"DE" Weakest Link

[captain stone]

You need to include Ponder with the group competing to make the team

I think he did, with DreMont Jones being the other of his two.

 

[PatMan]

not available we have 1 NFL caliber edge player on the roster.

What about Jacas has you so convinced he is an NFL caliber edge player?

He was picked 55th overall which almost makes him a 3rd rounder... Don't get me wrong I like him and think he could be a good player, but I don't really understand the incredible amount of hype he's coming in with... It feels a little similar to the Caedan Wallace pick to me where they pick the last guy in the group of guys and project him like he fell for no reason.

 

[rkarp1]

What about Jacas has you so convinced he is an NFL caliber edge player?

He was picked 55th overall which almost makes him a 3rd rounder... Don't get me wrong I like him and think he could be a good player, but I don't really understand the incredible amount of hype he's coming in with... It feels a little similar to the Caedan Wallace pick to me where they pick the last guy in the group of guys and project him like he fell for no reason.

I assume most have an opinion of Jacas based on his draft pedigree
even though the Pats traded up for him, my assumption was to get in front of another team that had him rated just as highly
that said, did Jacas fall out of rd 1 because of his medicals?

so in theory, he was not "a 3rd rounder" as you say, but a first rounder who slid because of medicals

 

[Ring 6]

What about Jacas has you so convinced he is an NFL caliber edge player?

He was picked 55th overall which almost makes him a 3rd rounder... Don't get me wrong I like him and think he could be a good player, but I don't really understand the incredible amount of hype he's coming in with... It feels a little similar to the Caedan Wallace pick to me where they pick the last guy in the group of guys and project him like he fell for no reason

We will see. I expect 2nd round picks to be NFL caliber players, I like his tape, and he played against good competition.
After all the flotsam and jetsom you told everyone are quality players, I’m it surprised with your response.

 

[captain stone]

What about Jacas has you so convinced he is an NFL caliber edge player?

I think he might be referring to DreMont Jones as our one and only NFL-caliber edge player...

 

[jdlboot14]

Are people serious who say we're fine at DE/Edge?
Must be smoking summer bliss.
Everyone is either old or unproven. Everyone!!
Jones & Landry are old. Ponder & Swinson are young & unproven.
Jacas is a no-show. Luketa & Grainer don't count as legit options.
That is not a solid group, no matter how many lenses of rose you put on your glasses.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Are people serious who say we're fine at DE/Edge?
Must be smoking summer bliss.
Everyone is either old or unproven. Everyone!!
Jones & Landry are old. Ponder & Swinson are young & unproven.
Jacas is a no-show. Luketa & Grainer don't count as legit options.
That is not a solid group, no matter how many lenses of rose you put on your glasses.

It's the logic some posters are using that the Patriots defense doesn't have a weakness because they ranked top 10 in yards, passing and rushing and top 3 in points allowed. Every defense will have a weakness and the Pats defense has seriously weak pass rush. They were also awful setting the edge. Although getting up there in age, Landry is a proven veteran. The rest at Edge/OLB are JAGS.

Same goes for the offense. They have a weakness. Their OL almost single handedly derailed their chances in the playoffs. It finally reared it's ugly head in the Super Bowl.

 

[Real fan 02]

Nice article. Thanks. Vrabel is a smart guy. Concentrating on what is important.

Absolutely. Vrabel knows what it takes for a team to be yearly contenders and not just flash in the pans..

 

[Real fan 02]

It's the logic some posters are using that the Patriots defense doesn't have a weakness because they ranked top 10 in yards, passing and rushing and top 3 in points allowed. Every defense will have a weakness and the Pats defense has seriously weak pass rush. They were also awful setting the edge. Although getting up there in age, Landry is a proven veteran. The rest at Edge/OLB are JAGS.

Same goes for the offense. They have a weakness. Their OL almost single handedly derailed their chances in the playoffs. It finally reared it's ugly head in the Super Bowl.

Unless someone really suprises in camp/preseason.. without Jacas who's obviously unsigned & had a "scope " as I understand it on the labrum and I do believe he signs before or during camp however as Mike Smith said he will be behind.. Jacas is clearly our most physically gifted edge rusher.. So currently we are entering camp with 2 edge rushers Jones & Ponder not ideal at all. Landry hasn't left the training room so can't count on him.. Vrabel clearly knows this.. so I'd expect a trade or another edge signing before camp

 

[Wozzy]

Unless someone really suprises in camp/preseason.. without Jacas who's obviously unsigned & had a "scope " as I understand it on the labrum and I do believe he signs before or during camp however as Mike Smith said he will be behind..

Jacas is clearly our most physically gifted edge rusher..

Ponder is as talented as OLB’s come, he simply needed to get stronger.

So currently we are entering camp with 2 edge rushers Jones & Ponder not ideal at all. Landry hasn't left the training room so can't count on him.. Vrabel clearly knows this.. so I'd expect a trade or another edge signing before camp

They’ll get people healthy, who is available to sign?

