Where is Seau?

[fumbrunner]

...Likely surfing in Hawaii.

With training camp under way and no sign of Seau, is it safe to assume that he is done? Great career, but unfortunate that he did not win a SB.

 

[ScottieC]

...Likely surfing in Hawaii.

With training camp under way and no sign of Seau, is it safe to assume that he is done? Great career, but unfortunate that he did not win a SB.

My guess, like you, surfing in the Pacific and talking to BB about a comeback - Mostly surfing.

 

[Kontradiction]

I hope he's surfing and enjoying his retirement. I'm in super **** mode today and I know I'm going to get flamed for this but I, for one, do not want him back. I appreciate what he's done for us but I've seen this defense get completely gassed at the end of two huge games. I want our defense as young and as fast as we can get it. If anything, I'd rather him come back in the event that injuries ravage our LB corps. But, if that doesn't happen, I want Junior to enjoy his retirement.

 

[Deus Irae]

I hope he's surfing and enjoying his retirement. I'm in super **** mode today and I know I'm going to get flamed for this but I, for one, do not want him back. I appreciate what he's done for us but I've seen this defense get completely gassed at the end of two huge games. I want our defense as young and as fast as we can get it. If anything, I'd rather him come back in the event that injuries ravage our LB corps. But, if that doesn't happen, I want Junior to enjoy his retirement.

Again, it wasn't the old linebackers blowing coverages and dropping easy interceptions in the Super Bowl.

 

[Kontradiction]

Again, it wasn't the old linebackers blowing coverages and dropping easy interceptions in the Super Bowl.

I know it wasn't. That's why I didn't say "these linebackers" and instead said "this defense". But even you would have to admit that we were burned over the middle far too often last year. The Eagles and the Ravens, in particular, exposed this. In the Eagles game, A.J. Feeley (yes him) threw over the middle against us all day and had no problem with it. The minute he threw against Samuel or Hobbs (not sure which one it was), it was picked off. I don't know if it's the bend-but-don't-break defense which made that area seem particularly weak or if it was the old legs or if it was both. What I do know is I don't want a corps or linebackers that are closing in on their 40's fast. I appreciate what Junior did for us, but I think we will be better off with a younger defense as a whole.

 

[Truck]

If anything, I'd rather him come back in the event that injuries ravage our LB corps. But, if that doesn't happen, I want Junior to enjoy his retirement.

The problem was that Junior was playing full time at the end; Would you rather have a part time Junior or a part time young but not good-at-all lb? thats the real question.

I dont think anyone wants Junior as a starter; but he'd be great as the 6th or 7th LB (and his leadership / enthusiasm)

 

[JMarr]

I hope he's surfing and enjoying his retirement. I'm in super **** mode today and I know I'm going to get flamed for this but I, for one, do not want him back. I appreciate what he's done for us but I've seen this defense get completely gassed at the end of two huge games. I want our defense as young and as fast as we can get it. If anything, I'd rather him come back in the event that injuries ravage our LB corps. But, if that doesn't happen, I want Junior to enjoy his retirement.

I don't know what kind of shape he's in but I'd like to see him back as a situational LB and mentor to the new guys. Rodney's going to have his hands full with the DBs. Vrabel and AD don't strike me as particularly communicative guys, and according to certain "inside sources" LOL, Bruschi doesn't go out of his way to mentor younger players. Also, I'm not at all sold that we're going to see an upgrade at LB, at least not until later in the season.

 

[BadMoFo]

I hope he's surfing and enjoying his retirement. I'm in super **** mode today and I know I'm going to get flamed for this but I, for one, do not want him back. I appreciate what he's done for us but I've seen this defense get completely gassed at the end of two huge games. I want our defense as young and as fast as we can get it. If anything, I'd rather him come back in the event that injuries ravage our LB corps. But, if that doesn't happen, I want Junior to enjoy his retirement.

Why you mother ***...

