Schmo
In the Starting Line-Up
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Ninkovich had major reconstructive knee surgery 6 months ago?
No, he didn't... your point? Murrell looked good. That one play was very exciting. Next........
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.Ninkovich had major reconstructive knee surgery 6 months ago?
I dont think Murrell has jumped over anyone on the depth chart just yet. I agree that whatever the number of OLBs when we line up in a 34 Burgess is the last one on the list to play. However, depending on Cunninghams development he maybe first on the list in sub packages.
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The only issue I see there is that it seems TBC and JC would each be better suited to get their rest in the base, which would leave Burgess out of the equation.
UNLESS???? I have always thought that the best use for Burgess would be INSIDE in the nickel and dime, rushing from over the G. He did that in Philly (I think he got a sack vs us the SB from that alignment IIRC) and I think he did in Oakland too. I would love to see BB try that. If we have TBC-Wright-Burgess-JC across the DL in nickel/dime, that could be a very effective rush. Burgess moves seem to support that he doesnt need as much open space on the outside to operate as some DEs do.
I am concerned about our ability to stop the run (remember how opponents targeted the RE spot last year, forcing the Pats to move Wilfork there at times) and our ability to rush the passer (Banta-Cain had 5 sacks against the turnstile that was the Bills Oline).
Him taking reps with the 1st defense over Ninkovich in the last 5 TC practices. And getting the starting nod in preseason game 1.
I could easily see Brace getting cut, and I'm almost hoping for it. Just because Ty Warren is out doesn't mean we have to give Brace a "get out of jail free" card. I say Deaderick makes it over Brace.
That doesnt always mean passing on the depth chart. Playing with the 1s is a way to get a better look at a borderline guy too.Him taking reps with the 1st defense over Ninkovich in the last 5 TC practices. And getting the starting nod in preseason game 1.
He only played in sub packages last year and that was 50% of the snaps. He didnt play in the base D, expect in rare calls or emergency and wont this year either. He just is not a 34 OLB.Interesting thoughts, Andy. I never considered Burgess moving inside in sub packages, rather than finding a role in the base defense. While that is interesting, I hope he can be more than a situational rusher, or we could be running out of roster spots.
Not sure but its likely.I think Murrell was getting reps with the starting unit to see how he fit in the base 3-4 as an OLB. BB has a pretty good idea what Woods and Nink can do. The game against Atlanta should be even more telling, when we see whether Murrell can take on their big RT in the running game.
Burgess never played in the base last year and we had 4 OLBS plus him. We will still have 4 plus him, and whether Murrell (or Woods if you believe Murrell is ahead of him) make the team will be a special teams decisionI'm hopeful that with a year of experience in the system, Burgess can work in at OLB in the base 3-4 sometimes. If not, there will be some hard questions balancing run defense, pass rush, and STs. Cunningham has plenty of potential for all these roles, but the pessimist in me worries that he's not ready and that Murrell may only fit ST/sub package, Burgess in the sub package, Woods base 3-4/ST, and Ninkovich third best at all of the above.
Cunningham is 'showing up' he just missed the 1st preseason game due to injury. He has spend a lot of time with the first unit and there are many positive reports of him.That would be six roster spots to our DE/OLB spot. Not out of the question, but I'd feel warmer and fuzzier if Woods learned to cover/rush, Burgess learned to cover, Cunningham was showing-up already, or Murrell/Nink/TBC were bigger. Any one of these things would make a big difference for our ability to handle teams who can run/pass with similar effect.
I dont know how we can make judgments on Brace when we dont even know why he is sidelined.:yeahthat: Could Deaderick be the answer by December? Could Brace make the active roster before week 3 of preseason and see if he's a total waste or not? There's no such thing as a cap hit this year, so it's a more likely time to cut losses if he's as useless as the frustrated fan base is starting to think.
I choose Option One. There is an intense competition among Ninkovich, Murrell, Woods, Fletcher and Williams for 2-3 roster spots. The first 3 OLB's and 4 ILB's are secure.
I think that we need 5 OLB's. There are lots of reps for OLB's.
I think the decision is still wide open. I am not all sure who is safest among Ninkovich, Murrell and Woods. However, one preseason game doesn't move Murrell ahead of two incumbants, especially if Cunningham is ready to play. If Cunningham isn't ready, we might keep all three.
OPTION ONE
Our starting OLB is Murrell and our starting RB is Green-Ellis???
OPTION TWO
Or, Belichick used the first preseason game to give both these players their best shot to make the team.
Am I misreading this? You believe Murrell is our starting OLB and Green-Ellis our starting RB?Seriously?I choose Option One.
OPTION ONE
Our starting OLB is Murrell and our starting RB is Green-Ellis???
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Lose Wilhite. Keep Sergio Brown.
I dont know how we can make judgments on Brace when we dont even know why he is sidelined.
I dont care where people rate them but if they duplicate last years D result of allowing the 5th fewest points, thats fine by me.I don't see a true top 10 defense just yet. Too many young pieces need to some together at once (Butler, Chung, Spikes, Cunningham). Give it a year.
I don't see a true top 10 defense just yet. Too many young pieces need to some together at once (Butler, Chung, Spikes, Cunningham). Give it a year.
I agree with you. I don't know how some go from complaining about a perceived lack of pass rush to thinking this defense is a top defense. Is it just because of a decent performance in the first preseason game?
Top 10 isnt an improvement over last year, pass rush and all.I agree with you. I don't know how some go from complaining about a perceived lack of pass rush to thinking this defense is a top defense. Is it just because of a decent performance in the first preseason game?
I would be there wont be 9 plays all season where they are on the field together, btw.Brace and Burgess on the field together! This is a top 2 D now!
I would be there wont be 9 plays all season where they are on the field together, btw.