"DE" Weakest Link

[PatsFan2]

Listen, Vrabel can rave about "his guy" Landry all he wants. The problem is, he is cooked. He was very slow before getting hurt, and only made impactful plays when the QB or RB was forced to his side because of inside push by the beasts at DT or chased by Chaisson. When he came back from injury, he was a non-factor. So, don't count Landry in the equation at all. He may take a roster spot, but that's due to Vrabes loyalty factor, not his production capability.

We have Jones and Ponder - both need to prove something about their value THIS YEAR! Not years ago, or potential a year from now. Swinson is a complete nothing yet (while he could develop). But the reason you know this is the worst position group is because NO offense will worry at all about our edge rushers when playing us right now.

We absolutely NEED Jacas to show up at camp like a cannon, or we absolutely need to make a move for a productive vet.

Yeah I'm not a blind homer towards Harold Landry either: we know he's gone after this season. That said: the writings on the wall that he will be a IR candidate and not Designated to return. Kinda like TE Julian Hill.

 

[mgteich]

Difference here is the current group of patiots coaches are really Difference makers.. Clint McMillan and Mike Smith are guys that are dam good coaches and are committed. They are going to BS around. Ponder has been getting alot of work with the absence of Jacas and Landry.

Yes, it is POSSIBLE, that good coaches can make UDFA's into stars. It can happen. We can certainly hope. Of course, hope is not a plan.

I think that by August the staff will know the health of Landry and Jacas (I think that they already know). If one is healthy, then he will split time with Ponder opposite Jones. If neither is healthy or likely to be so before the season starts, then Vrabel will trade for an additional EDGE player.

I suspect that the patriots are having regular discussions with the giants as well as reviewing those who could be available. Clearly, we need at least 3 EDGE rushers who are ready to contribute. Jones and Ponder make two.

Of course, it certainly possible that we posters know much better about the health and 2026 prospects of Jacas and Landry. NOT!!

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Not if he’s coming off getting a knee scoped, a bone spur removed or some other minor cleanup procedure.

Don’t be a scaremonger.

Vrabel’s tone when pressed on Jacas does lend itself to questions around “what did the team know?”. And of they missed a medical issue, that’s the frustrating thing.

I’m sure long term it’s fine, just annoying for him not to be out there.

 

[PatsFan2]

Vrabel’s tone when pressed on Jacas does lend itself to questions around “what did the team know?”. And of they missed a medical issue, that’s the frustrating thing.

I’m sure long term it’s fine, just annoying for him not to be out there.

I would feel happy if they swing a Trade for a DE...we're playing some really good Teams on paper this year.

 

[mgteich]

Vrabel’s tone when pressed on Jacas does lend itself to questions around “what did the team know?”. And of they missed a medical issue, that’s the frustrating thing.

I’m sure long term it’s fine, just annoying for him not to be out there.

Yes, it is indeed frustrating. However, it can't be the worst thing to trust Vrabel to evaluate and find roles for our LB's, and add another one or two if value is there.

 

[patman52]

We have to talk about DE/EDGE as the weakest position on the team.
With Jacas a no-show so far, and Landry still working through his knee injury... it is time to get real about a FA DE.
We can't count on Jones & Ponder all season.

Barth mentioned the idea of signing Clowney for a 1 year lightning bottle type of role. And I'm not dismissing it.
He had nearly the exact same stats as Landry last year in half the starts in DAL.
Sure, he's way past his prime, but he's still very strong and can set the edge and still get to the QB.

If we can't figure out a big trade (Thibodeaux, Highsmith) would you consider Clowney or Bosa?

I think it is LB

 

[Grogan14]

Time for Jackass to show up.

 

[n1997y]

Time for Jackass to show up.

Puhleeze!

Enough posting here already.

 

[TommyD4207]

Time for Jackass to show up.

This isn't an airport, you don't need to announce your arrival like this.

 

[Real fan 02]

Yes, it is POSSIBLE, that good coaches can make UDFA's into stars. It can happen. We can certainly hope. Of course, hope is not a plan.

I think that by August the staff will know the health of Landry and Jacas (I think that they already know). If one is healthy, then he will split time with Ponder opposite Jones. If neither is healthy or likely to be so before the season starts, then Vrabel will trade for an additional EDGE player.

I suspect that the patriots are having regular discussions with the giants as well as reviewing those who could be available. Clearly, we need at least 3 EDGE rushers who are ready to contribute. Jones and Ponder make two.

Of course, it certainly possible that we posters know much better about the health and 2026 prospects of Jacas and Landry. NOT!!

The things with Jacas is injury related and remember Higgins in Houston set the stage for 2nd round picks getting thier contracts fully guaranteed. So combination of those 2 things there and the good thing is Vrabel is fully aware and not worried about it. Now if camp rolls around and he's still not signed then there something amiss.

