Report: Tennessee Titans LB Akeem Ayers traded to the Patriots

zipster9 said:

Ninko is far better as a DE, than OLB.

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We can still play Ninkovich in an end of the line in a 3-4. In a 3-4 he would be an OLB. If we keep him at DE we would be running a 3-4 that looks like a 4-3 which is known as the 4-3 Under.

VrabelJr said:

We can still play Ninkovich in an end of the line in a 3-4. In a 3-4 he would be an OLB. If we keep him at DE we would be running a 3-4 that looks like a 4-3 which is known as the 4-3 Under.

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I've suggested a 4-3 Under:

LDE Branch - NT Wilfork - 3Tech Jones/Easley - RDE Ninkovich
SAM Ayers - MLB Hightoer - WLB Collins

Change the spacing and stand up Nink and you have a 3-4. In sub you can take off Branch or one of the DTs and move Hightower or Ayers up on the line.

mayoclinic said:

I've suggested a 4-3 Under:

LDE Branch - NT Wilfork - 3Tech Jones/Easley - RDE Ninkovich
SAM Ayers - MLB Hightoer - WLB Collins

Change the spacing and stand up Nink and you have a 3-4. In sub you can take off Branch or one of the DTs and move Hightower or Ayers up on the line.

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My thoughts exactly!

Only thing I would change is Collins at SAM and Ayers at WILL. I think Ayers is better against the run than Collins is and Collins is quite good at covering TEs. But that is but a dream at this point.

VrabelJr said:

My thoughts exactly!

Only thing I would change is Collins at SAM and Ayers at WILL. I think Ayers is better against the run than Collins is and Collins is quite good at covering TEs. But that is but a dream at this point.

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I was literally about to post saying Collins would be better at SAM because he can do a number on the tight end and is more athletic.

mayoclinic said:

I've suggested a 4-3 Under:

LDE Branch - NT Wilfork - 3Tech Jones/Easley - RDE Ninkovich
SAM Ayers - MLB Hightoer - WLB Collins

Change the spacing and stand up Nink and you have a 3-4. In sub you can take off Branch or one of the DTs and move Hightower or Ayers up on the line.

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Knowing Belichick he'll probably do the complete opposite of this on Sunday and nobody will be able to explain why

VrabelJr said:

I think we got ahead of ourselves on Collin's development because of his performance in the playoffs. He's still missing the skills that take time to develop when you're a player transitioning from DE to LB. Heck, it even took Bruschi three years to figure it out. It could take even longer for Collins, who was also a DB in college.

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From what I remember, Bruschi was awkward at first when he was standing up in space. He was too stiff. But he was never a pushover when he engaged a blocker.

With Collins, it's quite the opposite from what I've seen. He's fluid in space but awful when he has to engage a blocker.

Akeem Ayers' highlights with TEN

I like the signings, but there is no reason to believe that these players are good enough to start.

OUT: Mayo, Chandler Jones, Buchanan
IN: Ayers, Branch, Moore (was inactive before Buchanan was put on IR)

If our defense had problems before, then it still has problems, arguably much more severe ones.

I expect Easley to start instead of Jones, as he did when Jones went down a few weeks ago (as Reiss suggests in his blog).

If Ayers is healthy, I do expect him to be part of the LB/DE mix, but only because all the options for additional reps are UDFA's. For example, it is NOT clear that he is better than Skinner at this point. Also, there is the issue of how much we will run various sets with the new set of personnel. Perhaps, we will see more of the Ninkovich as LB in a hybrid defense.

Branch is just a good addition which will allow Easley to move outside while still have good depth at DT With Wilfork, Chris Jones, Walker and Branch.

English Patriot said:

I was literally about to post saying Collins would be better at SAM because he can do a number on the tight end and is more athletic.

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Collins has no business as a Mike LB. He's too athletic and quick, he should be in coverage or flying in off the edge. He was getting shoved around and just looked flat footed and seemed to wait for blockers to engage him against the Jets.

unoriginal said:

iapatsfan will be pleased...

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That would be a first.

203Pat said:

Collins has no business as a Mike LB. He's too athletic and quick, he should be in coverage or flying in off the edge. He was getting shoved around and just looked flat footed and seemed to wait for blockers to engage him against the Jets.

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The issue with Collins in run defense isn't his weight or speed, the issue is that he isn't savvy. There are 230-240 pound Mikes and Wills that are great against the run. You're never going to out muscle a 310 pound Guard anyway. It's all about getting off the blocks and wiggling your way around offensive linemen.

TBR said:

Knowing Belichick he'll probably do the complete opposite of this on Sunday and nobody will be able to explain why

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But whatever it was, would work.

His ratings are good in Madden

Time for some of the young'uns grow up real quick...

10 snaps all season? Come on guys, check your expectations.

I forget his name but remember when we signed that dude out of Canada who had a heart attack at usc? Most everyone said we basically stole a second round pick. Except he never played a down for us.

festy1986 said:

10 snaps all season? Come on guys, check your expectations.

I forget his name but remember when we signed that dude out of Canada who had a heart attack at usc? Most everyone said we basically stole a second round pick. Except he never played a down for us.

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Word is he wasnt a system fit with Tenn. looking at his stats its not like the guy is some slouch. had 104 tackles and 6.0sacks in 2012.

last year he had 49tackles and a sack in less playing time.

if he is healthy he should be an asset

Deus Irae said:

He can't defend the run worth a damn. He isn't a starting caliber LB.

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If that's the case for Collins, then Spikes isn't either, since he can't defend the pass. Tough to find those who can do both these days, I guess.

This is not a bad pickup, but it does not address run coverage.

ctpatsfan77 said:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...-felger-to-borges-youre-a-fraud.677202/page-4

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Thank you very much c77, ive spent hours looking for that. i can't figure out how to go back that far, this format is not as easy for me to use as the old one.

RIpats88 said:

Word is he wasnt a system fit with Tenn. looking at his stats its not like the guy is some slouch. had 104 tackles and 6.0sacks in 2012.

last year he had 49tackles and a sack in less playing time.

if he is healthy he should be an asset

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The bolded, of course, being paramount.