and be possible late round finds and heir apparent to Bruschi, but so far Rogers has looked good.. but that is one game..

 

[MetalBleachers]

I said Rogers mainly because of all the buzz. In reality, Mays will probably make the squad based on his one year of experience and ST play while Rogers and Lua are designated to the PS.

we'll have the best PS squad of any team this year

Possibly, IF they don't get picked up off waivers, which looks likely for Rogers if he plays with consistency.

 

[italian pat patriot]

too early now but i say Rogers too

 

[JoeSixPat]

I think in the end it will come down to who has a better chance of not being plucked off the Practice Squad, seeing as the #9 LB isn't looking at that much playing time anyway.

That means a guy with upside and potential is in more danger than a rookie who might have played better in the pre-season.

Who that will be remains to be seen - there's still a long way to go in the pre-season.

 

[patchick]

The following should get 95% of the reps at LB
Colvin, Vrabel, Thomas, Seau, Bruschi
Woods, Alexander

IMHO, Izzo is staying, period. BB values experience much more than many here.

The beauty of that group is that the #6 & 7 also excel on special teams, making a tidy gameday actives list.

Izzo is still Izzo, but I'd say a smidgen less secure than in past years. Willie Andrews looks like an every-game ST active (gunner and KR is a nice combo); Mills is another strong teams guy who's penciled in as your #3 TE at this point; etc. If everybody were healthy (ha), it could be tough to carve room on the 47 for Izzo.

 

[lapatsfan]

Based on one pre-season game, I'd say Rogers.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Rodgers is not #9, anymore. He is probably a #7 or a #8; equal to Alexander after the big 5 and Woods. Among the six tackles he had, was a beauty on KO coverage, so he is performing on ST. already. Izzo wiffed on a block for Childress, and tackled nobody on ST, if I recall correctly. I also thought Mtchell had a ST tackle. I would count him as a candidate for the 9th LB/ST position as a "big" DB/ST player. He is actually bigger than Izzo, but outweighed by no more than a few pounds, 228-225.

Izzo has been fading for two years, while the ST coverage has gone in the outhouse. BB likes veterans, but doesn't fall in love with last year's newspaper headlines. I think it is clear that he has instructed Seeley to rebuild the kick/punt coverage, this offseason.

BB has already traded to beef up the ST coverage; and brought Mel Mitchell back as well. And he kept Willie Andrews. (who didn't have a good game on regular Defense). Lua had lots of tackles for a rook, and clearly outplayed Mays. And would have outplayed Izzo as I recall from his attempts at regular Defense.

Off this single game, I rank the LB crew as Vrabel, Bruschi, Colvin, Thomas, Seau. Woods, & Alexander as occasional regular D players, and ST; and then Rodgers, Lua, Izzo, Mays in that order. The cut line ends after Rodgers if they give the 9th to a DB; or Lua if they keep 9 LBs. Izzo and Mays are looking in. Izzo may go to the "shadow roster" awaiting the emergency telephone call for a ST injury replacement.

 

[mgteich]

We all have our opinions. Mine is that putting Lua on the 53 instead of Izzo is nuts. BTW, he would be snapped up before day's end if he were cut. Lua is fine on the practice squad.

Rodgers is not #9, anymore. He is probably a #7 or a #8; equal to Alexander after the big 5 and Woods. Among the six tackles he had, was a beauty on KO coverage, so he is performing on ST. already. Izzo wiffed on a block for Childress, and tackled nobody on ST, if I recall correctly. I also thought Mtchell had a ST tackle. I would count him as a candidate for the 9th LB/ST position as a "big" DB/ST player. He is actually bigger than Izzo, but outweighed by no more than a few pounds, 228-225.

Izzo has been fading for two years, while the ST coverage has gone in the outhouse. BB likes veterans, but doesn't fall in love with last year's newspaper headlines. I think it is clear that he has instructed Seeley to rebuild the kick/punt coverage, this offseason.

