After this years draft and BB's comments over the past two or three years I currently have the feeling he's been feeling out the NFL under it's new rules looking to design a defense to slow down and confuse the new type of offenses that focus on passing so heavily.

Pat Kirwan had a good piece that Mike Reiss pulled from this AM:

In a piece now posted on CBSSports.com, Pat Kirwan writes on one of the big trends in the NFL, which has been sparked by the Patriots. It's the "Big Nickel."

"It's not new and was made popular by Bill Belichick a number of years ago, but oddly, it's Belichick's offense that is causing teams to study it closely," Kirwan writes.

"Just about every defense in the NFL has studied the Patriots' Hybrid 12 personnel package (one running back, two tight ends, two wide receivers) to determine how many problems those two tight ends can create. Aaron Hernandez can line up as a wide receiver, a slot receiver, an inline tight end, a wing, a fullback or even a running back. Rob Gronkowski can line up as an inline tight end, a slot or a wing. No matter what defensive personnel is on the field, the Patriots can make you feel like you are in the wrong one. Play base personnel with a front seven and four defensive backs and they spread you out in a four-wide look. Play nickel defense with an extra cornerback subbing for a linebacker in the front seven, and they condense the set and run right at you. It's a problem, and defenses are studying the Big Nickel concept for an answer."

The "Big Nickel" is a three-safety package, and it might have been what the Patriots had in mind when they selected Illinois defensive back Tavon Wilson in the second round of the draft.

This is something I was also thinking about, a few more thoughts post break

Continue reading this post »

Free Agency is dwindling down. The Draft is over. So now....hurry up and wait. For training camp and PRE-SEASON games. YEAH!

There's a lot of time to speculate and postulate. A lot of time to predict roster spots, new formations, who will be a break out player, a come back player, etc. For my money...er my post, I'd like to see if we can get a consensus on who the most interesting man in camp to watch will be. I bet it's not this guy

Could it be one of these guys?

Lets discuss!

Poll

Who will be the Pats most interest man to watch in Camp

3%

Wes Welker - is he going to show?

7 votes

9%

Ochocinco - will he back up his talk?

20 votes

0%

Jabar Gaffney - will he or Branch be Tom Brady's 3rd down binky?

1 votes

0%

Branch - will he be healthy enough to compete?

0 votes

1%

Jermaine Cunningham - Where to fore art thou Jermaine?

4 votes

10%

Donta Hightower - where's he going line up? does he start right away

21 votes

6%

Mr Jones - where does he fit?

13 votes

15%

Ras-I Dowling - healthy? capable of starting?

31 votes

2%

Sterling Moore -how does he follow up a solid end to '11

5 votes

0%

Steve Gregory - Starter?

1 votes

14%

Tavon Wilson - Does he fit? Look Lost? Is he going to start?

30 votes

4%

Alfonso Dennard - jail time or just rookie hazing?

10 votes

9%

Brandon Lloyd - Is he the deep threat we've been looking for?

20 votes

1%

Donte Stallworth -is HE the deep threat we've missed?

3 votes

5%

Gronk - is the ankle healthy?

11 votes

0%

Tom Brady - What's the hairstyle going to be? How's the arm look?

2 votes

2%

Ryan Mallett - sure he's slimmer, but can he play? Is Hoyer's job safe?

6 votes

9%

You somehow listed everyone except the most important person to watch

20 votes

205 votes | Poll has closed

Back in week 1 of the '10 season vs Cincy, the Pats ran a play which resulted in a Welker TD, but never went back to the same formation. Since that week, the key positions in that formation have grown exponentially in their importance to the Pats O and the D's who try to stop them.

What is this formation, why would it work so well on Sunday? It's the TE Bunch and it would force unnatural adjustments to the Giants D. It also gives the Pats 4 viable plays, at least to repeat form the formation

Details after JumpStreet...

Continue reading this post »

Two weeks in a row, many noticable trends appearing:

1 - by far the best play action in a long time for the Pats counted for 73 yards to start the 3rd Q because the Jets safeties believed the Pats would run the ball. 

2 - 6:12.  Thats the TOP for the final scoring drive of the game for the Pats.  Jets score on a very strong drive of their own to make it a 6 point game, and how do the Pats answer?  A 13 play drive, with 11 runs, 3 pts and 75% of the clock killed.  Absolute back breaker.

3- Anyone notice how the yards per rush increased as the game went on?  Certainly the Jets personnel had a lot to do with that, but the Pats drive blocking got better and better as the game went on.

