Ayers and Branch

Brady_to_Moss · Dec 8, 2014

2 pretty big pieces IMO they picked up. Ayers with another great play last night with the INT and we got him for nothing. Branch has also been very good upfront stopping the run like he did last night.

These mid season acquisitions this year....A+

Oswlek · Dec 8, 2014

I suppose its as good a time as any to point out that Tampa is now in position to have the #1 pick of the draft.... with TN right behind them at #2.

Can Bill pick them or what?

reflexblue · Dec 8, 2014

Brady_to_Moss said:
2 pretty big pieces IMO they picked up. Ayers with another great play last night with the INT and we got him for nothing. Branch has also been very good upfront stopping the run like he did last night.

These mid season acquisitions this year....A+

i hope they sign these guys, especially ayers to a long term contract. what a steal

Gronkowski123 · Dec 8, 2014

excellent pickups.
wisenhunt is a clown for not using ayers. oh well, our gain!

thought casillas made a few plays as well.

Brady_to_Moss · Dec 8, 2014

Almost forgot Wright from tampa....6TDs right there!

Saint Pat · Dec 8, 2014

The Dream is awesome!

Onedaful · Dec 8, 2014

Ayers has made the most of his opportunity that's for sure. Kid is a beast, made some great plays this season

Big-T · Dec 8, 2014

I've always rated Ray Horton as a DC but the fact he couldn't find a use for Ayers in Tennessee is mind boggling.

3 sacks (+ 1 wrongly called back), 1 pass defense and 1 INT in 6 games is impressive enough but the fact is he's looked even more impressive out there and all without Chandler Jones attracting the OLs attention.

MrNathanDrake · Dec 8, 2014

Ayers has been excellent. Every game he either gets a sack or INT it seems

mayoclinic · Dec 8, 2014

Big-T said:
I've always rated Ray Horton as a DC but the fact he couldn't find a use for Ayers in Tennessee is mind boggling.

3 sacks (+ 1 wrongly called back), 1 pass defense and 1 INT in 6 games is impressive enough but the fact is he's looked even more impressive out there and all without Chandler Jones attracting the OLs attention.

I was never an Ayers fan, but he's been a revelation. Behind the number, he's playing very sound fundamental football, the kind BB values highly. He does his job (and can do more than 1), and does it pretty well. Great find.

JackBauer · Dec 8, 2014

Casillas, too. Looks to be everything you want in a sub LB. BB has done a terrific job stocking depth mid-season, and I think all three of these guys should be kept around after the season.

Patriot Missile · Dec 8, 2014

Just incredible work by BB and co. They go from having one of the best Starting linebacker corps with little depth. Injury to Mayo depletes squad and has Patriots Nation worried. Bill signs Ayers and Casillas and toggles lineup using existing LB and DE's. Now it is a fearsome unit again with quality depth. Really the same goes for the entire front seven. Go figure, anyone that says BB would be nothing without Brady either isn't paying attention or just flat out hates the guy. I think at some point we can all agree that BB has made some decisions that have backfired but if you look at his whole body of work he has a lot of amazing stuff he has done here as well.

Deus Irae · Dec 8, 2014

Big-T said:
I've always rated Ray Horton as a DC but the fact he couldn't find a use for Ayers in Tennessee is mind boggling.

3 sacks (+ 1 wrongly called back), 1 pass defense and 1 INT in 6 games is impressive enough but the fact is he's looked even more impressive out there and all without Chandler Jones attracting the OLs attention.

Tennessee is terrible. In New England, Ayers is surrounded by better players, and he's playing in much better situations for a pass rusher.

Ring 6 · Dec 8, 2014

JackBauer said:
Casillas, too. Looks to be everything you want in a sub LB. BB has done a terrific job stocking depth mid-season, and I think all three of these guys should be kept around after the season.

I may be the biggest proponent of Hightower on this board, I think he has been playing at an All-Pro level this year.
But when he was named inactive, my first thought was that it creates and interesting change for the defense. Certainly weakened, but changed in that Casillas is almost more of a safety than a LB.
Of course, it tuned Collins loose to some Hightower things as well, but I think the gameplan adjustment was interesting and helped confuse Rivers.

I love that we have so many players who can play so many different roles, and BB is pulling the strings.

oldrover · Dec 8, 2014

This year, with his in-season deals, if you're a GM and BB's across the table, it's gonna look like...

stock-photo-black-chess-against-white-checkers-on-the-board-33372748.jpg

PatsFan2 · Dec 8, 2014

Akeem Ayers is just a football player one thing that is notable about him is that he holds the Edge Excellent against the run. No knock but as good as Chandler Jones is as pass rushers he's not a finished product against the run. Ayers is like another Nickovich on the weak side they might not wow you on very play but you will remember the key plays they make. I hope we find a way to extend Ayers he looks like a versatile LB who can play inside and out he looked better than Revis making that Int last night I thought he was a CB.

P.s. we all love a healthy Jerod Mayo but its a fact he's not the only Mike LB on this Team. I think the Pats might ask him the restructure they have ask better players to so so in in the past.

RobertWeathers · Dec 8, 2014

Was interesting to see Siliga play more than Branch and both he and Chris Jones on the line and not VW in the 4th qtr. Kinda tells you with BB thinks of Sealver as a rusher on the inside.

PatsFan2 · Dec 8, 2014

robertweathers said:
Was interesting to see Siliga play more than Branch and both he and Chris Jones on the line and not VW in the 4th qtr. Kinda tells you with BB thinks of Sealver as a rusher on the inside.

With the Dept we have there I love the resting of Big Vince w are going to need him Big in the Playoffs. With our Big athletic DT's stoping the run and collapsing the pocket we are making Teams one dimensional. Its easy to defend then when you know what they are trying to do. BB haven't have thg Good a Defense since TY Law.

RobertWeathers · Dec 8, 2014

PatsFan2 said:
Akeem Ayers is just a football player one thing that is notable about him is that he holds the Edge Excellent against the run. No knock but as good as Chandler Jones is as pass rushers he's not a finished product against the run. Ayers is like another Nickovich on the weak side they might not wow you on very play but you will remember the key plays they make. I hope we find a way to extend Ayers he looks like a versatile LB who can play inside and out he looked better than Revis making that Int last night I thought he was a CB. P.s. we all love a healthy Jerod Mayo but its a fact he's not the only Mike LB on this Team. I think the Pats might ask him the restructure they have ask better players to so so in in the past.

Chandler Jones is very good vs the run. Belichick and Wilfork are on record as saying so.

Ayers has been a great pickup but I'd stop short of ranking him ahead on Jones.

RobertWeathers · Dec 8, 2014

PatsFan2 said:
With the Dept we have there I love the resting of Big Vince w are going to need him Big in the Playoffs. With our Big athletic DT's stoping the run and collapsing the pocket we are making Teams one dimensional. Its easy to defend then when you know what they are trying to do. BB haven't have thg Good a Defense since TY Law.

Having Branch, Siliga, Easley and Chris Jones providing VW with some breathers is incredibly important.

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