Our "Inside" Linebackers

[mgteich]

We had Carter, Ninkovich and Anderson on the outside. Backup Cunningham didn't play much. As a group of four, these four are playing as well as most, as is our defensive line, anchored by Wilfork.
=====================
THE REST OF THE FRONT SEVEN
Three of the rest usually get almost all of the reps. We have four players: Mayo, Spikes, Fletcher and Guyton. Unfortunately, THREE are injured.

We needed to count on special teamers Tarpinian and White. They played well.

We are fine at this position when at least one of Spikes or Fletcher returners. We have ZERO issue when both return, or with one and Guyton.

My point is that that, at LB (as on the DL), we do have sufficient talent to improve each week.

 

[QB12]

Uncharacteristically convoluted and confusing post.

 

[JackBauer]

Uncharacteristically convoluted and confusing post.

Reads pretty clearly to me.

 

[farn]

Hoping Spikes and Fletcher return ASAP. Had high hopes for the latter, but he's had trouble getting back to good... Was REALLY impressed with Spikes for several weeks.

I truly enjoyed last night's game - but I fear NE will struggle stoppant quality QBs with so many backups in key spots.

 

[cstjohn17]

My point is that that, at LB (as on the DL), we do have sufficient talent to improve each week.

Maybe I am just high on life today but I agree. The defensive line has sufficient depth especially at DT. DE is not as deep.

DT - Wilfork is a stud while Brace, Warren, Love, Deaderick provide decent enough depth to use in a rotation.

DE - Not as deep, Carter is the most natural 4-3 DE with Ellis an adequate LDE on running downs. Anderson is a good Nickel DE and can play a pseudo OLB if some zone blitz are thrown in. Ninko can also play DE in nickel situation.

OLB - Depending on the alignment 4-3 or 3-4 any of these players can play some OLB (Mayo, Ninko, Anderson, Cunningham and even Spikes). Pretty good depth here.

ILB - Same deal, a lot of carry over, Mayo, Ninko, Guyton, Spikes, Fletcher, White.

Wilfork and Carter are the most irreplaceable.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with your analysis. I would think that Deaderick is the backup for Ellis on running downs, and thus provides additional depth at DE. In the 3-4, Brace is also a backup DE (at least he was last year).

Maybe I am just high on life today but I agree. The defensive line has sufficient depth especially at DT. DE is not as deep.

DT - Wilfork is a stud while Brace, Warren, Love, Deaderick provide decent enough depth to use in a rotation.

DE - Not as deep, Carter is the most natural 4-3 DE with Ellis an adequate LDE on running downs. Anderson is a good Nickel DE and can play a pseudo OLB if some zone blitz are thrown in. Ninko can also play DE in nickel situation.

OLB - Depending on the alignment 4-3 or 3-4 any of these players can play some OLB (Mayo, Ninko, Anderson, Cunningham and even Spikes). Pretty good depth here.

ILB - Same deal, a lot of carry over, Mayo, Ninko, Guyton, Spikes, Fletcher, White.

Wilfork and Carter are the most irreplaceable.

 

[TheSolderKing]

ILB MLB are they the same thing??? I thought they were



I get confused on this.

 

[mgteich]

On the depth chart, we include these as the same position. An MLB is the one middle linebacker in a 4-3 defense. He typically calls the defensive plays. An ILB is a wider term used for 43 and 34 inside lienbackers.

When we are in the 4-3, Spikes is our MLB and Mayo plays outside. In a 4-3, both will play inside.

ILB MLB are they the same thing??? I thought they were



I get confused on this.

 

[TriplecHamp]

I may be in the minority but I think LB is just as much of a priority as any position this offseason outside of Safety. Big 4 for me are safety, LB, interior offensive line and wide receiver. Scary thin at all 4

 

[TheSolderKing]

On the depth chart, we include these as the same position. An MLB is the one middle linebacker in a 4-3 defense. He typically calls the defensive plays. An ILB is a wider term used for 43 and 34 inside lienbackers.

