Support For DE's

[mgteich]

Which of these is going to make the Game One 53?

Bequette
Benard
Buchanan
Cunningham
Francis
Vega

 

[manxman2601]

Of all of them, Benard has been getting the most TC plaudits so that's who I voted for.

 

[jah]

I think the grouping will be Jones, Ninkovich, Benard, Francis, Bequette. I could still see Buchanan or Cunningham making the cut, though, but I don't see why the team would want more than 5 DEs.

 

[Urgent]

I agree that this is about the most interesting area of competition.

There is not an obvious Andre Carter type veteran elder statesman.
There is not a top round rookie.

The back-ups each get fairly similar praise. Some have a little more size, some a little more speed.

Benard has been getting the most press attention, has started in the past, but is coming off a couple injuries.

Buchanan is this year's rookie, and has the length Belichick has liked in the position. He's a bit taller than Jones.

Francis is more squat, more athletically limited, but improved significantly over the end of last season. Reiss is very high on Francis.

Bequette has a nice pedigree and high draft position, but did very little last year and was out-performed by the smaller, slower udfa.

Cunningham has experience, the high draft slot, the versatility to play inside and out, but has consistently under-performed.

Right now, I think the odds favor Benard, Buchanan, and Francis. Some decent depth, but hard to see a Mark Anderson/TBC type that can come in on passing downs and generate 10 sacks.

 

[patsderoer]

Bequette was owning Solder in TC, the same Solder who was very solid last season. Time to let him damage Tackles in regular season.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

- Francis is strong and became better over the course of the season, towards the tail end. He has good inside push, hustle and motor which makes up for lack of athleticism

- Jake Bequette we don't really know much about other than the fact that he is a highly regarded prospect who's smart and versatile and has potential.

- Cunningham, is very versatile and experienced in the system but you wouldn't know it because of his up and down play

- Michael Buchanan is my favorite despite being a rookie, because of his height, length, reach and athleticism combined with quickness and speed. He is too, versatile and can play the hybrid position as well. He only fell in the draft due to character issues but was said to be a steal.

- Marcus Benard if healthy, actually has a really good shot and has experience. I think he can be a good situational pass rusher. He has the technique and craftsmanship necessary. And also what a lot of people don't know is that he has some sneaky explosiveness to his game.

 

[patsfan-1982]

i really don't like any of them lol but I said Cunningham cause he got some playing time last year maybe he can build on that

 

[ATippett56]

Support for New England Patriots defensive ends:

1. Justin Francis
2. Marcus Benard
3. Michael Buchanan (risky proposition to place on waivers)

Five defensive ends should suffice for the 53 man roster.

Potential practice squad players:

Bequette, Vega

 

[Brady6]

Support for New England Patriots defensive ends:

1. Justin Francis
2. Marcus Benard
3. Michael Buchanan (risky proposition to place on waivers)

Five defensive ends should suffice for the 53 man roster.

Potential practice squad players:

Bequette, Vega

Has Francis even taken a snap at DE during camp? Everything I've read is as a DT.

Good call on the Bequette practice squad point, it's funny that he does in fact qualify.

 

[mgteich]

I don't think Buchanan is any more risky a proposition than Bequette.

Support for New England Patriots defensive ends:

1. Justin Francis
2. Marcus Benard
3. Michael Buchanan (risky proposition to place on waivers)

Five defensive ends should suffice for the 53 man roster.

Potential practice squad players:

Bequette, Vega

 

[Brady6]

I don't think Buchanan is any more risky a proposition than Bequette.

Probably true, it really has to be based on performance because I think either one would get picked up if cut.

 

[ATippett56]

Has Francis even taken a snap at DE during camp? Everything I've read is as a DT.

Justin Francis surpassed Jake Bequette on the depth chart at defensive end in his rookie season and does not have a 4 game PED suspension on his resume.

 

[ATippett56]

I don't think Buchanan is any more risky a proposition than Bequette.

Jake Bequette didn't do a damn thing his rookie season except rot on the bench, for the most part.

 

[Brady6]

Justin Francis surpassed Jake Bequette on the depth chart at defensive end in his rookie season and does not have a 4 game PED suspension on his resume.

Yeah I know; but that wasn't my question? I wanted to know if is working only as an interior player in camp? My question is not an attempt to diminish him as a player AT, it's to understand the type of lineups we're using and the player roles as of now.

 

[Brady6]

Jake Bequette didn't do a damn thing his rookie season except rot on the bench, for the most part.

Unfortunately that probably makes it more difficult for us as fans to asses him, if he had gone out there and sucked it would be a lot easier to walk away. But since we're not privy to the back stories I think the intrigue is still there.

 

[ATippett56]

Yeah I know; but that wasn't my question? I wanted to know if is working only as an interior player in camp? My question is not an attempt to diminish him as a player AT, it's to understand the type of lineups we're using and the player roles as of now.

In the four preseason games, Pats Fans will find out what future roles may be carved out for certain players. I take alot more stock in the preseason games than training camp practices.

 

[ATippett56]

Unfortunately that probably makes it more difficult for us as fans to asses him, if he had gone out there and sucked it would be a lot easier to walk away. But since we're not privy to the back stories I think the intrigue is still there.

From what I've read, Bequette has not exactly lit the world on fire so far in 10 days of training camp.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Unfortunately that probably makes it more difficult for us as fans to asses him, if he had gone out there and sucked it would be a lot easier to walk away. But since we're not privy to the back stories I think the intrigue is still there.

I think it makes it easier, personally. If Bequette, fully healthy, couldn't get on the field by taking a couple snaps from the like of Scott and Francis, then that's a pretty strong statement on what the Pats thought of him.

I could maybe be more understanding if he was a super-athletic project with enormous upside, but he's definitely not that. By all accounts, his athleticism isn't great at all, so if he isn't good enough to crack a relatively weak rotation *and* doesn't have an especially high ceiling, then that's pretty telling in my book.

I would love to be proven wrong, of course, but I'm about as comfortable projecting him as a bust as I've been of anyone.

 

[Brady6]

In the four preseason games, Pats Fans will find out what future roles may be carved out for certain players. I take alot more stock in the preseason games than training camp practices.

I didn't like Francis at DE, I did however think he was impactful as a 3Tech, I'd like to see him spend the majority of his time there, and have more explosive players like Benard and Buchanan see the snaps on the outside.

 

[Brady6]

I could maybe be more understanding if he was a super-athletic project with enormous upside, but he's definitely not that. By all accounts, his athleticism isn't great at all, so if he isn't good enough to crack a relatively weak rotation *and* doesn't have an especially high ceiling, then that's pretty telling in my book.

B I'm not sure brother look at his combine numbers compared to a guy widely considered to be an athletic freak like JPP. It surprised me when I saw it, one of the reasons I still have intrigue.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=68591&draftyear=2012&genpos=DE

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=89738&draftyear=2010&genpos=DE