Derrick Burgess

d over the years, signing free agents Rosevelt Colvin in 2003, Adalius Thomas in 2007 and acquiring Derrick Burgess in 2009.

They even looked through the draft, selecting Ryan Claridge, Jeremy Mincey, Justin Rogers, and Shawn Crable over the years. Jermaine Cunningham is the first OLB selected by Belichick in the second round, so many hope Cunningham dramatically improves on his one sack rookie year.

Continue reading "In a Rush for a OLB"

As camp started, DE Derrick Burgess was MIA as rumors swirl that he’s contemplating retirement. And three days into practices, WR David Patten hung up his cleats, declaring he had enough after a dozen years in the NFL. 

Continue reading "Quick Cuts"

Jermaine has a realistic shot to start this season if he can beat out veterans Derrick Burgess and Rob Ninkovich as well as hold off a healthy Crable. 

In the Middle of Everything: Gary Guyton was rewarded with a new two-year contract following his first season as a starter. It could be his only season as a starter if Guyton can’t repel the challengers McKenzie and Brandon Spikes. Spikes is intriguing because he was so productive during his Florida Gator days and has a solid reputation as a leader. Brandon seems like the bigger threat and could demote Guyton. 

Continue reading "Starting 11"

Adalius Thomas (this average also includes Jermaine Cunningham, Marques Murrell, Rob Ninkovich, and Derrick Burgess, though they are listed as defensive ends). 

Only along the defensive line is there an abundance of veterans with mainstays Vince Wilfork (28 years old), Mike Wright (28) and Ty Warren (29) welcoming Damione Lewis (32) and Gerard Warren (32). There are plenty of youthful hopefuls, but they aren’t guaranteed snaps, with Myron Pryor a likely exception after an encouraging rookie year. 

Continue reading "Shawn's Gone"

B Shawn Merriman during the NFL Draft to New Orleans and two other teams, the Patriots re-signed DE Derrick Burgess. Knowing what is out there, Burgess’ return doesn’t excite the fan base much. 

Continue reading "A "Lights Out" Alternative"

It’s still possible New England re-signs Derrick Burgess or Pierre Woods, but that wouldn’t erase the need for a player that can get to the quarterback after just 31 sacks as a team last year. There are plenty of hybrid-type players in this draft, but the Pats favor big (up to 6-5 250 pounds) ‘backers on the outside. They’ll relax the standards late in the draft, but I doubt they’d make an exception early with an undersize prospect. An ILB is possible if a player slides. 

Continue reading "Draft Evaluation: Linebackers"

As for everyone else (DE/LB Derrick Burgess, DE Jarvis Green, P Chris Hanson, LB Pierre Woods, RB Chris Taylor, and TE Ben Waston; LB Junior Seau retired) , the Pats can do better, although I would make an exception for Green. 

Continue reading "Home Takes Priority"

ssibility to be franchised, Wilfork seems more like trade bait than being resigned. 

OLB/DE Derrick Burgess – He was expected to provide consistent pressure from the outside, but Burgess couldn’t do it. Maybe as a last resort Derrick is resigned, but there’s a lot of time to find someone that can do the job better than Burgess. 

Continue reading "Free Agents"

n to TBC on passing downs, New England can capitalize on the shift by attacking the line elsewhere. Derrick Burgess has a sack in three of his last four games. And Gary Guyton chipped in with 1.5 within the last three games. 

Continue reading "Line of Defense"

But DE Derrick Burgess accepting responsibility two days after punishment dispelled that rumor. 

The only division is LB Adalius Thomas bumping heads with coach Bill Belichick. Thomas will be inactive for today’s game because of his comments delivered on Thursday. If Adalius remains defiant, Belichick should suspend Thomas for the rest of the year. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 14"

the plank. 