When we are in the 4-3, Spikes is our MLB and Mayo plays outside. In a 4-3, both will play inside.

I bolded a thing... you meant in a 3-4 right??? (both play ILB IN THE 3-4


ILB v. MLB is a scheme thing it seems?

 

[sbpatfan]

I may be in the minority but I think LB is just as much of a priority as any position this offseason outside of Safety. Big 4 for me are safety, LB, interior offensive line and wide receiver. Scary thin at all 4

Eh, too much time left. Its amazing how postions of need or depth can flip flop in a matter of months.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Eh, too much time left. Its amazing how postions of need or depth can flip flop in a matter of months.

idk, after the release of bm and sanders safety has been thin and was exposed two weeks ago. Interior oline has been a problem for a while and Price is still a project at receiver. Branch and Ocho are getting up there. Any time tracy white is playing significant snaps for this team tells me that we could use help at LB lol

 

[NinjaZX6R]

I bolded a thing... you meant in a 3-4 right??? (both play ILB IN THE 3-4


ILB v. MLB is a scheme thing it seems?

Ok.
4-3 Weakside LB usually in a 3-4 plays the 34 WILB. AKA Mayo.
4-3 MLB usually plays 3-4 SILB but sometimes 34 WILB. Both Spikes and Mayo can play that spot.
As for Fletcher, he can play both 34 SILB and 43 MLB.
Tarp can play 34 WILB and 43 WILB. We have yet to see if he can play as a 34 WILB.
Guyton-34WILB and 43 WLB. Though I'm not sure why in the world they have him play 43 MLB.
White- Same as Tarp.

 

[JJDChE]

I truly enjoyed last night's game - but I fear NE will struggle stoppant quality QBs with so many backups in key spots.

Fortunately we won't have to play many quality QBs the rest of the way. There's a good chance that we wouldn't have to play a top tier QB until the Super Bowl, where Rodgers or Brees will likely be lurking.

Fitzy and Vick, who have both been struggling quite a bit, are the only half decent QBs we play in the regular season.

KC - Tyler Palko
PHI - Vick
IND - Painter/Orlovsky
WAS - Grossman/Beck
DEN - Tebow
MIA - Moore
BUF - Fitz

Most likely playoff opponents

WC - Bye
Div - Leinart-Sanchez-Palmer?
AFCC - Flacco-Roethlisberger
SB - Brees/Smith/Rodgers

 

[ATippett56]

Three of the rest usually get almost all of the reps. We have four players: Mayo, Spikes, Fletcher and Guyton. Unfortunately, THREE are injured.

We needed to count on special teamers Tarpinian and White. They played well.

We are fine at this position when at least one of Spikes or Fletcher returners. We have ZERO issue when both return, or with one and Guyton.

My point is that that, at LB, we do have sufficient talent to improve each week.

The greater defensive issue is the defensive secondary not the inside linebacker position since none of the aforementioned players have been placed on injured reserve.

As for the defensive secondary, as long as Sergio Brown does not see the field, the New England Patriots defense should improve as the season progresses.

 

[farn]

Fortunately we won't have to play many quality QBs the rest of the way. There's a good chance that we wouldn't have to play a top tier QB until the Super Bowl, where Rodgers or Brees will likely be lurking.

Fitzy and Vick, who have both been struggling quite a bit, are the only half decent QBs we play in the regular season.

KC - Tyler Palko
PHI - Vick
IND - Painter/Orlovsky
WAS - Grossman/Beck
DEN - Tebow
MIA - Moore
BUF - Fitz

Most likely playoff opponents

WC - Bye
Div - Leinart-Sanchez-Palmer?
AFCC - Flacco-Roethlisberger
SB - Brees/Smith/Rodgers

People on this board minimize Big Ben's skills/talent. Brees and Rodgers scare me the most, but to say NE would not face an excellent QB before the SB simply isn't so...