Are we set at LB?

[signbabybrady]

IMHO, Mapu is a player who needs to be in a system that fit his particular skill set. I believe they drafted him to be the long (6'3) impact SS with LB flexibility. They took a shot at finding a gem at a small school. If he were drafted in the 5th round instead of the mid-third he wouldn't have been such a polarizing figure. But that's the draft.

However, it will be the scheme and what they want him to be and do that will determine his future success. I see him as a specialty LB. A guy you use against certain offenses and player combinations. He's up to 230 now (from 217) and is big enough to play any of the LB slots where his speed (4.6), coverage experience and quickness will be an advantage in certain schemes. You DON'T play him in schemes that would force him to take on OLmen one on one. In space he can be an effective defender and a solid contributor to a good defense playing 30-40% of the defensive snaps.

Interesting, do you know if the weight gain is specific to this year with the new coaches or is he just up that much since college/combine?

 

[mgteich]

IMHO, Mapu is a player who needs to be in a system that fit his particular skill set. I believe they drafted him to be the long (6'3) impact SS with LB flexibility. They took a shot at finding a gem at a small school. If he were drafted in the 5th round instead of the mid-third he wouldn't have been such a polarizing figure. But that's the draft.

However, it will be the scheme and what they want him to be and do that will determine his future success. I see him as a specialty LB. A guy you use against certain offenses and player combinations. He's up to 230 now (from 217) and is big enough to play any of the LB slots where his speed (4.6), coverage experience and quickness will be an advantage in certain schemes. You DON'T play him in schemes that would force him to take on OLmen one on one. In space he can be an effective defender and a solid contributor to a good defense playing 30-40% of the defensive snaps.

I could see Mapu as our 9th LB, if we have one.

I expect 4 of these on the EDGE: Landry, White, Chaisson, Jennings and Swinson
I expect these 4 inside: Spillane, Ellis, Tavai, Gibbens

 

[Real fan 02]

I could see Mapu as our 9th LB, if we have one.

I expect 4 of these on the EDGE: Landry, White, Chaisson, Jennings and Swinson
I expect these 4 inside: Spillane, Ellis, Tavai, Gibbens

Packers cut 2-time All-Pro right before mini camp. Should Patriots make a call?

A recently released Packers star could take one Patriots position group from good to elite.

sports.yahoo.com

On another note....

 

[Spiral]

They were 4-13 last year with maybe the worst roster in the league. I don't think they're stacked anywhere.

 

[patfanken]

I could see Mapu as our 9th LB, if we have one.

I expect 4 of these on the EDGE: Landry, White, Chaisson, Jennings and Swinson
I expect these 4 inside: Spillane, Ellis, Tavai, Gibbens

I see Mapu as a LB only, but one with better coverage skills than most. So, usage on passing downs in the middle, who has the speed to middle blitz and especially against teams with QB's who are running/scramble threats. So when we play the Cards or Ravens we have more speed in the open field.

So if he shows he can be effective in that kind of role, I can see him being a regular part of certain defensive personnel packages. This all assumes he has a good camp and is good enough to fill such a role. So we just have to see, since we really don't know exactly how THIS defensive staff wants to run it's defense. We don't even know if there will even be a "base" defense or if will all be about being week to week specific.

We really don't know any of these things and yet we are making all kinds of assumptions based on a few casual throw away lines at a presser designed NOT to tell people what they are doing.

I laugh each time I read, "it will be a 3-4 that looks like a 4-3". Well if it looks like a 4-3 it IS a 4-3 alignment. And how they line up at the snap is almost meaningless since alignments and responsibilities can all change after the snap, as we all should know.

 

[patfanken]

Packers cut 2-time All-Pro right before mini camp. Should Patriots make a call?

A recently released Packers star could take one Patriots position group from good to elite.

sports.yahoo.com

On another note....

This is a GREAT idea. High risk. High reward. This is a guy with great skills (in the past) so if you hit it will really be a HR. He also is a guy who could add depth at a variety of spots. Maybe a switch to S and you have a great coverage FS who can man up or cover large swathes of the field.

Guarantee him a couple of mil on some kind of incentive based $10-12MM contract. Something based on games and snaps played. Like you said, his market is at its lowest point right now. Then if you are wrong and he's toast, you only risk $2MM which we have to throw away.

Having 3 CB's who have all pro skills is a real luxury and when or if injuries do occur you have can lessen the drop off. Worth a shot, I'm sure they are looking into it.

 

[Real fan 02]

This is a GREAT idea. High risk. High reward. This is a guy with great skills (in the past) so if you hit it will really be a HR. He also is a guy who could add depth at a variety of spots. Maybe a switch to S and you have a great coverage FS who can man up or cover large swathes of the field.

Guarantee him a couple of mil on some kind of incentive based $10-12MM contract. Something based on games and snaps played. Like you said, his market is at its lowest point right now. Then if you are wrong and he's toast, you only risk $2MM which we have to throw away.

