Rob Ninkovich to retire?

[long distance]

I deeply believe in this.

With that said this might be the kind of thing Goody has hanging in this office.

Destiny becomes Integrity....

sure
the history of great thought is so marginal compared to corruption of it

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

I think we all appreciate what Ninko has done over the years, one of the most consistent and clutch defenders we've had.. If he chooses to retire I wish him well, definitely understandable.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think we all appreciate what Ninko has done over the years, one of the most consistent and clutch defenders we've had.. If he chooses to retire I wish him well, definitely understandable.

You never know what goes through these player's minds.

Nink is 33. Beyond the torn tricep, god knows what kind of meds hes pumped into his body and physical hell he endured to even get on the field. He might have a physical issue now that he can practice and play with but he'll need to manage all year long.

I'm sure the commitment level BB expects from the players can make a man question if he has what it takes still.

Hes got young bucks who can run all day clawing at his job and here is ole Nink taking 3 hours to get ready for practice and another 2 to take care of his body after practices and games. Then there are the countless hours of daily film study, meetings, etc just to be in a position to even play here....away from his family.

Just doing some reading on him hes been married a few years and has two very small little girls. Im sure hes had his "bell rung" several times and with all the CTE stuff swirling around might also have him wondering if he has it.

Maybe the image of his daughters getting married in 25 years and while they are walking down the isle hes in a wheelchair, using cane or worse has him thinking real hard if he wants to do this.

He has a drop-dead gorgeous wife and healthy, cute children that he wants to enjoy and spend time with. Assuming he's been good with his money and has his health there are worse decisions he can make with the 50+ years remaining with his life.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I agree it's all speculation but something is up.

Yeah, that's why I put "at this time." There definitely is obviously something to missing the first two days of camp. We just don't know if it's "retirement." It could conceivably be anything at this point.

 

[FCB02062]

If ninkovich retires the media is behind the 8 ball... For years most of them have been saying he's just a "jag" and nothing special... But guarantee if he does retire it will be a major crisis... "MIKE, THEY CAN'T OVERCOME NINKOVICH RETIRING MIKE! "

 

[patfanken]

Here's the thing - Less than a week before the start of camp, Ninko does a long interview with Florio. NOTHING from that interview would give anyone thoughts about an upcoming retirement. IF he was even contemplating retirement, I extremely doubt he'd have done that kind interview so close to camp.

Nawh, something came up, and its fine to speculate on what it might be. Could be a personal matter, managing his camp snaps, tweaked something during the conditioning run, etc, but retirement.....I don't think so.

 

[borg]

On July 26, Reiss wrote..........

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Veteran New England Patriots players report for training camp Wednesday, and entering Year 18 covering Bill Belichick's team, two thoughts spring to the fore:

• Always brace for something unexpected.
  
• Nothing is ever as solidified as it appears to be.
  

No doubt in my mind Reiss had the skinny on Ninko's plans but has politely stepped back into the shadows allowing Ninko to play this out on his terms

Then again, there was no doubt in my mind Butler would be traded to NO

 

[patsfan13]

Looks like Ninko is still out.

 

[Kontradiction]

Jezz. Glad you gave Ealy a fair chance to learn the culture here. Youve already cast him as a lost cause.

Why play High more on the edge? He's fine doing what he is doing.

Shea was fine and unspectacular last year.

Kidder is a long shot- even if Nink calls it quits.

He's far from the only one. Several have already thrown in the towel on the Ealy project... two days into camp. And they say millennials are the "I want it NOW!!!" generation.

 

[RobertWeathers]

He's far from the only one. Several have already thrown in the towel on the Ealy project... two days into camp. And they say millennials are the "I want it NOW!!!" generation.

How dare you respond to my post without testing me first.

 

[Ring 6]

I'm aware it's only first impressions, but Ealy didn't come across that well yesterday. He comes with high expectations and if there's changes afoot at that position, then expectations r even higher

Can you fill this in?
What did he do or not do?
How did he not come across well.
Why would we be concerned about his a de practiced when they weren't in pads?

