NEPats1
Rotational Player and Threatening Starter's Job
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FWIW, I remember the BB presser right after the draft and someone specifically asked him about how he took Cunningham with Dunlap still available (paraphrasing) and BB said basically they got the guy they wanted.
Also Reiss said this in April:
and from his chat this week:
Also Reiss said this in April:
Some might have been surprised when the Patriots made Cunningham their lone pass-rush selection in the draft (second round, 53rd overall), figuring that if the team looked to Florida for pass-rush help, it would have taken the Gators' other end, Carlos Dunlap.
One of the main reasons the Patriots went with Cunningham is that they viewed him as a more natural fit to make the challenging transition from 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker. Dunlap, they felt, was more of a pure 4-3 end.
New England Patriots look to Jermaine Cunningham to help pass rush - ESPN Boston
and from his chat this week:
Gurkirat (Canada)
Mike why did the Patriots not draft Carlos Dunlap from Florida? They picked Cunnigham 1 pick earlier. Dunlap has 8 sacks for the Bengals
Mike Reiss
(12:24 PM)
My sense is that Dunlap was viewed as more of a pure 4-3 defensive end, which is a good fit for the Bengals' defense. Cunningham had a bit more of an ability to play in pass coverage in the backpedal, which is an essential aspect of playing 3-4 outside linebacker -- which is the position the Patriots were looking for.
Chat: Chat with Mike Reiss - SportsNation - ESPN Boston