Flankers: OutSide LineBackers

[crowell33]

He sucks, I don't care what numbers you produce. The fact he is the #1 option speaks volumes of how bad their OLBs are.

Thats fantastic. You wrote "He sucks. I don't care what numbers you produce." :rocker:

Insightful Analysis.

 

[cstjohn17]

Thats fantastic. You wrote "He sucks. I don't care what numbers you produce." :rocker:

Insightful Analysis.

Stats are for losers, for a second put aside from the fact that I was being over bearing and obnoxious and tell me why TBC is a front line NFL OLB. If he was the 2nd or 3rd option on passing downs then he is in a fine spot. But being the #1 option is sad.

 

[DaBruinz]

TBC is best coming in as a 3rd down Pass Rush Specialist.. Beyond that, he's not very good at the POA against the run..

 

[crowell33]

Stats are for losers, for a second put aside from the fact that I was being over bearing and obnoxious and tell me why TBC is a front line NFL OLB. If he was the 2nd or 3rd option on passing downs then he is in a fine spot. But being the #1 option is sad.

The post that I was responding to said that TBC should be cut ( as in removed from the 53 man roster ). Sacks are very hard to come by in the NFL. Consider that the top pass rusher of the 2008, Vernon Gholston has zero career sacks. In 2009, many chose first rounder Aaron Maybin as the drafts top pass rusher, he also has zero career sacks. In 2010, Jerry Hughes was also drafted in the first round as the Colts future pass rusher, he ended with zero sacks as well. ( 3 first rounders, 6 seasons, zero sacks. ) How about Manny Lawson who many wanted the Pats to take in the first round? Four of the last 5 seasons he has 3 sacks or less.

How about a little closer to home? 2nd rounder Cunningham for the Pats? 1 sack all year. Mike Vrabel? 0 sacks in 2010. Average 2.0 sacks per year over the 2008, 2009, and 2010 seasons. Then we traded a third round pick and a fifth round pick for Derrick Burgess ! He played here one year & had five sacks. ( 5 Total sacks for a third round and fifth round pick !) How about the third rounder we spent on Crable ? 0 sacks in 3 years. For the Patriots that totals, a 2nd round pick, two 3rd round picks and a fifth round pick for a total of 6 sacks in 5 seasons.

Now we have TBC who has a total of 15 sacks the last two seasons and 20.5 sacks in his last 3 seasons in BB's system, he should be cut ? I have no problem making TBC a nickel rusher if by some miracle we ever actually find OLB's who can rush the passer. But cutting him from the 53 man roster as you suggested?

 

[cstjohn17]

The post that I was responding to said that TBC should be cut ( as in removed from the 53 man roster ). Sacks are very hard to come by in the NFL. Consider that the top pass rusher of the 2008, Vernon Gholston has zero career sacks. In 2009, many chose first rounder Aaron Maybin as the drafts top pass rusher, he also has zero career sacks. In 2010, Jerry Hughes was also drafted in the first round as the Colts future pass rusher, he ended with zero sacks as well. ( 3 first rounders, 6 seasons, zero sacks. ) How about Manny Lawson who many wanted the Pats to take in the first round? Four of the last 5 seasons he has 3 sacks or less.

How about a little closer to home? 2nd rounder Cunningham for the Pats? 1 sack all year. Mike Vrabel? 0 sacks in 2010. Average 2.0 sacks per year over the 2008, 2009, and 2010 seasons. Then we traded a third round pick and a fifth round pick for Derrick Burgess ! He played here one year & had five sacks. ( 5 Total sacks for a third round and fifth round pick !) How about the third rounder we spent on Crable ? 0 sacks in 3 years. For the Patriots that totals, a 2nd round pick, two 3rd round picks and a fifth round pick for a total of 6 sacks in 5 seasons.

Now we have TBC who has a total of 15 sacks the last two seasons and 20.5 sacks in his last 3 seasons in BB's system, he should be cut ? I have no problem making TBC a nickel rusher if by some miracle we ever actually find OLB's who can rush the passer. But cutting him from the 53 man roster as you suggested?

