Please explain this - Cunningham
 

Ok,
I know i'm an idiot; but if Jones is normally the Rt DE and Cunningham is 'giving the RT fits all day' (the Lt DE position) THEN how exactly is Cunningham the REPLACEMENT for JONES??? as the writer in this article is stating?

I dont specifically remember cunningham setting up after Jones came out on the other side; but it could be. But he makes it sound like it was a 1:1.

He also complains about cunningham not being able to set the edge; and that he should only be out there on 3rd down. Well; is there anybody in the league planning on consistently running on Pats on 1st/2nd down??????? After what they have shown on tape in secondary through 11 games??? Again, if he was giving Dolts "fits" then he should be out there and they try to offset any run weakness another way.


Jermaine Cunningham Had Stellar Game Rushing Passer, But Struggled Replacing Chandler Jones’ Run Defense | New England Patriots | NESN.com

Re: Please explain this - Cunningham
 

I was at the game, and it looked like Ninko moved over to RDE, and Cunningham came in to play LDE or OLB on the left side.

does that help?

-- FRITZ

Re: Please explain this - Cunningham
 

Yea this is what I saw as well.

Re: Please explain this - Cunningham
 

It helps reinforce my opinion that the writer was confused (either deliberately obfuscating just to try and make his point seem relevant or he just doesn t know what he was talking about).

As I thought: Nink replaced Jones.

Cunningham just got a few more snaps than usual from his OWN position.

Re: Please explain this - Cunningham
 

Given that Nink was already starting, I think it makes at least as much sense to say that Cunningham "replaced" Jones by taking over his snaps. (And what's more, how can Ninkovich's position be "Cunningham's OWN"? He's most often an extra inside rusher.)

So I'd cut the writer some slack on this one.

Re: Please explain this - Cunningham
 

I think the opening line is fairly clear. Cunningham replaced Jones "as an every-down player."

Jones was a starting DE.
Cunningham was a third-down rusher.
Jones exited, no longer the every-down player at DE.
Cunningham became the every-down player at DE.

I was also at the game. As has happened before when Jones rotates out, Ninkovich shifts to the RDE spot over the LT. Cunningham took the other starting DE position, which makes sense. He is bigger than Ninkovich, who has also played OLB this season.

Cunningham played well. A good season for him. We might have expected more from a second-round DE by now, but he is definitely showing improvement at DE/DL.

Re: Please explain this - Cunningham
 

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "expecting more" from Cunningham. From the start of the season he's been a key part of the DL rotation playing multiple positons (DE, DT, OL) Where exactly should be be at this point? Last year most of this board wanted him gone, and few expected him to make the roster. After being an effective if unspectacular starter at OLB as a rookie, and this key role this season, I'd say the Pats have gotten good value from Cunningham, despite the hiccup he had in the lockout year.

Re: Please explain this - Cunningham
 

No. Jones went out at RDE, Cunningham went in at LDE, Nink moved to the right side. The writer should have been more clear, but was factually OK.
Cunningham is fine vs the run.

Re: Please explain this - Cunningham
 

I'd say Cunningham has been as good as Jones in run defense. Before he went out with an injury, there were ~ 2 running plays where Jones couldn't make a tackle after contacting the runner (RB Carter, 1-yd, run, TD - NFL Videos) as one example.

The other example I think I might be confusing Jones penetrating through his gap, and Spikes gambling and losing containment on his assigned gap. The whole run D needed to get their act together in the 1st quarter.

Re: Please explain this - Cunningham
 

Cunningham has been a 3rd down pass rusher, lining up at DT for many snaps