I'm cool with him being gone also. Liked the guy a lot, but it's time for a new batch of LBs to get this thing done. However, if we are in need for an experienced LB sometime during the year, I hope Seau answers his phone.

 

[Krugman]

I've read that Junior is a workout warrior and keeps in great shape 365 days a year,so he should be ready to go if called.Used in certain situations,I'd like to see him back.My 2 Cents...

 

[Deus Irae]

I know it wasn't. That's why I didn't say "these linebackers" and instead said "this defense". But even you would have to admit that we were burned over the middle far too often last year. The Eagles and the Ravens, in particular, exposed this. In the Eagles game, A.J. Feeley (yes him) threw over the middle against us all day and had no problem with it. The minute he threw against Samuel or Hobbs (not sure which one it was), it was picked off. I don't know if it's the bend-but-don't-break defense which made that area seem particularly weak or if it was the old legs or if it was both. What I do know is I don't want a corps or linebackers that are closing in on their 40's fast. I appreciate what Junior did for us, but I think we will be better off with a younger defense as a whole.

Yes, they were being burned over the middle more than elsewhere. However, I view that as a product of a relatively poor pass defending quartet of 2 inside linebackers and 2 safeties who really aren't cover safeties at this stage in their careers. Had the rookie safety been NFL ready and starting from day 1, I suspect things would have been much different on a lot of those third downs.

 

[Kontradiction]

The problem was that Junior was playing full time at the end; Would you rather have a part time Junior or a part time young but not good-at-all lb? thats the real question.

I dont think anyone wants Junior as a starter; but he'd be great as the 6th or 7th LB (and his leadership / enthusiasm)

I don't think you could classify any of the newer LBs who would come in and take his place as a not-good-at-all LB.

I don't know what kind of shape he's in but I'd like to see him back as a situational LB and mentor to the new guys. Rodney's going to have his hands full with the DBs. Vrabel and AD don't strike me as particularly communicative guys, and according to certain "inside sources" LOL, Bruschi doesn't go out of his way to mentor younger players. Also, I'm not at all sold that we're going to see an upgrade at LB, at least not until later in the season.

This would actually be the only way I'd want him back in a Pats uniform. A situational/transitional guy who can mentor the likes of Mayo/Crable/etc.

 

[TripleOption]

He hasn't retired, so you can safely assume that he is at home and not at all missing Training Camp. He will likely sign near the end of Camp if BB sees a need.

 

[Kontradiction]

Yes, they were being burned over the middle more than elsewhere. However, I view that as a product of a relatively poor pass defending quartet of 2 inside linebackers and 2 safeties who really aren't cover safeties at this stage in their careers. Had the rookie safety been NFL ready and starting from day 1, I suspect things would have been much different on a lot of those third downs.

Which is why I want the defense as a whole (not just the LB corps) to get younger. Younger legs are better in coverage. I'd still love for Rodney to be out there to perhaps lay out the occasional vicious hit though. But I just hope Meriweather transforms into a ball hawking safety this year. And, from what I've read in TC reports, he is on his way to doing just that.

 

[Deus Irae]

Which is why I want the defense as a whole (not just the LB corps) to get younger. Younger legs are better in coverage. I'd still love for Rodney to be out there to perhaps lay out the occasional vicious hit though. But I just hope Meriweather transforms into a ball hawking safety this year. And, from what I've read in TC reports, he is on his way to doing just that.

This younger legs things is not true, though. Meriweather's legs were younger last year, but he'll be better in coverage this year. There's a combination of talent, experience, speed and quickness that gives you the kind of player you're looking at. This defense that people have been foolishly maligning all off-season was among the best in the NFL and helped get the team to 18 straight wins. Then, in the one game the team lost, the problem on the defensive side of the ball was with younger players who failed to get the job done.

The reality is that the Patriots' defense was pretty young last year. The only places with real age were at ILB and Rodney, and part of the reason for even that much age being on the field was yet another injury to a younger player (Colvin).