You bring a lot of valid points, I have no rationale reason for cutting TBC other than I hate his game and I think he sucks. There is nothing scientific about my opinion, it is just an opinion. I can't promise to love every player, some guys just rub you the wrong way. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[crowell33]

You bring a lot of valid points, I have no rationale reason for cutting TBC other than I hate his game and I think he sucks. There is nothing scientific about my opinion, it is just an opinion. I can't promise to love every player, some guys just rub you the wrong way. Different strokes for different folks.

Fair enough.

 

[Sciz]

TBC leads the team in sacks over the last two seasons, but how many of them were impact plays?

Cunningham only had one sack last season, but how many pressures did he have that were impact plays?

I'm guessing the second answer is higher than the first.

 

[crowell33]

TBC leads the team in sacks over the last two seasons, but how many of them were impact plays?

Cunningham only had one sack last season, but how many pressures did he have that were impact plays?

I'm guessing the second answer is higher than the first.

TBC is no stud, but Cunningham's pass rush was a huge disappointment last season. For goodness sake Gerard Warren had 3.5 sacks. Deadrick had 2 sacks. Eric Moore went from bagging groceries to getting 2 sacks in only 4 games played. I still have hopes for Cunningham ( it was the first year he ever played linebacker, he was a D-lineman at Florida ). The number of " pressures that were impact plays " for Cunningham ? I believe the answer is one.

I don't mean to bash the kid. Like I said, he's never played the position before. I think if he gets 3 or 4 sacks next year, we would have to be thrilled. It would tell us that he is learning the position and moving in the right direction. ( He started for three seasons at Florida and had sack totals of 5 , 6 and 7 sacks per year). For the record TBC has 20.5 sacks his last 3 years in BB's defense, Cunningham has 18 sacks his last 3 years starting in college football combined.

PS.......Cunningham already sets the edge better than TBC ever did IMHO.

 

[Sciz]

TBC is no stud, but Cunningham's pass rush was a huge disappointment last season. For goodness sake Gerard Warren had 3.5 sacks. Deadrick had 2 sacks. Eric Moore went from bagging groceries to getting 2 sacks in only 4 games played. I still have hopes for Cunningham ( it was the first year he ever played linebacker, he was a D-lineman at Florida ). The number of " pressures that were impact plays " for Cunningham ? I believe the answer is one.

I don't mean to bash the kid. Like I said, he's never played the position before. I think if he gets 3 or 4 sacks next year, we would have to be thrilled. It would tell us that he is learning the position and moving in the right direction. ( He started for three seasons at Florida and had sack totals of 5 , 6 and 7 sacks per year). For the record TBC has 20.5 sacks his last 3 years in BB's defense, Cunningham has 18 sacks his last 3 years starting in college football combined.

PS.......Cunningham already sets the edge better than TBC ever did IMHO.

There's one vote for Cunningham having 1 impact pressure. How many impact sacks has TBC had?

If Cunningham could tackle the QB, he would have had literally 8 sacks last year. He's pretty good at bringing pressure. The problem is wrapping up when he's coming in fast. If he perfects that skill, then he's a 10-sack guy within two seasons. There's no reason not to expect 6-7 sacks from him next year.

And did Cunningham play any NCAA-equivalents of the Bills? Because that's where half of TBC's sacks came from.

 

[Off The Grid]

You bring a lot of valid points, I have no rationale reason for cutting TBC other than I hate his game and I think he sucks. There is nothing scientific about my opinion, it is just an opinion. I can't promise to love every player, some guys just rub you the wrong way. Different strokes for different folks.

Concur!!

I PRAY for the day we can cut that hyphenator loose. :rocker:

 

[Off The Grid]

If Cunningham could tackle the QB, he would have had literally 8 sacks last year. He's pretty good at bringing pressure. The problem is wrapping up when he's coming in fast. If he perfects that skill, then he's a 10-sack guy within two seasons. There's no reason not to expect 6-7 sacks from him next year.

