Getting ready to spend the next week down the cape so the activity on the blog might be a little slow. Send me your questions and let’s get through this last day of work together!
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Will we have any linebackers to stop the run at the beginning of the season? More specifically, are there non-injured depth-LBs who’ve shown they can stop the run in the NFL? (Sorry to see Spikes take himself off the team. Can’t drink+drive.)
The linebacker depth is certainly an area to monitor when camp opens. I’d bet Mayo and Hightower open on PUP, Collins is the question mark as he’s been in and out of OTAs. Not sure what’s going on there.
And then even Fletcher has been out as well. So yeah, we’re really looking at James Morris and Darius Fleming as guys who might be called on to step up. It’s really not out of the question that the opening day linebackers are Fleming (SLB), Collins (MLB), Fletcher (WLB).
The rest are interesting young guys and vet free agents who have mostly been special teamers/fill-ins.
I get into a lot of depth in this area in the Season Preview which will be available in the next week or so.
Dominique Easley looks to improve on tough rookie campaign
Dominique Easley looks to improve on tough rookie campaign
Anticipation and expectations are high for blog fave Easley this season. If him and Malcom live up to their draft status… oh boy.
New England Patriots OTAs: Scott Chandler sidelined, Butler rises up – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN
Interesting stuff as always from Reiss, including this tidbit on the guard sitch:
Spent extra time watching some of the offensive line combinations and fourth-round draft choices Tre’ Jackson (right guard) andShaq Mason (left guard) flanked center Bryan Stork for a good part of the practice. The guard position is one where the Patriots have some personnel turnover and the question is how quickly Jackson and Mason might be able to help. From a pure repetition standpoint, they went from wire to wire in 12 offseason practices and they seem to be keeping up OK, mentally. Of course, it’s not all perfect. Jackson had a false start that led to him running a penalty lap.
As Brady appeal nears, Roger Goodell is stuck in a corner of his own creation
As Brady appeal nears, Roger Goodell is stuck in a corner of his own creation
Don’t we all feel bad for Rog? Of course not. I think the general consensus is Goodell reduces the suspension to two games, Brady takes the fight to court and they vacate Brady’s entire suspension.
I’m shocked you didn’t include Richard Seymour on your top 5 of best players drafted by BB!
I know, he came up a lot in the twitter discussion afterwards. Nothing against Big Sey, but I was trying to pick guys who were picked out of nowhere and blossomed. Of course there are plenty of good first rounders that lived up to their hype, and really Wilfork should be in there. But yeah, just a “best players drafted” list would have to be Brady/Seymour/Wilfork/Gronk then a debate between Mankins/McCourty/Hightower/Chandler for that final spot.