Having 3 CB's who have all pro skills is a real luxury and when or if injuries do occur you have can lessen the drop off. Worth a shot, I'm sure they are looking into it.

Agreed. I've been in on jaire since 2022, I wanted him. I know he's an injury prone player but his talents undeniable.

Love his attitude and how he approaches the game. He could thrive under Vrabel..

A one year deal, seeing if he can remain healthy would do wonders paired up witj gonzo and Davis.

 

[DC Patriots]

Bengals are releasing Jermaine Pratt. I’ve only seen a bit of him, but he’s always seemed impactful in games I’ve watched. He’s also only 29

 

[n1997y]

The more I watch some on the tape on Swinson, Jennings, and White the more excited I get about the season. Some version of those three on the field with Barmore and Williams will be really hard for offensive lines to handle.

and Landry is on the bench?

Agreed and add farmer to that mix too

That’s a defense that’s not too shabby. Rotate them and keep them fresh while wearing down the OL seems like it might make for some fun late game defensive stands.

 

[n1997y]

Agreed. I've been in on jaire since 2022, I wanted him. I know he's an injury prone player but his talents undeniable.

Love his attitude and how he approaches the game. He could thrive under Vrabel..

A one year deal, seeing if he can remain healthy would do wonders paired up witj gonzo and Davis.

This is a GREAT idea. High risk. High reward. This is a guy with great skills (in the past) so if you hit it will really be a HR. He also is a guy who could add depth at a variety of spots. Maybe a switch to S and you have a great coverage FS who can man up or cover large swathes of the field.

Guarantee him a couple of mil on some kind of incentive based $10-12MM contract. Something based on games and snaps played. Like you said, his market is at its lowest point right now. Then if you are wrong and he's toast, you only risk $2MM which we have to throw away.

Having 3 CB's who have all pro skills is a real luxury and when or if injuries do occur you have can lessen the drop off. Worth a shot, I'm sure they are looking into it.

I wondered if he’d even want to come here, with Gonzo and Davis already here. But if he (or Davis) would play FS or nickel it seems that would be a killer lineup. Don’t know about just a one year deal though. If they can engineer a team friendly multi year deal I’d like to see him signed for two or three years. With rare “prove it” exceptions I think that should be the norm for FA signings. Load it up with incentives and structure it so the last year or two are easy to walk away from.

Serious question, how does his value compare to Davis? Reportedly Davis got $54million over 3 years, $34.5 of it guaranteed. Will Jaire sign for less?

 

[Real fan 02]

I wondered if he’d even want to come here, with Gonzo and Davis already here. But if he (or Davis) would play FS or nickel it seems that would be a killer lineup. Don’t know about just a one year deal though. If they can engineer a team friendly multi year deal I’d like to see him signed for two or three years. With rare “prove it” exceptions I think that should be the norm for FA signings. Load it up with incentives and structure it so the last year or two are easy to walk away from.

Jaire has been a great player, he has been often injured, and he had issues with the new DC in 2023 when he took over the defense. He's a guy thst Vrabel should definitely at least call on for a work out..

This patriots team is night and day different from where they were last season at this time. We attracted Williams, Davis, Landry spillane and of course Stef.. guys that have all played at a high level. The thought would be he sees those guys here along with Drake and would want to come..

Yeah FS, is interesting Jaire has excellent range and physicality.

 

[captain stone]

Considering they'll probably only play 2 as opposed to the 3 or 4 at a time from year's past, they're probably fine.

As @captain stone likes to say, and I completely agree with him, there are a handful of guys sitting on their couch right now, as good or better than the LBs at the bottom of the roster here, so bringing one or two in wouldn't be the worst thing. But LB in general is being phased out in the traditional sense. I'd much rather see some EDGE depth, a nose-tackle-type DT or a 4th CB before I'm really worried about who the 5th LB is.

Yeah when it comes to prioritizing our current positional needs on defense, the traditional MLB/ILB used on early-down/short-yardage/goal-line situations, among whose lot I include Mickey Spillane, Ewell Gibbon & the worst Elliss brother, takes a back seat to needing a 3rd Outside CB better than Austin; a Run-Stopping DT > Tonga; a 3rd (or better) Pass-Rusher from the Edge > Chaisson after Landry and we hope Swinson; and a backup Slot CB when Marcus the Midget succumbs to his annual injury.

We should also consider Marty McPoo & Uncle Dugg as passing-down LBs replacing Spillane & Elliss (both of whom btw are really, Really ****ing overpaid for what they bring), because we certainly don't want to see them covering the deeper parts of the field in such situations, where they both become hopelessly lost...

And depending on his prognosis, we might even have the Bentley, currently in the shop, available to us in case of emergency...