And did Cunningham play any NCAA-equivalents of the Bills? Because that's where half of TBC's sacks came from.

Yep. And ~ call me crazy ~ but I'm pretty sure the refs screwed him out of this Sack:

The FILTHY SANCHEZ!!!

.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

TBC is no stud, but Cunningham's pass rush was a huge disappointment last season. For goodness sake Gerard Warren had 3.5 sacks. Deadrick had 2 sacks. Eric Moore went from bagging groceries to getting 2 sacks in only 4 games played. I still have hopes for Cunningham ( it was the first year he ever played linebacker, he was a D-lineman at Florida ). The number of " pressures that were impact plays " for Cunningham ? I believe the answer is one.

I don't mean to bash the kid. Like I said, he's never played the position before. I think if he gets 3 or 4 sacks next year, we would have to be thrilled. It would tell us that he is learning the position and moving in the right direction. ( He started for three seasons at Florida and had sack totals of 5 , 6 and 7 sacks per year). For the record TBC has 20.5 sacks his last 3 years in BB's defense, Cunningham has 18 sacks his last 3 years starting in college football combined.

PS.......Cunningham already sets the edge better than TBC ever did IMHO.

Odd, there was a report out awhile back where Moore and Ninkovich credited Cunningham with pressuring QBs into multiple mistakes.

Looking at Reiss' snap count reports week after week, TBC always seemed to be in the 60% range for game reps, often the highest percentage of the OLB. Perhaps his stats weren't where we might have liked, but BB had him in there because he was helping win games as part of a team - 14 of them at last count.

There are people calling for upgrades at specific positions, others want a complete rebuild - what people seem to be forgetting, this IS a rebuilding team, somehow that fact is overlooked because they keep winning, but it's true nonetheless. Rebuilding units:
-- OLB. Ninkovich is entering his third season with NE, he's gone from primarily Special Teams to a 10 game starter - I believe he was #3 in tackles. Cunningham is entering his sophomore season, always room to improve there. Moore was a late add who proved to be a value add, worth a longer look I'd say. 3/4 of the OLB unit were added in past two years, BB is rebuilding, early returns are more positive than negative.
-- WR. Tate was a redshirt rookie. The Branch/Moss change created a new dynamic. Welker came back strong from a serious injury. Edelman was quiet behind the starters and the TE emphasis, but he showed flashes of why he made the team as a rookie 7th rounder who stepped in and up when Welker was out. Price redshirted. If you count Welker's new bionics it was a complete top to bottom rebuild and it's still in progress.
-- TE. Three new tight ends, two of them rookies - complete rebuild in progress.
-- CB. LCB has been playing musical chairs since Asante Samuel left. RCB has stabilized with Bodden, but he missed the entire season. Butler got his confidence slammed, Arrington was nexy in and stepped up. NE has been drafting CBs and bringing in street free agents trying to build depth and talent. 2011 suddenly looks very promising with the CBs on the books, all of them added in the last three seasons. This unit is starting to come together and both of the PSquad kids were renewed, it might be a pleasant surprise to have some stability back there.
-- S. Just like CB, there's been a lot of turnover at Safety since Rodney went down. Meriweather has shown flashes of brilliance, and youthful inconsistency. He's not done yet. Chung made a nice second year leap, and still was serviceable after being injured. Brown and Page flashed some promise in their first year with the team. Old man Sanders stepped up both as a play maker, field general, and locker room leader. And there's still the Barrett kid who may or may not contribute at safety once healed up. Lockett missed the season, but he's was a STs ace as a rookie. The Ventrone kid is following in his brother's footsteps, you can't seem to shake him.
-- RB. The rebuild has commenced with initial positive results.
-- The D-line is a near total reconstruction area, it's a hard hat zone in so many ways. Vince is solid, Ty Warren missed the season and a committee approach covered for him okay. Seymour's slot is still playing musical chairs, and this draft promises to keep it interesting. Wright has taken over Green's role. Love stepped in and gave an initial good impression as Wright's replacement at reserve NT, I can't wait to see if he has a second year leap. There is some real potential in the youngsters, but it's not done rebuilding by a long shot.
-- ILB. All new in the past three years, two of them rookies last year. Complete rebuild in progress.
-- O-line has begun the rebuild. Vollmer had a full season at starter. Connolly stepped up and proved BB right when he said he was competing for starting time. Wendell did very well as a reserve. Now we get to see more change, if only for whomever replaces Neal.
-- P. Brand spanking new.
-- LS. One up, one down. One in the batter's box. Change, change, change.
-- New WR coach. New TE coach. OC finally named. New ST's coach. New LB coach. Recycled S coach. DC still in flux. New S&C coach and assistant.

