{"id":42076,"date":"2022-07-07T10:35:21","date_gmt":"2022-07-07T14:35:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=42076"},"modified":"2022-07-07T10:35:58","modified_gmt":"2022-07-07T14:35:58","slug":"patriots-linebackers-analysis-and-morses-morsels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2022\/07\/07\/patriots-linebackers-analysis-and-morses-morsels\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots Linebackers Analysis and Morse’s Morsels"},"content":{"rendered":"

What I consider the most critical component of the Patriots’ defense is the Linebacker\/Edge Group.\u00a0 Last season they just didn\u2019t provide much pressure outside of Matt Judon.\u00a0 Once teams started scheming for Judon and no one else picked up the slack from the LB\/Edge group the team suffered.<\/p>\n

Judon was not the same player in the 2nd<\/sup> half of the season.\u00a0 The linebackers were old, slow, and tired.\u00a0 The Patriots released Kyle Van Noy and didn\u2019t re-sign Hightower or Collins.\u00a0 Hightower and Collins have not signed with anyone.\u00a0 However, Hightower was spotted with his former teammates at a Celtics playoff game.\u00a0 Could he be a late signing as Training Camp comes to a close?\u00a0 This is a veteran move, not attending OTAs, Mini-Camp, or Training Camp, just because they don\u2019t want to go through that grind.<\/p>\n

The experienced Hightower knows the system and the 32 yo old, 11-year vet doesn\u2019t need the Training Camp.\u00a0 On the other hand, Hightower looked slow last season, partially the result of taking a year off for COVID. The Patriots do not have the cap space to sign Hightower right now and he is no threat to sign elsewhere. Collins has just lost it.\u00a0 His playing time was diminishing all season.\u00a0 It\u2019s not a surprise that no team has picked him up.<\/p>\n

Edge<\/strong><\/p>\n

Matt Judon<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Judon signing was a brilliant move by the Patriots.\u00a0 He lived up to the advanced billing and made his 3rd<\/sup> consecutive Pro-Bowl appearance.\u00a0 \u00a0The 6-year vet, turns 30 in August and will have two years remaining on his contract after this season.\u00a0 In 2021, Judon had the second-highest tackle total of his career (60) and a career-high 12.5 sacks.\u00a0 As mentioned earlier, Judon\u2018s play dropped significantly as the season wore on.\u00a0 Judon never shrunk from being in the limelight.\u00a0 He was always upfront, honest, and available for the media.\u00a0 Judon has become a real leader of the defense and will eventually take over the role of Devin McCourty.\u00a0 I would like to see Judon become a little more stout against the run.\u00a0 It was not always his fault as the other players were not doing their job.<\/p>\n

Josh Uche <\/strong><\/p>\n

The third-year player badly underperformed last season, playing only 12 games and making 12 tackles, three of those were sacks.\u00a0 Uche has a history of injuries dating back to his college days.\u00a0 This will be a make-or-break season for Uche.\u00a0 Much is expected from Uche, to provide the pass rush from the other side from Judon.\u00a0 He needs to produce to take the double team off Judon.\u00a0 He looks good but gets nicked up and his progress stalls.<\/p>\n

Ronnie Perkins <\/strong><\/p>\n

Perkins was drafted by the Patriots knowing that he had an injury and that his 2021 season was in jeopardy.\u00a0 This pattern of drafting players with injuries, at a lower draft position, but with a higher ceiling, has got to stop.\u00a0\u00a0 The Patriots are not that good anymore where they can take a red shirt year.\u00a0 This will be Perkins’s rookie year and I don\u2019t expect much from him.\u00a0\u00a0 I don\u2019t like what I have read about Perkins.\u00a0 He can be wildly undisciplined in the run game.\u00a0 He appears larger than his weight is listed.\u00a0 He would be better as a DE in a 4-3 alignment, not a stand-up edge player required to cover a TE or back out of the backfield.\u00a0 He was projected to have great speed with an estimated 4.56 40.\u00a0 He ran only 4.71 at his pro day and didn\u2019t run the 3-cone.\u00a0 He is under 6\u20193\u201d and weighs 256 lbs.\u00a0 He will be one to watch this Pre-season and is likely a candidate to be inactive all season.<\/p>\n

Anfernee Jennings <\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2020 the 2nd<\/sup> year LB had 20 tackles (10 solos, 10 assists).\u00a0 His rookie year was a wash-out because of a late Pre-season injury that put him on season-ending IR.\u00a0 What will we get in 2022?\u00a0 I have no idea?\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d 253 lb LB couldn\u2019t workout at combine or Pro Day because of a leg whip he receive at the end of the season knocking him out of the championship game.\u00a0 NFL Draftscout estimates he would have run a 4.71.\u00a0 In his 5 years at Alabama, he missed time in 2018 for a knee injury and a broken leg in 2020.\u00a0 So Jennings gets drafted in the 3rd<\/sup> round #87 without working out for anyone. \u00a0Depending upon how the coaches want the makeup of the Defense to be, Jennings may have a hard time making the team.\u00a0 With both Dugger and Phillips capable of playing the LB position, Jenning is going to have to make a very positive impact on special teams to make the team.<\/p>\n

