Ninkovich in the Cards

I’m not much of a poker player, but since the beginning of training camp, head coach Bill Belichick has been exchanging cards, looking for a full house.

They looked at QB Cleo Lemon. DE Kevin Carter seems to be getting serious consideration. QB Matt Gutierrez was cut and QB Andrew Walter signed to replace Gutz.

But no position has been as active since the end of the regular season as OLB. Even before Mike Vrabel was traded to Kansas City, we’ve seen Angelo Craig and Darrell Robertson signed. Both were cut before training camp got underway.

In between that action, Tully Banta-Cain came back from two disappointing years with San Francisco.

The latest player shown the door was Vince Redd on Sunday.

And there has been no shortage of rumors for the vacant spot. The Pats were incorrectly tabbed as interested in Carolina DE Julius Peppers, even though he was an unsigned franchised player. Oakland’s Derrick Burgess might be in New England’s crosshairs. And Willie McGinest is interested in coming back if he’s wanted.

With OLB one of the biggest competitions in camp, I thought the more the merrier would be the approach by the team as they search for the best player. Instead they streamlined the competition down to the favorites: Banta-Cain, Pierre Woods and Shawn Crable.

But Belichick always keeps his eyes open for a player that could help the team. Last week they showed interest in DE Stryker Sulak. Ultimately the Patriots signed Rob Ninkovich.

“Who is this guy?” was my first reaction. The good news is he comes from a Purdue program that has a history of producing good defensive ends that are able to transition to OLB. Rosevelt Colvin should immediately come to mind for Patriot fans. Another one is Anthony Spencer of the Dallas Cowboys. After a promising rookie season, Spencer will start for the ‘Boys.

Ninkovich already has two years in the league, splitting time with Miami and New Orleans. It would be easy to say, “Geez, this guy couldn’t make it in New Orleans? What chance does he have here?” I’m willing to give the former Boilermaker the benefit of the doubt.

Ninkovich had a productive career at Purdue. While not eye-popping numbers, he had two consecutive eight-sack seasons in his junior and senior years. Before arriving in West Lafayette, Indiana, Rob dominated at Joliet Junior College, setting a school record 16 sacks in 2003.

Rob will get extra reps to prove himself with Crable on the physically unable to perform list. Ninkovich is a curiosity at this moment because finding a keeper free agent during camp doesn’t happen often while playing roster poker.

Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com