2012 New England Linebacker Rotation

[NEPettyOfficer72]

With the loss of LB Gary Guyton to the Miami Dolphins and the addition of ex-Raider DE/OLB hybrid Trevor Scott, how exactly do you all see this new 2012Linebacking corps heading into the upcoming season? Keep in mind that some personnel are also returning from injuries and are looking to get healthy like that of DE/OLB Jermaine Cunningham and Jeff Tarpinian. Obviously we all know 3 sure starters which are all 3 very talented and versatile football players in Jerod Mayo, Rob Ninkovich and Brandon Spikes. So with all that being said, what are everyone's opinions on the depth chart. So far, here are the linebackers currently on the roster

Jerod Mayo
Rob Ninkovich /DE
Brandon Spikes
Trevor Scott /DE
Jermaine Cunningham /DE
Dane Fletcher /DE
Bobby Carpenter
Niko Koutouvides
Tracy White
Jeff Tarpinian
Markell Carter /DE
Mike Rivera

 

[cstjohn17]

My rating

Assumption
- the 3-4 / 4-3 looks will be about equal with Ninkovich switching from OLB to DE
- big if - Carter comes back and is as productive as last year

Starters
- Ninko, Mayo, Spike - good not elite

Primary backups - Fletcher, Scott - decent

JAG patrol - everyone else, totally replaceable spare parts that contribute on special teams and hopefully don't have to play meaningful snaps

Assessment - This unit held up pretty well last year and played their best football when Spikes returned at the end of the season and into the playoffs.

There is not elite talent in the group and coverage is not a strength of any of them.

Draft expectations - At least one player added in first two rounds that helps provide depth and speed to the crew.

 

[tatepatsfan]

I don't think ILB is necessarily a need in this draft, but in my humble opinion, Dont'a Hightower looks like the real deal to me. I'm not sure he gets past the Steelers at 24, but if he did, I'd be elated to add him to the linebacker rotation.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I don't think ILB is necessarily a need in this draft, but in my humble opinion, Dont'a Hightower looks like the real deal to me. I'm not sure he gets past the Steelers at 24, but if he did, I'd be elated to add him to the linebacker rotation.

Luke keuchly is also a good pick.

The problem with our pass defense is in part due to inability of our LBs in coverage. Like the above poster said we have a few decent LBs but no one elite. I don't think this draft will change that.

 

[patsinthesnow]

As of right now 3-4 ILB is strong with Mayo and Spikes, with Fletcher/Tarpinian as depth.

As of right now 3-4 OLB is awful. Ninkovich is a solid starter, but across from him oh my. (Scott, Cunningham, Carter)

 

[JackBauer]

Luke keuchly is also a good pick.

The problem with our pass defense is in part due to inability of our LBs in coverage. Like the above poster said we have a few decent LBs but no one elite. I don't think this draft will change that.

Jerod Mayo says hi.

 

[WhiZa]

I think our base will be a 3-4, but as we've seen previously we'll probably be in the nickel a lot. Meaning it will be more important we have 4-3 OLBs then we do 3-4 OLBs. Last year we had Mayo/Spikes in the first 2 spots then filled the 3rd spot with Fletcher/White/Koutouvides/Guyton. Next year we're throwing Carpenter and Tarpinian into the mix. Certainly it could be upgraded but there is plenty of depth. If BB was going to draft a LB he would probably be a mid-size (235-250) with some speed. A player that could play ILB in a 3-4, but OLB in a 4-3. There really isn't much in this draft to choose from. Luke Kuechly would be a good fit and Hightower might have flexibility, but I could very well see us going into next year with what we have today.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

As of right now 3-4 ILB is strong with Mayo and Spikes, with Fletcher/Tarpinian as depth.

As of right now 3-4 OLB is awful. Ninkovich is a solid starter, but across from him oh my. (Scott, Cunningham, Carter)

Rob Ninkovich at this point is beyond solid, and Jermaine Cunningham when healthy showed very good speed, and plenty of potential. Additionally, Trevor Scott will be a great fit at Outside linebacker, especially with his ability to also place his fingers in the dirt. One must think we now have alot of interchangeable parts if Carter resigns. He too can rush the passer both standing up off the edge or in a 3 point stand.

OLB/DE - Andre Carter, Trevor Scott, Jermaine Cunningham, Rob Ninkovich
ILB - Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Dane Fletcher
Played some DE in College - Dane Fletcher, Brandon Spikes

And everyone forgets how high Bobby Carpenter was projected coming out of college as we have a knack for ressurecting high regarded picks during the ladder half or midway point in their careers. Especially with Linebackers and our system that just might fit him perfectly.

 

[Deus Irae]

Rob Ninkovich at this point is beyond solid,

No, he's not.

and Jermaine Cunningham when healthy showed very good speed, and plenty of potential.

He was no great shakes as a rookie, and essentially useless last season.