In a game that really felt up for grabs into the 4th, the Pats ability to run, control the clock and close out the game was tremendous today.

I'm less worried now then I was in week 1, that is for sure.

I hope we can all agree what a difference the run game made today in Oakland:

- Defense slowed?  Check.

- Clock controlled? Check.

- Opposing moral crushed?  Check.

- Spotty Defense hold up it's end?  Check

Now surely you can make arguments about a few different thing here, like the defense adjustments being more important then how the offense attacked.

30 runs, 30 pass, I mean the only way it could be more ideal is if the TOP was more in the Pats favor. 

In general though, this is the type of offense and team I can really get behind.  Attrition Based Points.

First let me say I am just as guilty as the next guy at marveling at the aerial assault the Pats put on last night. Second let me also say that wasn't good enough for me.  Pats were very lucky to be facing the Dolphins last night.

In general I have an issue with the Pats reluctance to run the ball consistently as I believe that's a major factor in the post season issues of the past 3 runs.   Specific to last night, I have a very large concern in the Pats willingness to close out games smartly.

When you are up by two scores in the 4th quarter you want to control the clock, plain and simple. The offense should add ToP to it's drive goals.  Scoring is not longer the most important factor.  You want to limit your opponents opportunities to get back in the game.  You want to make time a factor for the opposition, rush their play calling, force errors, etc.  Make time just as much of an opponent as your defense.

That Pats had the ball for 5:38 in the 4th quarter last night.  5:38, barely 1/3 of the quarter, that is hardly controlling the clock.   The Pats got lucky that it was Chad Henne and the Dolphins last night, if they give the Chargers the same opportunities this week result could be very, very  different.

Thoughts?  Anyone else see ToP with the lead as an issue?

First let me say I did not see the Detroit game live, I'm basing this off game stats.

Second I do understand it's the pre-season and teams do not make in-game adjustments many times because they are looking to work out problems as much as or more then they are trying to win the game.

Yet I still worry about how this game got away from the Pats as it seems eerily consistent with nearly all the losses since SB'09:  NY Giants (SB), Ravens (playoffs), Browns (reg season) and Jets (playoffs).

The patriots do not adjust their offensive game plan to account for aggressive Dlines in game.  Some stats from Detroit to support this after the jump

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The draft has drafted.  The lockout has unlocked.  The Free Agents are un-freeing themselves.   It's all happening so quick, and I haven't even looked at the schedule yet.  

Overall a good draft for the Pats, a very solid "rebuilding" year to come off and significantly less questions then most AFC contenders.  Obviously Free Agent signings or resigns could alter some of these games but not too much I don't think.

2011-2012 schedule outlook v.1 post Johnny Demp/21 Jumpstree

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Hi Pats Pulpit -

 

You like Superbowls right?  Like winning them?

You like #12 right?  Like seeing him stand tall and hit the open man?

I'd like to remind you that if you have answered yes to both of these questions, then I am one of the men you should select in the first round.

17 might be too high, but hey with the QBs going crazy right now, maybe you can drop down to #22 and grab me there.  I wouldn't go passed 24 and New Orleans though, just saying.

I'm a power back.  I play all 3 downs.  I have NFL vision and quickness and I seek contact and have the stout frame to absorb it.

I may not be a sexy pick, hell no RB is these days - we are devalued as a position.  All I can tell you is that Tommy Brady has more superbowls in him but to get over the hump - he needs help.  You want to help Tommy don't you?

I am your man.  Trust me, I will make you all very, very happy peoples.

Been a while since I've been on here boys and while I'm nervous about tonight, I do like the shot the B's have at a game 7 win at home.  Most notably for me I feel Looch is going to be quite fired up to start tonight after last nights 'questionable' call IMHO.   B's have not been overly physical in this series and I think Looch is the spark in this regard tonight.

But as my title suggests I'd rather discuss the big trade acquisition the B's made who really hasn't done anything for me, as I see it as a large area of concern.

Kaberle was brought in to be top pair or top 4 defensemen at worst on this team and I feel like he hasn't played better then the bottom pair.  Since he got to Boston, it seems like his skills have been overvalued or overrated - the PP has gotten worse if anything since his arrival and while he's defensive play isn't terrible I don't recall many noteworthy plays for him either.

Chara, Sieds, Boychuck and Ferrence have out played him for my eyes in this series and at this point I would really consider moving him off the PP tonight. I don't know what a better option would be, I like Bergy back there, maybe Kelly could work the back of a PP also.  Not much of a shot there but a great passer and good enough defender to make do.

