Rob Ninkovich

It was Brace’s first career forced fumble.

4. LB Rob Ninkovich pounced on the loose ball forced by Brace, but it was one of the few times Ninkovick was sure-handed. Three times he failed to bring down Tebow for sacks. The first missed tackle resulted in Tebow’s nine-yard TD run. Ninkovich finally got Tebow for a 28-yard loss late in the game. Ninkovich wasn’t the only one that had a difficult time wrestling down Tebow. DT Brandon Deaderick couldn’t hold on to Tebow in the endzone. It would have been a huge play because Tebow fumbled in the end zone. A safety would had made the score 36-16, a touchdown 41-16 just seconds into the fourth quarter.

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Don’t look over your shoulder, Rob Ninkovich. Your role on goal line offense might be in jeopardy.

Extra Point: I’m keeping an eye out for any opposing player that previously play

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A few first: First starts for LB Jeff Tarpinian and safety Sterling Moore. LB Rob Ninkovich scored his first touchdown with his second interception of the night. Ninkovich likes his interceptions in pairs as this is the second time he picked off two passes in a game. The first time was last year against Miami. LB Niko Koutouvides recovered his first career fumble on the muffed punt in the third quarter. And with CB Devin McCourty unable to finish, WR Julian Edelman finished the night at cornerback and recorded his first tackle. And to think that Edelman was a college quarterback before the Patriots drafted him.

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There were two 15-yard penalties that looked like incidental contact: LB Rob Ninkovich’s contact with Fitzpatrick and S Jarius Byrd’s tackle of Welker. I wish commissioner Roger Goo

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es. 

On the other side, there’s…um…ahhh… 

If you guessed Rob Ninkovich, you win nothing, so pat yourself on the back. I gots nuthing fo’ ya. Ninkovich works hard, but he doesn’t consistently turn the corner. So far his lowlight is missing a tackle on Jets RB LaDanian Tomlinson that resulted in a 31-yard gain. He’s been a near-non factor and is at risk of losing his starting job to Jermaine Cunningham. 

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thout them, the roster is thin at outside pass rushers with OLBs Tully Banta-Cain, Pierre Woods, DE Rob Ninkovich, and rookie Jermaine Cunningham. 

While Burgess Favres (v: to be indecisive between retirement or playing another year), Patten was sure that he was done. Physically David had it in him, but the desire was gone. He walks away with much of his health intact with plenty of opportunities before him. A lot of players aren’t as fortunate as Patten to leave on his own terms and without an injury that will affect his quality of life. 

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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. 

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teran, 32-year old 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. 

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to become a starter (the competition is likely between rookie Jermaine Cunningham, Shawn Crable or Rob Ninkovich). If everything works according to plans, that’s one to two years, tops. Either Merriman or Burgess can be a bridge player. The difference is Burgess will do it for a lot less and without sacrificing a valuable future draft pick. 

Continue reading "A "Lights Out" Alternative"

a need and 5 being ugent:Linebackers

Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton, Tully Banta-Cain, Adalius Thomas, Rob Ninkovich, Tyrone McKenzie, Eric Alexander, Bruce Davis, Shawn Crable, Bo Ruud, Thomas Williams, Marques Murrell

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kickoff returner as he returned both punts and kickoffs extensively. 

A pair of firsts: LB Rob Ninkovich had his first career sack. Watching teammate after teammate congratulate him after the play was cool. And WR Randy Moss had his first career interception. Unfortunately he had just as many receptions. 

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Unless it was a blitz, no one was able to beat a blocker-one-on-one. OLBs Pierre Woods and Rob Ninkovich were disappointing. It’s a bad sign of a lack of potential at the position. 

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Titus Adams is on his third “New” team (York Giants and York Jets previously). Rob Ninkovich applied decent pressure, but it might not be enough. The fate of these five depends in part whether the 3-4 or the 4-3 is the primary defensive set. 

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The coaching staff doesn’t trust Shawn Crable or Rob Ninkovich to start. And while the coaches believe in Pierre Woods, he is not a good pass rusher. 

Maybe the answer is Paris Lenon. The free agent from the Detroit Lions has experience playing inside and outside. The problem with Lenon is we don’t know if he can handle the job. Paris spent a lot of time hurt during training camp and only got on the field for the first time last week. 

Continue reading "Linebacker Fall-back Plan"

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"

Safetys Tank Williams and Brandon Merriweather blitzed well. 

Pass Rush – Rob Ninkovich got good pressure against second and third units. What will he do against better competition? Tully Banta-Cain and Myron Pryor got a sack each.

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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. 

Continue reading "Ninkovich in the Cards"