Every aspect of this team is rebuilding, even QB.

 

[West Philly Patriot]

Odd, there was a report out awhile back where Moore and Ninkovich credited Cunningham with pressuring QBs into multiple mistakes.

Looking at Reiss' snap count reports week after week, TBC always seemed to be in the 60% range for game reps, often the highest percentage of the OLB. Perhaps his stats weren't where we might have liked, but BB had him in there because he was helping win games as part of a team - 14 of them at last count.

There are people calling for upgrades at specific positions, others want a complete rebuild - what people seem to be forgetting, this IS a rebuilding team, somehow that fact is overlooked because they keep winning, but it's true nonetheless. Rebuilding units:
-- OLB. Ninkovich is entering his third season with NE, he's gone from primarily Special Teams to a 10 game starter - I believe he was #3 in tackles. Cunningham is entering his sophomore season, always room to improve there. Moore was a late add who proved to be a value add, worth a longer look I'd say. 3/4 of the OLB unit were added in past two years, BB is rebuilding, early returns are more positive than negative.
-- WR. Tate was a redshirt rookie. The Branch/Moss change created a new dynamic. Welker came back strong from a serious injury. Edelman was quiet behind the starters and the TE emphasis, but he showed flashes of why he made the team as a rookie 7th rounder who stepped in and up when Welker was out. Price redshirted. If you count Welker's new bionics it was a complete top to bottom rebuild and it's still in progress.
-- TE. Three new tight ends, two of them rookies - complete rebuild in progress.
-- CB. LCB has been playing musical chairs since Asante Samuel left. RCB has stabilized with Bodden, but he missed the entire season. Butler got his confidence slammed, Arrington was nexy in and stepped up. NE has been drafting CBs and bringing in street free agents trying to build depth and talent. 2011 suddenly looks very promising with the CBs on the books, all of them added in the last three seasons. This unit is starting to come together and both of the PSquad kids were renewed, it might be a pleasant surprise to have some stability back there.
-- S. Just like CB, there's been a lot of turnover at Safety since Rodney went down. Meriweather has shown flashes of brilliance, and youthful inconsistency. He's not done yet. Chung made a nice second year leap, and still was serviceable after being injured. Brown and Page flashed some promise in their first year with the team. Old man Sanders stepped up both as a play maker, field general, and locker room leader. And there's still the Barrett kid who may or may not contribute at safety once healed up. Lockett missed the season, but he's was a STs ace as a rookie. The Ventrone kid is following in his brother's footsteps, you can't seem to shake him.
-- RB. The rebuild has commenced with initial positive results.
-- The D-line is a near total reconstruction area, it's a hard hat zone in so many ways. Vince is solid, Ty Warren missed the season and a committee approach covered for him okay. Seymour's slot is still playing musical chairs, and this draft promises to keep it interesting. Wright has taken over Green's role. Love stepped in and gave an initial good impression as Wright's replacement at reserve NT, I can't wait to see if he has a second year leap. There is some real potential in the youngsters, but it's not done rebuilding by a long shot.
-- ILB. All new in the past three years, two of them rookies last year. Complete rebuild in progress.
-- O-line has begun the rebuild. Vollmer had a full season at starter. Connolly stepped up and proved BB right when he said he was competing for starting time. Wendell did very well as a reserve. Now we get to see more change, if only for whomever replaces Neal.
-- P. Brand spanking new.
-- LS. One up, one down. One in the batter's box. Change, change, change.
-- New WR coach. New TE coach. OC finally named. New ST's coach. New LB coach. Recycled S coach. DC still in flux. New S&C coach and assistant.

