Who Takes Bruschi's Reps When He Is Out?
 

Most here believe that Bruschi will take a lesser role this year with Mayo and Guyton getting the vast majority of reps at ILB. No matter how much we are expecting from Bruschi, it seems almost delusional to believe that he will be a contributer for 19 games. Of all the positions on the squad except QB, his ILB positions seems most vulnerable to injury.

Who are your candidates to take Bruschi's reps if he is out for a game or two or three?

Re: Who Takes Bruschi's Reps When He Is Out?
 

I think Lenon makes the final 53 and gets significant playing time if Bruschi is out. If Bruschi has anything more than a minor injury that keeps him out for a game or 2 I could see Junior Seau coming back for half a season.

Re: Who Takes Bruschi's Reps When He Is Out?
 

Isn't Lenon a better choice than Seau, even if he is currently injured?

Re: Who Takes Bruschi's Reps When He Is Out?
 

Adam Seward ;)

Re: Who Takes Bruschi's Reps When He Is Out?
 

Guyton and Mayo would have to do more.

The fact that there isn't anyone to take take Bruschi's role is why I feel his roster spot is safe. Simply put he is our 3rd best ILB at least until Lennon proves something. The only other answer I see is Seau.

Guyton and Mayo will likely have increased reps and do more pushing Bruschi further to the back burner but until there is a 3rd guy better than Bru at ILB he will be here.

Re: Who Takes Bruschi's Reps When He Is Out?
 

Goodness, how come we haven't already signed him? He's been a FA for over 24 hours now, so he should have cleared waivers.

Re: Who Takes Bruschi's Reps When He Is Out?
 

That's the thing, the most likely player to replace Bruschi, isn't a LB, its a DB. When the Pats go to 5+ DBs which will probably be 6 out of every 10 plays, the SILB is likely to be the guy who goes out for the DB.

WHOEVER plays that position will likely only be on the field 40-50% of the time REGARDLESS of how he is playing.

Right now, I can see a Mayo/Guyton pairing, with Bruschi playing on first down only.

As it is, It is very likely that the Pats will be in some form of a 4 man front on passing downs eliminating the need of a 4th LB

Re: Who Takes Bruschi's Reps When He Is Out?
 

BB would consider going more to a 4-3 look. You could keep Mayo out there all 3 downs, or bring in Guyton for a breather.

Re: Who Takes Bruschi's Reps When He Is Out?
 

Let me try to frame the question better.

A) Let us presume that Bruschi were unavailable to play other than perhaps special teams. I think that we need to prepare for that contingency.

B) We would then have two ILBs on the roster: Mayo and Guyton.

C) We have four OLBs: Thomas, Banta-Cain, Woods, and Burgess.

D) BJGE or the 4th OT has a roster spot to start the season.

E) So far, none of the following yet has a roster spot: Crable, Alexander, Lenon, Ninkovitch, Tank Williams, Slater, Ventrone, Nunn.

F) One or both of the roster spots could come from the rosters of other teams.

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Q1) WHO DO YOU GIVE THE LAST TWO ROSTER SPOTS TO AND WHY?
Q2) WHAT ARE THE CRITICAL CONSIDERATIONS?

As a reference point, Reiss chooses Alexander and Slater.

Re: Who Takes Bruschi's Reps When He Is Out?
 

Nobody?

I think the better question to ask is who would take the reps if both Mayo and Bruschi - if he's even on the roster (Reiss was the latest to say he has an uphill battle; I mentioned this last week) - are out. If just Bruschi is out, life continues normally...