But under No Circumstances Whatsoever should the Sloppy Jalopy remain in the building after Cut-Down Day & subsequent waiver claims period. That particular matter is, as Ophelia said to Louis Winthorpe, not subject to negotiation.

 

[captain stone]

I think it's the end of the line for one of the most bizarre drafts picks in Mapu. Is he still a S or is he going to try to play LB? The problem is he doesn't even know what he wants to do since the day he was drafted. I've tried looking up what he played in college or what he's projected to play, but can't get a clear answer. It's always different depending on where you look.

It's going to be a battle between Jennings and Chaisson. Swinson is on the outside looking in.

I see an injury settlement for Tavai.

Swinson's a Lock. Agree about the others.

 

[captain stone]

Some of that needs to be developed from within.

From among those currently in the building? I don't see it.

 

[signbabybrady]

Yeah when it comes to prioritizing our current positional needs on defense, the traditional MLB/ILB used on early-down/short-yardage/goal-line situations, among whose lot I include Mickey Spillane, Ewell Gibbon & the worst Elliss brother, takes a back seat to needing a 3rd Outside CB better than Austin; a Run-Stopping DT > Tonga; a 3rd (or better) Pass-Rusher from the Edge > Chaisson after Landry and we hope Swinson; and a backup Slot CB when Marcus the Midget succumbs to his annual injury.

We should also consider Marty McPoo & Uncle Dugg as passing-down LBs replacing Spillane & Elliss (both of whom btw are really, Really ****ing overpaid for what they bring), because we certainly don't want to see them covering the deeper parts of the field in such situations, where they both become hopelessly lost...

And depending on his prognosis, we might even have the Bentley, currently in the shop, available to us in case of emergency...

But under No Circumstances Whatsoever should the Sloppy Jalopy remain in the building after Cut-Down Day & subsequent waiver claims period. That particular matter is, as Ophelia said to Louis Winthorpe, not subject to negotiation.

Today's game certainly lightens the need for numbers at ILB but you can easily argue that since nickel gets played so much that stopping the run is a tougher task and the need for LBs who can do it from a front 6 instead of 7 is equally as important as ever. It's all a balancing act.

 

[signbabybrady]

From among those currently in the building? I don't see it.

I agree with your concern but you can't fix everything with UDFAs and street free agents. Barring a trade we need guys like Bolden, Austin, Ellis, and others to progress and fill some needs.

 

[captain stone]

Today's game certainly lightens the need for numbers at ILB but you can easily argue that since nickel gets played so much that stopping the run is a tougher task and the need for LBs who can do it from a front 6 instead of 7 is equally as important as ever. It's all a balancing act.

Stopping the run begins at DT, and I currently have more concern about our ability to stop it from that position than I do about stopping it from ILB. Our two best DLmen Barmore & Williams - or at least our two most expensive ones - didn't enter the league with exactly glowing reputations in that department, and neither did our newest one Joshua Farmer... Tonga was a decent signing for TC/Practice-Squad competition but the front orifice should've aimed higher; heck there was a better option for a similar price right next to him in Arizona - Roy Lopez, who was signed by Detroit.

 

[captain stone]

I agree with your concern but you can't fix everything with UDFAs and street free agents. Barring a trade we need guys like Bolden, Austin, Ellis, and others to progress and fill some needs.

We're also 4th on any waiver claims priority, at least for the first 4 weeks of the season including Cut-Down Day. I hope that status is put to better use than it was last season.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think it's the end of the line for one of the most bizarre drafts picks in Mapu. Is he still a S or is he going to try to play LB? The problem is he doesn't even know what he wants to do since the day he was drafted. I've tried looking up what he played in college or what he's projected to play, but can't get a clear answer. It's always different depending on where you look.

It's going to be a battle between Jennings and Chaisson. Swinson is on the outside looking in.

I see an injury settlement for Tavai.

You make a good point. Mapu has been hurt since we drafted him. I can't really say what position he plays. He's rarely available. Jennings IMO is a lock absolutely a Vrabel type of player. Can never have to many rushers is why I believe Chaisson, Swinson will make the 53.. Jennings plays LB/DE.. he'll be in on early downs. Agreed on Tavai.. solid player but the injury probably makes him expendable.

 

[TheRainMaker]

You make a good point. Mapu has been hurt since we drafted him. I can't really say what position he plays. He's rarely available. Jennings IMO is a lock absolutely a Vrabel type of player. Can never have to many rushers is why I believe Chaisson, Swinson will make the 53.. Jennings plays LB/DE.. he'll be in on early downs. Agreed on Tavai.. solid player but the injury probably makes him expendable.

Although the Pats are running a completely new defense, Jennings could have an advantage over others because of his ability to set the edge, something that Vrabel took pride in during his time in NE.

Swinson's a Lock. Agree about the others.

I think we'll know very quickly whether he is or not. If he makes plays in the preseason, he's in. If he's one of those players that has "trouble with the playbook", then he's not.