Returning to practice: Brace, Arrington, and (drumroll please....), Cunningham!

[fumbrunner]

Lots of positives going in to week one....not the least of which are some depth players on defense getting healthy enough to come back. Say what you want about Brace, but he has something to prove and the D-Line sorely needs depth.

I don't think we should expect to see Cunningham on the field, or active for that matter, the first few weeks, but good signs nonetheless.

And sLoMo in sweats. Must be taking one of those veteran days off after a grueling training camp.

 

[MustaphaM0nd]

If Cunningham can step in and display proficiency dropping back into coverage and making tackles downfield, as well as rushing the passer, do TBC and Cunningham become the starters, or is it Ninkovich and Cunningham, with TBC coming on as a pass rush specialist?

Ninkovich can set the edge just as well as TBC in my mind. However, over the past preseason games Spikes has looked like a liability at times running sideline to sideline, and if Cunningham has better range and sheds blocks better than TBC it would be nice to have him on running downs.

 

[D-cleater]

If Cunningham can step in and display proficiency dropping back into coverage and making tackles downfield, as well as rushing the passer, do TBC and Cunningham become the starters, or is it Ninkovich and Cunningham, with TBC coming on as a pass rush specialist?

It's conceivable, if Ninko continues to improve, but its a moot point given the fact that he hasn't really seen the field yet and BB is likely preparing, for week one anyway, with the players that are in game shape. If I were to entertain any thoughts of Cunningham seeing the field at all Week one, especially given all the responsibilities that you mention,those thoughts were shot down with R-T26 rsaying the the Herald has been reporting that he's going to play. There aren't too many sources that are more inaccurate than the herald, IMO.

 

[TheComeback]

If Cunningham can step in and display proficiency dropping back into coverage and making tackles downfield, as well as rushing the passer, do TBC and Cunningham become the starters, or is it Ninkovich and Cunningham, with TBC coming on as a pass rush specialist?

Ninkovich can set the edge just as well as TBC in my mind. However, over the past preseason games Spikes has looked like a liability at times running sideline to sideline, and if Cunningham has better range and sheds blocks better than TBC it would be nice to have him on running downs.

Cunningham is more of pass rusher, from what I saw of him at Florida. I think he has the ability to set the edge but it will take him a couple of years to develop the necessary strength. I'd rather have TBC and Ninko out there on early downs. But he's definitely faster than those two, so if they're anticipating a lot of outside runs then I could see getting him on the field earlier. Maybe when they're playing against a Chris Johnson type.

 

[Off The Grid]

Wonder if Jermaine Crablingham will play this week.

That was REALLY lame...so why the @#$% am I laughing??

 

[Off The Grid]

When I read the title of this thread a little bit of wee escaped and ran down my leg.

I'm soooo excited

No off to clean myself up

OverShare Violation.

15 Yards AND Loss of Down!!

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Good news, but would trade all of them fo Edelaman. But happy to see Brace well, I expect him to start.

I worry about Brace's ankle. The lineman need strong knees and ankles or they get destroyed. I wonder if Brace's ankle is fully healed. Let's hope - hate to see a lingering injury all year.

 

[Marqui]

Cunningham is more of pass rusher, from what I saw of him at Florida. I think he has the ability to set the edge but it will take him a couple of years to develop the necessary strength. I'd rather have TBC and Ninko out there on early downs. But he's definitely faster than those two, so if they're anticipating a lot of outside runs then I could see getting him on the field earlier. Maybe when they're playing against a Chris Johnson type.

Ninkovich isn't good at setting the edge against starting OTs.

 

[The_Riddler]

Any word on Hernandez?

It is great to see Brace and Cunningham back in the fold !

 

[Ring 6]

Ninkovich isn't good at setting the edge against starting OTs.

Well, he wouldnt be setting the edge against a T.
The OLB is going to be blocked by a TE, FB or pulling G almost all the time while the T blocks the DE lined up right across from him.
Under a circumstance where you might have the T out on the OLB, it would be an inside run, so there is no edge to set.
There isnt a T in the NFL that can hook an OLB on a sweep.