If Ninkovich or Chandler Jones get injured....

Who do you think would replace them?

Buchanan is terrible against the run from what I've seen, Zach Moore isn't ready yet, and Will Smith/Bequette both look like roster cuts. Everyone says we have no depth at DE, but...

Jamie Collins has the athleticism and size to play DE. He played DE his senior year in college and was listed at DE when he was drafted. Then we still have Mayo/Hightower/Anderson at LB.

Hightower also played DE his senior year, but only on 3rd downs. He has the size to fit in at DE.

Easley also played quite a bit of DE, though he seemed to fair much better when inside at DT. He's played every position along the DLine.

Do you think any of these are a viable option if Nink or Jones miss extended time with an injury? IMO we have a wealth of players who could step in and put their hand in the dirt if needed.

Bring Hightower down into the DE rotation and promote one of the depth players to take his spot in the LB rotation. This is situational, of course.

If Easley is up to it, I'd swing him to DE and leave Kelly (assuming he makes the team) and Wilfork as the DT's opposite Jones/Ninko in a 43 alignment.

We'd probably see Wilfork back at NT, Kelly and one of Jones, Siliga, Easly, or Velano play the other end with Ninko (or Jones depending who gets hurt in this hypothetical)/Collins splitting coverage/rush reps.

I think Ninkovich is easier to replace, he does everything above average but doesn't do certain things as well as Jones can.

I'd just rather neither get hurt.

Why are you making these threads? Bored? Worried about something?

MrNathanDrake said:

Who do you think would replace them?

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Worst case scenario, Tommy Kelly started his rookie season with Oakland Raiders at left defensive end.

So far, Darius Flemming has consistently held the edge, and I don't think it would be crazy to think that he would hold down the fort if injuries were to happen.

So, take any 2 teams and remove 2 starters and the picture looks more grim? There's usually not too many quality starters riding pine. Or are you suggesting that we have a great situation because BB wants players who are versatile and thus we are less likely to suffer a position loss (seems to be).

But, there's always a reason that people start and I'm not too sure I was in love with the backup LBs i saw playing (granted that was limited to the first preseason game as I'll be able to watch the philly game tomorrow).

Even if they don't get injured somebody needs to be able to take snaps from them. Someone's gotta step up period

Isn't Carter still around?

ausbacker said:

Bring Hightower down into the DE rotation and promote one of the depth players to take his spot in the LB rotation. This is situational, of course.

If Easley is up to it, I'd swing him to DE and leave Kelly (assuming he makes the team) and Wilfork as the DT's opposite Jones/Ninko in a 43 alignment.

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Or play a 3-4 with Easley or the other Jones opposite Kelly with Jones-Mayo-Hightower-Collins at LB. Still, I'd rather see Hightower engaging an OT than Collins.

I was just about ready to make this thread, OP. It is pretty concerning, because we'd likely have to have someone move from their original position to replace Jones or Ninkovich. We have no one who's natural position is DE that's capable of replacing one of the two.

I want to see the third preseason game before I worry about it. That's where a guy like Smith would typically start to show his value as a veteran. The fact that we haven't heard much from him in the first two games is pretty meaningless. I'm still expecting that he will contribute.

RelocatedPatFan said:

So, take any 2 teams and remove 2 starters and the picture looks more grim? There's usually not too many quality starters riding pine. Or are you suggesting that we have a great situation because BB wants players who are versatile and thus we are less likely to suffer a position loss (seems to be).

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Indeed, take a look at the Broncos for example.

Should they lose Ware and/or Wolfe to injury, they are looking at starting unknowns named Malik Jackson and Quanterus Smith.

Any of the backup DE's might be the 1st off the bench: Buchanan, Smith or Worthy. Obviously, we have hope that Easley will be ready.

Some would start Collins or Hightower. I suspect that this wouldn't happen because of the talent gap between starters and backups at LB. Moving Collins creates a hole at LB.

Another option would be to play more 3-4, kicking Kelly or Easley outside.
===================
A backup at DE was a major need for improvement coming into this season. Hopefully Buchanan is better than last year. Also we've added Smith and Worthy. We've also drafted Easley and Moore.

I would say that Belichick used quite a few resources at this position.

Haley said:

Isn't Carter still around?

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Carter's done.

I'm really not surprised that some people on here act like the Pats are the only team with this problem.

But FWIW

Two strong rushes off the right defensive edge by linebacker Jamie Collins in 1-on-1 drills.

Linebacker James Anderson showed his coverage skills as he picked up wide receiverDanny Amendola in the slot and stepped in front to make an interception on Brady. Collins hurried the pass with a strong pass rush.

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They better find somebody to give those two a breather.

Chandler Jones' playoff stats last year in two games: 3 tackles, and a goose egg everywhere else.

mgteich said:

Some would start Collins or Hightower. I suspect that this wouldn't happen because of the talent gap between starters and backups at LB. Moving Collins creates a hole at LB.

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Anderson is a decent veteran LB. The hole at LB wouldn't be as big as the hole at DE.

If we are playing a 7 man front I would go 3-4 with Easley, Wilfork and Kelly on the line and Mayo, Collins, Hightower and the heaalthy one of Jones/Nink at LB. If we were playing the Colts, Broncos or another pass heavy team I would put Bucanan in for the injured DE and not shuffle around anything else.

ausbacker said:

Bring Hightower down into the DE rotation and promote one of the depth players to take his spot in the LB rotation. This is situational, of course.

If Easley is up to it, I'd swing him to DE and leave Kelly (assuming he makes the team) and Wilfork as the DT's opposite Jones/Ninko in a 43 alignment.

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I do not want to see Easley anywhere wider than the OGs outside shoulder.
He will be a beastly inside rusher, and will be neutralized by being moved further from the ball.