Depth at LB is pretty good actually.

Ivan · May 16, 2014

meatface said:
My real thing here is with the depth in terms of an injury, the LB group is great but do we really want Will Smith or Beauharnais to be the starter? Injuries will happen

I don't see Smith playing LB at all, he is a 4-3 pass rushing DE who was brought in to give Ninkovich and Jones a breather and will play a similar role to Carter if he pans out. If they got desperate then i think the more likely switch would be Ninkovich to LB, and Easley to starting DE in his place.

Ivan · May 16, 2014

Brady6 said:
I think that is because you are looking at it as a two tight end offense still, and it will not be that moving forward.

-Gronkowski
-Keller
-Hoomanawanui

That would be very good depth in a one tight end offense. Also keep in mind Develin can lineup at TE.

No, it's because both Gronkowski and Keller are coming off major injuries and Develin is not a TE.

Brady6 · May 16, 2014

Ivan said:
No, it's because both Gronkowski and Keller are coming off major injuries and Develin is not a TE.

ASJ would have been the same situation. He was coming back from a foot injury.

Brady6 · May 16, 2014

4-3 Under
Sam LB-Ninkovich-Collins
5tech LE-Easley-Armstead
1tech NT-Wilfork-Kelly-Siliga
3tech DT-Kelly-Armstead-Jones (DT)
Leo RE-Jones (DE)-Smith-Buchanan-Moore

Mike LB-Hightower-Beauharnais
Will LB-Mayo-Collins

4-2-5 Nickel
LE-Ninkovich-Smith-Moore
DT-Easley-Armstead-Jones (DT)
DT-Jones (DE)-Smith-Moore
RE-Buchanan-Smith-Moore

SLB-Collins-Hightower-Beauharnais
WLB-Mayo-Hightower-Beauharnais

Gymrat · May 17, 2014

Great depth but lacks quality in this passing league. Collins has great skills,mayo is solid not spectacular high tower is a big slow bust. Nobody thinks he will become a standout except hopefuls who hoped for crable,Cunningham,carter,bequette to become standouts. Nobody realistically has expectations for him anymore without lying to yourself. Farmstead or buchannon haven't shown anything to write home about. Collins is our best by far

VJCPatriot · May 19, 2014

Our starters are in place at LB -- Mayo, Hightower, Collins.
As for depth, that's what the rookies and June 1st cuts are for. We'll get more. I'm not too worried about that.

goheels22002 · May 19, 2014

This thread has been driving me nuts. To me, linebacker is the weakest position grouping of the 2014 Patriots. I don't see any depth at linebacker that gives me confidence.
http://www.patriots.com/schedule-and-stats/depth-chart.html

It was a major issue last year when Mayo went down, and an injury to any of the starters will be a huge problem. Josh Hull, Chris White, JaGared Davis, Steve (1 career tackle) Beauharnais? These guys haven't done anything at the NFL level.

Sadly, I do not see much on the free agent ticker that gets me excited either: http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2014OLB.php

Sciz · May 19, 2014

Gymrat said:
Great depth but lacks quality in this passing league. Collins has great skills,mayo is solid not spectacular high tower is a big slow bust. Nobody thinks he will become a standout except hopefuls who hoped for crable,Cunningham,carter,bequette to become standouts. Nobody realistically has expectations for him anymore without lying to yourself. Farmstead or buchannon haven't shown anything to write home about. Collins is our best by far

It's a shame that people gave up on Hightower around mid season and completely stopped watching him. He was nothing short of exceptional the last 6 games or so.

That coincided with when Collins' playing time increased. It shouldn't be any surprise that Hightower played very well when Collins could be the #1 coverage LB as opposed to when Hightower had to because Spikes couldn't.

Ivan · May 19, 2014

Gymrat said:
Great depth but lacks quality in this passing league. Collins has great skills,mayo is solid not spectacular high tower is a big slow bust. Nobody thinks he will become a standout except hopefuls who hoped for crable,Cunningham,carter,bequette to become standouts. Nobody realistically has expectations for him anymore without lying to yourself. Farmstead or buchannon haven't shown anything to write home about. Collins is our best by far

Cunningham, Carter, Bequette and Armstead are DL, Crable was the only LB bust in that group. Mayo hasa been one of the best LB's in football since getting here and Hightower while struggling at times is a much better player than you seem to think.

primetime · May 19, 2014

goheels22002 said:
This thread has been driving me nuts. To me, linebacker is the weakest position grouping of the 2014 Patriots. I don't see any depth at linebacker that gives me confidence.
http://www.patriots.com/schedule-and-stats/depth-chart.html

It was a major issue last year when Mayo went down, and an injury to any of the starters will be a huge problem. Josh Hull, Chris White, JaGared Davis, Steve (1 career tackle) Beauharnais? These guys haven't done anything at the NFL level.

Sadly, I do not see much on the free agent ticker that gets me excited either: http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2014OLB.php

Erin Henderson is available. Unfortunately, he had two DUIs in the offseason. But he was a three down linebacker for the Vikings last year.

Ivan · May 19, 2014

goheels22002 said:
This thread has been driving me nuts. To me, linebacker is the weakest position grouping of the 2014 Patriots. I don't see any depth at linebacker that gives me confidence.
http://www.patriots.com/schedule-and-stats/depth-chart.html

It was a major issue last year when Mayo went down, and an injury to any of the starters will be a huge problem. Josh Hull, Chris White, JaGared Davis, Steve (1 career tackle) Beauharnais? These guys haven't done anything at the NFL level.