Every aspect of this team is rebuilding, even QB.

Nice post old timer. I think we tend to forget these things due to the fact we went @ 14-2

 

[Water Boy]

You bring a lot of valid points, I have no rationale reason for cutting TBC other than I hate his game and I think he sucks. There is nothing scientific about my opinion, it is just an opinion. I can't promise to love every player, some guys just rub you the wrong way. Different strokes for different folks.

TBC had an excellent season in 2009 with 10 sacks, but his production fell off the table last year. With the depth of DE types in this draft, I definitely think we should upgrade this position.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Flankers: OutSide LineBackers

What an incredibly deep Draft Class. Considering how utterly bereft last year’s deep Draft Class was, of 6.4/250-275 pound Athletes who could potentially fit Coach Bill’s prized role, the depth of talent in this year’s crew is simply ASTOUNDING.

A great number of these guys are projected Defensive End Conversions.

Top Tier

*DaQuan Bowers, Clemson ~ 6.4/275
*Robert Quinn, North Carolina ~ 6.5/270
**Aldon Smith, Missouri ~ 6.5/260

Second Tier

Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue ~ 6.3/265
Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma ~ 6.3/265
Akeem Ayers, UCLA ~ 6.4/255
Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh ~ 6.5/270

I have passed over a number of great prospects whose measurements don’t fit our scheme.

Third Tier

Jabaal Sheard, Pittsburgh ~ 6.3/255
Mark Herzlich, Boston College ~ 6.4/245
*Vince Brown, NorthWestern ~ 6.5/265
*Quint Coples, North Carolina ~ 6.6/270
*Frank Alexander, Oklahoma ~ 6.4/250
*Vinny Curry, Marshall ~ 6.4/250
*Justin Houston, Georgia ~ 6.3/260

Late Round Dark Horses

Sam Acho, Texas ~ 6.3/260
Pierre Allen, Nebraska ~ 6.4/265
Cliff Matthews, South Carolina ~ 6.4/270
Ricky Elmore, Arizona ~ 6.5/260
Brookes Read, Arizona ~ 6.3/260
Ryan Winterswyk, Boise State ~ 6.4/265
Karl Klug, Iowa ~ 6.3/270
Brandon Bair, Oregon ~ 6.6/270
Christian Anthony, Grambling ~ 6.4/275

Binkie Alert!!

God help me: I'm gonna have to break these guys down, one by one, in individual posts. The truth of the matter is that I've got a ManCrush on no less than a DOZEN of these guys.

With speculation that Rosters are going to expand by about 10% after the CBA is finally agreed to, I'd love to see us get extremely aggressive in a Draft that offers ASTONISHING Depth of Talent at this position. If it were up to me, we'd not only hit this position twice in the Top 64, we'd follow up in the late rounds with two more, with a mind towards fielding no less than 6 Flankers on our Final Roster, which could possibly go as high as 60.

This diagnosis is one of the few draft and league positions that makes any sense to me. I do expect a roster increase, which allows a full roster of subs by specific position, in conjunction with a increase in game(s) that count, to pay for it.

Otherwise the Players will have to get actual pay cuts to resolve the present impasse. Given existing contracts, the acrimony would be painful, as players are asked to renegotiate their existing deals downward. It's easier to expand the pie. Plus at some point in the future, the league and players have to face that TV contracts chase the ratings. Sooner or later, Football will lose its luster a bit, like Horse racing in the '30s, Boxing in the '40s and early '50s, and Baseball in the '70s have done, and everybody in football, will need to take a pecuniary haircut.

