via www.patspulpit.com

Our defense seems to be inside of an identity crisis lately. While Bill Belichick seems fine with using both the 4-3 and the 3-4, should Bill just pick one base formation and stick with it? If so, which one should he decide on?

4-3: A third round pick and a fifth round pick. We gave up two draft choices to get our hands on Derrick Burgess, a two-time Pro Bowl player. While he did little in 2009 at outside linebacker, Burgess could jump to an instant defensive end starting job in the 4-3. The 4-3 could save Adalius Thomas's career in New England as he could start at the other defensive end position. Thomas would most likely lose time to Tully Banta-Cain who showed pass-rushing promise at the end of the 2009 season.  Ty Warren would have to move inside to defensive tackle, next to Wilfork, which would barely effect his playing time. Jerod Mayo would fill the middle linebacker position. The outside linebacker positions are more like middle linebacker positions in the 3-4 than outside linebackers. Junior, undrafted Gary Guyton could easily start at one outside linebacker. The other outside linebacker would be mostly empty, as Woods, Crable, Ninkovich, and McKenzie do not seem like perfect fits. Crable would most likely move to defensive end along with Ninkovich. Pierre Woods has not shown enough in coverage or pass-rushing to make the switch and would mostly likely be cut. McKenzie spent all of last year on the shelf and Belichick likes to look before he leaps. Wilfork may be tempted to leave the team while any team running the 3-4 would love to find a premier nose tackle. Warren may not be able to move into the 4-3, also, as the 4-3 involves more pass-rushing than run-stopping. As this while, Warren has never been seen as a pass-rush specialist. Jarvis Green would be lost in the 4-3 as he was too small to be a nose while too big to be an effective pass rusher. Wright would be able to convert to the nose position while Brace would most likely be cut (see, Kevin O'Connell). Myron Pryor would probably be able to remain at nose in the 4-3.  

3-4: The best nose tackle in the NFL, Vince Wilfork, would be used to his most effectiveness in the 3-4. While Warren is a great defensive end in the 3-4, Jarvis Green is still not good enough to replace Richard Seymour. Brace seems to be the likely future at nose tackle after Wilfork departs. Pryor and Wright fit nicely into the 3-4 scheme, which I believe should fight with Green for playing time. Adalius Thomas seems to be on the downhill of his career, while Burgess has not figured out man coverage or zone coverage, or any coverage for that matter. Tully Banta-Cain performs well opposite Thomas while Mayo and Guyton are one of the best unknown linebacker duos in the NFL, today. Woods, McKenzie, Ninkovich, and Crable all do not seem like good fits replacing Thomas.

Review: The 3-4 fills out better with only two questionable positions. The 4-3 would have to take a chance on two NFL careers on the downturn, also while ruining the draft plans the Patriots had over the last couple years.The conversion over to the 4-3 would take several years, but Belichick may have started the process in 2009. I believe in Belichick and would never question his decision making, but if I had to pick one, the 3-4 seems like a better choice. The Patriots 3-4 has been notorious over the last decade, while effectively molding the 4-3 into their defense (see, Super Bowl XXXIX).

I'm not the end all, be all. So, what does the Patriots Pulpit think? Vote below and give me your opinions. 

via forkemsundevils.com

Even this being the second in two down years of Sun Devil football, many of Erickson's Class of 2010 could have a future in the NFL. Let's review who may have a NFL contract in their near future...

Shawn Lauvao (OL) -- Shawn was probably the most consistent lineman the Sun Devils have had in the past three years. In the last three years, he has played every game at different line positions moving between guard and tackle and starting in all, but four. Shawn played 17 games at left guard and 14 games at left tackle showing he can protect any quarterback's blind side. ESPN reported he can bench over 500 pounds and squat over 600. His high bench numbers could entice many coaches and general managers to take a chance and draft him earlier (see Heyward-Bey.)  Shawn, despite his strength, may have to put on ten to fifteen pounds to be in the average for NFL offensive lineman. I projected Shawn at a early sixth round pick and will probably stick with a team in need of versatility and/or plagued by injuries.

Dexter Davis (DE/OLB) -- Going into the 2009 season, Dexter was considered one of the best pass-rushers in the country and a lock to be draft. Now, after a 2009 season, where he went from 11 sacks to 3.5, he'll be lucky to be drafted. Dexter went to the East-West Shrine practices and was torn to shreds by scouts saying he will not be able to play linebacker because of his lack of coverage ability. Without coverage ability, any team with a 3-4 defense will be out of the question as he will be too small to play defensive end in the 3-4 defensive alignment. If he wishes to play defensive end in another 4-3 system, he will have to located the pass-rushing ability he had in 2009. I project Dexter will catch on as a late seventh round pick with a team running the 4-3 willing to try and find that former pass rushing ability.