 

[Ring 6]

Huge Ninko fan, but thought he seemed slower last year, is that due to physical decline??

He has had a good run in NE and should be all set for life..

Love nink but at this point he is a part time player and not much of a loss in the field but a good guy to have around.

 

[Ring 6]

Character is destiny.

What concerns you about his character. I wasn't aware of anything troubling.

 

[Ring 6]

Jezz. Glad you gave Ealy a fair chance to learn the culture here. Youve already cast him as a lost cause.

Why play High more on the edge? He's fine doing what he is doing.

Shea was fine and unspectacular last year.

Kidder is a long shot- even if Nink calls it quits.

If you could play Hightower on the edge and make his a pass rusher he would dominate. Probably the best 34 OLB type in the league.
The problem is while that gets hype, Hightower is also the mist versatile LB in the league and belichick gets more mileage out of his versatility than out of some flashy plays.

 

[RobertWeathers]

If you could play Hightower on the edge and make his a pass rusher he would dominate. Probably the best 34 OLB type in the league.
The problem is while that gets hype, Hightower is also the mist versatile LB in the league and belichick gets more mileage out of his versatility than out of some flashy plays.

Thats my take too. He can certainly rush the passer at a high level but his value is in his versatility. Hes so good at disguising his blitz. Also was decent in coverage last year as well. A very well-rounded player.

With Shea, Harris, Roberts and Van Noy, maybe BB and Blackbeard do plan on using High more with his hand in the dirt on standing on the line with a straight rush thus cutting into Nink's role a bit more.

 

[Ring 6]

Thats my take too. He can certainly rush the passer at a high level but his value is in his versatility. Hes so good at disguising his blitz. Also was decent in coverage last year as well. A very well-rounded player.

With Shea, Harris, Roberts and Van Noy, maybe BB and Blackbeard do plan on using High more with his hand in the dirt on standing on the line with a straight rush thus cutting into Nink's role a bit more.

The role I liked best for Hightower was how we starters the season in I think it was 2013(?)

We were really a 43 but we made it look like a 34 by having nink or c Jones stand up when they were on the strong side and be down on the weak side. Hightower plays OLB on the weakside and wrecked havoc.

We had injuries that took us out of that (mayo maybe, memory slow today) but I'd love to see Hightower doing some of having.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The role I liked best for Hightower was how we starters the season in I think it was 2013(?)

We were really a 43 but we made it look like a 34 by having nink or c Jones stand up when they were on the strong side and be down on the weak side. Hightower plays OLB on the weakside and wrecked havoc.

We had injuries that took us out of that (mayo maybe, memory slow today) but I'd love to see Hightower doing some of having.

I think that 4-3 config is something we will see frequently.

Flowers-Brown-Branch-High

Harris-Roberts-Van Noy

They'll mix in Guy, Vinny V, Ealy and the other DE kids on the line when appropriate.

When you look at that no wonder Nink might be caught in a numbers crunch. Shea might be in trouble as well. Gotta see how it plays out.

 

[Ring 6]

I think that 4-3 config is something we will see frequently.

Flowers-Brown-Branch-High

Harris-Roberts-Van Noy

They'll mix in Guy, Vinny V, Ealy and the other DE kids on the line when appropriate.

When you look at that no wonder Nink might be caught in a numbers crunch. Shea might be in trouble as well. Gotta see how it plays out.

Well nickel is like 80% now so even less snaps there.
But I think we may see more 3-3 nickel with Hightower, van noy, McClellan,Harris all capable of being the 4th rusher.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Well nickel is like 80% now so even less snaps there.
But I think we may see more 3-3 nickel with Hightower, van noy, McClellan,Harris all capable of being the 4th rusher.

They do play a ton of nickel.

Y'know I was just commenting on Chung playing a ton and I wonder if they might ease up on him a little and play more 4-3 but have 4 CBs out there (Gilmore, Malcolm, Rowe, DMC)

The number of combinations they can throw out there is sick

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Remember the ol' days when posters here referred to my man Ninko as Stinkovich?
Good times. Good Times! Maybe not.