On Wednesday morning, WR Randy Moss, LBs Adalius Thomas and Gary Guyton, and DE Derrick Burgess were late for an eight AM team meeting, because of bad weather and resulting traffic. Head coach Bill Belichick doesn’t accept excuses and he sent the quartet home for the day, missing the game plan installation meetings and practice. 

Continue reading "The Message?"

I endorsed the trade that brought Derrick Burgess from Oakland to New England. He didn’t bring any emotional baggage that he may had developed while playing for the Raiders. In fact, Burgess didn’t bring any baggage at all, which explains his two sacks through eleven games played. 

Continue reading "Left Wanting"

Over the past few games Derrick Burgess role with the Patriots has been gradually increasing. Originally brought in as what was thought to be strictly a hand-down pass rusher, Burgess has been seen playing stand-up outside linebacker as the Patriots have employed of their usual 3-4 defense.

Continue reading "Patriots' Burgess Will Play a Key ..."

I barely saw DE Derrick Burgess in the first half and didn’t see DE Tully Banta-Cain until the second half. They are supposedly the best pass rushers on the team. How many snaps did they get and when? 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 2"

They acquired DE Derrick Burgess from the Raiders early in training camp to bolster the pass rush. OK, so Bruschi calling it quits after the third preseason game left the Pats short-handed, they can count on second year LBs Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton stepping up. Besides, with the players on defense, the Pats had the flexibility to play either a 3-4 or a 4-3 alignment. 

Continue reading "Out of Reach"

DEs Tully Banta-Cain and Derrick Burgess have not stood out rushing the passer this preseason. They also haven’t rushed from a two-point stance. The coaching staff plays them in ways they are comfortable. That meant eliminating coverage responsibilities a typical OLB has and let them do what they do best: rush the passer. 

Continue reading "Linebacker Fall-back Plan"

That selection was then sent to Oakland to complete the Derrick Burgess trade. The agreement was New England gave the Raiders 3rd and 4th round selections unless the Pats could get Oakland a 5th round pick. If the Pats came through with the fifth rounder, then that would replace the fourth round pick.

Continue reading "A Few Small Transactions"

the guys that are classified as linebackers or defensive ends, based on the defense they will play: Derrick Burgess, Rob Ninkovich, and Tully Banta-Cain. 

The names mentioned above are more accomplished than the list of true linebackers: Jerod Mayo, Tedy Bruschi, Gary Guyton, Shawn Crable, Pierre Woods, Erick Alexander, Vinny Ciurciu, Paris Lenon, and sometimes Tank Williams. 

Continue reading "4-3, or Not 4-3? That Is the Question"

yron Pryor who started and looked excellent, and other veterans experienced in the 4-3 defense like Derrick Burgess, Paris Lenon and Rob Ninkovich, the Patriots look like they may be considering a schematic change.

Continue reading "New England Patriots: 4-3 or Not ..."

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By finally completing a trade they’ve discussed with Oakland since the NFL Draft for DE Derrick Burgess, I finally believe the Patriots are a Super Bowl-caliber team. 

This was supposed to be about my night at the training camp practice inside Gillette Stadium. A synopsis: players ran, caught, blocked, and did other football things, the end. 

Continue reading "A Burgess Believer"

So the Pats finally got Derrick Burgess from the Raiders for a 3rd rounder in 2010 and a 5th rounder in 2011. Pretty solid deal for both teams. If Burgess can stay healthy he should be able to improve the pass rush immediately. Pierre Woods should still be an early down run stopper with Burgess bringing the heat in the sub-packages. Surely Bill Belichick will use Burgess smartly, keeping him healthy and productive. Below a video from his dominant 2005 season.

Continue reading "Derrick Burgess Becomes a Patriot"

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. 

Continue reading "Ninkovich in the Cards"

I read in The Boston Herald that New England was discussing a trade with the Oakland Raiders for DE Derrick Burgess. Apparently these talks have been going on since around draft time. Oakland’s asking price is a second or third round pick for the veteran entering his eighth year. 

Continue reading "Derrick Burgess Not a Big Deal"