Chris McGaha (WR) -- Chris has started in every game since 2007, but never put up a stellar season. His highest receiving yards total was in 2007 where he ran up 830 yards and catch a season-high 61 throws. Chris contributed to the Arizona State offense, but never was a true number one receiver, which the NFL thrives on. Against Georgia, Chris vanished in two years straight only catching 6 balls and 41 yards. I project Chris will most likely go undrafted and, hopefully, catch on with team in need of wide receivers.

Travis Goethel (ILB) -- Travis played in all the games in his four year college career. Despite the emergence of freshman Vontaze Burflict at linebacker, Travis still managed to register 57 tackles, only losing 14 tackles from 2008. He is most likely stuck at ILB because of his apparent lack of pass rushing skills (2 sacks at ASU). Travis could play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 at ILB, while he may not be able to play OLB in either. I project Travis to go in the middle seventh round to a team willing to take a chance on a consistent college player.

Dimitri Nance (RB) -- Nance led Arizona State in rushing the last two years, but that does no say very much. In 2008, he only ran for 410 yards and, in 2009, only ran for 795. He is a tough inside runner and would rather lower his shoulder, then spin out of a tackle. In his 2006 and 2008 seasons, his longest rush was only for 17 and 18 yards, which shows he lacks break-out speed. In his career, however, he ran for 19 touchdowns which shows he has a nose for the goal line and could be a goal line specialist in the NFL. I project Dimitri will go undrafted because many teams will not use a draft pick on only a goal line talent.

Thomas Altieri (C) -- Altieri started a total of 22 games over his last two seasons. He replace Mike Pollak after he went to the NFL. Altieri is slightly underweight like Lauvao. He missed two games in his last season which adds a durability question to an already weak portfolio. I project Alteri will go undrafted and will maybe catch on a practice squad.

Disagree? Agree with all your heart? Either way, comment below and give me your own projections. 

                                               Tom Brady and his knee brace... a common sight going foward?

 Tom Brady said he would like to play in the pre-season. If he does play in the pre-season, do you think he'll wear his knee brace? When he does play during the season, will he wear his knee brace? I've asked this question on Yahoo! Answers, but no one could give me a definite answer with a source.

via d.yimg.com

Glen "Big Baby" Davis pulled out of the United States Olympic Basketball Mini-Camp. So, "Big Baby" will not have a chance to play for Coach Krzyzewski and the USA Olympic team. Does this have any implications to the NBA or the Celtics? It would not seem so, but it could work for and against him.

For Davis: Glen is a free agent. Danny Ainge and the Celtics would love to bring back Glen for at least another year. In the playoffs, he replaced KG and filled in for him well by putting up 15.8 points a game along with 5.6 rebounds. It is almost a guarantee that Ainge was going to send scouts to see "Big Baby" after not playing since May 17. Now without any recent information on how his fitness is, Ainge will have to go on only his breakout playoff performance.

Against Davis: Glen is a free agent. Teams who were interested by his breakout playoff performance wished to see more of Glen. Team scouts were definitely going to visit him at the USA Olympic Mini-Camp. Now teams that wanted to see him can not, they will be less willing to sign him espcially in the economic recession and with the famed 2010 free agency period on the loom.

Pictures: via www.tigerweekly.com

During this long off-season, we heard hundreds of Rajon Rondo trade rumors. Many of those rumors also included Ray Allen (whose contract expires after the next season). Rondo, ever since taking the starting job, was said to be the point guard of the future. Rondo gave us a glimpse of what Doc Rivers has seen in him all along. Ray Allen is getting older, but was our second highest scorer last season. Danny Ainge must have had a solid reason to trade two of his big name players. I believe Doc Rivers thinks his young talent can step up.

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J.R. Giddens -- Giddens is a shooting guard who spent time on the Celtics as a reserve last season. After a three day workout with the Celts at the beginning of the '09 season, Doc Rivers said he may be able to fight for minutes in his rookie year. He earn All-Big 12 Conference Freshman honors with the Kansas Jayhawks. He would later transfer to New Mexico. In his senior campaign, he was named Mountain West Conference co-player of the year and an honorable mention for the All-American team. In his best year, he averaged 16.3 points a game along with 8.8 rebounds. He played with both Leon Powe and Kendrick Perkins in the McDonald's All-American game (which could also help draw Powe back). Giddens is the same height as Ray Ray and only ten pounds heavier. Giddens does have behavior questions though. Bill Self asked Giddens to leave Kansas after he was stabbed in a bar fight. He was suspended for bad team relations at New Mexico and refused to participate in the Celtic's mini-camp last July because he did not have an official contact yet.

