Bruschi plans to return

[IcyPatriot]

Bruschi was a great Patriot who will be in our HOF ... I'll leave it at that.

 

[signbabybrady]

I see us drafting two! An ILB high, and an DE--> OLB candidate at late two or three, just like Crabel.

That would give them Mayo, AD, Vrabel, Guyton, Woods, Crabel, Colvin, Redd, ILB, and DE/OLB. Thats TEN... All we ever carry is NINE, and no room for Larry, Alexander, or Tedy, Ruud, Craig, Robertson and whoever else. Sorry rosters full. Perhaps Player/Coach? Redd still has PS eligibility...

But only 3 or 4 of them are better than Bru. And wouldn't you rather get the OLB high and the ILB (which I don't think we need) Lower.

Look we have 5 guys who can play ILB Mayo, Bru, Guyton, Vrabel, and Thomas. I think the OLB and pass rusher is more of the need at LB but I don't think there is much of a need for starters at LB. More depth is key which is why you keep Bru because he is great for depth and rotation.

 

[PatsFan2]

Linebacker Bruschi wants to return to the Patriots - The Boston Globe

Wonder if Rodney will as well?

If i Rookie or Second year player cannot subplant Bruschi for a Roster spot in 2009...then that Rookie or Second year player shouldn't be in the NFL. My point is at this point in Bruschi career i don't think he has anything left.

 

[Larry Whigham]

If i Rookie or Second year player cannot subplant Bruschi for a Roster spot in 2009...then that Rookie or Second year player shouldn't be in the NFL. My point is at this point in Bruschi career i don't think he has anything left.

Don't you think that this coaching staff would play the best player? The player that gives them the best chance of winning - not only that game but that specific PLAY that they are on the field for.

 

[stinkypete]

Don't you think that this coaching staff would play the best player? The player that gives them the best chance of winning - not only that game but that specific PLAY that they are on the field for.

Exactly. If Bruschi were not brought back/cut, who would take his place on the roster? Redd? Ruud? Alexander? I can tell you the only way that happens is if one of those players proves to be better in 2009 than Bruschi is. Of course Bruschi has lost two steps, but enough with this myth that his presence does not make the Patriots a better team. Would Mayo have won the DROY without playing alongside Bruschi for 12 games? Would Guyton have been able to fill in as a replacement starter without Bruschi teaching him the nuances of the system?

To remain a contender, year in, year out, a team needs to know when to cut ties with a player and get younger and better at a position. Better is the key word here. If a player does not make you a better team, then he has no business on a roster, age is irrelevent here. If Bruschi is asked not to return, I better see a Bart Scott or a Brian Cushing in his place.

 

[signbabybrady]

Exactly. If Bruschi were not brought back/cut, who would take his place on the roster? Redd? Ruud? Alexander? I can tell you the only way that happens is if one of those players proves to be better in 2009 than Bruschi is. Of course Bruschi has lost two steps, but enough with this myth that his presence does not make the Patriots a better team. Would Mayo have won the DROY without playing alongside Bruschi for 12 games? Would Guyton have been able to fill in as a replacement starter without Bruschi teaching him the nuances of the system?

To remain a contender, year in, year out, a team needs to know when to cut ties with a player and get younger and better at a position. Better is the key word here. If a player does not make you a better team, then he has no business on a roster, age is irrelevent here. If Bruschi is asked not to return, I better see a Bart Scott or a Brian Cushing in his place.

I have been saying this for a while on here as the rabid fans just seem to sream youth....youth....youth.....with out even considering who the replacement is. Sometimes I think people would be more happy to see a roster of all 24 year olds than a roster of 30+ year olds who have all been to the pro bowl.

 

[woolster22]

I have been saying this for a while on here as the rabid fans just seem to sream youth....youth....youth.....with out even considering who the replacement is. Sometimes I think people would be more happy to see a roster of all 24 year olds than a roster of 30+ year olds who have all been to the pro bowl.

How is that mentality working out in Dallas?

 

[Synovia]

Don't you think that this coaching staff would play the best player? The player that gives them the best chance of winning - not only that game but that specific PLAY that they are on the field for.

I've seen Rodney Harrison in for too many passing plays to believe that. He's awful in coverage.

 

[signbabybrady]

How is that mentality working out in Dallas?

Hahaha.....Ideally the pro bowlers you chose should be football players and not premadonna's.

Actually that kind of adds to my point though....You want the best guys for your team and not just a collection of talent and IMO Bruschi is a huge part of this team and its defensive philosophies.

 

[Mack Herron]

I've seen Rodney Harrison in for too many passing plays to believe that. He's awful in coverage.

I guess you missed him shut down Dallas Clark. Best job I have seen on him.

 

[Synovia]

I guess you missed him shut down Dallas Clark. Best job I have seen on him.

Him shutting down Dallas Clark this year had nothing to do with him, and everything to do with Dallas Clark doing more blocking because of Peyton's injury.


He did such a great job shutting down Clark in 2006 and 07.

 

[Lampshade]

Dallas Clark blocking?

 

[Displaced - Fan]

I've seen Rodney Harrison in for too many passing plays to believe that. He's awful in coverage.

Rodney was used mostly for covering Backs and TEs this season. He is an expert and jamming on the line and throwing them off their routes. I'm not sure what games you watched, but he did fine against them this season.

 

[Synovia]

Rodney was used mostly for covering Backs and TEs this season. He is an expert and jamming on the line and throwing them off their routes. I'm not sure what games you watched, but he did fine against them this season.

Yes, Rodney is jamming TEs and Backs at the line now because he can no longer handle the coverage responsibilities of the deep middle. Most of those completions across the middle to TEs are because Rodney lost his guy.

 

[Synovia]

Dallas Clark blocking?

Yeah, I know. Hes actually been playing TE this year, instead of his usual slot receiver role. Mostly because of Manning's reduced mobility. Its the first year that he's split out wide a reasonable number of times. Generally, he splits out wide so often that he should be considered a receiver. (and Football outsiders does consider him one)