By
Jason Comack 
August 27, 2009, at 2:03 pm
From Rotoworld via the Boston Globe
Since being acquired via trade from the Raiders, Derrick Burgess has yet to practice at outside linebacker. The Patriots are using more of a 4-3 defense, employing Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork at the tackles, with Ty Warren and Burgess on the ends. Adalius Thomas would likely play strong-side linebacker, with Gary Guyton at weak side and Jerod Mayo in the middle.
The addition of Burgess seemed like a square peg in a round hole at the time. Why convert a dominant 4-3 end to an OLB when he doesn’t have the physical tools to play that spot? The Pats have a ton of depth on defense and the flexibility to play either a 3-4 or 4-3. If they move to a 4-3 it would allow Richard Seymour to rush the passer more. Remember although Seymour has been a 3-4 DE has the size to play defensive tackle at 6′6 and 310 pounds. Ty Warren and Wilfork would be stout against the run in a 4-3 and help Burgess get more one on one match-ups. That’s a fierce looking D-Line. For a long time the Pats weakness has been linebacker and right now they have two sure things in Mayo and Thomas but after that there are question marks. A move to 4-3 better maximizes their defensive potential.
As a side note, if the Pats offense is as good as I think it’ll be they will be often be ahead in games forcing teams to throw more. A nickle look, to defend against the pass, with Warren, Seymour, Wilfork, Burgess, Mayo, Thomas, Springs, Meriweather, Sanders, Bodden, and either Chung/Butler/Wheatley might end up playing a lot more often then you think.
By
Jason Comack July 5, 2009, at 11:54 pm
NBA free agent commitments can’t become official till Wednesday but The Boston Globe is reporting that free agent Rasheed Wallace has committed to sign a contract with the Celtics. The deal is expected to be two years at the mid-level exception (approximately $5.8 million.)
Is this really what the Celtics needed? Obviously Sheed’s presence makes them a better team but weren’t they planning on resigning Glenn Big Baby Davis who does similar things to Sheed? Furthermore Sheed doesn’t really give the Celtic lineup a ton of versatility. If a team like the Magic go small, by putting Rashard Lewis at PF, how does Sheed help Boston match-up defensively? Wouldn’t the Celtics would have been better off perusing a swing guy (Ariza, Artest, Childress)
In a league that is constantly becoming more up-tempo the Celtics seem to be taking a step in the wrong direction.
Jason Kidd has verbally committed to re-signing with the Mavericks, according to ESPN.com. The three-year deal is reportedly worth more than $25 million, all of it fully guaranteed
Whew. The Knicks really dodged a bullet here. Kidd is 36 years old and is bound to decline even more than he already has. Yes, he’s as good of a floor general as there is in the NBA but he also can’t guard anyone at this point. He’s also a career .342% 3pt shooter. His .406% mark of this past year was the result of him seeing more wide open shots. He’s a poor fit for the D’Antoni offense without a supporting cast. There’s no Drik on the Knicks drawing double teams.
As for the Mavs they get their guy back but at what cost. My guess is that in three years were talking about Jason Kidd’s expiring contract in trades.
Tags: 