Inside Linebacker <\/strong><\/p>\n

JaWhaun Bentley <\/strong><\/p>\n

The 6\u20192, 255 lb inside linebacker is an old-school thumper.\u00a0 His downfield style reminds people of the days when the big inside linebacker stuffed the run.\u00a0 That is what Bentley specializes in.\u00a0 On the other hand, he is only a 2 down LB and very susceptible in pass coverage.\u00a0 \u00a0The 4th<\/sup> year Pro will turn 26 this August.\u00a0 He was a two-time Captain at Purdue and is providing leadership in the Patriots locker room.<\/p>\n

Raekwon McMillian<\/strong><\/p>\n

McMillan was signed as a Free Agent in 2021 but was injured during pre-season and put on the season-ending IR on August 7th.\u00a0 The Patriots signed him to a one-year contract extension on September 27th<\/sup> while rehabbing his knee injury.\u00a0 That is how much they were impressed by him.\u00a0 McMillan was having a very promising Pre-season when he got hurt.\u00a0 \u00a0The Ohio State product is being heavily counted on by the coaching staff.\u00a0 He is a departure from the typical LB the Patriots have drafted.\u00a0 Standing 6\u2019 2\u201d and 242 lbs. he is not the typical thumper like JaWhuan Bentley.\u00a0 McMillan ran a 4.61 at the combine which is very good for an ILB.\u00a0 He also excels as a coverage linebacker.\u00a0 This was before the torn ACL.\u00a0 Can he bounce back from the injured knee?\u00a0 We will find this out early in the pre-season and training camp.\u00a0 As an ILB, he was never the downhill type of LB and that\u2019s what may have soured Las Vegas and Miami.<\/p>\n

Cameron McGrone<\/strong><\/p>\n

McGrone was drafted knowing he would not likely play last season because of his knee injury suffered at Michigan, late in the 2020 season.\u00a0 McGrone has limited college experience, playing only one full season, as a redshirt freshman in 2019.\u00a0 His final year at Michigan saw him tear his ACL and played in 5 of the 6 games Michigan played in 2020.\u00a0 He is slightly under 6\u20191\u201d and 234 lbs.\u00a0 This is now the size of typical LBs in the NFL.\u00a0 However, he is smaller than both Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips.\u00a0 NFL Draft Scout estimated he would run a 4.54 40 prior to the injury.\u00a0\u00a0 McGrone will be one to watch to see how he responds to his rehab of the knee injury.\u00a0 McGrone is only 22.<\/p>\n

Mack Wilson <\/strong><\/p>\n

Wilson was acquired in a trade with Cleveland that sent underperforming DE Chase Winowich to the Browns.\u00a0 Entering his 4th<\/sup> year in the league, 24 yo, the former Alabama LB\u00a0 was drafted in the 5th<\/sup> round.\u00a0 As a rookie, he started 14 games for Cleveland and had 82 combined tackles.\u00a0 But over the next two seasons, his playing time dropped and his tackles did as well with 39 each year.\u00a0 At 6\u20191\u201d 240 lbs, he is that undersized LB that has become popular in the league.\u00a0 At his Pro Day, he ran a 4.71, so he may be a 2-down LB.\u00a0 This was a swap for two disappointing players.\u00a0 Hoping a change of scenery and new coaches can bring out the best in Wilson.\u00a0 Another to watch in camp.<\/p>\n

Special Teams <\/strong><\/p>\n

Harvey Langi <\/strong><\/p>\n

Entering his 6th<\/sup> season in the league, his most productive seasons were for the Jets when he played in 14 and 16 games in 2017 and 2019 Langi at this point is strictly an ST guy.\u00a0 If he is called upon to play LB we are really in trouble.\u00a0 In 2017 he signed a large Undrafted Free Agent contract after the draft.\u00a0 It was a 3-year contract for $1.68 M. $15K signing bonus and a $100K guaranteed.\u00a0 He made the roster and was active for 1 game before a horrific auto accident nearly derailed his career before it got started. \u00a0\u00a0He ended up on IR and he was released after the season.\u00a0 The Jets picked him up and signed him to the Practice Squad for the 2018 season.\u00a0 In 2019 and 2020 he played 16 and 14 games respectively.\u00a0 The Patriots signed him as a Free Agent in 2021 but he only had 3 tackles on the season.\u00a0 \u00a0He will have a hard time making the team.<\/p>\n