Nonetheless we still showing be in on Thibiduaux or another pass rusher.. can never have to many rushers.. guys get hurt, ineffectiveness, ect.

The positive is guys like Ponder (who I'm high on) has gotten increased work as well as Swinson. I don't expect to see Landry anytime soon. So there are guys that may not have the name recognition that will have opportunities to shine and make the roster potential.

However between now and camp Vrabel likely adds another pass rusher.

 

[Real fan 02]

Vrabel’s tone when pressed on Jacas does lend itself to questions around “what did the team know?”. And of they missed a medical issue, that’s the frustrating thing.

I’m sure long term it’s fine, just annoying for him not to be out there.

It's hamstring issue he had in college that had been lingering. That's the latest I got on it from nick cattles. Locked on patriots podcast. Also remember 2nd round picks are now looking to get thier contracts fully guaranteed so there's another element in it.

 

[rkarp1]

Listen, Vrabel can rave about "his guy" Landry all he wants. The problem is, he is cooked. He was very slow before getting hurt, and only made impactful plays when the QB or RB was forced to his side because of inside push by the beasts at DT or chased by Chaisson. When he came back from injury, he was a non-factor. So, don't count Landry in the equation at all. He may take a roster spot, but that's due to Vrabes loyalty factor, not his production capability.

We have Jones and Ponder - both need to prove something about their value THIS YEAR! Not years ago, or potential a year from now. Swinson is a complete nothing yet (while he could develop). But the reason you know this is the worst position group is because NO offense will worry at all about our edge rushers when playing us right now.

We absolutely NEED Jacas to show up at camp like a cannon, or we absolutely need to make a move for a productive vet.

from what I understood, Landry injured in game 6 against the Saints. He injured the same knee, in the same way, in game 12 against the Bengals.
pre injury, Landry played 76%, 91%, 78%, 71% and 91% of the defensive snaps.
he also had 4.5 sacks and 14 QB pressures. 25 combined tackles.
he was credited with 1 missed tackle.
statistically, and I realize that is not the entire picture, Landry pre injury was always available, and productive.

 

[Wozzy]

Vrabel’s tone when pressed on Jacas does lend itself to questions around “what did the team know?”. And of they missed a medical issue, that’s the frustrating thing.

I’m sure long term it’s fine, just annoying for him not to be out there.

They could have known about his issue prior to the draft. If it’s minimal that wouldn’t preclude them from drafting him.

 

[rkarp1]

are the injury and contract connected? will he not sign until he can pass a physical?

 

[State]

Pass rush is their weakest link by far.

Yep.

Something must be done. Interior, strong; edge? Almost nonexistent, esp if Landry doesn't bounce back. Ponder Ponder.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Yep.

Something must be done. Interior, strong; edge? Almost nonexistent, esp if Landry doesn't bounce back. Ponder Ponder.

Don't let anyone see that. I've got a bold prediction cooking up which posters are going to freak out over.

 

[jimnance]

I suppose the reasonable default is to take on one or two decent cast-offs or free agents for this year, then make the defense the priority next draft, as the offense essentially was in the recent one. No rebuild is ever truly "complete," and this one certainly isn't. These things take time, especially when one coach loses his reason and chucks the team into the grave out of some weird, spiteful neurosis, and his hopelessly incompetent successor shovels dirt over it.

Sad to say, that's pretty much what happened.
But things are looking up. Waay up

 

[Thelonious]

Sad to say, that's pretty much what happened.
But things are looking up. Waay up

They absolutely are. If AJ's ol' knee holds up, Gonzo gets reasonable, and we can find enough dough to pay Drake what, shockingly enough, he is probably actually worth, it'll be a story-book recovery. You're right to point this out. We can get too tied up in disagreeing about this or that and lose sight of how bright the overall picture is.

 

[BTTA]

They absolutely are. If AJ's ol' knee holds up, Gonzo gets reasonable, and we can find enough dough to pay Drake what, shockingly enough, he is probably actually worth, it'll be a story-book recovery. You're right to point this out. We can get too tied up in disagreeing about this or that and lose sight of how bright the overall picture is.

Yes, and to fully embrace that viewpoint is so counter cultural to NE sports. I'm in Mass for a few weeks now and every now and then make the mistake of listening to the talk radio jocks, and wow, that lemonade into spoiled lemons capability is staggering. What a way to make a living.

 

[n1997y]

Yes, and to fully embrace that viewpoint is so counter cultural to NE sports. I'm in Mass for a few weeks now and every now and then make the mistake of listening to the talk radio jocks, and wow, that lemonade into spoiled lemons capability is staggering. What a way to make a living.

Just think, if they were better at it they’d be political pundits.