Are Bru's Skills In Sharp Decline?
 

ProFootballWeekly has this judgment:

We hear the season-ending injury suffered by ILB Junior Seau in Week 12 not only thins the Patriots’ LB ranks, but it places the spotlight squarely on ILB Tedy Bruschi, whose playmaking skills have noticeably diminished. In fact, after Seau left the Pats’ Week 12 win over the Bears in the first half, we hear that the Bears targeted Bruschi with their running plays, calling 10 straight runs directly at Bruschi. Patriots observers have noted that the 33-year-old Bruschi has not been as animated a presence on the field and has made himself scarce to the media off the field, an indication he may be dissatisfied with his play. Though he’s still making plenty of tackles, many of them have come downfield, and he has collected only one deflected interception and 1 1⁄2 sacks, forced zero fumbles and recovered two fumbles. Also of concern to the Patriots is Bruschi’s recent injury history with calf injuries hindering him the past two playoffs and a broken wrist keeping him out of most of the preseason this year.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW...m?mode=afceast

Sounds pretty dire to me.

Hw much of it do you think is true?

Re: Are Bru's Skills In Sharp Decline?
 

enough of it is true. Bruschi hasnt stood out this year..Seau's outplayed early and now..we cant really blame him too much but hes not taking advantage and making plays

Re: Are Bru's Skills In Sharp Decline?
 

I've said our linebackers are less athletic. We need young blood.

This writer is just silly, though. We have the second best rushing Defense in the AFC.

Re: Are Bru's Skills In Sharp Decline?
 

agreed. its a decline as we can tell by the plays they are making but its not a very sharp 1..if u didnt know the LBs and u looked at stats/rankings youd say..good veteran talent right there

Re: Are Bru's Skills In Sharp Decline?
 

I don't think that Tedy is as quick to rebound from injury as he was 5 years ago but, if you think about it, this is the second year that he has had to round himself into true game shape after a medical condition or injury. Until Junior was injured, I suspect that there was some defensive planning to cover a little for Tedy until his wrist got right. He will never be as good as he was in his '20's, but lets not write him off completely yet. Still a contributor.

Re: Are Bru's Skills In Sharp Decline?
 

Exactly - and even if we didn't have the near best rushing D, with BB's schemes its always about keeping points off the scoreboard. Bend but don't break.

The only thing Bruschi needs is a few game winning interceptions as in past years and you don't hear a peep of complaining anymore.

When Bruschi's skills do decline, if there's a guy behind him who can better help the team - Bruschi's probably the first one to tell the coaches and advocate for the guy to start ahead of him.

As of now, Bruschi's still the man.

Re: Are Bru's Skills In Sharp Decline?
 

Can we lock this thread before Mrs B finds it and has a cow?

Re: Are Bru's Skills In Sharp Decline?
 

I'm sure I don't need to reiterate my thoughts about refurbishing our LB situation.

We've been skating on thin ice for 2-3 years now. But our DL is sooo good we've become a mauling team rather than an athletic team.

Of course they're athletic for 300 lbs. but our linebackers are more cerebral than physical and our secondary, except for Asante's spurt, isn't causing a lot of turnovers, (Hobbs is a physical little guy and will be playing with both hands soon).

I think we've got enough to make the right play at the right time this year, but players can get old really quick and I don't see how we stay competitive without some young talent at LB and DB next year.

Re: Are Bru's Skills In Sharp Decline?
 

54 is #1...don't ever forget that.

This guy is playing after suffering a major stroke.

Were lucky this guys even playing at a pro level!

Re: Are Bru's Skills In Sharp Decline?
 

I wasn't implying Bruschi was ready to go, just that he's not going to be somersaulting over the line. They need to groom somebody younger to play alongside him as well as a great DE/OLB pass rusher.

Look how Maroney has given Dillon a new lease on life. I think Corey would have been ready to pack it in, but I can see him as a short ydge. and backup for a year or two now.