Additionally, Trevor Scott will be a great fit at Outside linebacker, especially with his ability to also place his fingers in the dirt. One must think we now have alot of interchangeable parts if Carter resigns. He too can rush the passer both standing up off the edge or in a 3 point stand.

Trevor Scott is no Andre Carter, and he has 1.5 sacks in his last 24 games. The hope is that he can regain his rookie/year 2 form, but let's not go making ludicrous equations. Scott's career high in sacks is 7. Carter's been at 10 or better 4 times in his career, including last season.

OLB/DE - Andre Carter, Trevor Scott, Jermaine Cunningham, Rob Ninkovich
ILB - Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Dane Fletcher
Played some DE in College - Dane Fletcher, Brandon Spikes

And everyone forgets how high Bobby Carpenter was projected coming out of college as we have a knack for ressurecting high regarded picks during the ladder half or midway point in their careers. Especially with Linebackers and our system that just might fit him perfectly.

Carpenter sucks. If they turn him around and get something out of him, that will be a pleasant surprise, but don't kid yourself. He's been lousy in the NFL. He's a former first round pick (2006), who's only started 10 games in his 6 year career.

 

[Huckleberry1]

With the loss of LB Gary Guyton to the Miami Dolphins and the addition of ex-Raider DE/OLB hybrid Trevor Scott, how exactly do you all see this new 2012Linebacking corps heading into the upcoming season? Keep in mind that some personnel are also returning from injuries and are looking to get healthy like that of DE/OLB Jermaine Cunningham and Jeff Tarpinian. Obviously we all know 3 sure starters which are all 3 very talented and versatile football players in Jerod Mayo, Rob Ninkovich and Brandon Spikes. So with all that being said, what are everyone's opinions on the depth chart. So far, here are the linebackers currently on the roster

Jerod Mayo
Rob Ninkovich /DE
Brandon Spikes
Trevor Scott /DE
Jermaine Cunningham /DE
Dane Fletcher /DE
Bobby Carpenter
Niko Koutouvides
Tracy White
Jeff Tarpinian
Markell Carter /DE
Mike Rivera

I really only see 3 proven players on that list. LB is a question at this point of the offseason, and while we can hope the rest step up and have good seasons it is too much of a crapshoot to simply expect that. They need to continue to upgrade as they are mediocre at LB right now.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I wish we had 3 spikes for run downs..guy know how to find the runner..love spikes

He is pretty weird on twitter though

 

[Huckleberry1]

I wish we had 3 spikes for run downs..guy know how to find the runner..love spikes

He is pretty weird on twitter though

Hightower is considered a smarter more athletic version of Spikes.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Y'all forget that it takes 4-6 years to train a starting linebacker for the NFL. It was so for Bruschi, Mcginnest and Vrabel so why should it be different for others who are not in the elite category?

Only a handful of LBs come out and ar eimmediately productive like Butkus, Erlacher, and Mayo. Other mere motals have to work at it for a while.

 

[Deus Irae]

Y'all forget that it takes 4-6 years to train a starting linebacker for the NFL. It was so for Bruschi, Mcginnest and Vrabel so why should it be different for others who are not in the elite category?

Only a handful of LBs come out and ar eimmediately productive like Butkus, Erlacher, and Mayo. Other mere motals have to work at it for a while.

That is a myth that people around here like to buy into.

 

[makoute]

Y'all forget that it takes 4-6 years to train a starting linebacker for the NFL. It was so for Bruschi, Mcginnest and Vrabel so why should it be different for others who are not in the elite category?

Only a handful of LBs come out and ar eimmediately productive like Butkus, Erlacher, and Mayo. Other mere motals have to work at it for a while.

It does not take 6 years to train an LB. Bruschi was changing position, McGinnest couldn't stay on the field due to injuries, and Vrabel was playing for a team loaded with LBs.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

It does not take 6 years to train an LB. Bruschi was changing position, McGinnest couldn't stay on the field due to injuries, and Vrabel was playing for a team loaded with LBs.

So who exactly are all these LB's that don't take 4 years?

 

[patsinthesnow]

Y'all forget that it takes 4-6 years to train a starting linebacker for the NFL. It was so for Bruschi, Mcginnest and Vrabel so why should it be different for others who are not in the elite category?

Only a handful of LBs come out and ar eimmediately productive like Butkus, Erlacher, and Mayo. Other mere motals have to work at it for a while.

Von Miller, Aldon Smith, Jabaal Sheard, Brooks Reed.

FAIL.

 

[Deus Irae]

Von Miller, Aldon Smith, Jabaal Sheard, Brooks Reed.

FAIL.

We don't even have to leave the current Patriots team, even not counting Mayo:

Brandon Spikes

 

[patsinthesnow]

We don't even have to leave the current Patriots team, even not counting Mayo:

Brandon Spikes

Yup. Just two seasons in with 12 out of 32 games missed (four game suspension his rookie year, eight games to injury his second year) and he's already a great ILB on his way to being in the upper tier.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Jerod Mayo says hi.

He's not elite.