LB Replacement Possibilities

Deus Irae said:

Well, yes, ultimately that's the exact question.

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OK. My answer is Hightower. If Hightower cannot play, the answer is Ninkovich. IMHO, there are no other reasonable answers for Thursday night, or even beyond Thursday night.

Obviously you are entitled to your own different assessment of the situation.

mgteich said:

OK. My answer is Hightower. If Hightower cannot play, the answer is Ninkovich. IMHO, there are no other reasonable answers for Thursday night, or even beyond Thursday night.

Obviously you are entitled to your own different assessment of the situation.

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There's not really any assessment to be done.

Hightower will solve the Hightower snaps. That doesn't solve the Mayo snaps. The question will be a matter of any shifting of Hightower and Collins that can be done to take some of the needed Mayo snaps (Hightower having to try playing in different sub situations, for example), and plugging the rest in with other players, as well as plugging in any Hightower snaps that are opened up by Hightower playing some Mayo snaps.

It's simply the way it'll have to be done, because Hightower is not Mayo.

Deus Irae said:

There's not really any assessment to be done.

Hightower will solve the Hightower snaps. That doesn't solve the Mayo snaps. The question will be a matter of any shifting of Hightower and Collins that can be done to take some of the needed Mayo snaps (Hightower having to try playing in different sub situations, for example), and plugging the rest in with other players, as well as plugging in any Hightower snaps that are opened up by Hightower playing some Mayo snaps.

It's simply the way it'll have to be done, because Hightower is not Mayo. Mayo is a 3-down, all the time player. Hightower is not.

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I didn't think I was being that unclear. OBVIOUSLY, we are not replacing Mayo. It is clear that we will have to make adjustments. My point is that with Hightower healthy, there is no particular need for a LB of the quality that is left (except as injury protection in case of another injury). I'm fine with signing an addition. I would hope that he wouldn't get many reps.

mgteich said:

I didn't think I was being that unclear. OBVIOUSLY, we are not replacing Mayo. It is clear that we will have to make adjustments. My point is that with Hightower healthy, there is no particular need for a LB of the quality that is left (except as injury protection in case of another injury). I'm fine with signing an addition. I would hope that he wouldn't get many reps.

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They have 1 starting quality LB on the roster right now. You're ok with that. I'm not. In that sense, you're right. We do assess the situation differently. In the end, we're both really hoping that BB can find a way to scheme enough that the weakness isn't fatal to their SB hopes.

Here's Jeff Howe's take:

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots_nfl/new_england_patriots/2014/10/can_t_replace_mayo

mgteich said:

The question is NOT who will replace Mayo's LB reps from Sunday. Hopefully, Hightower will do that. Our 3rd LB is Skinner. IMHO, the question before the house is who should be signed as a 4th position LB in case one of the three is not available. Belichick is holding tryouts and he has Fleming on the Practice Squad. Beauharnais is available in the last half if he wants.

Davis and White are STO players. Unless the player is Fleming, we won't see any additions for Thursday night. As long as Hightower is ready, I'm not even sure that we'd activate Fleming. We have Hightower, Collins and Skinner. We have Ninkovich if there is a further injury (IMHO a better option that using Fleming).

Yes, I 'd prefer to see Ninkovich stay at DE, which is easy to do with Hightower healthy. Belichick is confident of Skinner in the base.

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I suspect that Skinner was called up because BB felt more insecure with the OLBs. There was Mayo and Hightower available to play MLB.
So Fleming more an MLB, stayed on the PS.

In the short week, no outside addition could help, so Darius Fleming who spent TC learning the Defense, is probably the best that can be done, if anything.

This season we have seen Hightower blossom as a revelation at SOLB/DE. Plus as you say Ninko is a OLB candidate.

I wonder what it would cost to trade for MLB Fletcher with Tampa, as he knows the Defense.

Skinner has performed well against the run. I would expect him to start.

That will be a mismatch if he is in coverage against Jace Amaro. Amaro has had three games with over 50 yards receiving in his first six. Once the Bills were two scores down, the Patriots played a lot of big nickel with Tavon Wilson and Duron Harmon. We should expect more of the same. Amaro could have another big game - Chung, Wilson, Harmon, and Skinner all struggle in coverage.

Neither Hightower nor Collins thrive in a middle role. The Pats seem to prefer to play a 3-4 alignment, but they really don't have two ILB's to do that consistently. Both Collins and Hightower are better on the line. Ninkovich is certainly better on the line, either at DE or 3-4 OLB. He can effectively set the edge and rush the passer, but I don't want to see him constantly going backwards chasing tight ends and backs in space.

I would expect to see Skinner start in the middle in a 4-3, and see Harmon whenever there are obvious passing situations. Chung is going to have to pick up his coverage over the next couple games as well.

Belichick almost always makes an in-season trade....

I like the trade idea, I heard that Houston wants Amendola for JJ Watt...... (Lord Forgive me)

It would not surprise me if the Patriots did not come to a decision at linebacker by Thursday. They lost Spikes and
Fletcher 6 months ago and still haven't found adequate replacements. Right now, they are tied down trying to
decide between OL Martin or Hauptmann for the 10th spot on their practice squad.

TommyBrady12 said:

Belichick almost always makes an in-season trade....

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Would like to see an offer to Tennessee for Akeem Ayers. Sounds like they have given up on him.

stumeister said:

I like the trade idea, I heard that Houston wants Amendola for JJ Watt...... (Lord Forgive me)

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well, houston probably has to bundle a 2nd round pick with Watts because watts peak is behind him and he has a huge contract we would have to make room for. I would say a 1st but that would be silly