Jahlani Tavai<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another player that if he makes the team it is strictly because of his special teams’ ability. \u00a0\u00a0At 6\u2019 2 3\/8<\/sup>, 250 lbs the former Hawaii Warrior was a 2nd<\/sup> round draft pick of the Detroit Lions.\u00a0 In most opinions, he was quite the reach.\u00a0 In 2019 he had 58 total tackles in 15 games, and 6 starts.\u00a0 In 2020 he also had 58 tackles in 16 games and 10 starts.\u00a0 For the Patriots he had 6 tackles all on ST.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Unless there is a big need for an LB on ST, Tavai will have a difficult time finding a spot on the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n

Morse\u2019s Morsels <\/strong><\/p>\n

Patriots Record Prediction<\/strong><\/p>\n

New Arena posted predictions for all teams and had this for the Patriots.<\/p>\n

New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a> 8-9<\/strong><\/p>\n

Week 1- @ Miami Dolphins \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>LOSS<\/strong>
\nWeek 2- @ Pittsburgh Steelers \u2014\u00a0WIN<\/strong>
\nWeek 3- vs. Baltimore Ravens \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>LOSS<\/strong>
\nWeek 4- @ Green Bay Packers \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>LOSS<\/strong>
\nWeek 5- vs. Detroit Lions \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>WIN<\/strong>
\nWeek 6- @ Cleveland Browns \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>LOSS<\/strong>
\nWeek 7- vs. Chicago Bears \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>WIN<\/strong>
\nWeek 8- @ New York Jets \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>WIN<\/strong>
\nWeek 9- vs. Indianapolis Colts \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>WIN<\/strong>
\nWeek 10- BYE WEEK<\/strong>
\nWeek 11- vs. New York Jets \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>WIN<\/strong>
\nWeek 12- @ Minnesota Vikings \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>LOSS<\/strong>
\nWeek 13- vs. Buffalo Bills \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>LOSS<\/strong>
\nWeek 14- @ Arizona Cardinals \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>WIN<\/strong>
\nWeek 15- @ Las Vegas Raiders \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>LOSS<\/strong>
\nWeek 16- vs. Cincinnati Bengals \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>LOSS<\/strong>
\nWeek 17- vs. Miami Dolphins \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>WIN<\/strong>
\nWeek 18- @ Buffalo Bills \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>LOSS<\/strong><\/p>\n

My Prediction was 7-10<\/strong><\/p>\n

The difference is that I have the Patriots losing to the Steelers at Pittsburgh in week 2.\u00a0 In fact, I have them 0-4 to start the season.\u00a0 The Patriots have a brutal schedule, one of the most disadvantageous schedules in the league.\u00a0 This year they play a top-tier schedule because they finished in the top two of their division.\u00a0 Not like last season when they played a bottom-tier schedule.\u00a0 They play all the teams in the BFC Central and AFC Central.\u00a0 This means when they play outside of their division they play top teams like Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and Arizona. \u00a0Last year they had a cupcake schedule and ran off 7 wins in a row against inferior competition.<\/p>\n

ESPN\u2019s Rob Ninkovich has the Patriots winning 12 games \u2026 I want to know what he is smoking?<\/p>\n

Training Camp is Only Two Weeks Away<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rookies report<\/strong> on Tuesday the 19th <\/sup>the veterans on the 26th<\/sup>.\u00a0 The first open practice should be on the 27th<\/sup>.\u00a0 The Patriots still have two open roster spots on their 90-man camp roster.\u00a0 It should be interesting how they fill those last two spots.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/sup><\/p>\n

Ivan Fears Retires<\/strong><\/p>\n

Very quietly RB coach Ivan Fears has retired.\u00a0 He confirmed this with the Herald\u2019s Karen Guregian.\u00a0 Fears have been coaching for 46 years and the 67 yo has been doing it with the Patriots for 23 years.\u00a0 Never quiet in practice, the unassuming coach never made a big deal about his retirement. \u00a0He was seen at the Patriots OTAs and will likely pop in at practice from time to time.\u00a0 He liked being called an \u201cRB Consultant\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What I consider the most critical component of the Patriots’ defense is the Linebacker\/Edge Group.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":37878,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[10],"tags":[2313,22589,1458,1781,22806,2305,22805,999,22804,22587],"class_list":["post-42076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news","tag-anfernee-jennings","tag-cameron-mcgrone","tag-harvey-langi","tag-jawhaun-bentley","tag-jahlani-tavai","tag-josh-uche","tag-mack-wilson","tag-matt-judon","tag-raekwon-mcmillian","tag-ronnie-perkins"],"yoast_head":"\nPatriots Linebackers Analysis and Morse's Morsels<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What I consider the most critical component of the Patriots' defense is the Linebacker\/Edge Group.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2022\/07\/07\/patriots-linebackers-analysis-and-morses-morsels\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Patriots Linebackers Analysis and Morse's Morsels | PatsFans.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What I consider the most critical component of the Patriots' defense is the Linebacker\/Edge Group.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2022\/07\/07\/patriots-linebackers-analysis-and-morses-morsels\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" 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My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob \u201cHarpo\u201d Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. 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