Pass Rush specialist?

[Marqui]

Belichick is not signing a "great pass rusher". He has indicated many times (by his actions) that this position isn't a high priority. As Andy has said, Belichick considers this a backup position.

Is that why he traded up in the first round for one?

 

[mayoclinic]

Spencer for hire?

The idea that Buchanan, who had the worst coaching imaginable at Illinois--worse than if he were an Army Cadet--will come in next season and give us six to eight sacks is a pipe dream. I hope I'm wrong.

Anthony Spencer, on the other hand...

Spencer's coming off of micro fracture surgery, and may not be ready by training camp. It's questionable how effective he will be. OTOH, those issues should keep his price down, and his upside is considerable if he can recover.

 

[mgteich]

Is there anyone here but you who look at combine results of current players as a source of evaluation?

Buchanan will get his shot, BASED ON his 2013 practices and performance. He is our #3 DE and is going nowhere.

I would not sleep on Michael Buchanan. He was very good at creating pressure early last season; his inability to contain the run put him on the bench. That generally is technique and understanding your assignment and a full offseason in the NFL will go a long way in improving that.

Overall Buchanan is a freakish talent, take a look at his combine compared to Chandler Jones –

Michael Buchanan –
- Combine Invite: Yes
- Height: 6053
- Weight: 255
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.71
- 20 Yard Dash: 2.67
- 10 Yard Dash: 1.65
- 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 22
- Vertical Jump: 33
- Broad Jump: 09'05"
- 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.44
- 3-Cone Drill: 6.91

Chandler Jones –
- Combine Invite: Yes
- Height: 6053
- Weight: 266
- 40 Yard Dash: 4.77
- 20 Yard Dash: 2.73
- 10 Yard Dash: 1.66
- 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 22
- Vertical Jump: 35
- Broad Jump: 10'00"
- 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.38
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.07

They are very comparable, Buchanan slipped in the draft because he was involved in an altercation and suffered a broken jaw, which caused significant weight loss and resulted in a lackluster senior year. If he works hard this offseason, improves his technique and adds 10-15 pounds to his lanky frame he could be good for 6-8 sacks in 2014. He had 2 sacks in the first 4 weeks in 2013, before his run stopping issues became his downfall.

 

[Brady6]

Is there anyone here but you who look at combine results of current players as a source of evaluation?

Buchanan will get his shot, BASED ON his 2013 practices and performance. He is our #3 DE and is going nowhere.

I am not sure, usually when assessing a professional athlete I look at their athletic ability; if others do not I would have to assume they stand next to the TV with a stopwatch and a ruler when they watch the games. The belief that athletic metrics do not matter when assessing a professional athlete is ridiculous in my opinion, it is like not looking at the driving record when hiring a bus driver.

I am not sure why my providing data to outline a players ability is bothersome to you, I spoke to his play during the season as well and the areas he needed to improve, let us not act like I just threw combine numbers up and walked away. Truthfully the bold part of your post was wasteful, it was unnecessary and just bad taste on your part, if I see someone provide data I appreciate it I do not take issue with it, the fact that you do is mind boggling to me.

 

[RayClay]

Spencer for hire?

The idea that Buchanan, who had the worst coaching imaginable at Illinois--worse than if he were an Army Cadet--will come in next season and give us six to eight sacks is a pipe dream. I hope I'm wrong.

Anthony Spencer, on the other hand...

Micro fracture knee surgery. Ooohh.

 

[State]

Two years ago Spencer recorded 11 sacks for the Cowboys and was their best pass rusher. What did the Broncos pay for D.Ware? Yeah, the injury works both ways. He's 30, but didn't play last season. If the price is right. Only Snyder and the 'Skins will screw this up for us.

 

[RayClay]

We have the roster space. BTW, IIRC, Carter was keeping Buchanan on the bench. In any case, we certainly have room for a developmental DL or two; we always do.

Well, Buchanan put Buchanan on the bench. I love him as a prospect, but he's got to be dependable. He blew contain leading to a couple big runs, I recall.

 

[patsfan-1982]

papers got 3 years 30 million from the packers that's a lot of money for a 34 year old coming off maybe the worst season of his career

 

[VrabelJr]

The only thing I can say about our DL is that it's time to move on from Wilfork and get a bigger LDE for most downs. I'm a huge Ninkovich fan and he's very savvy, but he's a little too small. If we get a bigger LDE we can use more athletic tackles to generate inside pressure.

Given our cap and what I said above, I think Robert Ayers would make a lot of sense. That or see if Armstead can play LDE.

 

[Brady6]

The only thing I can say about our DL is that it's time to move on from Wilfork and get a bigger LDE for most downs. I'm a huge Ninkovich fan and he's very savvy, but he's a little too small. If we get a bigger LDE we can use more athletic tackles to generate inside pressure.

Given our cap and what I said above, I think Robert Ayers would make a lot of sense. That or see if Armstead can play LDE.

You have to keep in mind though this defense plays the 4-3 with 3-4 principles. Ninkovich is a Leo so his size is actually ideal, a bigger player would not be able to do the things he does.

LDE – plays the seven or nine technique, the LDE (Ninkovich) has to be a combination of a 4-3 seven-technique/nine-technique defensive end and a 3-4 outside linebacker.
LDT – plays the three or five technique, the LDT (Kelly) has to be a combination of a 4-3 three-technique defensive tackle and a 3-4 five-technique defensive end.
RDT – plays the one or zero technique, the RDT (Wilfork) has to be a combination of a 4-3 one-technique defensive tackle and a 3-4 zero-technique nose tackle.
RDE – plays the seven, nine, or five technique, the RDE (Jones) has to be a combination of a 4-3 seven-technique/nine-technique defensive end and a 3-4 five-technique defensive end.

What you are trying to create with Armstead is a 4-3 over which we moved away from after 2011 to become more pass rush oriented.

 

[Brady6]

Well, Buchanan put Buchanan on the bench. I love him as a prospect, but he's got to be dependable. He blew contain leading to a couple big runs, I recall.

Year 2 that should not be an issue, he will have a full offseason with the team and a second training camp. I am sure he bulked up; I hear he was working out with Chandler Jones and they have become very close.

The struggles were early in the season and they were mainly technique issues or over running his assignment.

 

[RayClay]

Year 2 that should not be an issue, he will have a full offseason with the team and a second training camp. I am sure he bulked up; I hear he was working out with Chandler Jones and they have become very close.

The struggles were early in the season and they were mainly technique issues or over running his assignment.

Since he hasn't played next season, we don't know if he will perform his assignments and not get sucked in.

I personally love his potential, but he wouldn't be the first athletically exciting guy that "didn't get it."