What happened to Jermaine Cunningham

[Brady2Moss]

Can anybody refresh my memory about what happened to Jermaine? I remember him being a healthy scratch for a good part of the season and then he got injured. What was his injury? Should we give up hope on this guy doing anything for us...usually it takes these converted DEs about 3 years to become good OLB in our system if ever.

 

[pork3]

Can anybody refresh my memory about what happened to Jermaine? I remember him being a healthy scratch for a good part of the season and then he got injured. What was his injury? Should we give up hope on this guy doing anything for us...usually it takes these converted DEs about 3 years to become good OLB in our system if ever.

I believe he had a lingering hamstring injury. In any event, I believe his stay with the team will be dependent on his performance this preseason.

-jamman

 

[MP-Logick]

I wouldn't give up on him yet (though I expect the BUST police will be out in full force). He had a hamstring injury I think, and missed some time - perhaps he simply couldn't get on the field with Carter and Anderson ahead of him. Regardless...this is the crucial time for him to perform. If he doesn't look good in pre-season, he probably won't even make the roster.

Anyway, at least he can say he pressured Peyton Manning into a game-sealing interception, which is more than some players can say.

 

[Big-T]

Mark Anderson & Andre Carter limited the amount of snaps for him, then a lingering injury ended his season.

In his rookie year he looked like he could be a good player so hopefully he can get over his injury and show everyone how good he can be during TC/Pre-season to get a roster spot and potentially a place as a starter.

Of course to some that means he's a bust.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

I hope he doesn't come down with a case of the Crable's. It could be very detrimental to his career.

 

[IcyPatriot]

​

 

[Spergon Wynn]

I thought he showed potential in 2010 and expected him to improve in 2011. I'm not sure what happened but maybe the lockout and switch to more 4-3 looks stalled his growth.

 

[Sciz]

All we really know is that he was worse than Carter at 4-3 DE, worse than Anderson as a situational pass rusher, and worse than Ninkovich at 4-3 OLB. That was enough to prevent him from getting any playing time. If he can play like he did his rookie year but actually tackle QBs, he'd be an 8 sack guy.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

I would assume the lack of an off season program last year stunted his growth a bit. Add to that the injury and the depth chart and a lot was stacked against him.

Let's see how things progress this year.



*FWIW, if they were that good without one, imagine what a year in the off season program could do for Gronk and Hernandez :rocker:

 

[Jimke]

The Patriots drafted the wrong defensive end. Dunlap was better. Even Urban Meyer was surprised the Patriots drafted Cunningham.

 

[WhiZa]

I thought he showed potential in 2010 and expected him to improve in 2011. I'm not sure what happened but maybe the lockout and switch to more 4-3 looks stalled his growth.

This and the pats brought in several DL in FA last year. You would hope he would fight for his position, but he just never came out on top. Right now he looks like a career JAG which is why you should never draft a conversion project in the first round unless you are sure they can produce in their new position

 

[Brady2Moss]

Thanks guys.. it was strange I thought he looked really good for a convert OLB in our system as a rookie given how hard it is to do pick the system up. He could've had about 5 sacks if he was a bit stronger at tackling. Him stepping up would be a huge help to our current problems.

We're bound to hit on one of our OLB prospects eventually right? :bricks:

 

[randomk1]

All we really know is that he was worse than Carter at 4-3 DE, worse than Anderson as a situational pass rusher, and worse than Ninkovich at 4-3 OLB. That was enough to prevent him from getting any playing time. If he can play like he did his rookie year but actually tackle QBs, he'd be an 8 sack guy.

Yeah...that's quite a big hole in his game...tackling QBs. It seemed like he has the ability to get there though so that's good.

 

[aurakilla]

 

[PatriotReign]

I wouldn't give up on him yet (though I expect the BUST police will be out in full force). He had a hamstring injury I think, and missed some time - perhaps he simply couldn't get on the field with Carter and Anderson ahead of him. Regardless...this is the crucial time for him to perform. If he doesn't look good in pre-season, he probably won't even make the roster.

Anyway, at least he can say he pressured Peyton Manning into a game-sealing interception, which is more than some players can say.

That was him. I thought it was Banta-Cain.

 

[BaltimorePatsFan]

Pierre Woods > Jermaine Cunningham

 

[Triumph]

He is a value draft pick thats ready to break out any day now.

When a HC with 5 Super Bowl rings (count em) selects him, you know hes got to be good.

 

[chicowalker]

This and the pats brought in several DL in FA last year. You would hope he would fight for his position, but he just never came out on top. Right now he looks like a career JAG which is why you should never draft a conversion project in the first round unless you are sure they can produce in their new position

I think he was a 2nd or 3rd rounder.

 

[patfanken]

I thought he had a great rookies season, having been thrown into a very difficult position of starting as a rookie for much of the season. He set the edge pretty well. He was less effective as a rusher, but not entirely deficient at it. He looked like he was ahead of the game in the long term development it takes to transition from a college DE to an NFL OLB in the BB 3-4.

Last season was a disaster for him. I think it was because he DIDN'T do well during the unsupervised lock out. I'll be he didn't come into camp in the best of shape and it showed. He got injured and people passed him on the depth chart and he never recovered and eventually hit the IR.

Its fine to dismiss him for what he didn't accomplish last season, but it would be a mistake to forget what he DID accomplish in his rookie season. I am of the opinion that what he showed in his rookie year tells me that he CAN be developed into a productive player for the Pats moving forward. He's not an explosive pass rusher, nor will he ever be. But he can develop into a nice workman-like OLB who sets the edge and can get you 5-7 sacks per year

My questions about Cunningham lie more to the mental side. How much does he "want it". How hard is he willing to work this off season to be the best player he can be. How badly does he want to COMPETE for his position on the team. I don't think he did the work last season and it showed. If he repeats the mistake, then the common wisdom of this board will prove to be true and he will soon be gone, another 2nd round mistake. However if he learns from is mistake, then he should develop into a nice contributor.

 

[patsfan-1982]

im not sure anything happend to him i just think he's a never was and the pats upgraded he's spot last year, maybe now with Carter and anderson gone he may get some playing time if he makes the team but im not looking for him to ever be anything more then dept