Re-thinking the defensive line/player predictions

[aluminum seats]

The 'concern' isn't for Fanane making the team, it is for his injury status and the worry that he may end up missing a couple/few games.

The only reason I brought it up is b/c we haven't seen him or heard about him in quite awhile.

Some posters seem to feel that they are just being cautious with him, so we'll have to root for that scenario.

I did see a couple of posters speculating elsewhere that Fanene might not make the roster, so I'm glad that insanity is not being echoed here. He was the Pats first target out of the gate this off-season, and he started well. Assuming (hoping?) he'd be on the IR already if they were going to put him there, he'll definitely be around, even if he's limited in the early going.

 

[supafly]

I did see a couple of posters speculating elsewhere that Fanene might not make the roster, so I'm glad that insanity is not being echoed here. He was the Pats first target out of the gate this off-season, and he started well. Assuming (hoping?) he'd be on the IR already if they were going to put him there, he'll definitely be around, even if he's limited in the early going.

Yeah, I couldn't imagine why anyone would think that Fanane is a possible cut, but I'll assume it's due to his injury status.

My mistake in originally making the thread was the fact that I forgot that Fanane had practiced during TC early on, and my fear was that he could possibly be a PUP candidate (which isn't possible, due to the fact that he has already practiced.)

It was a rookie error on my part, as I had a momentary lapse in judgement.

The fact remains that we will likely need to comb the roster cuts for some depth, and also obviously hope that he comes back sooner rather than later.

 

[Fencer]

I don't think most of us would feel comfortable on defense without staffing levels of at least:

• 6 Heavies
• 6 Lighter DEs & pass rush specialists
• 6 Unarguable LBs & ST LBs
• 5 Safeties & ST safeties
• 5 CBs

Since that adds up to 28, however, it's not going to come close to happening.


The most natural way to balance things is:

• Knock 2-3 of the 6s down to 5s.
• Knock 0-1 of the 5s down to a 4.

 

[supafly]

I don't think most of us would feel comfortable on defense without staffing levels of at least:

• 6 Heavies
• 6 Lighter DEs & pass rush specialists
• 6 Unarguable LBs & ST LBs
• 5 Safeties & ST safeties
• 5 CBs

Since that adds up to 28, however, it's not going to come close to happening.


The most natural way to balance things is:

• Knock 2-3 of the 6s down to 5s.
• Knock 0-1 of the 5s down to a 4.

I would think that it'd be easier to knock on the "5's" down to 4 at the position of safety, rather than corner.

I think we'd be okay with 4 safeties, with one of the 5 CB's being able to play safety in a pinch if needed.

We need to have 5 CB's in this version of the NFL, at least in my opinion.

I certainly agree with what you say.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

So if Brace has a really good three remaining preseason games, does he create enough value for us to trade him for a ROT?

Because even if Vollmer gets 100% healthy tomorrow (and I do not see that happening), he looks to be really far behind at this point in the preseason and Cannon moves as well as a real cannon with two broke wheels.

If Herr Vollmer gets healthy gets one pre-season game under his belt, I'm good.
He's a vet. Waters came here to a new system and did fine.

It's the healthy part about Vollmer that concerns me. Back issues looking chronic.

 

[supafly]

Yeah, I couldn't imagine why anyone would think that Fanane is a possible cut, but I'll assume it's due to his injury status.

My mistake in originally making the thread was the fact that I forgot that Fanane had practiced during TC early on, and my fear was that he could possibly be a PUP candidate (which isn't possible, due to the fact that he has already practiced.)

It was a rookie error on my part, as I had a momentary lapse in judgement.

The fact remains that we will likely need to comb the roster cuts for some depth, and also obviously hope that he comes back sooner rather than later.

Yikes...I couldn't have been more incorrect about this one. In my defense, I don't think too many saw it coming either.

Looks like we're back to square 1 (maybe -1) with the need for a couple big bodies on the line. Here's hoping that Pryor can get healthy, although I imagine he's starting the yr on PUP.

We still need to try and raid someone's roster cuts for an additional guy or two on the line in my opinion.

 

[aluminum seats]

Yikes...I couldn't have been more incorrect about this one. In my defense, I don't think too many saw it coming either.

Looks like we're back to square 1 (maybe -1) with the need for a couple big bodies on the line. Here's hoping that Pryor can get healthy, although I imagine he's starting the yr on PUP.

We still need to try and raid someone's roster cuts for an additional guy or two on the line in my opinion.

I was obviously completely wrong as well. I hate that.

 

[supafly]

I was obviously completely wrong as well. I hate that.

I think about 95% of us were. Oh well, with that kind of signing bonus, the need for an additional interior presence, and his potential, I don't think too many saw that coming.

I was however, concerned with not hearing anything about him for quite awhile now, and was worried about if he'd miss games + how many, etc.

I wonder if he would've been a potential PUP candidate had he not practiced early on, or if the injury is just too bad.

