LB Replacement Possibilities

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.

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I agree about Ninkovich. Also would hope they'd think about trading with some team that is a little heavy in the LB or LB/DE area. Plenty of cap space and draft pick capitalize. In no way do I think we'd get a replacement for Mayo, but with Highfower still ailing I'd like to see us go hunting a little.

JoeSixPat said:

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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Yep and I was daydreaming like everyone else.

I'd also add that last year Collins was not part of the mix until mid December. At least now hes a 3 down guy who (IMO) is a better playmaker (not a better player per se) than Mayo.

robertweathers said:

He had 3 sacks yesterday. No thanks.

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Yeah but those were largely coverage sacks or schemed up. It's not like he's straight up beating tackles off the ball. He's a persistent rusher and an excellent contain player, but nothing I think Easley isn't capable of replacing. This is speaking strictly from a base defense standpoint, however. I'm completely fine with him putting his hand in the dirt in sub.

jays52 said:

Yeah but those were largely coverage sacks or schemed up. It's not like he's straight up beating tackles off the ball. He's a persistent rusher and an excellent contain player, but nothing I think Easley isn't capable of replacing. This is speaking strictly from a base defense standpoint, however. I'm completely fine with him putting his hand in the dirt in sub.

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Hes not glamorous or explosive like Jones but 22 sacks in 38 games tells me he can get to the QB.

Putting that kind of steady production at ILB doesn't make sense to me.

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.

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mayoclinic said:

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

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Jackson 2 said:

I agree about Ninkovich. Also would hope they'd think about trading with some team that is a little heavy in the LB or LB/DE area. Plenty of cap space and draft pick capitalize. In no way do I think we'd get a replacement for Mayo, but with Highfower still ailing I'd like to see us go hunting a little.

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One of the guys rumored to be potentially available last summer was Tennessee DE/OLB Derrick Morgan, who is in the last year of his contract (he has a voidable year in 2015). With 2 4th round picks, I would consider offering one to Tennessee, which is going nowhere this year. Morgan could slide in to Nink's DE roll, with Nink moving to MLB and Hightower and Collins staying where they are.

Another option might be to offer Tampa Bay a late round or conditional pick for someone like Da'Quan Bowers, who is in a contract year, or a pick for William Gholston. Gholston seems like the kind of young player they would want to build around, but they are dead in the water right now and may want to think long term. Bowers hasn't done much but he would still be a step up from what we have, allowing Nink to move to LB.

I thought I saw late in the 4th when Moore was in, Ninkovich was playing Mayo's LB position. My thought was that BB was getting a look at one way to replace Mayo for now. If he goes on IR then his replacement on the 53 would most likely be a DE.

patsfan06 said:

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

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They could not bring back Beauharnais until week #9 because he received an injury settlement. (per Jeff Howe)

Put Easley in there and stand Ninko and Jones up..... Have Hightower and Collins inside

IllegalContact said:

Put Easley in there and stand Ninko and Jones up..... Have Hightower and Collins inside

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That's certainly a possibility, but it may not be the best use of Easley. It may be our best option barring a trade.

mayoclinic said:

That's certainly a possibility, but it may not be the best use of Easley. It may be our best option barring a trade.

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Like a 25-30% thing....being able to get skinner off the field at times will help....he's a liability in coverage....

You can also move Easley around, put Moore in there ..... Just need to avoid playing any of the remaining key pieces 100% of the time....Casey walker has been a godsend that will make us a real stout rotation once siliga gets back.....will need to work at protecting the LBs inside

I do like the idea of bringing Henderson in for a discussion, and possible workout.

mayoclinic said:

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

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Same. Ebner is an excellent tackler. I also wouldn't mind BB trying to find a spot for Slater on defense as well.

I want Henderson also, he has played both inside and outside. With Skow back healthy, maybe the bucs will trade back Fletcher.

Field Yates ‏@FieldYates
The Patriots worked out 5 linebackers today, per source: Justin Anderson, Kaelin Burnett, Tim Dobbins, Mario Harvey, and Paul Hazel.

Dexter said:

Field Yates ‏@FieldYates
The Patriots worked out 5 linebackers today, per source: Justin Anderson, Kaelin Burnett, Tim Dobbins, Mario Harvey, and Paul Hazel.

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Sounds like mayo is done for the year also

Dexter said:

Field Yates ‏@FieldYates
The Patriots worked out 5 linebackers today, per source: Justin Anderson, Kaelin Burnett, Tim Dobbins, Mario Harvey, and Paul Hazel.

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I had 4 out of 5 on the list pegged.

Deus Irae said:

I do like the idea of bringing Henderson in for a discussion, and possible workout.

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You never know how a different environment may help one's attitude and allow them to go forward from some past issues.

Many here thought that MLB McLain was done due too, but he's definitely been a very welcome addition to Dallas' LB corps.

Max Bullough from Texans PS

The question is NOT who will replace Mayo's LB reps from Sunday. Hopefully, Hightower will do that. Our 3rd LB is Skinner. IMHO, the question before the house is who should be signed as a 4th position LB in case one of the three is not available. Belichick is holding tryouts and he has Fleming on the Practice Squad. Beauharnais is available in the last half if he wants.

Davis and White are STO players. Unless the player is Fleming, we won't see any additions for Thursday night. As long as Hightower is ready, I'm not even sure that we'd activate Fleming. We have Hightower, Collins and Skinner. We have Ninkovich if there is a further injury (IMHO a better option that using Fleming).

Yes, I 'd prefer to see Ninkovich stay at DE, which is easy to do with Hightower healthy. Belichick is confident of Skinner in the base.

mgteich said:

The question is NOT who will replace Mayo's LB reps from Sunday.

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Well, yes, ultimately that's the exact question.