The Patriots DE Position.. What to do.

[TBR]

Don't think we want him after this. Guys are laughing at how pitifully slow he is. Got all that $$$ and is chillin now.

 

[long distance]

I wonder what happens if they unleash Jules there now that Cooksie is stealing the O show . might not be legal but id bet he beats those tackles one way or the other..

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I wonder what happens if they unleash Jules there now that Cooksie is stealing the O show . might not be legal but id bet he beats those tackles one way or the other..

Actually, I was thinking that's how Carr and/or JHollister would make the roster.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

but id bet he beats those tackles one way or the other..

Right between their legs, obviously.

 

[Joey007]

Yeah! That Nkemdiche guy would be great. Bonus points for having a name that Dikembe can actually spell.

Nkemdikembe

 

[RobertWeathers]

Agree, but that doesn't mean he cant carve out a role. Its just that we have a lot of guys who are more talented at his position.

If he makes the team if he plays more than 100 snaps on D that's not good.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

I don't personally love this option, (expecting some dislikes) but Hightower could be moved to the outside (maybe with his hand in the dirt) with the addition of Harris and other depth at ILB.

Of all the linebackers on the roster he is probably the most versatile and best suited for a transition to a more dedicated pass rusher.

 

[Ring 6]

I don't personally like this option, (expecting some dislikes) but Hightower could be moved to the outside (maybe with his hand in the dirt) with the addition of Harris and other depth at ILB.

Of all the linebackers on the roster he is probably the most versatile and best suited for a transition to a more dedicated pass rusher.

I am on the record loving this idea. But it doesn't have to be full time.
He could play a role similar to vrabel, Colvin or willie.

 

[long distance]

problem solved

 

[BTTA]

I am on the record loving this idea. But it doesn't have to be full time.
He could okay a role similar to vrabel, Colvin or willie.

Wasn't there a play in the last game last season, where he showed some promise in this role?

 

[micronin127]

I agree that on early downs Guy could take some snaps as an edge setter to contain the run. I think he had 1 sack last year and 4.5 the year before. The team site lists him as a DE, though they also list him at 305 pounds... so there's that.

Lawrence Guy #93 DE

New England Patriots | Official Team Site

Height: 6-4 Weight: 305 Age: 27

 

[WaterfallJumper]

The Patriots rush three more than any other team in the NFL--by a good margin. Yes, it's nice to have an elite Edge guy, but the defense is built to function without it (of course it's optimal to exert pressure; I'm just saying that the Patriots are better equipped to deal with a loss at DE than most teams). They have so many players on the DL and in the LB Corp who will mix and match based on gameplan. I'm not really worried.

. . . Of course, I reserve the right to change my tune in the gameday thread the first time we give up a third down. Then we're doomed and Belichick the GM is killing Belichick the coach.

 

[mgteich]

Harris is our MLB.

I see no problem with Hightower being much, much more flexible in his role than in years past.

 

[Joker]

I have to SEE some 1st string defensive sets in preseason before I can make any kind of guess as to positioning.

 

[captain stone]

Still don't understand why Bill was so willing to allow Jabaal Sheard to leave without even presenting him a counter-offer, and with Zero viable options to replace him at the time.
This defense, as currently constructed, won't even manage to average 2.0 sacks/game this season.

 

[BTTA]

Still don't understand why Bill was so willing to allow Jabaal Sheard to leave without even presenting him a counter-offer, and with Zero viable options to replace him at the time.

That's reading a lot into something that we fans have very little visibility into.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The Patriots rush three more than any other team in the NFL--by a good margin. Yes, it's nice to have an elite Edge guy, but the defense is built to function without it (of course it's optimal to exert pressure; I'm just saying that the Patriots are better equipped to deal with a loss at DE than most teams). They have so many players on the DL and in the LB Corp who will mix and match based on gameplan. I'm not really worried.

. . . Of course, I reserve the right to change my tune in the gameday thread the first time we give up a third down. Then we're doomed and Belichick the GM is killing Belichick the coach.

This.

The scheme's main premise is to prevent the big play and force offenses to pick their way down the field. As you say they go about this by rushing only 3 more than any team in the league and dropping 8 in coverage.

It seems people are overly concerned about a pass rush when the team has somewhat de-emphasized it.

With that said, aside from Flowers, there are certainly questions regarding how prove the talent is on the edge or DE

 

[PatsFanInVa]

This.

The scheme's main premise is to prevent the big play and force offenses to pick their way down the field. As you say they go about this by rushing only 3 more than any team in the league and dropping 8 in coverage.

It seems people are overly concerned about a pass rush when the team has somewhat de-emphasized it.

With that said, aside from Flowers, there are certainly questions regarding how prove the talent is on the edge or DE

I think people started viewing BB as "getting it" with moves toward pressure in recent years. Fans have always said "but can he rush the qb" perhaps without considering that emphasis on other positions traditionally out performs other teams' emphasis on DEs & the pass rush. This got a big bump after the first gintz SB, which so prominently displayed the value of getting to the qb (or "getting home," as they say now.)

 

[Froob]

The Cardinals are short on receivers. I wonder what it would take to get a DE from them?

Bring back Michael Floyd and trade him for Chandler Jones?

 

[Ring 6]

Still don't understand why Bill was so willing to allow Jabaal Sheard to leave without even presenting him a counter-offer, and with Zero viable options to replace him at the time.
This defense, as currently constructed, won't even manage to average 2.0 sacks/game this season.

Did you watch sheard play last year?