Bill Belichick and Patrick Graham's Linebacking Core

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Outside of Jerod Mayo, you have Rob Ninkovich, Brandon Spikes, Jermaine Cunningham, Gary Guyton, and Dane Fletcher. Who do you feel is ready or will take that next step as another playmaker amongst that Linebacking team.

 

[Jared]

I have high hopes for Spikes. His injury and suspension have been frustrating for me.

 

[Bruschi_]

Can't decide between Fletcher and Guyton. Both improving and looked good in preseason.

 

[jah]

Cunningham is a DE though. Ninkovich seems to be playing LB no matter what system we run.

 

[Husse]

The early reports from camp mentioned Spikes as a force in the MLB position, so I have high hopes for him when he is back to full health.

 

[Nikolai]

It's been a while since I could say I like just about all of the linebacking corps, but I think I can say that this year. Like Jared, I'm frustrated that we haven't gotten to see much of Spikes yet, so I'm not sure I see him being the first to take that step. If Fletcher gets the reps, I expect him to be that guy. It could just as well be Ninko or Guyton as well; they've both come a long way.

 

[satz]

Ninkovich next to mayo ,he has been the Sam in 4-3 and weakside in OLB.

so i see him getting snaps 2nd only to mayo,Guyton from preseason play has gotten better against run and as the outside on 4-3 his speed is going to make him real good.


if we go 4-3 it actually helps guyton and ninkovich as they are natural fits which help there talent.

Flecter becomes a matchup guy against heavy run teams.spikes is always injured or suspended. With so limited reps and preseason i have to see what he has. most players once busted for PED come back and never the same .

 

[DarrylS]

Tough call from my view we may not need another blue chipper, but more of a bunch of "aqua" chippers our LB core(two are udfa's) are still developing in this system....

Would prefer a bunch of very steady LB's who work hard, do their jobs and then things happen.

Do not have the same level of confidence that others do with Guyton. He is fast, but does not seem to shed blockers well and seems to have issues with TE coverage.

 

[vyrago]

I have high hopes for Spikes. His injury and suspension have been frustrating for me.

Probably for him too.