Patriots sign linebacker Darius Fleming to 53 man roster

[Family]

I think it's evident that Don Jones was a bad boy especially if Fleming is inactive tomorrow.

 

[Mack Herron]

Needed LB depth. He will be active.

 

[Brady6]

I think that he is on the roster for a few different reasons. I think that as the season winds down they will want to give Collins, Hightower, and Ninkovich more rest. Also I think he is a good player who Belichick has probably been waiting for the opportunity to put on the 53 man roster.

 

[meatface]

I wonder who they will sign for those three practice squad spots. Fleming will probably end up back on the PS when they add Siliga to the 53 man but still have those two openings

 

[Family]

Needed LB depth. He will be active.

Yes he will likely be active. I wasn't even thinking of White playing linebacker since he hasn't taken many snaps on defense.

 

[Mack Herron]

I think that he is on the roster for a few different reasons. I think that as the season winds down they will want to give Collins, Hightower, and Ninkovich more rest. Also I think he is a good player who Belichick has probably been waiting for the opportunity to put on the 53 man roster.

That would make White's absence an odd coincidence.

 

[RayClay]

Aren't they down 2 special teams linebackers with Jagarad Davis and White? Fleming probably has more upside too.

 

[Mack Herron]

Aren't they down 2 special teams linebackers with Jagarad Davis and White? Fleming probably has more upside too.

Davis was released from the PS. Without Jones and White ST coverage takes a hit.

 

[BobDigital]

Needed LB depth. He will be active.

Maybe but i just don't get it for THIS week. I want the Patriots in a nickle all day vs the packers. With Nelson and Cobb you need to worry about stopping that first and IDK how much Flemming helps there.

Maybe put 7 in the box and stop Lacy but they have stopped the run well with their big nickle so I don't see why they want to prioritize more run D when facing such a fierce passing attack.

Also he is behind guys like Hightower/Collins/Casillas. Unless they plan to operate from their base the majority of the time which they have not done much of it doesn't make sense to worry about the 4th spot that much for 1 game.

 

[RayClay]

Davis was released from the PS. Without Jones and White ST coverage takes a hit.

My bad, he was dropped earlier this year, wasn't he? They do have a lot of DBs on special teams, though, full time and on the regular defense. Casilas is a tweener.

 

[Mack Herron]

My bad, he was dropped earlier this year, wasn't he? They do have a lot of DBs on special teams, though, full time and on the regular defense. Casilas is a tweener.

Yeah, then re-signed and just re-released last week. They got bodies but Jones and White were two good ones in the Slater/Ebner mold. Although I don't expect many punts, we will have to cover all those kicks...

 

[mgteich]

That would make White's absence an odd coincidence.

I believe that White's number of defensive reps has been ZERO in 2013 and ZERO in 2014.

 

[mgteich]

My bad, he was dropped earlier this year, wasn't he? They do have a lot of DBs on special teams, though, full time and on the regular defense. Casilas is a tweener.

Well, we had now have 2 fewer defensive backs than a week ago. In addition to jones vein cut from the 53, Swanson was cut from the practice Squad.

I agree that even 11 is a lot. I expect Butler to get lots of special teams reps this week.

With regard to Fleming, I haven't a clue why it makes sense to have Fleming active against GB rather than Jones. Perhaps, Fleming got an offer from another team.

 

[Oswlek]

I think it's evident that Don Jones was a bad boy especially if Fleming is inactive tomorrow.

I can't imagine why a player would ever be promoted from the PS to be inactive. The entire reason they promote him is because they feel they need him for the game.

 

[TBR]

I like Fleming's upside

49ers drafted him in the 5th round and they seem to know LB talent when they see it

 

[Mack Herron]

I liked Fleming in pre-season and thought he brought a physical presence. Our starting LBs are big, LB/DL size. Without Fleming, if anyone went down Casillas would be the only back-up, and he is much smaller, more of a LB/S tweener. In Bill we trust.

 

[Ring 6]

Maybe but i just don't get it for THIS week. I want the Patriots in a nickle all day vs the packers. With Nelson and Cobb you need to worry about stopping that first and IDK how much Flemming helps there.

Maybe put 7 in the box and stop Lacy but they have stopped the run well with their big nickle so I don't see why they want to prioritize more run D when facing such a fierce passing attack.

Also he is behind guys like Hightower/Collins/Casillas. Unless they plan to operate from their base the majority of the time which they have not done much of it doesn't make sense to worry about the 4th spot that much for 1 game.

In nickel Fleming is a DE

 

[Family]

I can't imagine why a player would ever be promoted from the PS to be inactive. The entire reason they promote him is because they feel they need him for the game.

It wouldn't make sense unless Jones was cut for non football related reasons & by rule the Patriots needed to promote someone. Why the team needed to wait two days to complete this transaction is another question.

 

[Oswlek]

It wouldn't make sense unless Jones was cut for non football related reasons & by rule the Patriots needed to promote someone. Why the team needed to wait two days to complete this transaction is another question.

Bill has shown several times he's not beholden to the 53 man roster, so it's not like he's going to promote someone just to fill the roster spot. If he brings someone up, it's because that player is expected to contribute on Sunday.

 

[Mack Herron]

Bill has shown several times he's not beholden to the 53 man roster, so it's not like he's going to promote someone just to fill the roster spot. If he brings someone up, it's because that player is expected to contribute on Sunday.

I have little doubt you are correct. The hard part here is that we don't see what the PS guys are doing week to week so we have no idea where he has been playing or how well. So it is a matter of speculation where he will fit. He could step in to fill White's role on STs, while also proving support on the edge where we are thin and facing a good running back and a QB who can get outside and tire a DL.