LB Replacement Possibilities

iapatsfan · Oct 13, 2014

I have to imagine going forward with Skinner and Chris White seeing significant time is not a viable option in the long run. What are the options for replacement? Fleming? Big Nickel with Browner? Trade (I mentioned Akeem Ayers as a possibility in another thread as he has fallen out of favor in Tenn and wouldn't cost a lot). LB off somebody's practice squad. I just can't see the Pats going forward with the LB core as it currently stands with Mayo out.

Luxusdk · Oct 13, 2014

I havn't seen ANY comment with the option of getting a better a DE and then move Ninkovish back. That option really shouldn't be ruled out, have to remmeber Buchanan are on IR aswell.

VrabelJr · Oct 13, 2014

Hightower and Collins will be playing 90% snaps a game I imagine. I hope Collins is capable of having the dot so Hightower doesn't have to play Mayo's position again. Hightower is elite at his current position but only mediocre at Mayo's.

I don't think you can trade for someone to replace Mayo. The only way to replace him is have someone knowledgeable about our defense and you won't get that if you trade for someone from another team.

mayoclinic · Oct 13, 2014

Once he gets healthy, I wouldn't be shocked to see more of Ebner playing as a hybrid LB/S.

ewg_gestalt · Oct 13, 2014

VrabelJr said:
I don't think you can trade for someone to replace Mayo. The only way to replace him is have someone knowledgeable about our defense and you won't get that if you trade for someone from another team.

How soon we forget:

patsfan06 · Oct 13, 2014

Couple of Alabama guys (whom Bill supposedly love) that are both currently on NFL Practice squads:
Nico Johnson - Kansas City
Jerrell Harris - Detroit

Also what about Erin Henderson? His issues were more off the field than on the field, anyone willing to give the guy a second chance?

patsfan06 · Oct 13, 2014

Also wouldn't be surprised to see us bring back Steve Buharnais.

203Pat · Oct 13, 2014

Pat Angerer and Stewart Bradley are the only 2 FA's out there that I think are worth kicking the tires on.

mosi · Oct 13, 2014

patsfan06 said:
Also wouldn't be surprised to see us bring back Steve Buharnais.

I could see that. He is on Washington's practice squad.

patsfan06 · Oct 13, 2014

I'd easily give Erin Henderson a shot before either of those guys.

Angerer is done...he's toast.
Bradley has been out of the league for a year. Not exactly the kind of guy you expect to come back mid year and play at a high level.

Deus Irae · Oct 13, 2014

What's Adam Seward up to these days?

TBR · Oct 13, 2014

Erin Henderson would be a solid option

BadMoFo · Oct 13, 2014

Wouldn't Henderson be suspended if he came back now? He's out of the league because of his drinking arrests.

JoeSixPat · Oct 13, 2014

With the possible exception of Seward (and only "possible"!) I can see many of these option being considered by Belichick.

There's enough teams out of the playoff hunt already too that a trade isn't out of the question, but in general I get the feeling that Belichick will add some depth by grabbing a practice squad guy he likes, and then potentially adjust his defensive schemes to utilize the guys he has

While there's some injuries where guys on, say the OL simply take on a specified role when injuries happen, Mayo is a talent that allows Belichick to run defensive schemes that he just can't if he doesn't have such talent on the field.

Quite simply there is no replacing Mayo but Belichick can adjust

patsfan06 · Oct 13, 2014

BadMoFo said:
Wouldn't Henderson be suspended if he came back now? He's out of the league because of his drinking arrests.

Henderson's suspension expired after week 4 of this season.

RobertWeathers · Oct 13, 2014

JoeSixPat said:
With the possible exception of Seward (and only "possible"!) I can see many of these option being considered by Belichick.

There's enough teams out of the playoff hunt already too that a trade isn't out of the question, but in general I get the feeling that Belichick will add some depth by grabbing a practice squad guy he likes, and then potentially adjust his defensive schemes to utilize the guys he has

While there's some injuries where guys on, say the OL simply take on a specified role when injuries happen, Mayo is a talent that allows Belichick to run defensive schemes that he just can't if he doesn't have such talent on the field.

Quite simply there is no replacing Mayo but Belichick can adjust

They were in far worse situation last year. Hightower was thrusted in. Wilfork was out. No Revis. No Chung. They did have Spikes but as we all know he was a liability in the passing game whereas Mayo can at least pick up guys and run with them.

jays52 · Oct 13, 2014

I'd like to see them kick Nink inside. He's a smart defender, plays with his hands well, isn't a liability in zone, and strong enough to play downhill. I think they found a great role for Hightower this season and I don't want to see two positions downgraded because of one injury.

mayoclinic · Oct 13, 2014

jays52 said:
I'd like to see them kick Nink inside. He's a smart defender, plays with his hands well, isn't a liability in zone, and strong enough to play downhill. I think they found a great role for Hightower this season and I don't want to see two positions downgraded because of one injury.

That's a great idea, but we're pretty thin at DE. Maybe they can use Easley or Moore. Or trade for a DE.

RobertWeathers · Oct 13, 2014

jays52 said:
I'd like to see them kick Nink inside. He's a smart defender, plays with his hands well, isn't a liability in zone, and strong enough to play downhill. I think they found a great role for Hightower this season and I don't want to see two positions downgraded because of one injury.

He had 3 sacks yesterday. No thanks.

JoeSixPat · Oct 13, 2014

robertweathers said:
They were in far worse situation last year. Hightower was thrusted in. Wilfork was out. No Revis. No Chung. They did have Spikes but as we all know he was a liability in the passing game whereas Mayo can at least pick up guys and run with them.

Agreed - but we were all salivating as to what a D with a healthy Mayo, Wilkfork plus Revis etc could do - and we were beginning to see that.

But like last year when BB had no choice but to adjust with the guys he had, I think he'll simply adjust the D to take advantage of the remaining talent on the team.

Sometimes this can even pay short term dividends as offenses aren't quite sure what to expect, but even though it's not as bad as last year (knock wood) everyone would prefer we weren't having this discussion

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