Is Bruschi a weak link in defense?

[Julius]

Blasphemy I know but after watching some of the Ravens game he didn't look very impressive. I know it's the first preseason game but I will be watching him the next few games to see how he looks. I'm hoping he can platoon with someone to keep him fresh this year and get the best out of him.

 

[makoute]

Not blasphemy at all, he hasn't been that good since coming back from his stroke. Seau, I thought looked much better than him the past couple of seasons.

 

[patsox23]

We all love Bruschi, and he's hardly the only iffy part of the D, but the simple and undeniable answer here is, on some level, "Yes, and he has been for more than a year."

 

[n8wood]

If our defense is going to get faster, he should be next in line to get replaced. He's relying on his instincts and football smarts, but he is no longer a physical presence. He gets run over occasionally.

Either he or the CB position would be the weakest link. Hopefully some of the new CB's step up in the next few weeks.

 

[BillyD123]

Not blasphemy at all, he hasn't been that good since coming back from his stroke. Seau, I thought looked much better than him the past couple of seasons.

If you see it. And I see it. You'd think the coaching staff would see it.
I posted a few days ago, that I thought Teddy was slow to the ball. (last year!) Trying to make arm tackles etc... He's a HUGE fan favorite still. Also he has the persona that the team & NFL likes to promote. He may be an average LB at best, at this point. Mentally he's sharp. He'd have to become a liabilty in situational downs for the team to have the retirement talk with him. To his benifit, his price is right. Honestly, I was hoping he would've retired in the off season. He has a great legacy with the Pats.

 

[Jimke]

If our defense is going to get faster, he should be next in line to get replaced. He's relying on his instincts and football smarts, but he is no longer a physical presence. He gets run over occasionally.

Either he or the CB position would be the weakest link. Hopefully some of the new CB's step up in the next few weeks.

The reason I hope the Patriots retain Guyton and Redd on their 53

roster is to have replacements for Bruschi in 2009 and Vrabel in 2010.

 

[ALP]

If you see it. And I see it. You'd think the coaching staff would see it.
I posted a few days ago, that I thought Teddy was slow to the ball. (last year!) Trying to make arm tackles etc... He's a HUGE fan favorite still. Also he has the persona that the team & NFL likes to promote. He may be an average LB at best, at this point. Mentally he's sharp. He'd have to become a liabilty in situational downs for the team to have the retirement talk with him. To his benifit, his price is right. Honestly, I was hoping he would've retired in the off season. He has a great legacy with the Pats.

im glad bru came back, for only one reason...he needs to mentor the up and coming talent

however, i would not like to see bru in many plays in any game in the actual season...

if we play a primarily running team, then he can be in 1st and/or 2nd down, after that, he should not be in the game at all...

 

[DarrylS]

Funny how we all see things differently from the coaching staff, he seems to have lost a step.. but here is the big question.. do you really think that BB would let him play MLB if he was not able to do what was expected of him?? Sentimentality is not a strong suit of this team..

 

[fgssand]

Healthy Seymour = dominating line (we have never yet seen a year when Warren, Seymour & Wilfork have been playing healthy) = Bruschi playing like a kid again, doing what he did again. Factor in the additon of other linebackers around him that will command attention (Mayo, Thomas Vrable, Woods, Crable).....may mean our best LB's corp, EVER = best defense since 2004.

By the way TB's 99 tackles last year were much more meaningful / effective by the fact that the stat. of tackles being inflated by the way the stat crews keep the stats as pointed out here by the posted article by Gosselin.


http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=92741&highlight=gosselin

 

[Scouse Patriot]

If you see it. And I see it. You'd think the coaching staff would see it.

Seriously, they see alot more of Teddy Bruschi than all of us put together. Your talking about Belichick here. If your totaly past it you won't be playing in a pats uniform, simple as.

There are reasons he's still around. Invaluable experience to a weaker part of our D who will help bring the kids on, depth, plus he can play football. I'm not saying we're wrong about him losing step, but there are reasons why he's still on the pats roster and there are reasons why we're typing here and the people who make up our coaching staff are preparing the elite team in the NFL for a new season.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

Then does Bruschi become a game day inactive at points through the season?

 

[Richter]

I thought Bruschi played at a much higher level last season than he had in previous season's since returning from his stroke. I think he'll get a chance to play more SILB this season, which is the role he's best suited for now. Junior had a nice year last year, but he was playing WILB almost exclusively, and it's easier to flash and make plays that people notice from that position. I was worried about Tedy's production really dropping off before last season, but I actually feel better after watching his workmanlike performance last year. Mayo is going to step right in and handle a lot of the work on the weak side I think, and Junior is going to come back if the Patriots want him, so I'm pretty happy with the linebackers at the moment, including Tedy.

 

[n8wood]

Bruschi is still around because it's hard to find an MLB that can grasp and accel in this system. Just because he's still here doesn't mean the position can't be improved.

Bottom line: Bruschi is showing his age, but it could be alot worse for us.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Not blasphemy at all, he hasn't been that good since coming back from his stroke. Seau, I thought looked much better than him the past couple of seasons.

Agree 100%. I still think there is a spot on this roster for Junior.
He can rotate with Bruschi and keep both of them fresh.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Thursday night there were plays where Bru was 1-2 steps ahead of young Mayo due to his experience. What was truly nice to see is Bru and Mayo working as a team, if Hobson's grasp of the ILB slot continues to improve then he can spell Tedy for some running down reps. On passing downs Bru came out and Tank came in, perhaps young Guyton or one of the Safeties can fill that role alongside Mayo. For all his physical shortcomings, Bru appears in every way to be the leader of the linebackers and I for one want these youngsters to get the complete 'Full Tilt, Full Time' indoctrination.

Bruschi in 08 is Great! Feel free to steal it for your own. :rocker:

 

[JMarr]

The Weak Link was the absence of Seymour and the lack of a quality speed rusher. After Colvin went down, we lost a crucial element on defense. Having to run safety and cornerback blitzes because of lack of front seven QB pressure ain't getting it done.

Bruschi definitely got steamrolled and dragged for a few yards on more than a couple of occasions last year. Overall he was solid and will be invaluable to the Pats this season. He has and has more heart than anyone in the league, period.

 

[Richter]

The Weak Link was the absence of Seymour and the lack of a quality speed rusher. After Colvin went down, we lost a crucial element on defense. Having to run safety and cornerback blitzes because of lack of front seven QB pressure ain't getting it done.

This is bingo, right here. Seymour being less than his usual pocket-collapsing force of nature self really made things tougher on the linebackers in general. With a healthy Seymour, and a rotation of pass rushers outside including Thomas moving back to his more natural position, you'll see the inside guys have an easier time of it.

 

[BelizePats]

Teddy can still be a huge asset to the team. Its really a question of how they use him situationally. At this stage of his career, he should not be a 3 down linebacker. He needs to be out on all obvious passing situations but can still contribute a great deal on either first and or second down. At this early stage of the 2008 draft class progression, it looks as though we have some pretty talented kids at the linebacking corp. The future of this position looks bright. It will be even brighter if Teddy is able to pass his knowledge and work ethic onto the young guys.
I love the Teddy and I want him on our team. Now it's up to the coaching staff to use him properly.

 

[JMarr]

If Seymour gets back to his 2005 form, the D-line will be just a bit intimidating to say the least. Jarvis Green is underrated and was the best pass rusher on the team in last year. I wish they could get him in on more snaps:
[Press Conf. question: "Bill....how committed are you to running the 3-4defense?"...................crickets..........."sorry"

 

[IcyPatriot]

If he doesn't have to cover anybody he still has it ...
He can't cover people anymore.