 

[Real fan 02]

Ponder is as talented as OLB’s come, he simply needed to get stronger.

They’ll get people healthy, who is available to sign?

Barnett, Boston, Clowney...

 

[mgteich]

.Vrabel clearly knows this.. so I'd expect a trade or another edge signing before camp

IF Vrabel KNOWS that Jacas and Landry will be available to start the season, then I agree that he will acquire another player.

Until then, we have Jones, Ponder, Swinson,

and Laketa, Hutchins and Holmes

That's plenty of camp bodies.

It will be really good for Ponder and Swinson to get lots and lots of reps.

 

[captain stone]

IF Vrabel KNOWS that Jacas and Landry will be available to start the season, then I agree that he will acquire another player.

Until then, we have Jones, Ponder, Swinson,

and Laketa, Hutchins and Holmes

That's plenty of camp bodies.

It will be really good for Ponder and Swinson to get lots and lots of reps.

These 3 are not worthy of spots on even 90-man rosters.

 

[mgteich]

These 3 are not worthy of spots on even 90-man rosters.

You exagerrate, but only a bit. They are as good as lots of the players 70-90 on many rosters.

Perhaps, Laketa might be OK as our #5 is someone is on PUP or IR.

 

[Real fan 02]

IF Vrabel KNOWS that Jacas and Landry will be available to start the season, then I agree that he will acquire another player.

Until then, we have Jones, Ponder, Swinson,

and Laketa, Hutchins and Holmes

That's plenty of camp bodies.

It will be really good for Ponder and Swinson to get lots and lots of reps.

Great points. Mike Smith has been raving about Ponder specifically. I'd remind posters that Ponder had an active role in the rotation last season especially during the postseason run. He can only het better.

Would be nice to have a full compliment of guys available though.

 

[Real fan 02]

Barnett, Boston, Clowney...

Barnett, Bosa, Clowney not Boston

 

[Wozzy]

Barnett, Boston, Clowney...

You realize the Patriots know Landry and Jacas timetable from the doctors to return right?

Clowney is a DE, he also wants starter money and snaps… not to be a bandaid. He might only be a bandaid at this point, but he’s waiting for a great opportunity.

That’s not here and now… if by the end of preseason the Pats or any team look thin at edge that’s when he’ll sign. He can skip most of camp that way and maximize his earning potential. Barnett the same…. not sure who Boston is?

 

[PatMan]

Kind of a weird stat from last season is that gives me pause about Jacas as a rookie is that he put up 0 sacks against Washington, Indiana, and Ohio state. Those were the only teams he played against that fielded NFL starting caliber tackles last season.

He did put up a sack on Northwestern's Caleb Tiernan who was drafted by the Vikings in the 3rd round this year and projects to be their backup swing tackle... He also put up a sack against Wisconsin's Davis Heinzen who went undrafted, but signed as a UFA with the Saints.

This isn't to say he's a bad player, but rather to emphasize how important scheme is to his impact as a rusher at the NFL level... Which is why it's so important for coaches to have access to him during rookie-mini-camps OTA's and training camp... He and Bradyn Swinson are in the same boat as guys who showed great athletic flashes and high motor in college but don't have elite 1 on 1 rushing skills (at least not yet) and will really have to prove themselves to the coaching staff to earn playing time.

That's why I say I think Jacas probably already lost the job by not showing up yet.

 

[rkarp1]

Kind of a weird stat from last season is that gives me pause about Jacas as a rookie is that he put up 0 sacks against Washington, Indiana, and Ohio state. Those were the only teams he played against that fielded NFL starting caliber tackles last season.

He did put up a sack on Northwestern's Caleb Tiernan who was drafted by the Vikings in the 3rd round this year and projects to be their backup swing tackle... He also put up a sack against Wisconsin's Davis Heinzen who went undrafted, but signed as a UFA with the Saints.

This isn't to say he's a bad player, but rather to emphasize how important scheme is to his impact as a rusher at the NFL level... Which is why it's so important for coaches to have access to him during rookie-mini-camps OTA's and training camp... He and Bradyn Swinson are in the same boat as guys who showed great athletic flashes and high motor in college but don't have elite 1 on 1 rushing skills (at least not yet) and will really have to prove themselves to the coaching staff to earn playing time.

That's why I say I think Jacas probably already lost the job by not showing up yet.

what job did he lose?
inarguably, he was drafted to be the 4th edge player, to start the season, maybe the 5th edge player.
he is clearly behind Landry, Jones, Ponder. he might also be behind Swinson. this should allow him the time to get 100% healthy and start to grasp the defense. hopefully he is getting some snaps each game in limited packages, and in those snaps, he is making some impact.
could we see Jacas getting 5-15 snaps each game in weeks 1 thru 8, and in weeks 9 and after, he is getting 15-30 snaps each game?

 

[TheRainMaker]

Barnett, Boston, Clowney...

Clowney would be a nice veteran addition who can stand up or put his hand in the dirt. He played for Vrabel in Houston and Tennessee. I'm surprised they haven't reunited yet.