 

[ATippett56]

In light of today's roster moves, the defensive front seven on the 53 man roster looks more apparent:

4-3 DT/3-4 DE - Wilfork, Love, Brace, Deaderick
4-3 DE/3-4 OLB - Jones, Bequette, Cunningham, Ninkovich
4-3 LB/3-4 ILB - Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Carpenter
ST LB - Koutouvides, Tarpinian

Pryor - PUP
Warren - Rolodex

Potential Practice Squad Defensive Linemen - Forston, Francis

 

[supafly]

In light of today's roster moves, the defensive front seven on the 53 man roster looks more apparent:

4-3 DT/3-4 DE - Wilfork, Love, Brace, Deaderick
4-3 DE/3-4 OLB - Jones, Bequette, Cunningham, Ninkovich
4-3 LB/3-4 ILB - Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Carpenter
ST LB - Koutouvides, Tarpinian

Pryor - PUP
Warren - Rolodex

Potential Practice Squad Defensive Linemen - Forston, Francis

I still think that we're too light, maybe even 2 players light on this prediction.

Most of us had at least 15, if not 16.

Either way, I'm sure it will be fine.

 

[Patriot 37]

Faneane getting cut really sucks. We need a nickel pass rushing DT. Francias supposedly had a good camp although I haven't seen much in the 2 games. Any chance they give him a look a DT (on passing downs) in the next two games seems like we are set at DE ? or maybe Bequette ?

One positive is Love has shown a lot more push up field than he did last year. Still I'd like a smaller quicker guy in thir on 3rd down.

 

[patsfan13]

I currently showing 15 front 7 players and 10 DB's post Fanene:

DE (4) Chandler Jones, Brandon Deaderick, Jake Bequette, Trevor Scott
DT (4) Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, Ron Brace, Gerard Warren
ILB(4) Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Donta Hightower, Jeff Tarpinian
OLB(3) Rob Ninkovich, Jermaine Cunningham, Bobby Carpenter

CB (5) Devin McCourty, Ras-I Dowling, Kyle Arrington, Sterling Moore, Alfonzo Dennard
SS (3) Steve Gregory, Nate Ebner, James Ihedigbo


Pryor to PUP

 

[Fencer]

I would think that it'd be easier to knock on the "5's" down to 4 at the position of safety, rather than corner.

Another point that's been a little overtaken by events, namely Chung's injury. Keeping 5 safeties seems even more appealing than it did before, especially if one if them is the highly inexperienced Ebner.

Obviously, if one is Allen, that's at least some kind of CB depth.

Meanwhile, if Dennard can't get on the field in his first TC as a 7th round pick in a year when he has legal problems, he sure seems like an IR candidate to me. The question is whether, as the ESPN guys seems to think, Cole merits a slot.

 

[ATippett56]

DT (4) Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, Ron Brace, Gerard Warren

I don't see what value Gerard Warren brings to the table anymore.

 

[patsfan13]

I don't see what value Gerard Warren brings to the table anymore.

Big body who is good against the run and depth. I also list Scott. You sub Niko for those 2 I could see Neko instead of one of the above, but the Big bodies do better when they can be rotated depth pays off there IMO.

 

[ATippett56]

Big body who is good against the run and depth. I also list Scott. You sub Niko for those 2 I could see Neko instead of one of the above, but the Big bodies do better when they can be rotated depth pays off there IMO.

At this stage in training camp, I wonder if Marcus Forston offers more upside than Gerard Warren.

 

[patsfan13]

At this stage in training camp, I wonder if Marcus Forston offers more upside than Gerard Warren.

I need to look at the tape again but Forston didn't show me much the way Love did last year.

I see Francis and or Forston as PS guys.

 

[ATippett56]

I need to look at the tape again but Forston didn't show me much the way Love did last year.

I see Francis and or Forston as PS guys.

Love wasn't a rookie last year, so it would not be a fair comparison to Forston.

 

[supafly]

Big body who is good against the run and depth. I also list Scott. You sub Niko for those 2 I could see Neko instead of one of the above, but the Big bodies do better when they can be rotated depth pays off there IMO.

I certainly agree that G.Warren needs to be considered more now that Fanane is gone.

As for what he brings?--Experience, a good dependable big body who's good against the run, especially when rotated properly. He also has good knowledge of the system here, and has proven to be somewhat of a leader for the younger guys.

I had him as a bubble player initially, leaning towards him not making it lately, but I think he demands more consideration now.

We'll see how it all shakes out.

 

[supafly]

Another point that's been a little overtaken by events, namely Chung's injury. Keeping 5 safeties seems even more appealing than it did before, especially if one if them is the highly inexperienced Ebner.

Obviously, if one is Allen, that's at least some kind of CB depth.

Meanwhile, if Dennard can't get on the field in his first TC as a 7th round pick in a year when he has legal problems, he sure seems like an IR candidate to me. The question is whether, as the ESPN guys seems to think, Cole merits a slot.

I think that's a very valid point, Fencer.

I too am a bit apprehensive of Chung's ability to stay healthy all year long, not to mention the inexperience of Ebner (if he makes it, which it is looking that way as of now).

We may just go ahead and go with the 15 front seven players and 10 DB's as patsfan13 and some others have suggested. Especially with Pryor's ability to come back from PUP 6-7 games in the year.

In that case, Cole may be the guy who makes it over Allen--despite more of a 'need' at safety. I suppose we could certainly shuffle things around with Moore etc if/when the time comes.