- Joined
- Jul 11, 2005
- Messages
- 15,529
- Reaction score
- 27,554
I think the most important lesson that Ninkovitch can teach us is how LONG it takes for a former college DE to learn the OLB in a 3-4 the way the Pats play it, AND the value of PATIENCE when evaluating the position.
As far as the Vrabel comparison, there are SO many examples. Essentially both were in the league SIX years before they made ANY impact to their teams. Vrabel never had more that 2 sacks in the 4 years he played for the Steelers. Ninko didn't have a sack until he got here.
Things did improve for Vrabel when he came with the Pats, but fans forget that he only had 7 sacks over his first 2 years here. They forget that it wasn't until his SEVENTH season in the league before he became a legitimate rush threat (9.5) AND he only had one double digit sacks in one year (his 7th with the Pats). Compare that to Mike Anderson who did in his first year as a part time player.
The point is that when fans keep praying for the "next" Mike Vrabel, remember that you are praying for a solid OLB who could set the edge, give you some consistent pressure (don't forget that he averaged only 4 sacks/yr over his career), and drop back into coverage.
Well I have news for you, your prayers have been answered. Go back and compare Vrabel's and Ninko's stats for the 2nd and 3rd years on the team. They are almost identical. So before some of you dismiss Ninko as being a "nice little player" who is holding the fort until the "next Mike Vrabel" comes along, check the facts. Vrabel is BACK and his name is Rob Ninkovich.
And to all those people who are ready to jettison Jermaine Cunningham after just two seasons, take into consideration that Cunningham had a MUCH better rookie season than either of these guys. Not even close. So although, in the lockout shortened off season, Cunningham failed to get ready to play, and in an injury plagued season did NOTHING to contribute. The Vrabel/Ninkovich lesson tells us it is WAY to early to simply dismiss him.
It is also a lesson that explains somewhat BB's reluctance to select college DE's who are going to be OLB's in the NFL in the draft. Generally it takes just too long for them to develop in HIS system.
As far as the Vrabel comparison, there are SO many examples. Essentially both were in the league SIX years before they made ANY impact to their teams. Vrabel never had more that 2 sacks in the 4 years he played for the Steelers. Ninko didn't have a sack until he got here.
Things did improve for Vrabel when he came with the Pats, but fans forget that he only had 7 sacks over his first 2 years here. They forget that it wasn't until his SEVENTH season in the league before he became a legitimate rush threat (9.5) AND he only had one double digit sacks in one year (his 7th with the Pats). Compare that to Mike Anderson who did in his first year as a part time player.
The point is that when fans keep praying for the "next" Mike Vrabel, remember that you are praying for a solid OLB who could set the edge, give you some consistent pressure (don't forget that he averaged only 4 sacks/yr over his career), and drop back into coverage.
Well I have news for you, your prayers have been answered. Go back and compare Vrabel's and Ninko's stats for the 2nd and 3rd years on the team. They are almost identical. So before some of you dismiss Ninko as being a "nice little player" who is holding the fort until the "next Mike Vrabel" comes along, check the facts. Vrabel is BACK and his name is Rob Ninkovich.
And to all those people who are ready to jettison Jermaine Cunningham after just two seasons, take into consideration that Cunningham had a MUCH better rookie season than either of these guys. Not even close. So although, in the lockout shortened off season, Cunningham failed to get ready to play, and in an injury plagued season did NOTHING to contribute. The Vrabel/Ninkovich lesson tells us it is WAY to early to simply dismiss him.
It is also a lesson that explains somewhat BB's reluctance to select college DE's who are going to be OLB's in the NFL in the draft. Generally it takes just too long for them to develop in HIS system.