Tyrone McKenzie analysis
ANALYSIS
With colleague Christopher Gasper reporting today that Tyrone McKenzie is out for the season with an ACL tear in his right knee, the Patriots lose a promising prospect at inside linebacker in their 3-4 defense.
The depth at the position has been reduced by two over the last week -- first with the release of 2008 sixth-round draft choice Bo Ruud, and now with McKenzie's injury.
The Patriots return starters Jerod Mayo and Tedy Bruschi at inside linebacker, as well as top backup Gary Guyton. In 2008, Mayo would usually stay on the field for all three downs, while Bruschi played early downs before being replaced by Guyton.
After selecting McKenzie in the third round this year (97th overall), the Patriots presumably planned to groom him to enter that rotation. With Bruschi entering the final year of his contract in 2009, and nearing the end of his career, Patriots decision-makers were likely thinking that McKenzie could develop into a possible replacement.
Recently signed veteran Vinny Ciurciu, fourth-year veteran Eric Alexander and rookie free agent Antonio Appelby are other inside linebackers on the roster, with Ciurciu and Alexander primarily special teams players. While the Patriots would presumably prefer to keep Adalius Thomas in more of a pass-rushing role at outside linebacker, Thomas would be another option to play inside.
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Mike - any news on Guyton's ankle? Haven't heard anything about it since he went out...
Wow, that is horrible for him personally. Mike, do you know how that will affect his ability to come to terms with the team, if at all?
Mike, could you describe how McKenzie could still participate with the team? Is he allowed in the meeting rooms? Will coaches go over things with him? Or is it just a waste of a year?
What does that mean for McKenzie's contract? There must be some type of insurance that they give the rookies. Will he still get a normal 3rd round type contract (good faith) or would he just get insurance money and then after the year the Pats can decide to sign him or not?
Un-be-f%&*#$-lievable!!
He's a young athlete who got his foot tangled in his first non-pad wearing drill, it's only early May, and he's already out until next year?! So much for all the recent strides in sports medicine and well-conditioned modern athlete....seems like these guys are really just as delicate as you or I!
This all but solidifes a roster spot for Antonio Appleby this season. I believe he along with Guyton will contend for reps at middle linebacker this season. But this all is based upon the development and production the Appleby shows during camp and preseason games. Any push that McKenzie was going to get this summer will all now go towards Appleby, because we all know that Bruschi will not hold up all season and Guyton will probably be starting next to Mayo by the Baltimore game. If not sooner.......Speedy and productive recovery McKenzie. See you in '10
Maybe Appelby could be the guy. Played in a 3-4 at Virginia. This sucks
Well, I think we all knew this was coming after hearing the initial report. I was really looking forward to seeing him in the LB rotation in '09 and taking over for Bruschi in 2010. I feel so bad for the kid, but considering all he's been through already, this is a walk in the park. Study that playbook, and see you on the field in 2010, Tyrone!
Well, I think we all knew this was coming after hearing the initial report. I was really looking forward to seeing him in the LB rotation in '09 and taking over for Bruschi in 2010. I feel so bad for the kid, but considering all he's been through already, this is a walk in the park. Study that playbook, and see you on the field in 2010, Tyrone!
Maybe we'll see some safeties moving into linebacker positions - like Tank or McGowan?
And 'BFG': He tore his ACL. What do you expect modern medicine to do?
First major letdown of the season. I had really high hopes for McKenzie. To see him go down so early and with such a severe injury is just horrible. Wish him all the best.
Mike: I have great respect for your opinions - but PUH-lease! If they move Adalius to ILB, who do you suppose will rush the passer? Their rush was mediocre with Adalius last year and non-existent when he went out. This team needs an infusion of talent at OLB -- read - TRADE. That was my biggest problem with their draft (along with the fact that Vollmer would have been available in the late 3rd or early 4th round - ergo - major "reach"). They need to go out and get an OLB or two. Otherwise - they will lose to the good teams again. Also, the injury to McKenzie is deflating. Are they injury "snake-bitten"?
Micxhael Uxbridge
Mike: I have great respect for your opinions - but PUH-lease! If they move Adalius to ILB, who do you suppose will rush the passer? Their rush was mediocre with Adalius last year and non-existent when he went out. This team needs an infusion of talent at OLB -- read - TRADE. That was my biggest problem with their draft (along with the fact that Vollmer would have been available in the late 3rd or early 4th round - ergo - major "reach"). They need to go out and get an OLB or two. Otherwise - they will lose to the good teams again. Also, the injury to McKenzie is deflating. Are they injury "snake-bitten"?
Micxhael Uxbridge
thats not good. i saw him as Bruschi's replacement in the not too distant future. i just dont see an effective defense with bruschi and pierre woods lining up. hopefully guyton shows even more promise if he's healthy. if he isn't, we are screwed. i trust crable will be effective. good size and speed and was right there with mayo in preseason last year before suffering an injury. pierre woods gets outmuscled and schooled by running backs 2/3 his size. not so sold on him.
Glad to hear mcKenzie is getting "paid". Think of it as his redshirt season along with the receiver they took in the 3rd round.
I can't lie, with all the youth on the team, I wouldn't mind seeing Junior come back for one last farewell tour!!
let's hope guyton made that "second year leap"
"He tore his ACL? What do you expect modern medicine to do""
Seriously?? I expect athletes that are paid ridiculous sums of money to come prepared to play their sport at an elite level. The problem is the mediocre training all athletes go through. Tearing an ACL is an inability to absorb force... something which very very very few programs focus.
I guess this opens a spot for Bo Rudd to come back
The trend a NE is to create a GREAT team using average players, so I am confident in the team's strategy thus far.
Guyton has what they are looking for in an ILB... If it is all about business and performance, why else would they pay him the second highest bonus as an UFA???
bfg = dan = idiot genious
Who died and made Dan Jim Andrews? Warrick Dunn tore 1 ACL and then in a different season tore the other. I guess he didn't learn how to absorb force from the first tear, lol. Nor Cadillac Williams, and countless others who have suffered multiple knee ligament injuries. This was just one of those injuries that happens to athletes who are stronger and faster then us and are flying around at high speeds doing unnatural things. And if Dan can teach athletes, be pro and weekend warriors, how not to pop your acl while your foot is planted and your body is twisting,he'd be a kazillionaire. BTW, the trainers at USF who trained T have trained several NFL players, including Anthony Henry, Mike Jenkins and Kawika Mitchell, none who have had acl injuries.
Mike,
Just another reason why they should have drafted Clint Sintim. A good OLB from an Al Groh coached 3-4 system and by the way the Giants drafted him so he's probably going to be really good. They have quite a track record drafting defensive players. I'll leave Bill my # if he needs some one in the scouting dept who can actually read the first line on the eye chart.
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