Either way, I'm way done on Kabs, and time is up for him to make something happen in my book, he need to be dropped down.

Globe Story here:  http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/

Rich Peverley, 6'0" 200, right handed shot, listed as a center, though i'm guessing he'll wing it up with the B's.

Seems like a good character guy and hard worker, but I can't find a full profile on him.

Boris Valabik is a 6'7" Defender who can't seem to stick in the NHL since being drafted in the 1st round of '04.  Perhaps learning and playing with Chara, who is a fellow countryman and sizable defenseman.

I was hopefully  Wheels and stewie could both continue to grow with the B's but getting Kaberle and Kelly really can help this playoff run - and at least there is some potential in these two guys also.

Looks like is the other big Joe - Colborne, plus the B's #1, plus a conditional pick for Kabs

TSN is also saying a secondary deal involving Wheeler is being discussed for Cap reasons.

Could it be a Wheeler/Stuart combo?  

Can Wheeler bring a value pick back?

Is anyone else feeling the B's may regret moving wheeler?  I don't know why...I just do...

Dredger Report here:  http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/dregerreport/

From Dredger's report:  

Failing a complete meltdown - which has scuttled at least one previous trade involving the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tomas Kaberle, and the Boston Bruins - there's strong belief that Kaberle will be traded to Boston.

It's unlikely the deal gets done today, but sources say it's close and say the deal doesn't hinge on Kaberle signing an extension with the Bruins.

The dynamics of the trade haven't been entirely worked out and sources indicate the Leafs are waiting for Boston to put the final pieces of the puzzle in place - a process which may take another day or two to finalize.

Cap space is somewhat of an issue for the Bruins - who are believed to be working on a secondary trade (not involving Toronto) to create some cap flexibility.

With the addition of Chris Kelly, Blake Wheeler has become a likely target - primarily because of his $2.2 million salary.

Wheeler is a versatile forward who's comfortable playing both the wing and at centre and is believed to be drawing interest from other teams.

I don't know how legit Dredger is usually, but this seems to be a believable continuation for these rumors.

Not sure why Wheeler wouldn't be flipped to Toronto as part of the same deal, but I am curious where else he could go and what he'd bring back.

So 2 Q's fans:

1-  If no Wheeler, what's included for Kabs - assume Paille is staying too - otherwise Wheels doesn't need to be moved

2 - if you are getting Kabs without Wheeler, where do you send Wheeler and for what in return?  Wheeler plus a defender for an Ian white?

Well maybe more of my ultimate Pats fantasy anyway...since September of 2009.   Once Richard Seymour was traded to the Raiders, I took solace in the fact that the Pats could end up pulling off one of the greatest returns on investment in NFL history.

Draft Seymour #6 in 2001, get nine years of all-pro performance and leadership, then turn him around for an equal or better pick in 2010.

Well, in reality the Raiders didn't hold up their end of the bargain (typical dysfunction - this time in the wrong direction) BUT in my mock draft Fantasy world THEY DID!

How could this happen?  What does it mean for the Pats?  My 2010 scenario that lands the Raiders in the top 5, and what the Pats should do after the Jump.

Poll

Assume Fairley and Bowers go 1 and 2 in either order, who do the Pats take a 4?

3%

Trade up to #3 with the Bills and take Patrick Peterson, too good of a talent to pass up.

3 votes

11%

Draft Robert Quinn - who may be the closet thing to a Seymour replacement

11 votes

18%

Draft Von Miller - the best OLB in the draft

18 votes

28%

Draft AJ Green - the #1 reciever in the draft and a tremendous #1 for the Pats for many, many years

27 votes

3%

Draft Prince Amukara or Peterson if he doesn't go 3. Either DB is too good to pass up

3 votes

28%

Who are you kinding, #4 just gives BB even more value to trade down with! Move down to 8 or 10 and take Cam Jordan

27 votes

6%

Other - You missed the best option here

6 votes

95 votes | Poll has closed

Continue reading this post »

So as we are swirling around mock drafts, players we like or don't like I thought it would be interesting to take a poll of who feels what should happen with the 17th pick.

There are three simple actions that can be taken, with multiple reasons for each:

1.  Trade up from 17

2.  Stay at 17

3.  Move back from 17 

The how and why you would do any of these is dependent on the player you/the Pats want and where they feel they can get him.

