Our Defense is NOT Loaded; our BACKUPS are weak.

[mgteich]

Of course he's a question mark. As of today, the ones who stand the best chance of securing seats in the LB room as long as they don't completely screw-up are Obiazor & Britt, in that order. If Pats keep only 4 LBs then Muma & Jacobs are on the outside looking-in...

You are correct. If Vrabel chooses to have one of the worst backup groups in the league, then Muma might be gone.

Choosing Obiazor and Britt as our backups, with no 5th would be truly horrible.

OUT: Gibbens, Tavai, Mapu

IN: Britt, Obiazor, nobody

Muma may not be very good, but he does add to total value of this unit. I suspect that with an injury, Muma might get significant reps, but he is useful even as a #4 or #5. If nothing else, he can play lots of ST's.

 

[Wozzy]

you are the one repeating oneself.
it has been pointed out to you that Tonga and WIlliams were out along with Spillane

Williams was out 3 games prior to Spillane missing Time and the rush defense didn’t melt. Tonga was out the last 2 games of Spillanes 4 game absence.

The first two games of Spillanes absence were the two largest rushing totals allowed all season by the defense. The funniest part is once Gibbens failed they tried Tavai there and that didn’t work either. But you want us to ignore our collective shared experience. Spillane’s injury broke the dam.

It has also been pointed out Gibbons did not sign for peanuts with the Cards. his guarantee is triple that of Muma.

Triple Muma’s non guaranteed deal is not the barometer. One year 4 million is a nice paycheck for Gibbens, it’s not “starter money” for a 27 year old. You suggesting it is… absurd.

I assume he will start in Ariz, while Muma is a question mark here.
time will tell

I wish Gibbens well, just not here. We’ll see with Muma. Barring injury he is the next man up.

 

[Wozzy]

Patriots scouting report: Chad Muma is right in the LB3 mix

Previewing the Patriots linebacker heading into his fifth NFL season.

www.patspulpit.com

Interesting note from the article you posted.

"Muma raised some eyebrows during the third and final mandatory minicamp session, when he took on green dot duties with Robert Spillane limited."

Pretty much confirmed what I predicted.

 

[Wozzy]

Instead of using some Negative Nancy's ^ ill formed logic to wonder if Muma can play middle LB'er or not, I went to PFR and pulled up five starts where he played 75% or more of defensive snaps.

Some things to note on those five starts. Buffalo and Detroit were two of the best rushing teams and offenses in the NFL those seasons. Detroit posted their fifth worst rushing total on the season including the playoffs, barely eclipsing 100 yards.

Buffalo? Dead last rushing total on the season for them. James Cooks had an all-time career worst 5 carries for -4 rushing yards, also one of his worst as a receiver 3 catches 25 yards for 8.3 yards per reception... the worst day of his entire life.

Josh Allen had 4 carries for 14 yards rushing, the fourth worst rushing total of his season... so he wasn't effective rushing either. Baltimore and Atlanta barely reached 100 yards rushing.

So if Muma isn't good at LB'er, it certainly didn't show up in the stats.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

So if Muma isn't good at LB'er, it certainly didn't show up in the stats.

So if Muma isn't good it does show up when the Jags cut him after 3 years, and the Colts waived him after 2 months. The Pats seem to be looking hard at Muma and maybe something clicked for him, but the Jags and Colts didn't think much of him.

 

[rkarp1]

So if Muma isn't good it does show up when the Jags cut him after 3 years, and the Colts waived him after 2 months. The Pats seem to be looking hard at Muma and maybe something clicked for him, but the Jags and Colts didn't think much of him.

he is a decent to good ST player with potential on defense.
to date, he has not been able to fulfill that potential.
given his age (27) it is fair to wonder if he ever will, and if the plan A back up plan at ILB of Britt and Muma/OB will be good enough.
the team has the money, coaching staff connections and snap count availability, that should appeal to a vet looking for a "show me" deal, to compete.
Britt, Muma or OB might win out, regardless, but there is no downside to bringing in another vet to compete