Gabe Pruitt -- Gabe is 3 inches taller than the 6'1 Rondo and a pound lighter. Gabe is a point guard who can also move over and play shooting guard. He set the record for most 3 pointers in two years and his 3 point efficiency have the highest in USC history. His highest points per game average was during  his sophmore season where he hovered around 16 points a game. After his freshman year, his 3 point percentage decreased by 8% while his free throw percentage increased by 10%. He won the Joe Barbato award at USC for the highest free throw percentage. He is fourth in career 3 pointers at USC and sixth in career steals. Gabe has issues, however, with intelligence as he was academically ineligible several times at USC. Also, he was arrested for DUI in Los Angeles after a Boston loss to the Clippers. He was suspended for two games.

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While both players have had great college careers, they would have big shoes to fill. Ray Allen was second on the team in points per game (as I mentioned before) while Rajon led in assists and steals. Whether or not Ray Allen returns after next season remains to be seen, but whether or not Gabe or Giddens can step into his or Rajon shoes is going to be fun to watch.

Pictures: via www.draftexpress.com

                 via sports.espn.go.com

Tom Brady and Daunte Cullpepper have several things in common. Both have been to Pro Bowls. Both have worked with Randy Moss. Both have torn their ACL and MCL at the same time. After Cullpepper's crippling injury, his scrambling passing game collapsed faster than the Raiders after the Snow Bowl. Since that 2005 season, he has only thrown 11 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. Now Tom Brady is not a scrambling quarterback (well, except against Brian Urlacher), but these stats are still extremely disturbing. This is probably a worst-case scenario...

Brady returns againist the Buffalo Bills after playing only the opening drives during the pre-season. At Week 6, Brady has left several games with knee complications. His number of sacks has drastically increased and his touchdowns have gone down while his interceptions have gone up. The Patriots are 2-4. Coach Belichick wishes to stick with the MVP Brady while our new general manager is taking heat for not trading or signing a veteran quaterback to be Brady's "security blanket". Fast foward to Week 10, the Pats are now at .500 and seem to be rallying in the AFC East and the Wild Card race. During the Week 10 game againist the Indianapolis Colts, Dwight Freeney absolutly drills Brady and he lands awkwardly on his knee. He has to be carted off the field in front of the hostile Lucas Oil crowd. What now?

For our purposes, Edelman is now a wide reciever and Belichick keeps all three replacement quarterbacks, O'Connell, Gutierrez, and Hoyer. 

Kevin O'Connell -- He is the same build as Tom (6'5 225lbs to 6'4 225lbs). He ran the second fastest 40 yard time at the NFL combine for a quarterback (which is a big contrast to Brady). He was a team captain for 3 years at San Diego State (a born leader). He completed 62% of his passes at San Diego State during his only full season (Brady completed 65% of his passes during his 2007 MVP season). He is the same type of quarterback as Tom Brady, but he has better speed. His speed is a big part of his game though and Belichick may have to change a good amount of his offense to suit his style of play.

Matt Gutierrez -- He was supposed to be the "man" at Michigan, but injuries sent him to Idaho State. He went undrafted like Brady (if it matters).  He is heavier than Brady, but shorter (6'3 230lbs to 6'4 225lbs). He had 116.87 quarterback rating at Idaho State which is just short of Tom's 117 for his 2007 MVP season. He threw 16 touchdowns with 14 interceptions at Idaho State. He seems to throw about as many touchdowns as he does interceptions as he also threw 2 touchdowns to 2 interceptions in the pre-season last year. His completion rate was only 54% in his best college year. Gutierrez is unproven and Michigan didn't have the confidense in him to return him to his starter job after his torn labrum.

Brian Hoyer -- He's a rookie. He would have the least knowledge of the offense. He is just slightly smaller than Brady (6'3 215lbs to 6'4 225).  His completion percentage in his best year was 59%, but in his last year it was only 51% (compared to Brady's 65%). He threw 20 touchdowns to 11 interceptions at MSU in his best year, but in his last year, his touchdowns and interception numbers evened out at 9. Coming off his best year, he responded with a mediocre season which makes me wonder if he can fight through adversity and win this job. 

Who would take over? Well, its not up to me. It all comes down on the shoulders of Coach Belichick. Who do you think should take over?