Sadly, I do not see much on the free agent ticker that gets me excited either: http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2014OLB.php

I agree, i had LB right there with TE as the biggest needs going into the draft and was really hoping they would use a high pick to add a guy with a similar skill set to Collins to the group, run stuffers are much easier to find. Ultimately they went another route and i think part of the reason is that Belichick believes he can find back-up LB's during summer releases and cuts as well as the remaining free agency, and he will address TE scheme wise instead of trying to find one who be a major contributor in a two TE system.

Ivan · May 19, 2014

primetime said:
Erin Henderson is available. Unfortunately, he had two DUIs in the offseason. But he was a three down linebacker for the Vikings last year.

Many people get a DUI at some point in time and they learn from it and it doesn't happen again, anyone who gets two in one year is too stupid to work as a construction flagger. I did have a friend once who managed to get two in one day, but he was an idiot.

Ivan · May 19, 2014

Sciz said:
It's a shame that people gave up on Hightower around mid season and completely stopped watching him. He was nothing short of exceptional the last 6 games or so.

That coincided with when Collins' playing time increased. It shouldn't be any surprise that Hightower played very well when Collins could be the #1 coverage LB as opposed to when Hightower had to because Spikes couldn't.

I agree, Hightower's struggles have come when they ask him to do more than he is ready to do, and he definitely improved when Collins started seeing more playing time. he will be much improved with Mayo inside and Collins on the other side.

primetime · May 19, 2014

Ivan said:
Many people get a DUI at some point in time and they learn from it and it doesn't happen again, anyone who gets two in one year is too stupid to work as a construction flagger. I did have a friend once who managed to get two in one day, but he was an idiot.

Two in six weeks for Henderson, in fact. And he was high at the time, as well.

He went through rehab but I suspect his NFL career is done.

Geezer Butler · May 19, 2014

primetime said:
Two in six weeks for Henderson, in fact. And he was high at the time, as well.

He went through rehab but I suspect his NFL career is done.

Well in that case sign him up!!!!!

Bonzo · May 19, 2014

Sciz said:
It's a shame that people gave up on Hightower around mid season and completely stopped watching him. He was nothing short of exceptional the last 6 games or so.

That coincided with when Collins' playing time increased. It shouldn't be any surprise that Hightower played very well when Collins could be the #1 coverage LB as opposed to when Hightower had to because Spikes couldn't.

Yeah, Hightower will be the one who benefits the most from Spikes' departure. He'll be utilized in a manner better consistent with his skill set, and I expect the popular opinion on him will turn around this season.

Gymrat · May 19, 2014

All MLB's have to drop at times. High tower would b better served playing at 250-255 at mlb. Collins could b n elite blitzer. Mayo is very good n has racked up tackles in the SYSTEM,but never the splash game changing plays of willis,bowman,David etc. Henderson would b a nice addition. He isn't stupid, alcohol alters your thinking lol. Who doesn't know that. R we building a team of role models n choir boys or a championship team. Jimmy Johnson knew it was bout talent n had he not quit would have ripped off 4-5 straight super bowls. As long as he addresses his prob welcome aboard. When we get together for weekend football we surely don't kick the best players off the team for a DUI. Now I'm not saying keep a nut like Hernandez or felonist but this character stuff gets carried away. People with a DUI or barfight can still b a great hardworking NFL player.Do u c Cleveland in a hurry to give up on Flash Gordon after his breakout. Or sf in a hurry to give up on smith. Noway,cuz there is no substitution for talent.

Ivan · May 19, 2014

Gymrat said:
All MLB's have to drop at times. High tower would b better served playing at 250-255 at mlb. Collins could b n elite blitzer. Mayo is very good n has racked up tackles in the SYSTEM,but never the splash game changing plays of willis,bowman,David etc. Henderson would b a nice addition. He isn't stupid, alcohol alters your thinking lol. Who doesn't know that. R we building a team of role models n choir boys or a championship team. Jimmy Johnson knew it was bout talent n had he not quit would have ripped off 4-5 straight super bowls. As long as he addresses his prob welcome aboard. When we get together for weekend football we surely don't kick the best players off the team for a DUI. Now I'm not saying keep a nut like Hernandez or felonist but this character stuff gets carried away. People with a DUI or barfight can still b a great hardworking NFL player.Do u c Cleveland in a hurry to give up on Flash Gordon after his breakout. Or sf in a hurry to give up on smith. Noway,cuz there is no substitution for talent.

2 DUI's in a matter of weeks is ridiculous and that will draw a significant suspension on its own, that's taking bad judgement to the heights.

Hightower is most likely going to play the SAM not the MIKE for them, Mayo will be inside.

As far as the talent argument goes that is always a matter of looking at everything regarding the individual and making the assessment, you don't keep players just because they are talented and you don't cut them just because they got into some trouble or made a bad decision. There are lines that are crossed that can make it impossible to keep a player but it is usually a holistic decision.

AzPatsFan · May 19, 2014

Ivan said:
I would feel better with Keller in the fold but still view their overall depth as shaky, even with him, as he is coming off of serious injury as well.

If we have superior TEs we will play them. If not, we won't.

The WR situation is much, much, better than last season. Edelman is a known commodity as is Amendola. The rooks are not raw rooks this season. La Fell provides a second big X receiver and slot move TE. So does the experiment with Harrison. Boyce provides a true speed, flanker. There are additional newcomers in Gallon etc.

mgteich · May 19, 2014

Please understand that Harrison as a TE experiment is the illusion of posters.

AzPatsFan said:
If we have superior TEs we will play them. If not, we won't.

The WR situation is much, much, better than last season. Edelman is a known commodity as is Amendola. The rooks are not raw rooks this season. La Fell provides a second big X receiver and slot move TE. So does the experiment with Harrison. Boyce provides a true speed, flanker. There are additional newcomers in Gallon etc.

Depth at LB is pretty good actually.

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