Wither Ninkovich?

It's a completely different defense, including a lot of additional DEs. He's versatile enough to stick, but he could be priced out, depending on how he feels about redoing a deal.

Tunescribe said:

Whither, not wither.

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No, wither is right based on poorly he's played this year.

The first couple of games was more of a contain the "QB style of defense" which doesn't yield big stats for him. And his position flexibility might have him dropping back more than usual. I think if BB was disappointed in his play, you'd see his snaps decline quite a bit.

For now, I'm waiting to see how it plays out and with the defense giving up 17 and 6 points the last 2 games, I'm good with team defense.

He hasnt stood out either way negative or positive.current recommendation - HOLD

1) His stats are down because he (and Chandler Jones) were WAAAAY overused the past two years - playing over 94% of snaps.

Sheard was brought in (and Flowers/Grissom, etc) to get #95 and #50's snap count down.

2) Ninko is more of an edge-setter, gap protecter than a straight ahead speed guy (although he had been doing that the past few years). I think Patricia is using him more to his strengths this year because they have another speed ahead player in Sheard to complement C Jones.

It all comes down to being a different role.

That being said, next year at $4.7 million, with Flowers and Grissom another year in, I don't see him on this team at that number (much, of course, depends on #95's situation).

Not a long enough sample size and sacks are one of the more inconsistent numbers you get. You might get 0 in 3 games or 5 in 2 games.

Looking at his play he seems fine to me. The sacks will come in due course if he keeps up this level of play but with his time cut he might end up with 6-7 as opposed to 8-10

I remember similar rumblings at the start of last season too. The man plays almost every position in the front seven. He is asked to do a lot of things that are not going to show up on a stat sheet. Personally, I'll take four sacks this season so long as he does what he always does . . . make crucial plays at critical times and in big games. That's what Rob does. That's where his true value is measured . . . along with his versatility and knowledge.

I have no numbers to back this up, so it's all just anecdotal, but it seems to me that this year we're getting to the QB a lot faster than previous years. There's the occasional "coverage sack", but in general guys like Jones, Hightower, Collins, and Sheard have been getting to the QB in a few (as opposed to several) seconds. I think Nink's sack numbers thrive when he has time to get there, because I doubt his first responsibility is often to pin his ears back and rush. As such, other guys are getting there before his assignment (and ability) allow it.

Tunescribe said:

Whither, not wither.

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Could be hither.

ChrisR2223 said:

I've said it before Nink will not be on this team next year but I would like to see him Stay on as a coaching assistant.

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There is absolutely nothing to support this post.

Galeb said:

Could be hither.

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Could be Smithers...

He played well against the Cowboys, that's for sure.

The things we as fans don't understand is that Belichick doesn't rate by # of tackles or sacks. He rates his players by looking at things like "is he in the right position?" on pass plays or is he setting the edge on runs outside tackle and forcing them inside?

this thread needs to merged with my 420 thread........

he's exactly where he was last year
the guy is clutch and responds when in position to do so and can play OLB if the situation calls for it

I'd be more worried about Mayo

shmessy said:

1) His stats are down because he (and Chandler Jones) were WAAAAY overused the past two years - playing over 94% of snaps.

Sheard was brought in (and Flowers/Grissom, etc) to get #95 and #50's snap count down.

2) Ninko is more of an edge-setter, gap protecter than a straight ahead speed guy (although he had been doing that the past few years). I think Patricia is using him more to his strengths this year because they have another speed ahead player in Sheard to complement C Jones.

It all comes down to being a different role.

That being said, next year at $4.7 million, with Flowers and Grissom another year in, I don't see him on this team at that number (much, of course, depends on #95's situation).

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They just upped his pay a year or so ago and while I can see looking for a restructure there is no way I see him being released. It's a good thing his snaps are being reduced and I think they knew that would be the case when they gave him his new deal.

When Flowers gets another full off season under his belt, he will compete with Ninkovitch for
playing time.

