Zach Cunningham

[rookBoston]

Belichick spending QT watching film with Cunningham on one day, and running LB drills the next day...

Vanderbilt Linebacker Zach Cunningham Drawing Interest From Patriots

...leaves me with one idea: he's at least THINKING about the Cleveland pick at #12.

The other way to get high enough for Cunningham is in a trade with the Saints. But Malcom, alone, may not be enough to secure #11, depending on what you believe about the tender and what New Orleans is willing to give up in a trade.

BB is on record saying you don't trade up that high in the draft unless there's a specific player you have in mind. Maybe this is the guy.

Garoppolo > Cunningham?
Butler > Cunningham?

 

[Edelmania]

You probably dont need #11 or #12 to get Cunningham

 

[manxman2601]

Belichick spending QT watching film with Cunningham on one day, and running LB drills the next day...

Vanderbilt Linebacker Zach Cunningham Drawing Interest From Patriots

...leaves me with one idea: he's at least THINKING about the Cleveland pick at #12.

The other way to get high enough for Cunningham is in a trade with the Saints. But Malcom, alone, may not be enough to secure #11, depending on what you believe about the tender and what New Orleans is willing to give up in a trade.

BB is on record saying you don't trade up that high in the draft unless there's a specific player you have in mind. Maybe this is the guy.

Garoppolo > Cunningham?
Butler > Cunningham?

I think Cunningham is in play at 32 or maybe with a small trade up. I wonder if Cunningham was a losing Hightower safety net though and this visit was arranged pre Hightower re-signing. Cunningham may be sub 240lb but he's one of the better linebackers in the draft at taking on blockers. In the draft forum I said he was an Alec Ogletree/Jamie Collins mix but after watching him, he's more Hightower than Collins.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

While I'm not much of a Cunningham fan (worst tackler I've watched in a good while), I do think it's worth noting that Belichick is spending time with prospects who aren't going to make it to 72. I'd like to see us recoup some of the early round picks, but who knows how it will all play out; the Patriots do things their own way, much to the consternation of the amateur scouts among us (me included). At this point though, they've earned the benefit of the doubt. I am the one who needs to update my expectations and scouting profiles!

 

[manxman2601]

While I'm not much of a Cunningham fan (worst tackler I've watched in a good while), I do think it's worth noting that Belichick is spending time with prospects who aren't going to make it to 72. I'd like to see us recoup some of the early round picks, but who knows how it will all play out; the Patriots do things their own way, much to the consternation of the amateur scouts among us (me included). At this point though, they've earned the benefit of the doubt. I am the one who needs to update my expectations and scouting profiles!

We may have some issues over this "worst tackler' designation . Not sure I'd go that far. He certainly goes too high and doesn't wrap up enough but he makes a lot more tackles than he misses. He did finish 4th in run stop percentage last season (admittedly, he also finished 174th in tackling efficiency so he certainly has questions). A glass half full/half empty dilemma I suppose.

 

[rookBoston]

Yeah, maybe I overstated how high Cunningham will go. Some mocks have him Top 20, but some have him in the 2nd round. Amazing draft class if there's that much volatility between picks 15 and 60.

 

[makoute]

While I'm not much of a Cunningham fan (worst tackler I've watched in a good while), I do think it's worth noting that Belichick is spending time with prospects who aren't going to make it to 72. I'd like to see us recoup some of the early round picks, but who knows how it will all play out; the Patriots do things their own way, much to the consternation of the amateur scouts among us (me included). At this point though, they've earned the benefit of the doubt. I am the one who needs to update my expectations and scouting profiles!

Maybe on the pats board some of those players will be there.

 

[UFGatorPat]

Jarrad Davis is a better tackler, maybe weaker in pass coverage but makes plays in the backfield and underrated lateral quickness. Downside is his length and can have trouble disengaging from 2nd level blocks. I wouldn't trade up for Cunningham even though he has a bit more upside.

 

[NormZauchin]

I don't know. The last time that Belichick drafted a Cunningham at linebacker it didn't work out too well.

 

[Tony2046]

OT: Does anyone else have problems with the NESN site taking forever to load?

I'm not sure why they would have four or five videos loading at the same time on the same page.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

OT: Does anyone else have problems with the NESN site taking forever to load?

I'm not sure why they would have four or five videos loading at the same time on the same page.