 

[Kontradiction]

This younger legs things is not true, though. Meriweather's legs were younger last year, but he'll be better in coverage this year.

I should have clarified this a little more, but by "younger legs" I meant defenders under the age of 33.

There's a combination of talent, experience, speed and quickness that gives you the kind of player you're looking at.

True. I will agree with you that there is absolutely no substitute for experience. But, as you know from your years of playing football, the old addage is 'speed kills'. Experience is a must, but you must be able to defend the quickness of the other team as well. There's only so much a soft zone can mask. Case and point: watch Seau and Bruschi try to cover L.T. in the AFCCG. The keyword is TRY. And this is taking into account the fact that L.T. had a bum knee.

This defense that people have been foolishly maligning all off-season was among the best in the NFL and helped get the team to 18 straight wins.

I'm not maligning it. I'll even go so far as to say that the defense was the only reason the Giants' score was no higher in the Super Bowl. However, that fourth place ranking in 2007 is severely masked by the fact that opponents were almost always playing from behind and out of their element having to pass the ball constantly in order to keep up with our offense.

Then, in the one game the team lost, the problem on the defensive side of the ball was with younger players who failed to get the job done.

LOL, to be honest with you, I was pretty hammered throughout that whole game. The only part I remember is the 4th quarter so I can't really comment on whether or not we were getting burned over the middle all day.

The reality is that the Patriots' defense was pretty young last year. The only places with real age were at ILB and Rodney, and part of the reason for even that much age being on the field was yet another injury to a younger player (Colvin).

Agreed. Our defensive line (should we resign Wilfork) will be set for a long time. The secondary is still young and got even younger in the draft. The only two areas of concern are a safety spot and our LBs. One we addressed in the draft, the other I have a feeling we will address next year.

 

[Deus Irae]

Agreed. Our defensive line (should we resign Wilfork) will be set for a long time. The secondary is still young and got even younger in the draft. The only two areas of concern are a safety spot and our LBs. One we addressed in the draft, the other I have a feeling we will address next year.

By the way, I don't disagree with the idea that this group's (ILBs) experience is starting to be outweighed by its physical decline. I just think that a healthy Seymour, healthy Colvin and a faster adjusting Meriweather would have made a world of difference last year, and also that the experience of Seau would be capable of helping this season.

 

[BradyManny]

Again, it wasn't the old linebackers blowing coverages and dropping easy interceptions in the Super Bowl.

Plus, I never had any complaints about Seau's play over the last two seasons. If there was a weak link once Colvin went down, it was probably Bruschi.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Two simple words..."Shadow Roster" Injuries happen. Seau enjoys staying in shape.

That being said I think we'll see BB moving on and shaking up the D this year. Capers' hire was one sign. I think we'll see an injection of more youth onto the 53 than usual. Obvious reasons include the possibility that this could well be 54s & 37s last seasons. I also think that BB is not at all satisfied with how well his D has played at the end of the last 2 seasons, diminishing his legacy. (Delete long repeat posts to follow about how Feb was a team loss, with which I agree) BB is a football historian and he does not need decades of his great defenses sullied by perceived collapses.

 

[signbabybrady]

I also think that BB is not at all satisfied with how well his D has played at the end of the last 2 seasons, diminishing his legacy. BB is a football historian and he does not need decades of his great defenses sullied by perceived collapses.

I hope you don't really think that losing an AFC title game and losing a SB sullies his legacy in anyway. He certainly could have improved upon his legacy had he won those but to say falling 2 wins and one shy of two more titles sullies you legacy is crazy. BB legacy is firmly in hand and IMO there is not much that will change that.


I mean I always thought of Belichick as one of the 2 or 3 greatest coaches of all time but he has lost an AFC title game and the SB so now he is a bum (or now he is #5 all time).

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

BB does not have a laid back, fanboy view of his past accomplishments. One more time, as a football historian, he sets a very stringent goal for himself in history. He's hardly satisfied with how the past seasons finished. He's doing something concerted to address the problems.