An Independent Patriots Blog
Kiper Thinks Cunningham’s a Sleeper
Apparently Mel didn’t quite do enough homework on Jermaine Cunningham and after going back and look at more tape now finds him “relentless”. Expectations are generally low in year one for Jermaine, if he’s anything more than a situational pass rusher most would be pleasantly surprised.
Bill Belichick loves him some linebackers, but without a single high priced free agent among them, this is largely an unproven group, drafted by Belichick or pulled from the NFL free agency scrap heap.
I am excited about this young group, because there will be a lot of opportunities. The group:
Tully Banta-Cain: Now the eldest statesmen of the Patriots linebacking corps after spending 2007 and 2008 in San Francisco. TBC had 10 sacks last year, and was generally the Patriots best player on defense, along with Vince Wilfork. Expect him to continue as a 3-down contributor, who would benefit from additional pressure across from him.
Jerod Mayo: The young captain of the defense whose play was limited my a sprained MCL in the first game of 2009. Look for Mayo to play the Will (Weak Inside Linebacker) where he should continue to use his speed and instincts to only get better.
Gary Guyton: Guyton got a lot of experience in many different positions in 2009, and along with Brandon Meriweather played the highest number of snaps of anyone on the Pats defense. He looks to be his best in coverage, but still has some versatility to play OLB when the Pats go to their 4-3 defense.
Rob Ninkovich: Ninkovich has kicked around the league for a few years, but did enough in 2009 to earn him a contract extension. The Pats must like him, and he does look somewhat like a Vrabel clone (#50 aside). If he can prove sturdy against the run he could be the starting LOLB against Cincinnati.
Pierre Woods: Woods got some time in the base defense in 2009, and was largely invisible. Looks like Pierre is what he is, a solid special teams player. And that’s fine.
Shawn Crable: Year three of crazy legs is about to begin. I have to say, I’m a big “look” guy and based on Crable’s look I really want him to be good. He’s got a lot of length and speed, here’s hoping it will finally translate to a unique OLB.
Tyrone McKenzie: McKenzie gets a lot of love for the dude that he is, and how hard he works. He was productive in every defense he’s ever played in. But figuring out the Mayo-Guyton-Spikes-McKenzie rotation seems impossible at this point. But he’s played lot of LB positions in lots of defenses so who knows what BB could come up with.
Brandon Spikes: Seems like everyone in Patriots Nation loved the Spikes pick and he should really bring a Ted Johnson-esque presence, along with leadership, that has been missing. Spikes can relieve Guyton from heavy run stopping responsibility at SILB (Mike), and allow Mayo to WILB (Will).
Jermaine Cunningham: Hard to expect much out of a rookie DE-OLB conversion project, but if Cunningham can just start as a sub-package rusher he should be able to contribute right away. And if he gets snaps at OLB on early downs it’s icing on the cake.
3 Patriots on National Football Post’s All-Rookie Team
Of the picks in the first three rounds I think it’s pretty safe to say we know what we’re gonna get with McCourty, Spikes and Gronk. But it’s Hernandez and Cunningham that should be the most interesting to watch. Both seem extremely versatile and will give the coaches many options when game planning.
Some Jermain Cunningham highlights. I’ve got a good feeling about this one…
https://www.patspropaganda.com/some-jermain-cunningham-highlights-ive-got-a/
Patriots Rookie Eyeball Test #3: Jermaine Cunningham
Oh man, Jermaine. No. No. No. Does he really expect anyone to believe he’s our pass rusher of the future with a look like that? Yesterday I posted a picture of Jermaine at Florida and he looked frightening.
Now? He looks like someone headed for the practice squad. Not gonna lie, it’s all in the facemask for me. Say what you will about Adalius Thomas but he looked scary in uniform. Jermaine just ain’t cutting it here. Let’s hope he hears my pleas and switches up the helmet. Let’s get back to the Florida look, Jermaine!
https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-rookie-eyeball-test-3-jermaine/
Jermaine Cunningham is a natural bender who, off of the snap, showcases a good initial burst and the explosive ability to threaten the corner. He exhibits good balance and body control when flattening out around the corner and uses his hands well to disengage from blocks on the outside. Cunningham is very violent with his hands and arms and showcases good suddenness when asked to change directions on his up-and-under move. He isn’t overly powerful at the point of attack, but he can sit into his stance, extend his arms and be relatively stout when the opposition runs at him. He’s easily sealed on runs away from him, but works hard in pursuit and exhibits good closing speed toward the ball.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/jermaine-cunningham-is-a-natural-bender-who-off/
