Which player are you most excited about?

mayoclinic said:

I expect Collins will be doing a lot of that. But I could also envision him being used in a Von Miller kind of way, as a SAM in the base defense and as a pass rusher in sub packages. The fun thing with Collins is that there are so many ways to use him effectively, and I expect over time we'll see most if not all of them.

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I wonder if they'll bring back some of the 3-3-5 sub packages.

LDE- Ninkovich/Buchanan
DT- Easley
RDE- Jones
SLB- Hightower
MLB- Mayo
WLB- Collins

1.) If teams are going to be able to mark Collins, and focus on him in the running game, Collins is going to end up as a bench player. BB will scheme to avoid that.

2.) There's a former Patriots LB in Buffalo who was allowed to walk. He's been a better player than has Hightower, to date.

Deus Irae said:

1.) If teams are going to be able to mark Collins, and focus on him in the running game, Collins is going to end up as a bench player.

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And this is based on what?

Marqui said:

And this is based on what?

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1. Reports
2. Watching him play

Deus Irae said:

1. Reports
2. Watching him play

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What reports?

Marqui said:

What reports?

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Feel free to Google the issue.

Collins by far is our best LB. Athletic and explosive. Our best pass defender LB and as he grows he would be a 10+ sack guy in a 3-4. We need for him to be an elite blitzer because our pass rush has questions. Although were all hoping he improves again, Jones struggled at times and Ninkovich has overachieved and could struggle getting to the qb. If Easley, Buchannon or Zach Moore doesn't step up as effective passrushers its very important Collins terrorizes as a blitzer. I sure hope Collins isn't a benchwarmer.

PatFanCraig said:

Collins by far is our best LB.

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?????

I tried Googling "2nd year LB Jaime Collins is so weak against the run that other teams will mark him and focus on him and run at him so much that all those pesky Patriot homers should just stop hyping the kid now."

Nothing..

My Google skills being so bad that all I could find were several pundits observing how bulked up and impressive Collins looked in OTAs this year... and how he looks to now be a very promising 3 down LB.

Is Jamie Collins the Next Great Breakout Linebacker? | Michael Schottey - Bleacher Report

Forget homers, mayock a neutral source said Collins has as much or more the raw explosiveness as mingo. But small terrible school dropped him. If Collins had played for Cal, Oregon, USC,Tennessee or any other big school with his production/measurables he would be a top 10 pick.

Based on who is currently on the team I am most excited for Tom Brady and Danny Amendola. I got to put in some support for Danny the underdog coming into the season.

Deus Irae said:

?????

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You didn't hear? Two good games over an entire season makes him better than our 2x probowler (he's realistically been snubbed from atleast 2 more probowls IMO), 1x all pro, former droy LB.

Deus Irae said:

Feel free to Google the issue.

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So basically there are no reports about it and you more or less just make that claim up. That's what I thought.

Deus Irae said:

1.) If teams are going to be able to mark Collins, and focus on him in the running game, Collins is going to end up as a bench player. BB will scheme to avoid that.

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Collins played in run defense 133 snaps in 2013. While I agree the Collins hype is exaggerated I think that suggesting he is poor against the run is not valid.

2.) There's a former Patriots LB in Buffalo who was allowed to walk. He's been a better player than has Hightower, to date.

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He was allowed to walk for reasons beyond his on the field play. Had Spikes towed the company line I am sure they would have given him a contract especially the one he signed with Buffalo.

Marqui said:

So basically there are no reports about it and you more or less just make that claim up. That's what I thought.

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One day you'll have a valid point. It's not this day, but it'll happen. I'm sure everyone will be happy for you when it does happen, though.

Brady6 said:

Collins played in run defense 133 snaps in 2013. While I agree the Collins hype is exaggerated I think that suggesting he is poor against the run is not valid.

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He's good on the chase. He's lousy head on. I expect that the Patriots will hope he shows improvement at the heavier weight, and will also scheme to keep him free as much as possible. If that doesn't work, he'll end up as a sub player instead of a 3-down guy.

Brady6 said:

He was allowed to walk for reasons beyond his on the field play. Had Spikes towed the company line I am sure they would have given him a contract especially the one he signed with Buffalo.

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My point was that a better (to date) player was allowed to walk away. In the context of picking up that 5th year option, which was being discussed, that's important.

strngplyr said:

You didn't hear? Two good games over an entire season makes him better than our 2x probowler (he's realistically been snubbed from atleast 2 more probowls IMO), 1x all pro, former droy LB.

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The kid showed a few flashes, and he had one excellent game, but the hyping of this kid is already insane. Can you imagine the letdown around here if he ever misses a tackle or drops an interception, or blows a coverage? The Tobin will be end-to-end jumpers.

Deus Irae said:

The kid showed a few flashes, and he had one excellent game, but the hyping of this kid is already insane. Can you imagine the letdown around here if he ever misses a tackle or drops an interception, or blows a coverage? The Tobin will be end-to-end jumpers.

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Maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing...

strngplyr said:

Maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing...

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Yes.. all the Patriot fans with unrealistic or unrealised hopes should all just go kill themselves.