BB has already traded to beef up the ST coverage; and brought Mel Mitchell back as well. And he kept Willie Andrews. (who didn't have a good game on regular Defense). Lua had lots of tackles for a rook, and clearly outplayed Mays. And would have outplayed Izzo as I recall from his attempts at regular Defense.

Off this single game, I rank the LB crew as Vrabel, Bruschi, Colvin, Thomas, Seau. Woods, & Alexander as occasional regular D players, and ST; and then Rodgers, Lua, Izzo, Mays in that order. The cut line ends after Rodgers if they give the 9th to a DB; or Lua if they keep 9 LBs. Izzo and Mays are looking in. Izzo may go to the "shadow roster" awaiting the emergency telephone call for a ST injury replacement.

 

[fgssand]

The PFW guys had this to say about our young LB's - this is shaping up to be a huge battle....any way we keep them both??

One way is to keeo the two rooks, that is one IL and one OL - to go along with Woods and Izzo

They key of course, is who can excel on special teams and can either of them possibly play so well that they gain a spot but sending Izzo packing ( I am not in favor of getting rid of an experienced guy that can be counted on in favor of a rookie - UNLESS, they really show upside potential to move into the immediate back up role within a year or three and there is no way the make it to the PS.

Who’s Hot: Justin Rogers – After not really making a splash in practice, Rogers stood out in a big way during the Patriots first preseason game. The rookie outside linebacker registered six tackles, a sack and recovered a fumble. Rogers took advantage of Pierre Woods’ absence and made his case for a roster spot by being active and making some big plays.

Who’s Not: Oscar Lua – While one young linebacker shined against the Buccaneers, another faltered. Lua looked a step slow in pass coverage and reading plays as they develop. Lua has been getting a lot of reps during training camp at inside linebacker but if he continues to play like he did against Tampa Bay, Lua’s playing time will likely start to diminish.

http://www.pfwonline.com/Public/index.cfm?ac=home


SO....

Locks:

Bruschi, Seau, Colvin, Vrable, Thomas

Seemingly safe:

Woods, ALexander.

Big time bubble - pick 2:

Brown, Mays, Rogers, Lua, Izzo

How do you make these choices????

 

[rookBoston]

I think you guys are a bit too high on Alexander. Sure, he got the nod against the Colts, but I'd say he underwhelmed. With the time he's had in the system, and the opportunities on game day, we have seen this guy's upside.

Makes me think of Antwan Harris, who we were happy to keep as a role player and on ST, but could never expect to be starter. And when he got the start, he sealed his roster fate.

I think Rogers and Lua both have a legit shot, and Alexander needs to be looking a bit into his rear view mirror.

 

[BPF]

I think you guys are a bit too high on Alexander. Sure, he got the nod against the Colts, but I'd say he underwhelmed. With the time he's had in the system, and the opportunities on game day, we have seen this guy's upside.

Makes me think of Antwan Harris, who we were happy to keep as a role player and on ST, but could never expect to be starter. And when he got the start, he sealed his roster fate.

I think Rogers and Lua both have a legit shot, and Alexander needs to be looking a bit into his rear view mirror.

Alexander is a lock in my book. I think too much is made of the pass he got beat on vs Indy. He had a solid game otherwise especially for his 1st start.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I think you guys are a bit too high on Alexander. Sure, he got the nod against the Colts, but I'd say he underwhelmed. With the time he's had in the system, and the opportunities on game day, we have seen this guy's upside.

Makes me think of Antwan Harris, who we were happy to keep as a role player and on ST, but could never expect to be starter. And when he got the start, he sealed his roster fate.

I think Rogers and Lua both have a legit shot, and Alexander needs to be looking a bit into his rear view mirror.

You could be right; but Alexander is ALSO a ST maven. I didn't see Izzo playing against the Colts in the AFCCG. So as a regular D contributor, Eric is ahead of Izzo. As a ST guy he is not too far behind at worst. That adds up to a position on the depth chart above Larry.

 

[mgteich]

Surely someone equal in ability to Antwan Harris would be a lock for a ST spot.