Good question from Twitter that I wanted to take the time to answer here because obviously it deals with my favorite pass rush topic – generating more interior rush.
The window on Pryor could be closing quickly. If you’re on the PUP list you have to sit out the first six weeks, then you have three weeks to be activated. We’re closing on three weeks right now as this Sunday will be week 9. I’m not sure of the exact day, but the Pats are certainly waiting until the last minute on him.
As for Cunningham I like that the Pats have inserted him on the inside and he’s been the closest thing to an answer for replacing Mike Wright that they’ve had. However if Pryor can return I think you could use both of them.
Pryor is really more of a traditional interior pass rusher. He’s around 300 pounds but gets up the field like a mad mad. At least he did the last time we saw him healthy which was against the Dolphins in the 2011 opener.
All of this could be moot by next week if the Pats don’t activate Pryor, and then no one will have to read any more of my rantings on him again this year, but I think a combination of Cunningham and Pryor in an all out pass rush package could really elevate the Pats pass defense.