Report: Tennessee Titans LB Akeem Ayers traded to the Patriots

I like the pick up. Could do a lot worse then Ayers really.

something something BB and Kraft are cheap.. something something, the broncos would have given up a 5th rounder.. something something blah blah blah

/haters

I like it, low risk, high reward.

Ayers is 81 in madden, Collins is an 80. That's all I have to contribute

From June:

http://www.tennessean.com/story/tit...nnessee-sports-nashville-akeem-ayers/9877161/

had surgery on both left and right patellar tendons.

Who is released for the roster slot?

I remember I was in love with this guy in the 2011 draft.

unoriginal said:

There are usually a slew of compensatory picks between the 6th and 7th rounds that might make that gap a little wider. For example, last year the Titans 7th round pick was 19 spots after the Pats' 6th round pick.

Click to expand...

Good point there, I thought of that initially but didn't realize there were that many, I was estimating around 5 or so compensatory 6th round picks. Looks like you would probably be the more accurate one.

BritPat said:

One of the few opinions I genuinely look for.

Cheers Jays, if his knees are good to go, I guess you're happy with the move?

Click to expand...

Very much so my friend. At the very least the guy has the functional playing strength to be an upgrade, even an asset in the running game. If he returns to form they have three good linebackers again. Bottom line is that in my mind they got a starting quality player at a position of great need for what is essentially a swap of picks in the special teams rounds of the draft.

Meh. He is worth a shot. Probably better than what we have not. If not you don't lose anything of value.

I think getting back to a 4-3 where he has had more success would be best. Even if he is projected as a 3-4 OLB that doesn't mean that is his best spot.

About the knees. That is just wait and see. Maybe he will suck this year but be better next year. Maybe he will come on later this year. Either way I like that they are trying. Probaby no better than a decent backup in all likelyood.

Edit: Also anyone who thinks he is going to turn into a solid starter this year is being rather hopefully. He is probably going to be a very bad starter which will only be out there cause we have no one else and will be pulled ASAP. In fact it would not surprise me if Skinner turns out to be the better option when all is said and done this year.

Literally the lowest asking price possible.

I can't think of a single reason to dislike this trade.

Ross12 said:

As someone pointed out on Twitter also, it's a zero risk trade for the Pats, as it is pending a physical. If they don't like Ayers' knees they can just fail his physical and the trade is nullified.

Click to expand...

Even if he passes the physical, it is little risk. They traded what is likely a late 6th rounder for what is likely a high seventh rounder and he only has about $600k left on his contract. There isn't much downside to this trade unless they cut a good player to make room for him which is doubtful.

Brady_to_Moss said:

Hasn't done really Nothing since 2012...not getting my hope up at all. Just depth.

Click to expand...

"just depth"?

Given that depth at LB and DE/OLB has been one of our needs since the beginning of the off-season, I am 100% fine with picking up some depth for the cost of moving down about 15 spots from the late 6th to the early 7th.

We have 4 DE's and LB's playing almost 100% of the reps. Of those who have had at least 2 reps in the NFL, Ayers will be competing with Moore and Skinner for reps. Davis and White are STO players.

So our depth at LB and DE now consists of Skinner, Moore and Ayers. I would note that one of these would START in the 4-3 base.

So, yes, I welcome depth. I would welcome another depth player or two at these positions. This could include the promotion of Fleming from the Practice Squad. In any case, I expect another addition. We had very weak depth at these positions to start with, and we have lost Mayo and Buchanan.

Nice to add him now. I am not expecting much from him for Chicago or Denver, but then we have the bye week to get him up to speed and to make use of him vs. Indy

Albert Breer ✔ @AlbertBreer
Rival exec says Ayers was "lost in the shuffle with new staff ... They hoped he could spark some rush for them, and he hasn't."

Hmmmmm......where have I heard "he was just lost in the shuffle with the new staff" before........

Oh, yeah! Tim Wright!


.

I am party said:

From June:

http://www.tennessean.com/story/tit...nnessee-sports-nashville-akeem-ayers/9877161/

had surgery on both left and right patellar tendons.

Click to expand...

The team has enough guys who were recovering from torn ACLs this year, and of course Ridley got to join them. Mayo was feeling a little left out, though, so BB's new requirement is to have as many players recovering from patellar tendon tears as possible. Watch out - Victor Cruz is coming our way next!

Marqui said:

I like the pick up. Could do a lot worse then Ayers really.

Click to expand...

It depends on how he's bounced back from the knee surgeries.

Palm Beach Pats Fan said:

Nice to add him now. I am not expecting much from him for Chicago or Denver, but then we have the bye week to get him up to speed and to make use of him vs. Indy

Click to expand...

Wouldn't mind inserting him as a rusher vs. Denver if possible just to let him try to get after Manning.

jays52 said:

Very much so my friend. At the very least the guy has the functional playing strength to be an upgrade, even an asset in the running game. If he returns to form they have three good linebackers again. Bottom line is that in my mind they got a starting quality player at a position of great need for what is essentially a swap of picks in the special teams rounds of the draft.

Click to expand...

Do you think he has the skill-set to play as the Sam long term? Or does he ideally move to Will when (and there's a lot of water to go under a lot of bridges at this point, of course) Mayo is healthy again next year?