The Patriots DE Position.. What to do.

Biffins said:

Last I checked Kony Ealy was running solo penalty laps for not knowing wtf is going on. That's before he checked out and went home early, and felt being kept out of practice was "just a thing BB and I have going on".

Click to expand...

I'm not sure if that is entirely accurate. I saw reports yesterday that suggested good pressure on the Texans QBs during the two day joint practices, once he returned.

He's taken longer to adjust and had a slight injury setback, but in a numbers game, I think Ealy stays and produces on some level. At the very least, I think we should allow the final 3 games of the preseason to play out before jumping to conclusions.

supafly said:

I'm not sure if that is entirely accurate. I saw reports yesterday that suggested good pressure on the Texans QBs during the two day joint practices, once he returned.

He's taken longer to adjust and had a slight injury setback, but in a numbers game, I think Ealy stays and produces on some level. At the very least, I think we should allow the final 3 games of the preseason to play out before jumping to conclusions.

Click to expand...

If everyone stopped jumping to conclusions, there will be nothing to discuss on this forum!

IF Harris can be a capable signal caller which then moves Hightower onto the line and IF he can stay healthy then they'll be fine.

Two big IFs.

I believe BB will trade for edge help, perhaps with a team we've practiced with. Understand he has a depleted deck of draft picks. With our top picks injured, I am reminded that a Pat's first round pick is playing elsewhere. Roger's here in a few weeks.

If Freeney could come in and give us a Seau/Waters type of impact for 1 year, then sign me up.

Schmo said:

If Freeney could come in and give us a Seau/Waters type of impact for 1 year, then sign me up.

Click to expand...

I'm afraid that may be a stretch, though. The two players that you mentioned still had a lot left in the tank. My concern would be that Freeny is toast at this point.

Reposting this to add my thoughts.

Regardless of formations ( 3-4, 4-3 , dime , nickel etc.) having the best defensive personnel on the field will be effective in any situation. This 4-2-5 hybrid package is big and fast. It will be able to stuff the run, create pressure and shut down receivers. It consists of a potentially elite secondary, a top DL and a decent LB crew.

Btw: I don't think we need an "elite" edge rusher with this secondary. This secondary should buy more time for good pass rushers to get to the QB.

So, imo, we are discussing rotational depth.

just came back from Mt. Rushmore...there's new figures carved into the rock....must be President Little and his brood....

Identifying potential DE trade targets for Patriots around the NFL

DE- Michael Johnson- Bengals
OLB/ DE- Jeremy Attaochu- Chargers
OLB- Eli Harold- 49ers
DE- Owamagbe Odighizuwa- Giants
DE- Mario Williams- FA
DE/ OLB- Brian Robison- Vikings
DE- Karl Klug- Titans
OLB- Tamba Hali- Chiefs
DE- Allen Bailey- Chiefs
DE- Wes Horton- Panthers
OLB- Paul Kruger- FA
Dare I say DE- Robert Quinn- Rams???

Biffins said:

Last I checked Kony Ealy was running solo penalty laps for not knowing wtf is going on. That's before he checked out and went home early, and felt being kept out of practice was "just a thing BB and I have going on".

Click to expand...

You should check again

UptownPatsFan said:

Identifying potential DE trade targets for Patriots around the NFL

DE- Michael Johnson- Bengals
OLB/ DE- Jeremy Attaochu- Chargers
OLB- Eli Harold- 49ers
DE- Mario Williams- FA
DE/ OLB- Brian Robison- Vikings
DE- Karl Klug- Titans
OLB- Tamba Hali- Chiefs
DE- Allen Bailey- Chiefs
DE- Wes Horton- Panthers
Dare I say DE- Robert Quinn- Rams???

Click to expand...

Would love Quinn

long distance said:

Another intriguing edge draft prospect left out for injury . ready to come in..

(had a tryout w Texans after draft)

Click to expand...

It will be interesting if the Pats are one of those teams..

Mack Herron said:

I believe BB will trade for edge help, perhaps with a team we've practiced with. Understand he has a depleted deck of draft picks. With our top picks injured, I am reminded that a Pat's first round pick is playing elsewhere. Roger's here in a few weeks.

Click to expand...

If you are referring to Easley, he went on IR with a knee injury again.

Rams DL Easley to miss season with torn ACL

UptownPatsFan said:

Identifying potential DE trade targets for Patriots around the NFL

DE- Michael Johnson- Bengals
OLB/ DE- Jeremy Attaochu- Chargers
OLB- Eli Harold- 49ers
DE- Mario Williams- FA
DE/ OLB- Brian Robison- Vikings
DE- Karl Klug- Titans
OLB- Tamba Hali- Chiefs
DE- Allen Bailey- Chiefs
DE- Wes Horton- Panthers
Dare I say DE- Robert Quinn- Rams???

Click to expand...

I didn't mention Johnson because I don't feel that the Bengals would trade him. I do think they'd be open for trading Clarke, who is behind Johnson, is in the last year of a contract and would save the Bengals $700K. I believe that he'd cost less than Johnson. If he was half-decent in setting the edge, then I think he might be a good addition.

The Gr8est said:

If you are referring to Easley, he went on IR with a knee injury again.

Rams DL Easley to miss season with torn ACL

Click to expand...

I believe that Mack is referring to the fact that the Pats didn't have a first-round pick last year; therefore whoever that player whom Bill would've taken is, he's playing for another team now.
(I would've drafted JAGs LB Myles Jack, for the record.)

Might be an in season trade

meatface said:

Might be an in season trade

Click to expand...

Yep. It only takes 4-5 weeks sometimes for teams to learn their season is over and then they become much more willing trade partners.

In the Jets case its pretty much week 1

Bruins29 said:

Yep. It only takes 4-5 weeks sometimes for teams to learn their season is over and then they become much more willing trade partners.

In the Jets case its pretty much week 1

Click to expand...

In the Jets' case, it's pretty much week NOW.

UptownPatsFan said:

In the Jets' case, it's pretty much week now.

Click to expand...

That's true. I was trying be be nice lol

long distance said:

Another intriguing edge draft prospect left out for injury . ready to come in..

(had a tryout w Texans after draft)

Click to expand...

Kind of late to be bringing in a draft prospect at this point of training camp. If they signed Wise or Rivers tomorrow there's a good chance they'd be nowhere close to being ready. I do hear he is talented though. Just not enough time to get him acclimated to all things NFL imo.