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New England Patriots PreSeason Watch - Linebackers - Updated 9/4/2009


Continuing the position battles: (Previously QB WR RB TE OL DL)

The Linebackers:

NUMBER NAME POSITION HEIGHT WEIGHT DOB YEAR LAST YEAR
52 Eric Alexander ILB 6-2 240 2/8/1982 5
47 46 Paris Lenon ILB 6-2 235 11/26/1977 4 * Lions
(54) (Tedy BruschiRETIRED ILB 6-1 247 6/9/1973 14
50 Vinny Ciurciu CUT ILB 6-0 240 5/2/1980 4 * Vikings
51 Jerod Mayo ILB 6-1 242 2/23/1986 2
53 Tyrone McKenzie IR ILB 6-2 243 12/11/1985 R
59 Gary Guyton ILB 6-3 242 11/14/1985 2
45 Rob Ninkovich OLB/DE/LS 6-2 255 2/1/1984 4* Dolphins
58 Pierre Woods OLB/DE 6-5 250 1/6/1982 4
95 Tully Banta-Cain OLB/DE 6-2 250 8/28/1980 7 * 49rs
96 Adalius Thomas OLB/DE 6-2 270 8/18/1977 10
98 Shawn Crable OLB/DE 6-5 243 12/26/1984 2
49 Vince Redd RELEASED OLB/DE 6-6 260 9/1/1985 2
49 Derrick Burgess OLB/DE 6-2 260 8/12/1978 8* Raiders

Before training camp, I had Tedy Bruschi, Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton and Paris Lenon as the inside guys with Tyrone McKenzie on IR.  I had Adalius Thomas, Shawn Crable, Pierre Woods and Vince Redd on the outside.

The update after the jump.

Star-divide

At the end of last season, we had 4 ILB on the active roster, 1 on IR, and Angelo Craig on the practice squad.  We also had 4 OLB on the active roster, 3 on IR, and Darrell Robertson on the practice squad. 

When I looked at the Defensive Line positions, Patsfan4life pointed out that I had forgotten Derrick Burgess, who the Patriots have listed as a Defensive End.  Derrick Burgess came in wearing #49 that was vacated by Vince Redd, not his usual #56 that was worn by Patriots HOF Andre Tippett.  With that number assigned, the Pats are unofficially slotting him for a Linebacker role instead of a Defensive End role.  True, he can play defensive end, but as you look at the table above, every OLB we have has played DE.  Smaller DEs in a 4-3, can become OLBs in a 3-4.  Those are the tweeners that Belichick looks for.

As we switch between 3-4 and 4-3, I would expect to see some of these guys (especially Derrick Burgess and Adalius Thomas) putting their hands on the ground as Defensive Ends in some packages.   What do you think of Burgess rushing as a Weak side DE, while Thomas rushes as a weak side linebacker?  I'm picturing major fits for some poor left tackle, along with blind side sacks and forced fumbles.

Since the ILB and OLB designation no longer applies as we switch to 4-3, I thought I'd talk a little about who might fit into a Sam, Mike, or Will role.

Strong side (TE side) linebackers (Sams) have to be able to set the edge and stop the run as well as rush the passer.  The guys I see fitting in here are: Derrick Burgess, Adalius Thomas, and Pierre Woods.

Weak side (slot side) linebackers (Wills) have to be able to drop into coverage as well as rush the passer.   The guys I see fitting in here are: Adalius Thomas, Shawn Crable, and Gary Guyton.

The Middle linebackers (Mikes) need to stop the run up the middle, blitz, provide run support for either edge, as well as take on O-linemen that make it into the second level.  While I can see Jerod Mayo fitting into the other categories (he's played all three spots), he's too valuable to us here.  This is the QB of the defense.  Others could be: Gary Guyton and Tedy Bruschi, who's smart, but slowing.

Paris Lenon may be the veteran LB that gets cut; he hasn't really impressed.  Tyrone McKenzie will ride the pine on IR.  Shawn Crable is injured again, and has a real issue with making it to the regular season.  He, reportedly, has blazing speed and if he could make it to a game, we might be able to see it.

Tedy Bruschi has been slow coming to camp, and many pundits out there question whether there is a spot on the roster for our oldest player.  If we are going to spend more time in a 4-3, we might not need as many linebackers.

Gary Guyton, Eric Alexander and Vinny Ciurciu may have homes on special teams.

As we continue to watch the preseason games, look at the formations.  Have any of our OLBs switched to DEs in a 4-3?  Who is rushing in the 3-4 or 4-3?  Who is in coverage in a 4-3?  Who mans the middle?  Who are the tacklers or blockers on special teams?

As our defense morphs between looks, it may be difficult to tell who fills what role.  Let's hope it's just as even more difficult for their offense.

