We now enter the final calm before the NFL season starts, the last month when everyone, including reporters go on vacation. The NFL is darkest just before the dawn of a new season falls.
With that in mind we’ve gotten a glimpse of who’s working where and what we can expect to look for in training camp. We start with what will surely be the most interesting of camp battles, the linebackers.
Bill Belichick built his championship defenses at the Giants and Patriots around it’s linebacker corps. Lawrence Taylor, Pepper Johnson, Harry Carson and Carl Banks in New York. Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Willie McGinest, Ted Johnson and Roman Phifer in New England.
Belichick is now trying to build another set of championship linebackers. Jerod Mayo is the centerpiece. Gary Guyton has good size, and can cover like Phifer did. Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham are the Gator rookies. Tyrone McKenzie and Shawn Crable, the wild cards. Tully Banta-Cain, Derrick Burgess and Rob Ninkovich the vets.
The Patriots current crop looks promising, but is unproven.
PatsPropaganda Current Depth Chart
ROLB: Tully Banta Cain, Shawn Crable
WILB: Jerod Mayo, Tyrone McKenzie
SILB: Gary Guyton, Brandon Spikes
LOLB: Derrick Burgess, Rob Ninkovich
PRS: Burgess, Jermaine Cunningham, Ninkovich
PCS: Mayo, Guyton, McKenzie