Guess the Derrick Burgess era is over...

[RayClay]

So would I. He's a reasonably talented guy who has experience in the system. The fact that his play improved late in the season gives me hope that he hadn't had a full grasp of the system until our last 6 games or so.

Me three. First year in the 3-4, good tackler and AD should be gone. I like Cunningham, but he's got some learning to do.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Let's assume there's a learning curve, or so I've always heard about NE's defense.

I agree. He played very well at the end of the year. They just may keep him.

 

[Patspsycho]

I think he'll be resigned and given a fair shot at competing for a job this fall.

 

[mgteich]

I expect him back.

I think he'll be resigned and given a fair shot at competing for a job this fall.

 

[efin98]

Any chance his coming back had a direct effect on not addressing the supposed pass rushing problem in the draft? Stop gap move if he is brought back, but at least allows them to use the pick elsewhere to address a need.

 

[RayClay]

Any chance his coming back had a direct effect on not addressing the supposed pass rushing problem in the draft?

Huh?................

 

[efin98]

Huh?................

There were many complaints that BB didn't address that problem...I am just asking that if the possibility of Burgess's possible returning could have been the result of the "not addressing the need" claim.

 

[RayClay]

There were many complaints that BB didn't address that problem...I am just asking that if the possibility of Burgess's possible returning could have been the result of the "not addressing the need" claim.

Well, Thomas is a goner, which leaves them with two one dimensional OLBs. I think Burgess is transitioning to a complete OLB, but we'll see. TBC's difficulty holding the edge are well documented, but he can rush.

That leaves us short an OLB, not a pass rush specialist, in my opinion.

Many wanted Carlos Dunlap, a big lanky guy that was unlikely to transition well IMO, leaving us three pass rush specialists not proven to play OLB.

For those who wanted Dunlap, Cunningham had the same amount of sacks, more tackles for loss and looks to me, much more fluid and instinctive as a tackler.

You understand the media hypes these one dimensional rushers because they make for good highlights. The GMs of the league showed what they thought of that hype by going on a run of CBs and leaving some of these "can't miss" beasts to the 3-4-5 and lower rounds.

Also notice which former high picks got traded for a bag of chips around draft time.

We needed an all around OLB to go with somewhat one dimensional TBC and Burgess in a rotation. I think Cunningham is one. Just my assessment though, he played 4-3 end in college.

 

[Patspsycho]

There were many complaints that BB didn't address that problem...I am just asking that if the possibility of Burgess's possible returning could have been the result of the "not addressing the need" claim.

No. It is BB's philosophy to give everyone a fair shot at competing for a job this fall, and the best man wins it, no matter what their pedigree is, first round or UDFA.

 

[RayClay]

Here's an old article by Pat Kirwan, one of the few pundits who know both coaching and personnell in the NFL.

Sportscenter might still be stuck on the sensational aspect, but front offices are not, based on the recent draft. Remember, the Patriots play a 3-4 base. The rushers have to play linebacker.

The most interesting group of rookie rushers has been the 3-4 outside linebackers, especially with the rise in 3-4 defenses. There have only been seven selected in the first round since '05, and it has been feast or famine. Vernon Gholston was the sixth overall selection last year and he couldn't even get on the field. Shawne Merriman and DeMarcus Ware hit the ground running and combined for 18 sacks in their rookie season. In total, the seven rookie outside linebackers had 36 sacks in their first season, or a 5.1 average.

"Unlike the 4-3 defensive ends, there are ways to get these OLBs on a back or, at worst, a tight end, and they will win more," said one offensive line coach.

That may be true, but the case of Kamerion Wimbley, who had 11 sacks as a rookie but only nine over the two seasons after that, points to the next problem. If a young outside linebacker produces early, offensive lines will adjust their protection and make sure a tackle has him. Then he faces the same problem as defensive ends.

The outside linebackers taken in the draft's first round last weekend include Orakpo, English, Aaron Curry (No. 4 to Seattle), Aaron Maybin (No. 11 to Buffalo), Brian Cushing (No. 15 to Houston) and Clay Matthews (No. 26 to Green Bay), and some will be used in a 3-4 defense. The question is, who will turn into Gholston, who had 22.5 sacks in college but none as a rookie, and who will turn into Merriman, who had 10 sacks as a rookie in 2005?

Temper your expectations for draft's first-round pass rushers

 

[VJCPatriot]

I expect him back.

Do you have inside info?
I wouldn't mind having Burgess back on a Holt type of deal.
Vet min + Escalators for performance, etc.

 

[vyrago]

No. It is BB's philosophy to give everyone a fair shot at competing for a job this fall, and the best man wins it, no matter what their pedigree is, first round or UDFA.

Including Thomas??

 

[Kontradiction]

Did the Derrick Burgess era really ever begin?

 

[Patspsycho]

Including Thomas??

He had his shot and blew it.

 

[Patriot Missile]

He had his shot and blew it.

He'll be back with a vengeance.

 

[Patspsycho]

He'll be back with a vengeance.

Unfortunately there are some lines you just don't cross on a BB team. AD has crossed a few of them.

 

[pats1]

Should have been signed by now... Lewis and Warren signing, could .. And I say COULD... Signal the end of the short lived Burgess era...

The Warren and Lewis signings have nothing to do with Burgess. They are both 3-4 DEs. Burgess is a 3-4 OLB. If anything the Cunningham drafting means Burgess is gone, although they would have drafted someone even if he was still here.

 

[pats1]

guess you missed the "Patriots will make decision on Burgess within a week" thread started last month. Forget who threw that one out there.

A guy named Bill Belichick during an interview/press conference. He said they'd "take a look" at Burgess in the next week, which I think was a week or two ago.

 

[pats1]

Let's assume there's a learning curve, or so I've always heard about NE's defense.

There's certainly a learning curve, but the question is how high is the peak of that curve for Burgess. I just don't know how much he has left to bring to the table even if he reaches the top of that curve.

 

[mgteich]

I have no inside information.

The fact is that we need Burgess or someone better at what he did. Burgess improved all year. He has an opportunity to look around and find ourt his worth. Belichick indicated that the decision should come this week.

How can it hurt to have Burgess in camp competing with Crable, Murrell and Alexander for roster positions? Personally, I'd bet on Burgess to beat them all out easily.

Do you have inside info?
I wouldn't mind having Burgess back on a Holt type of deal.
Vet min + Escalators for performance, etc.