Can't be too much Internet traffic at 4:40 in the morning!!!!!!
>>>Tony2046, Today at 4:40 AM<<

 

[Tony2046]

Can't be too much Internet traffic at 4:40 in the morning!!!!!!
>>>Tony2046, Today at 4:40 AM<<

It's the ole' movie night syndrome. Watch a movie with the kids. Sit in the recliner. Next thing I know it's 4:00 am in the morning.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Can't be too much Internet traffic at 4:40 in the morning!!!!!!
>>>Tony2046, Today at 4:40 AM<<

Internet is pretty slow for me in the middle of the night because our ISP has capped bandwidths, but offers free downloads from 2 am to 8 am. So most torrent clients have schedulers set up and I'm sure people are downloading a ton of stuff in the middle of the night.

Either that or I'm mentally slow because I'm up at 4:40 am with a crying kid or something similar.

Back to Cunningham, Reiss covered this today in his weekly Twitter question:

Patriots' draft approach won't change with lack of early-round picks

Brian, even though the Patriots currently don't pick until No. 72, early in the third round, they will still go through their normal process of scouting every player and building a complete draft board. This is something that director of player personnel Nick Caserio and Bill Belichick touch on often around this time of year, and what they generally say is that they never know when they might swing a trade and the picture changes in an instant.

They wouldn't want to enter the draft with incomplete information, or not go through their regular meeting process with prospects, and then have an unexpected opportunity present itself and not be able to capitalize. Also, the information they gather at this time can help in the decision-making process in the future with 2017 rookies who become free agents or become available in trades.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

It's the ole' movie night syndrome. Watch a movie with the kids. Sit in the recliner. Next thing I know it's 4:00 am in the morning.

Been there, done that. Fast forward a few years until you're an empty nester and you're downstairs on the couch watching sports and your wife is upstairs watching, "This is Us" or some chick flick..and the same thing happens....

Regarding Cunningham, Belichick could simply be scouting him to pick him up in free agency in a few years when the team that drafts him misuses him and accuses him of underachieving...

 

[PatsGuy]

Been there, done that. Fast forward a few years until you're an empty nester and you're downstairs on the couch watching sports and your wife is upstairs watching, "This is Us" or some chick flick..and the same thing happens....

Regarding Cunningham, Belichick could simply be scouting him to pick him up in free agency in a few years when the team that drafts him misuses him and accuses him of underachieving...

LOL
"This is Us" is something my wife keeps talking about over n over.
I too saw the photo n video of Belichick working him out n got to thinking that Cunningham's agent must b smiling from ear to ear. why? Belichick has so much cred around the league, other coaches probably see this personal interaction n relook at Cunningham on their on boards

 

[fair catch fryar]

The man really means what he says, "No days off". Good thing I'm not head coach, I'd still be on vacation somewhere on a beach in the Caribbean with a ****tail in hand and a bench of subs ready to be the next man up.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

Tackling can be coached. Cunningham is willing and He can get to the ball fast.

 

[maineman209]

Yeah, maybe I overstated how high Cunningham will go. Some mocks have him Top 20, but some have him in the 2nd round. Amazing draft class if there's that much volatility between picks 15 and 60.

IDK. It still seems a bit early to me for big boards, top 100s and mocks to have settled down a whole lot yet.

A few years ago, I went all-in on trying to predict the draft. Did deep dives into roster needs for all teams and made a spreadsheet of a couple dozen reasonable mocks thru 4 rounds in an attempt to come up at least a range of slot where prospects would most likely be taken. I was doing pretty well through about pick 12 when things started going a little sideways, but was still "okay" until toward the end of the 1st. Then Belichick horned in and blew the whole damn thing sky high. (grumble, grumble)

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

We may have some issues over this "worst tackler' designation . Not sure I'd go that far. He certainly goes too high and doesn't wrap up enough but he makes a lot more tackles than he misses. He did finish 4th in run stop percentage last season (admittedly, he also finished 174th in tackling efficiency so he certainly has questions). A glass half full/half empty dilemma I suppose.

Def worst tackler of the names people throw out and most likely haven't watched them lol.

He reminds me a lil bit of KJ Wright.

Is he worth a top 20 or 1st rd pick.

Im a fan of KJ but I don't think so.

I see a guy who uses his hands n arms too much, after pursuit hes not in thr best position either and then u have to ask urself if he can cover TE's?



And fwiw Bill was obviously checking Zach out but Vandy does have other players like Holden etc

 

[Ochmed Jones]

From watching the tape, I really can not see bb trading up for this guy.

Maybe if he falls, but that would be about it,