As far as BB is concerned, he has another way of stockpiling future picks with the lesser certainty of a future draft. Instead of even more probalistic future draft picks, he can store them as actual potential talent, on the IR and PUP list for a year. In the case of OLBs he knows that a period of adjustment is needed anyhow, so they can learn and acclimate as they heal.

He has done so before, with guys like HOF RB, Curtis Martin, and WR/KR Brandon Tate, and I could see him doing so with both Carpenter, and Romeus, who were both projected as First rounders until injury.

Taking one or both in addition to a selection for a player able to play now, would allow him the room to gamble on enough DE--> OLB conversion candidate(s), to expect that he will find at least one, and probably more of the type of 3-4 OLBs he covets.

Unlike others here, I could also see BB start to prepare for the post Brady era, by taking an early QB to develop.

Despite the desire to beef the lines, which I heartily endorse, there is no glaring need to do so this year. The D-Line is deeper than ever, even as it misses the "Foundation tackle" like Richard Seymour. The O-Line has great talent although it will age in a few years, but that is not in 2012. There is a lot more than merely a good starter at every position, on both lines.

 

[MaineMan]

TBC had an excellent season in 2009 with 10 sacks, but his production fell off the table last year. With the depth of DE types in this draft, I definitely think we should upgrade this position.

I think what people need to remember about TBC's production difference (and about all the OLB's opportunities to get pressure)is that, in '09, the D-line was primarily Ty Warren, Wilfork in the middle and Jarvis Green at RDE. It was much more solid against the run and even Burgess got 5 sacks, fer cryin' out loud. In 2010, the D-line was Wilfork. Oh yeah, and Brace (for what it's worth) and G. Warren plugged in there with Mike Wright sub-rushing and then, later, a bunch of late-rounders, including a couple of rookies, plus a couple of street free agents. Seriously, do people really think that an OLB's optimum situation for getting a successful pass rush is a line like THAT?

And yet, TBC got 5 sacks (and Ninkovich got FOUR). What might happen if the 2011 line is as good as 2009? What if it's BETTER, say, more like 2004 or 2003?

 

[crowell33]

I think what people need to remember about TBC's production difference (and about all the OLB's opportunities to get pressure)is that, in '09, the D-line was primarily Ty Warren, Wilfork in the middle and Jarvis Green at RDE. It was much more solid against the run and even Burgess got 5 sacks, fer cryin' out loud. In 2010, the D-line was Wilfork. Oh yeah, and Brace (for what it's worth) and G. Warren plugged in there with Mike Wright sub-rushing and then, later, a bunch of late-rounders, including a couple of rookies, plus a couple of street free agents. Seriously, do people really think that an OLB's optimum situation for getting a successful pass rush is a line like THAT?

And yet, TBC got 5 sacks (and Ninkovich got FOUR). What might happen if the 2011 line is as good as 2009? What if it's BETTER, say, more like 2004 or 2003?

You bring up an excellent point that no one else has mentioned. Coming into last season opposing coaches looked at TBC with 10 sacks not much else of a pass rush from the Pats Defense. Would make sense that protection schemes would be shaded towards TBC. Throw in a pass rush capable D-line ( Seymourish ) and an opposite side pass rush threat ( McGinest, a younger Vrabel etc. ) and TBC probably comes free more often.

 

[crowell33]

Odd, there was a report out awhile back where Moore and Ninkovich credited Cunningham with pressuring QBs into multiple mistakes.

Looking at Reiss' snap count reports week after week, TBC always seemed to be in the 60% range for game reps, often the highest percentage of the OLB. Perhaps his stats weren't where we might have liked, but BB had him in there because he was helping win games as part of a team - 14 of them at last count.