So given what is currently understood, what would you like to see the Pats do?  Poll here my thoughts after the jump

Poll

What do the Pats do @ 17?

51%

Trade up from 17 for an impact/elite playmaker. I.E. Cam Jordan, Quinn or a top 5-10 player that drops

40 votes

25%

Stay at 17 and take the best player available. There is not a 'must have' guy who is worth the price of moving up

20 votes

22%

Trade back from 17 into the early 20's and take the BPA OL or DL/OLB there + gain picks

17 votes

77 votes | Poll has closed

Continue reading this post »

Pats need to improve their defense, absolutely.  An impact edge player is ideal, perhaps another corner and another 3 down edge player.

Pats need to improve their Oline in at least 2 positions possible 3 or 4.  Volmer is solid, Mankins if he comes back, which is a big if, is All Pro - the other 3 can really use upgrades.

To me the Pats most important change is in the offensive philosophy and design.   Without adding any players in the draft, this team could still be playing if they had been willing to and focused on their running game.

There have been enough post here suggesting the Pats got beat up, out muscled or were not physical enough in their past 3 playoff games and the general agreement seems to be this lack of attitude aided in each defeat.

The running game can solve this, and help in many other ways, which I'll discuss after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

So I've mentioned this in an earlier post this week and commented in a few other posts as well, I believe the Pats need to acquire a premier back, a stud, a feature-type back.

- I agree that the Pats have done alright with lesser backs this year and in many years passed.

- I also agree improving the OL will help the current backs be better backs.   

- I don't think just improving the line is good enough though, here is why it's not and why Mark Ingram should be considered with one of the 1st 3 picks for New England.

1.  The simplest way I can say the offense would be different with a feature back vs Benny is this;

The game plan you would design with Ben-Jarvis as your running back is different then the game plan you would design for Correy Dillon, correct?

2.  Complimentary backs won the Pats two superbowls in Antwain Smith.  I make the claim here that complimentary backs were more effective then because Tom Brady was less effective.   He was younger, he wasn't trusted to do as much - had not accomplished as much.  So the team would stick to the run to be "safe"   Clearly Tom has evolved to a different level, I think the running game needs to evolve with him.

3.  Even if the Pats did not alter their game plan to more of a power game, a premier back not only would do more with the same carries but would likely be able to help the Patriots maintain a good balance in their game planning.   

4.  Stop Brady, frustrate Brady and you can beat the Pats going away.   Add a premier back to this mix, make defenses at least consider stopping the running game as a major part of their game planning and it's an entirely different world.  Rex Ryan did a great job on Sunday stopping Tom Brady, but if you forced him to stop run and pass, I don't think that would have been as easy for him or Mangini and cleveland.

5.  Why should it be Mark Ingram.  He runs hard, strong and mean.  He has great hands out of the backfield.  He's done it in the absolute best conference and done it for a coach BB knows and respects well.  He's also got that NFL lineage thing.  

6.  Finally he is tracking to "fall" to into the Pats range just like another SEC back from another generation.  Similar in size and weight, similarly successful at a major SEC program though with some questions about durability and top end speed for the NFL.   The other back I'm thinking of is Emmitt Smith, who went 17th to the Cowboys, who needed an elite RB to compliment their passing game and QB.

not saying Mark Ingram is going to turn out like Emmitt, i'm suggesting their collegiate careers and potential to fall to the right team are similar.  I think the Pats are a perfect team for Ingram and I think he would absolutely improve the running game and desire to run for the Pats.

No matter how great the season, the end is painful.  This year, extra painful in light of a surprisingly successful regular season and loss to a loud and bitter rival who soundly outplayed you 2 out of 3 times this year.   Yet if we don't learn from history, and our mistakes we are destined to repeat them.  So what did we learn about the Pats this year?  A few thoughts after the break

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So that hurt bad yesterday.   Outplayed, out executed, pretty embarassing stuff.  Jets certainly earned that won and backed up nearly all their comments.   Ouch again.

I had sent an email to Mike Reisse on this last week when I realized how great the 18 game season could be for rivalries like Pats/Jets:

1.  Currently 6 out of 16 games each season are played against your divisional rivals - not bad but not even 40% of the games played can equate to a playoff spot (see 7-9 Seattle).

2.  Kissing your sister is gross, so is tying your rival or rivals in the division and then having 'conference' or 'head to head' wins determine who wins the division.

