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shawn crable

Patriots Pull a Michigan Linebacker Switcheroo

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The Patriots performed a Michigan linebacker switcheroo this week, letting go of pass rusher Shawn Crable and bringing back special teams guy/run stopper Pierre Woods.

Woods was working as a groundskeeper at Michigan’s Big House when he got the call from the Pats. I have to imagine the motivation for a guy who was staring head on at a reverse Rudy (who went from groundskeeper to player for those who don’t love Sean Astin flicks) will be high. 

Imagine yourself, having lived your dream for four seasons, then finding it come to a sudden end. He must’ve felt like he was just hitting his stride as he came into this season before getting cut, having one work out with the Chiefs then finding himself painting lines on the field where he once won glory.

So I have to think that we’re going to get a highly motivated Pierre Woods.

What’s the logic behind this move? Well, as @SkinlessJSN and I discussed on Twitter Woods will immediately bring Special Teams experience. But secondarily I think we could take over as the OLB in the base 34 defense on run downs for Jermaine Cunningham. Cunningham just might be a stronger pass rusher than Crable was, and Woods just might be a stronger run stopper than Cunningham is. 

If those variables are correct this move will make the Patriots better. And that’s all Bill Belichick tries to do.

As to whether or not Woods is in shape enough and ready to hop right in and play 15-20 snaps on defense remains to be seen. The Pats probably won’t be in the 3-4 much this week with Peyton Manning coming to town.

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It is with great sadness that I report Shawn “Crazy Legs” Crable has been released. Again. While I adopted Crazy Legs as my personal boo this season I have to be honest, I haven’t really been all that impressed with him.

He’s gotten some significant playing time the last few weeks, and the Steelers game was by far the most snaps he’s seen. But he didn’t really look like he was making much of an impact, despite recording his first half sack. I was willing to give him more time to develop but it looks like Coach BB wasn’t.

Now Crable could still be back on the practice squad. Or the Pats may have released him so they could re-sign him to another long term deal (probably a long shot if even possible), but the major question, assuming Crable is gone for good, is who becomes the DPR on the left side of the nickel packages?

It seems as though the Pats were keeping Jermaine Cunningham a little fresher for run downs after he had some DPR duty earlier in the season. He’s the number one candidate. Or a combo of him and Rob Ninkovich depending on who’s fresher. Tully Banta-Cain is already manning the right side of the pass rush formation.

There isn’t another linebacker on the roster who can really step into the spot, not even on the practice squad. So the move is an interesting one.

There’s definitely going to be some changes to the pass rush package. Assuming Crable’s gone, which I can’t entirely do right now. It’s too soon.

Mike D’s late addition: Good point by Pats guru @DanteSterling, perhaps we could be getting more Dane Fletcher. To be honest I’ve been more excited by Fletcher’s play than Crable this year, granted they’ve been performing different roles. But Fletcher was a sackmaster in college. I hope we’re going to see more of him, even if… dare I say… gasp… it’s at Crable’s expense…

https://www.patspropaganda.com/it-is-with-great-sadness-that-i-report-shawn/

Reiss: Crable Adopts Worker Attitude

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Reiss: Crable Adopts Worker Attitude

Sounds like my boy Crazy Legs has been keeping a low profile in the locker room when the reporters are around, but it’s good to hear that he’s doing well. He generated some good pressure against the Ravens, who knows if he keeps progressing he might see some time at a spot other than DPR (designated pass rusher).

Crable Practice Player of Week 2 of 3 Times

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Crable Practice Player of Week 2 of 3 Times

Yes, sometimes I kid about Crable and how he’s the second coming of Lawrence Taylor, but all Crazy Legs jokes aside Crable’s proven that he can contribute behind the scenes. After every win the Pats award their practice players of the week with black jerseys to the guys who most helped the team prepare to win. As Mike Reiss points out Crable has won the award 2 of the 3 wins.

Reiss Breaks Down Crable’s Snaps

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Reiss Breaks Down Crable’s Snaps

I don’t know if Mike Reiss wanted to send me a personal present today but alas he has broken down each of Shawn Crable’s snaps against the Bills. The way I saw it was that this was a “get your feet” wet experience for Crable. He didn’t look out of place and really, in his first real game since his 2007 college season that’s really all you can expect. The Patriots continue to look for a pass rush spark, hopefully Crable continues to progress like Jermaine Cunningham has.

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Could it really be true?! Crazy Legs Crable is coming this weekend to a field turf near you! It’s been a long uphill climb for the Crazy Legs Bandwagon but it looks like this top of the hill is in sight. Let’s see that speed!

From Shalise Manza Young via Twitter: Hearing from multiple sources that LB Shawn Crable will be activated off the #Patriots practice squad to fill the 53rd roster spot

https://www.patspropaganda.com/could-it-really-be-true-crazy-legs-crable-is/

End of the Line for the Crable Bandwagon

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For the past few months we’ve been hyping Shawn “Crazy Legs” Crable as the 2010 Patriots Breakout Player… unless he got cut. It’s important to note that the “unless he gets cut” addendum was always added when talking about Crable. Seriously, search “Crable” on this blog and you’ll see for yourself. 

Just days ago on PatsPulpit.com I rated him my number one most intriguing player in training camp. Then on Tuesday he gets put on the PUP list and today he gets cut.

It was an inglorious end to an inglorious career and while we can make fun of Crable and talk about what a disappointment he was, it’s a pretty safe bet that no one is more disappointed or upset than Crable himself. A week ago he was preparing for camp (as to how hard he was preparing only he knows for sure) hoping he could finally overcome the injury bug and become an NFL linebacker.

Today he’s probably hoping another team might take a flyer on him, and if not, wondering what he’s going to do with his life.

We weren’t on the Crable bandwagon hoping he would fail, so while most of the internet is abuzz at what a bust he was in a mean spirited tone, we just want to wish Crable the best. Time to put that Michigan education to use.

And it’s time for PatsPropaganda.com to build a new bandwagon. Any suggestions?