There are people calling for upgrades at specific positions, others want a complete rebuild - what people seem to be forgetting, this IS a rebuilding team, somehow that fact is overlooked because they keep winning, but it's true nonetheless. Rebuilding units:
-- OLB. Ninkovich is entering his third season with NE, he's gone from primarily Special Teams to a 10 game starter - I believe he was #3 in tackles. Cunningham is entering his sophomore season, always room to improve there. Moore was a late add who proved to be a value add, worth a longer look I'd say. 3/4 of the OLB unit were added in past two years, BB is rebuilding, early returns are more positive than negative.
-- WR. Tate was a redshirt rookie. The Branch/Moss change created a new dynamic. Welker came back strong from a serious injury. Edelman was quiet behind the starters and the TE emphasis, but he showed flashes of why he made the team as a rookie 7th rounder who stepped in and up when Welker was out. Price redshirted. If you count Welker's new bionics it was a complete top to bottom rebuild and it's still in progress.
-- TE. Three new tight ends, two of them rookies - complete rebuild in progress.
-- CB. LCB has been playing musical chairs since Asante Samuel left. RCB has stabilized with Bodden, but he missed the entire season. Butler got his confidence slammed, Arrington was nexy in and stepped up. NE has been drafting CBs and bringing in street free agents trying to build depth and talent. 2011 suddenly looks very promising with the CBs on the books, all of them added in the last three seasons. This unit is starting to come together and both of the PSquad kids were renewed, it might be a pleasant surprise to have some stability back there.
-- S. Just like CB, there's been a lot of turnover at Safety since Rodney went down. Meriweather has shown flashes of brilliance, and youthful inconsistency. He's not done yet. Chung made a nice second year leap, and still was serviceable after being injured. Brown and Page flashed some promise in their first year with the team. Old man Sanders stepped up both as a play maker, field general, and locker room leader. And there's still the Barrett kid who may or may not contribute at safety once healed up. Lockett missed the season, but he's was a STs ace as a rookie. The Ventrone kid is following in his brother's footsteps, you can't seem to shake him.
-- RB. The rebuild has commenced with initial positive results.
-- The D-line is a near total reconstruction area, it's a hard hat zone in so many ways. Vince is solid, Ty Warren missed the season and a committee approach covered for him okay. Seymour's slot is still playing musical chairs, and this draft promises to keep it interesting. Wright has taken over Green's role. Love stepped in and gave an initial good impression as Wright's replacement at reserve NT, I can't wait to see if he has a second year leap. There is some real potential in the youngsters, but it's not done rebuilding by a long shot.
-- ILB. All new in the past three years, two of them rookies last year. Complete rebuild in progress.
-- O-line has begun the rebuild. Vollmer had a full season at starter. Connolly stepped up and proved BB right when he said he was competing for starting time. Wendell did very well as a reserve. Now we get to see more change, if only for whomever replaces Neal.
-- P. Brand spanking new.
-- LS. One up, one down. One in the batter's box. Change, change, change.
-- New WR coach. New TE coach. OC finally named. New ST's coach. New LB coach. Recycled S coach. DC still in flux. New S&C coach and assistant.

Every aspect of this team is rebuilding, even QB.

I've looked hard for the Cunningham pressure story that you mentioned but I can't find anything like that. Any idea the author of the story or what paper it may have originally appeared in? Any link would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I've looked hard for the Cunningham pressure story that you mentioned but I can't find anything like that. Any idea the author of the story or what paper it may have originally appeared in? Any link would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

I wish I could remember where or I'd have shared it rather then expect you to take my word, we'll just have to hope the negotiators get their heads out of the wrong orifice and get this season back on track so we can see who is stepping up this season.

 

[crowell33]

I wish I could remember where or I'd have shared it rather then expect you to take my word, we'll just have to hope the negotiators get their heads out of the wrong orifice and get this season back on track so we can see who is stepping up this season.

Here is a positive story about Cunningham that I found. Although I assume everyone will find it useless because it is written by Pro Football Focus. ( I actually respect PFF, but I know most posters on these boards do not. )

Breaking Out: 10 Pass Rushers to Watch | ProFootballFocus.com