Q. After dissecting it all offseason and seeing the first practice, name the top three positions that appear to have weak depth.
A. I'd start with OLB. That position stood out to me today from a lack-of-depth standpoint. After that, it's more jumbled.
Q. Hey Mike, why not try to trade the disgruntled Mankins to Pittsburg for the disgruntled Lamarr Woodley? Both serve as a position of need for the other team, esspecially with the release of Crable yesterday.
A. I'd make that deal. Not sure Pittsburgh would.
Q. I honestly think, giving the oppurtunity, a guy like Ninkovich could definitely put up some numbers, seems like the guys who are fighting for the spots always produce because they want it that much more. Thoughts?
A. It was Ninkovich and Banta-Cain at OLB with the top group today. I also think Darius Butler and Patrick Chung could add a playmaking element to this defense, but of course, they don't play OLB.
Q. Mike, with the release of Crable, should we expect to see another OLB added to the roster for depth reasons, or competition in training camp?
A. The release of Crable, plus the no-show of Burgess, has the depth thin here. I wouldn't be surprised to see an addition there.
Q. How does Jermaine Cunningham look on the field?
A. This is a great opportunity for Cunningham given the release of Crable and the no-show of Burgess. I would like to see more of him in this contact-filled environment. I haven't seen enough at this point.
Q. Mike,Every reporter claimed that it was clear how much effort Shawn Crable had put into his workout during the off season. He looked every bit like McGinest. What went wrong? How could he have failed the conditioning test that athletes like Terrence Cody passes, albeit after two tries.
A. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Crable wasn't ready to work and didn't come to camp in condition. He was in the mix at June's mandatory minicamp. To be cut at the start of training camp, to me, is an indication that he didn't put in the time in the six weeks between the end of minicamp and the start of training camp.
Q. This morning you wrote "Belichick did not rule out a potential return for Crable. " If he was going to hold out hope that he could contribute wouldn't he have stayed on the PUP list? As a fan I have always held out hope for Crable to contribute, it seems he is not the 81st player in terms of depth and talent, so did Bill finally run out of patience for him to get healthy? Or is this a case of a player not taking his own conditioning seriously when left to his own devices as Teddy outlined earlier this month, reporting NOT in shape enough to pass muster, and got the hook from the coach? Seems this was not a medical decision but a coaching decision given the choice of the PUP list...
A. I thought Belichick was being kind when asked if it was a possibility that Crable could be back. Technically, it is a possibility. But I'd be surprised if he does return.
Q. Hey Mike, Tully Banta-Cain has been thrown out there as an obvious starter at outside linebacker largely due to his statistical performance last season (10 sacks). However, he also went 10 games without a sack and had 6.5 in 3 games against 2 of the worst pass protecting teams in the league (Bills and Jaguars). You've said before that the OLB position is pretty much up for grabs, so am I wrong in hoping he gets beat out for a starting job by a more consistant if less statistically flashy player?
A. I think Banta-Cain is best suited for sharing that role. One concern I would have is if he gets worn down on early downs and that takes away from what he does best -- rushing the passer. This, to me, ties into Jermaine Cunningham's development. They need Cunningham to rise up.
Q. do you see the pats going to a 4-3 base defense? their OLBs are weak to begin with and they have no depth at the position. they are stocked with ILBs and have good depth at DL. plus cunningham can play his natural position instead of having to convert to OLB.
A. I think they'll have the 4-3 as part of their overall package, but I still think they will be primarily a 3-4 at this time. Too early to change on the fly.
Q. Mike, with Burgess obviously considering retiring, especially not reporting to camp, I am concerned with the OLB position. It appears it just went from bad to worse. This was the whole problem last season, and now it 's happening all over. One area, the didn't address properly. Your thoughts?
A. It looks like the big question mark on the roster to me. It's why I thought they could have pursued Jason Taylor a bit harder. It's one practice and there is a long way to go, but clearly, this is the spot to watch as it looks quite thin.
Q. Think there's any chance the Patriots dangle one of their many draft picks to go after Merriman?
A. Hmmmm...Merriman doesn't strike me as their type of guy. Would fill the need, for sure, but something tells me they wouldn't go there.
Q. Mike, how do you play the 3-4 d with zero OLB. This is getting crazy to think about if Burgess retires. TBC is a 3rd down player. Who starts? Cunningham is a rookie and it's asking alot for him to step up. The OLB spot will cost them the season.
A. Fair point, Ryan. I think it's a big question mark. Since we're one practice into training camp, and the picture can always be altered, I'd let it play out before pushing the panic button. It reminds me of 2003. They had the huge hole at NT. They tried Jarvis Green there and it didn't work out. It's hard to play the 3-4 without an NT, and then they acquire Ted Washington. All of a sudden, what looked like a weakness became a strength.