IllegalContact said:

this thread needs to merged with my 420 thread........

he's exactly where he was last year
the guy is clutch and responds when in position to do so and can play OLB if the situation calls for it

I'd be more worried about Mayo

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I agree but I think the issue with Mayo has been more about rust and who they have faced than it is the game passing him by. Ultimately I think this is the deepest team Belichick has fielded with CB as the greatest concern. The corners have really only been tested by Pittsburgh and weren't impressive in that game. Belichick is going to have to pull a rabbit out of his ass to fix corner during this season to make them good enough to handle a QB like Rodgers if that comes to fruition.

I am an optimist and I really believe that this is the early stages of their second dynasty with corner as the last piece of the puzzle, and they need at least two more good corners to complete the team. Other than that keeping them together is the other priority. They have one Lombardi and need two more over the next three seasons to meet that goal.

shmessy said:

1) His stats are down because he (and Chandler Jones) were WAAAAY overused the past two years - playing over 94% of snaps.

Sheard was brought in (and Flowers/Grissom, etc) to get #95 and #50's snap count down.

2) Ninko is more of an edge-setter, gap protecter than a straight ahead speed guy (although he had been doing that the past few years). I think Patricia is using him more to his strengths this year because they have another speed ahead player in Sheard to complement C Jones.

It all comes down to being a different role.

That being said, next year at $4.7 million, with Flowers and Grissom another year in, I don't see him on this team at that number (much, of course, depends on #95's situation).

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Agree completely he was overused the last couple of years, 94% of snaps is just too many.

Actually, the way the DE rotation has been handled this year is almost perfect IMHO. Nink is the oldest player on the team (apart from QB and K). He still plays very well, and he must be one of the smartest guys on the defense, but he has been overused the last two years. So: Sheard is brought in to take some of the snap burden this year, and either Flowers or Grissom can be ready to contribute in future years. The ideal situation would be for a slight reduction of salary and for him to continue to contribute, but with less of a snap burden. He reminds me so much of Mike Vrabel that I wouldn't be surprised to see him eventually go into coaching the way that Vrabel has.

Ivan said:

I agree but I think the issue with Mayo has been more about rust and who they have faced than it is the game passing him by. Ultimately I think this is the deepest team Belichick has fielded with CB as the greatest concern. The corners have really only been tested by Pittsburgh and weren't impressive in that game. Belichick is going to have to pull a rabbit out of his ass to fix corner during this season to make them good enough to handle a QB like Rodgers if that comes to fruition.

I am an optimist and I really believe that this is the early stages of their second dynasty with corner as the last piece of the puzzle, and they need at least two more good corners to complete the team. Other than that keeping them together is the other priority. They have one Lombardi and need two more over the next three seasons to meet that goal.

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I'm hoping that something can be worked out with Mayo also (in addition to Ninko).

I remember that one season (was it 2009?) when they traded away Vrabel and Seymour and Rodney retired and eventually Bruschi retired also (please correct the particulars). What I remember is that season seemed to be the first time that BB didn't seem to like his team too much (he even indicated something similar about its lack of leadership). A. Thomas was being a knucklehead and complaining about how he was being used, Meriweather was being a bigger knucklehead, and I think BB was really surprised by how the absence of those leaders like Rodney and Vrabel affected the team professionalism. I remember him cleaning house the next year.

Since that year, he has extended his leaders like Mayo, Nink, Wilfork, and McCourtney. He has drafted (some say "overdrafted") a bunch of "coach on the field" types for his secondary, all captains and team leaders. I think maybe he learned a lesson that one year and is careful to not get rid of his leaders too quickly. Hopefully it means that something can be worked out with Mayo and Ninko (both leaders) next year.

......However, given my past success in BB predictions he'll probably cut both, along with McCourtney, tomorrow.

Patstopia said:

The biggest statistic is, it's game 4! It is a long, long season!

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This is kinda what I was thinking. BB likes to keep teams guessing who to plan for. Nink would be a hell of a depth to have should injuries, or whatever, arise. IMO

Marqui said:

No, wither is right based on poorly he's played this year.

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Actually, I think Tuna's right, it shoulda been with an h. Although the definition says "archaic" so maybe I should've just used a different word.