Opinion on Dane Fletcher?
 

I want to know what others think of him? To me, he seems like he has by far the best instincts of any of our LBs and makes some big plays, especially behind the line of scrimmage. He's one of our best D players and he's a free agent. My Xs & Os knowledge is not good so I can't tell exactly if he's as good as he looks to me or am I just seeing a couple of his big plays and think he's better than he actually is?

Thoughts?

Re: Opinion on Dane Fletcher?
 

Love Fletcher. You hit the nail on the head. His instincts are exceptional. IMO, he has the best instincts of any linebacker on the roster. That's not a huge leap. He has to be a priority to get resigned. He makes plays.

Re: Opinion on Dane Fletcher?
 

He played great in the preseason but was benched at points during the season. Lately he's been playing like he was very early on.

Consistency is key, if he can keep playing at the level he has recently he'll get resigned. If he looks like he did against Dallas (I think) he'll be looking for a new team.

Re: Opinion on Dane Fletcher?
 

Mmm. Link, perchance?

Re: Opinion on Dane Fletcher?
 

He was an end in college and his burst/timing shows this. I wouldn't call his big plays instinct as most of those are run or pass blitzes that are being called for him. That said, to be able to time those effectively is a real art form. He plays with tremendous leverage, understands angles, and has pretty good vision when scraping for a career edge player.

He still needs to learn a few nuances in man coverage, but his zone is good, and he displays rare hip fluidity for a converted end. The other thing he's missing is explosion into his drops (see defensive weakness when he is the mike in a tampa-2), but he has the strength to learn these things. He's got the tools to be great in coverage, and something I think we will see him progress in as things move forward.

He is an excellent football player that is still learning how to play linebacker. The fact that the coaches are scheming for him speaks volumes. While he is still incomplete as a product, the fact that he is where he is after such a drastic conversion is impressive. Fletcher is going to be a very nice player, ultimately settling somewhere in the upper-mid tier of starting ILB's. He also brings a nice skillset to the position that enables a lot of blitzing which most career linebackers don't have an innate feel for.

I'm really excited about this linebacker corps when Spikes is healthy. Arguably the best young group in the NFL.

Re: Opinion on Dane Fletcher?
 

Not to worry, Fletcher is only in his 2nd season. The Patriots retain his exclusive rights for 2 more years. If they share your high opinion, though, they could try to sign him to an extension that gives him a little upfront security that he hasn't seen as a UDFA.

Re: Opinion on Dane Fletcher?
 

He was never benched. He was Spikes' backup until he overtook Guyton.

Re: Opinion on Dane Fletcher?
 

Fletcher has some things I like but you guys are overrating him. He was awful against Denver. Don't confuse insticts with run blitzes which we ran a ton of against Miami.

He has the physical tools, I like him but he's not better than Spikes. Could be someday but not now.

Re: Opinion on Dane Fletcher?
 

He was benched in the 2nd half of the Denver game replaced with Guyton.

Re: Opinion on Dane Fletcher?
 

Jay, your post are really informative much appreciated..

RE The bolded:

I agree with you but I am just wondering if you can expand on that last graph. I am not as informed as you and others when it comes to the nuances of the game.

So it would be cool if I could get your thoughts on the Pats young linebackers(more in depth). So I could A)learn more. And B) just use it on sundays with my friends, ha..

As to Dane Fletcher , love him..