3.  Enter the 18 game schedule.  Sort of creates a potential imbalance to how schedules are planned, unless you simply add have each team play their divisional rivals 3 times, instead of 2.  That would account for 9 games a season, with 9 being left for the standard out of division formating verse the 10 games currently allotted to non division games.

Think about how awesome that would be:  Pats/Jets get through the season with a rubber match every year?  Ditto Miami and Buffalo.  I can live that no problem

Plus, having 50% of a teams schedule go toward division to me really reduces the chances of team with a losing record winning their division, and it also reduces the clamor for "higher seeds should get home field vs divisional winners."

Thoughts?

Man does this hurt as a Pats fan.  But I was on here last week asking Q's and giving predictions, so here's the final view from one Pats fan:

1.  I thought all the talk would motivate the Pats as much, if not more then the Jets.

 I was very, VERY wrong.  The Jets wanted this game more, they were much more physical and proved EVERY word the said leading up to the game.

2.  I thought the Jets D would do much better this time against Brady but also thought the Pats D could confuse Sanchez.

Right on the first, off on the second.

Sanchez played pretty damn well and make terrific throws in clutch situations.  

Holmes made another absolutely spectacular catch, Edwards and LT made big plays as well.   All the big time players, making big time plays.   Last when when a bunch of you were saying the Jets were the more talented team, I believe this is what you were referring too.

The Defense played incredibly smart and sound, frustrating TB and getting into his head early.   The only thing I can really say poorly about the Jets is your punter is awful and dropping it inside the 20 ;)  So um....we got that going for us, YEAH!

Congrats, enjoy it & I think we might get 3 games in season next year when the season goes to 18 games.  With the way the last two or three years have gone between these teams, that will be some very interesting football.

Enjoy the rest of your run, see you dudes next year.

 

As much as I would love it, I have no illusions of a week 13 repeat. I see no way Rex Ryan allows his team to beat twice in the same fashion.  I posted this same Q on GGN as well, curious to see what everyone thinks Rex will do to stop the Pats.

 

To me, it's coming after Brady and making sure the spread formation can not execute as designed.  The Pats spread did present difficulty for the Jets last time and I believe this is where Rex wants to make sure they improve first.   Earlier this week I postulated that the 3TE, 2RB set could throw a wrench into the defensive game plan because it's an entirely new look for Rex to combat and he likely wouldn't have focused on a more physical based attacked.  But enough about the Pats offense, a few concerns and thoughts on the Jets D after Da Jump skippity Jump

 

Continue reading this post »

I keep going back in my head  to a week 1 formation the Pats employed that resulted in 6, that I haven't seen since.

It was 2 TE split wide with Welker behind them, 10 yard screen = 6 pts.  

I realized that play won't work every time but I got to thinking about what is a new formation the Pats could employ this week that could provide multiple looks and multiple mis-matches for the Jets?

My resolution:  3 TE, 2 RB set.  Brady in the shotgun, Woody and BJ-GE split on either side.  Hernandez out wide and Gronks/Crumps on the line:

 

My initial thoughts after the break!

Continue reading this post »

1.  To the casual eye and even a good amount of Pats fans, Jerod Mayo has gone from "all pro" to "dependable, good" iLB, solid player but not a play maker, etc.   Mayo leads the NFL with 164 tackles and 107 Solo Tackles.

I like my LBs to play stoppers first, play makers second.  Mayo is doing this better then anyone else in the NFL right now.

 

2.  BJGE has 824 yards after 14 games.  He's got 12 TDs, that's 2nd in the NFL FYI.  He's on pace to go over 1k yrds and 10+ TDs for the first time in NE since #28's 2004 season. 

Before that?  Antoine Smith in '01.  Before that? Curits Martin in '96.  4 backs in a space on 15 years....just saying.

 

Not bad for an "overrated" LB and an almost cut RB

I feel like we were seeing more and more of Crable in games and to my eyes he seemed to get a bit more comfortable in each.  But then I see that Mike Reiss Tweets his cut:

 

@MikeReiss Mike Reiss Patriots announce that OLB/DE Shawn Crable has been waived. Crable played six games this season, with four tackles and a half sack.

And I'm sort of at a loss.  Did the Pats need to make a move for someone else?  Because that's not mentioned here and it doesn't really make sense to me to cut him or anyone on defense right now - just no need.

A lot of things went well for the Pats last night, nearly every player executed well and played a good game.  Most notably Gronks.   