Who do YOU think stays in the Linebacker corps?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UPDATE <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

8-26-2009 - The Patriots have moved Tyrone McKenzie from the PUP list to the IR list.  Gone for 2009.

8-31-2009 - Tedy Bruschi announced his retirement after 13 seasons.  We'll miss him.

9-4-2009 - The Patriots have cut seventh year veteran Vinny Ciurciu.

The views expressed in these FanPosts are not necessarily those of the writers or SBNation.

1 recs  |  Comment 17 comments |

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Love the linebackers

Love the Thomas-Burgess team. Maybe not elite, but they’ll certainly be effective. Paris Lenon has been disapointingly a non-factor with his leg injury and again, we’ll have to wait and see with Crable. The injuries are a killer!

Guyton’s a keeper and Banta-Cain has played surprisingly better than expected. Now, what to do about Bruschi? He stays and plays out the final year of his contract. Period.

Anyone who says BB doesn’t have a sentimental bone in his body either doesn’t appreciate Belichick’s love of history or remember Troy Brown’s final year. Brown was placed on PUP (because of his knee injury from the 2006 AFC Championship game) in July ‘07 after signing a one-year contract with the Patriots, and not activated until the end of November. Brown played one game against Miami, which moved him into third place on the all-time Patriots games played list. Belichick kept a roster spot open for him just for that, just to let him play in one more game. He’ll do the same for Bruschi this year unless Bruschi voluntarily retires.

I believe despite the naysayers in the media, that Bruschi can still contribute to the team, not only as a veteran presence in the locker room but on the field. BB will know how to use him to the best of his ability and to the betterment of the team.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 25, 2009 11:25 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Vulnerable

I think we keep 8 linebackers (or mayby nine if special teams use is a big factor) and I’m not all that happy about the group. I think the starting lineup will be alright, but some of the key players (especially Thomas) have too much injury-history for comfort.

Locks:
ILB: Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton

That’s it, though Alexander may very well be kept for emergency and special teams duties. It is obviously not enough. Thomas can be moved here, but he is also the most accomplished outside lb, so Bruschi probably stays, though his role will be limited.

OLB: Thomas, Woods, Burgess, Crable, Banta-Cain

For all the talk about lack of depth at OLB I actually think there are more locks for the roster here. Burgess was brought in, I can’t see them give up on Crable yet and Banta-Cain has done enough as a pass rusher to stay around.

Overall: This is still a weak spot on the roster with questionable depth, especially at ILB.

by hythlodaeus on Aug 26, 2009 4:17 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Tyrone McKenzie placed on IR

This isn’t a surprise by any means, but just wanted to note that it was official.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 26, 2009 10:18 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks, Updated.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 26, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Aging Linebackers?

Many fans from other teams comment on our “aging” linebackers (probably a reference to the 2007 team).

We have 4 guys 24 and under, 4 guys 27 – 29, 3 guys 31-32, and Bruschi whose 36.

Average age WITH Bruschi = 27.8. Average age WITHOUT Tedy = 27.1

All in all, I’d say that’s about right for a combination of young/experience.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 26, 2009 3:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

With vrabel and Seau gone

that argument is dead

"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick

by Mainiac on Aug 26, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

So true!

Even though they were good.. U just get tired of people bringing up the age debate…

by whizzkydd on Aug 26, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

When they did well, they were "Experienced",

when they did poorly, they were “Aging”.

LOL

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 26, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You jinxed it, SlotMachinePlayer

You should be blamed for Tedy Bruschi’s retirement, since you opened the door for it. Tut-tut. To be fair, though, he wasn’t exactly a lock for a position.

by Comedic.Sans on Aug 30, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I forgot Rob Ninkovich in the original post.

Sorry Rob, I haven’t heard your name since they brought you in. Can we look at my omission as a prediction?

Nah, I’m just getting senile.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 28, 2009 12:11 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

no biggie

looks like everyone else here (including me) forgot about him too, lol.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 28, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

ive ready Bruschi will retire

thats sad hes a great players, hes helped this team so much

by Patsfan4life on Aug 30, 2009 10:13 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Consummate professional

Bruschi was never as skilled, large, fast or scary as a Ray Lewis or a Brian Urlacher, but after numerous seasons as defensive captain in a defensively-minded team (pre-Randy Moss years) under a defensively-minded Head Coach (again, pre-Randy Moss years), coming back from a stroke and getting a fistful of silverware… he’ll be missed.

by Comedic.Sans on Aug 31, 2009 12:00 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

he was a beast before the stroke

he had like 10 int and 10 FF in the 4 seasons before

by Patsfan4life on Aug 31, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It was great that the stroke didn't keep him out, though.

He got to come back and leave standing up.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 31, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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