Can Jermaine Cunningham provide the pass-rush from the OLB spot that the Patriots desperately crave?
The Patriots signed former Florida Gator Jermaine Cunningham, the middle of three 2nd-Rounders in the 2010 NFL Draft. Cunningham signed a 4-year deal the day before Patriots rookies were set to report. Financial terms were not immediately disclosed.
The pass-rush of the Patriots has been a question for the last few years, and Cunningham was brought in to fill that role. His quick first step and repertoire of rush moves will provide Tully Banta-Cain and Derrick Burgess some needed competition at the DE/OLB spot.
Cunningham joins fellow Florida teammate Aaron Hernandez and a bevy of others having signed their contracts, leaving only former teammate Brandon Spikes, Rob Gronkowski, and 1st-Round pick Devin McCourty as the lone un-signed rookies.
Tags: Contracts, Jermaine Cunningham
To be honest, we havnt had too many established rookies come here at LB…so i really dont know waht to expect from Cunningham, or even my guy Spikes for that matter- I just hope both those guys make a difference somehow in thier first season. Burgess, Banta-Cain, and Guyton-aren’t exactly set in stone as starters looking forward. I believe the jobs are there to be won for both of them, but they have a lot to prove.
Patriots draft guru….. i think your expectations for Cunningham are a little too high for reality. If he gets 8 sacks this year, its going to be a good season for that defense…but I think your dreamin’.
JNIMZ
You are probably right. I guess it will depend a bit on the DB’s and how Belichick chooses to use Cunningham.
I’d be happy with anything over 4-5 sacks.
Cunningham was a great pass rusher in Florida. Spikes Cunningham Mayo and Banta Cain will be a great LB core!
I see him taking over Burgess’ spot by Week 4 at the latest.
Cunningham is going to be a beast – I give him 8-10 sacks this year. Glad he got into camp on time.
8 Sacks would be a great rookie season… tough position to learn.