The most notable thing to me though was having Chung back on D, and how that effected the D in this game.  Certainly there were a lot of other factors but it would be a mistake to say he is not a major factor in the Pats D at this point.

Hopefully he is not too banged up because when he was out in the past couple weeks and when he was out last night - the defense really seemed to be much more porous. 

Anyone got any news on his injuries last night?  I know he was taken out twice, but nothing seemed to serious...

Defense!  D-fence!   That's right ladies and gentleman, we got one!.   We've got one and it's shaping up to be very, very good.

What excites me most about this defense is their youth.  Certainly experience is going to be a major flaw this year and likely into next year but that's part of the natural growth.  Ability is something you either have or not in most cases, it rarely can be taught.

This defense is fast, big, smart, they tackle very well and play with a chip on their shoulders while also playing within the system.

Ah to be young.   Fresh legs, healthy bodies and absolutely no idea that this ever happened:

(anyone?  It's any easy one)

But how young are we talking?  A light sample of stats to chew on after the break

Continue reading this post »

They were ever so close to tragedy

Close to games of the past

Were you ready for a pain so powerful

Yet another defensive collapse

Continue reading this post »

This year is really shaping up to a rapid acceleration of the football program.   Sure the Big East is down, WAY Down from where it was in Greggers tenure, but SU can only play the games as they lay on the schedule.

But it's all coming together so quickly, a successful season, a really great message about the program and it's goal (re-establishing the SU Tradition, the winning ways) and a competition in flux.  If this season continues on it's current course or even 70% of it's current course, SU should be a lead dog in the North East recruiting battles:

1.  Growing program, fresh off a bowl appearance

2.  Strong history with current NFL ties

3.  NFL experiences coaches

4.  Immediate playing time a nearly every position

5.  And for that special someone....for the first 5 star recruit...the un-retiring of the 44.

With Rutgers and UConn struggling, UConn especially, SU now appears to be the program on the rise in the Big East.  And somewhat like Miami or Alamba's restoration in their conferences, once the historical institutions get rolling, they can build pretty fast.

Clearly I'm not comparing SU to Bama or Miami in anyway other then the fact they are historically significant programs in their natural recruiting radius.

If you look at the remaining schedule:

@Cincy

Lou

@RU

UConn

BC

@Cincy is going to be very tough and Lou is playing good D and has a solid run game, so it's a fundamental match up that could out last SU's depth.  After that RU, UConn and BC all seem ripe for the taking games.  All of this is assuming DC3 is healthy.

But lets say SU only wins 2 of it's last 5 games and finishes at 7-5.  Still bowl worth, still a marked improvement in year 2, and against the rest of the big east and teams they are recruiting against, even this type of finish provides a major lift.

And that's a good thing, because the senior class is taking a lot of talent with it.  DC3, Hogue, Smith, Mike Holmes, Perkins & Tribbey - a lot of the guys who are filling up the stat sheet this year are gone, and outside of DC3 - there is not much left behind them right now.

So I guess the OL is just fine thank you.

And I guess Fred Taylor is anything but fine, surprise surprise.

 

I've got no illusions of Thomas Clayton doing a whole lot of good for the Pats, but Quinn was I think the 8th or 9th OL for the Pats so hard to be too upset with this move given injuries.

I don't remember what we traded for Quinn, but that part sorta sucks.

I'm not sure how I feel about referencing Stevie Nicks in relation to hockey, but I would say she's a closer match to a hockey player then a playmate.

Regardless, I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts on the B's lines which will roll out in Europe.  Savard going down creates some interesting options and I for one think the 3rd Center may be a work in progress which alters two lines.

I was most excited for Seguin when he was to be on the Bergy/Recchi line as a wing, while this still could happen it's asking a lot of him to be a 2nd line winger, vs. say Ryder or Wheeler.  And with Wheeler getting time in the circle, I think Ryds is the likely candidate for the 2nd line.  I'm thinking something like this:

 

Looch - Krejci - Horton

Recchi - Bergy - Ryder

Wheeler - Seguin - Caron  or Seguin - Wheeler - Caron

Paille - Campbell - Thornton

I could also see Caron or Seguin swapping with Ryder, as I think there is a lot of value in a young player skating with Recchi/Bergy.  I think it was an easy move to make when they would be skating as the 3rd line, but not much can be done about that now.

So what do we think?  Seguin okay to start the year as the 3rd Center?  Rather have him start out on a wing and let Wheels try and center the line so there is less pressure on the kid?  Caron or Ryder on the second line?