DT Sealver Siliga signs with Patriots

[SeoulSoxFan]

Per @DougKyedNESN: According to his Twitter account, DT Sealver Siliga signed with the Patriots. Went to Utah. Previously with Seahawks, Broncos, 49ers.
 
https://twitter.com/S_Siliga/status/392768787168378880
 
"Proud to say I am now officially a New England patriot!"
 
More notes & bio: 6' 2" and 307 lb
 

 
Bio: Two-year starter who finished with 41/4/1.5 as a junior after he had 49/6.5/1 the prior year.
 
Positive: Strong, run-defending lineman who is best in a small area. Plays with good pad level, fires off the snap with a nice first step, and keeps his feet driving up the field. Displays power, tough to move off the point, and bulrushes opponents from the action. Works hard to make plays and constantly doubled in the middle of the line.
 
Negative: Straight-line defender who lacks a burst. Must develop more moves with his hands. Has marginal pass rushing skills.
Analysis: Siliga been a solid player the past two seasons at Utah and has the ability to occupy blockers up front. He lacks classic size for the NFL space eater has limited growth potential but could be a reserve in the middle of a four-man line.

 
More from Doug: "Sealver Siliga was released from the Seahawks' practice squad on Oct. 4. Could have signed to PS or 53-man roster. Trying to find out."

 

[Ed Hillel]

Today is like Christmas come early!

 

[Jimy Hendrix]

Today is like Christmas come early!

 
How they fit so many marginal D-linemen in the stocking, I do not know!

 

[Eddie Jurak]

All things considered, we have to be happy with Vellano and Chris Jones.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

All things considered, we have to be happy with Vellano and Chris Jones.

Agrees but this season will be the most football they've ever played against the bigger strongest linemen they've ever played against. Getting them some rotation or breaks can only be a good thing as the season grinds on.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Agrees but this season will be the most football they've ever played against the bigger strongest linemen they've ever played against. Getting them some rotation or breaks can only be a good thing as the season grinds on.
Yeah - I'd be thrilled if they could snag another Vellano or Jones.

 

[JerBear]

Signed to PS, not 53-man.
 
Patriots

We've signed veteran DE Andre Carter & signed DT Sealver Siliga to the practice squad: http://bit.ly/HeNNCW%C2

 

[Super Nomario]

To active roster to fill the other hole:
Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyedNESN4m
Patriots Promote Defensive Tackle Sealver Siliga From Practice Squad to 53-Man Roster http://wp.me/p2AlCJ-15hn 

 

[dcdrew10]

To active roster to fill the other hole:
Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyedNESN4m
Patriots Promote Defensive Tackle Sealver Siliga From Practice Squad to 53-Man Roster http://wp.me/p2AlCJ-15hn 

 
Siliga was mentioned up thread as being 6'2, 307, but the Pat's website lists him as 325 and Mike Reiss tweets:
 

 
Sealver Siliga adds some more bulk/size at DT after interior DL had run-D struggles in nickel vs. DEN. He's 6-2, 325; Kyle Love-type build
 
 

 

- Love, before diabetes cost him his roster spot
 
 Makes you wonder if Sopoaga is hurt or BB is unhappy with his play.

 

[Super Nomario]

 
Siliga was mentioned up thread as being 6'2, 307, but the Pat's website lists him as 325 and Mike Reiss tweets:
 
 

 
 Makes you wonder if Sopoaga is hurt or just sucks.

Maybe it has to do with Sopoaga, but maybe it doesn't. Another team could have been trying to steal Siliga off the practice squad and the Pats had to promote him or lose him. Or maybe they want to pass Forston back to the Practice Squad before he's active for too many games to have PS eligibility next year. There are a lot of possibilities here.

 

[Shelterdog]

Maybe it has to do with Sopoaga, but maybe it doesn't. Another team could have been trying to steal Siliga off the practice squad and the Pats had to promote him or lose him. Or maybe they want to pass Forston back to the Practice Squad before he's active for too many games to have PS eligibility next year. There are a lot of possibilities here.

 
Yup.  Or you want to reward Siliga/punish Forston because one is (or one isn't) meeting expectations.  Or you think Siliga has a better future so you want to keep him even if you won't play Sunday.

 

[Byrdbrain]

 
Siliga was mentioned up thread as being 6'2, 307, but the Pat's website lists him as 325 and Mike Reiss tweets:
 
 

 
 Makes you wonder if Sopoaga is hurt or BB is unhappy with his play.

If he is 325 then I still weigh 185 (fyi I do not still weigh 185).

 

[Ed Hillel]

Maybe it has to do with Sopoaga, but maybe it doesn't. Another team could have been trying to steal Siliga off the practice squad and the Pats had to promote him or lose him. Or maybe they want to pass Forston back to the Practice Squad before he's active for too many games to have PS eligibility next year. There are a lot of possibilities here.

 
It's also possible they've just had enough of Vellano and/or White Jones. Their combined play on Sunday night was beyond pathetic. There has to be someone at least marginally better out there somewhere, and hopefully they have found him. Even a big fat guy that can't move, such as Siliga, would provide more value just standing there.

 

[ColonelMustard]

 
It's also possible they've just had enough of Vellano and/or White Jones. Their combined play on Sunday night was beyond pathetic. There has to be someone at least marginally better out there somewhere, and hopefully they have found him. Even a big fat guy that can't move, such as Siliga, would provide more value just standing there.

 
Chris Jones is a pretty solid starter especially in the Mike Wright role.  He has 4.5 sacks and 40 tackles and assists in 5 games.  What else can you ask for from a 6th round draft pick picked up off the trash heap?  Plus his quickness allows the front 7 to stunt more.  
 
He just doesn't have the mass to take on 2 blockers in a 3-4 and shouldn't be expected to take on that role.  

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

If he is 325 then I still weigh 185 (fyi I do not still weigh 185).

 
Camera always puts on an additional 10 lbs. 

 

[Garshaparra]

 
Camera always puts on an additional 10 lbs. 

How many cameras are pointing at him? 12?

 

[axx]

Is he pregnant?

 

[BucketOBalls]

How many cameras are pointing at him? 12?

 

It's a still from a video.  so, 30 FPS.

 

[Super Nomario]

Maybe it has to do with Sopoaga, but maybe it doesn't. Another team could have been trying to steal Siliga off the practice squad and the Pats had to promote him or lose him. Or maybe they want to pass Forston back to the Practice Squad before he's active for too many games to have PS eligibility next year. There are a lot of possibilities here.

Looks like it was another team trying to steal Siliga off the PS:

When the Patriots promoted second-year nose tackle Sealver Siliga from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster on Wednesday, it was natural to assume it was a result of having some struggles against the run against the Broncos. While that might be part of the thinking, it turns out the Patriots’ hand was forced by another team offering Siliga a chance to join their 53-man active roster. So the Patriots had to make a decision -- lose a player they had been working with since Oct. 23 and saw some promise, or make room for him on their 53-man roster. They chose the latter option, waiving defensive tackle Marcus Forston and ultimately re-signing him to the practice squad.

Based on this, I'd be surprised if he sees significant playing time today.

 

[lambeau]

Given that Siliga rotated with Sopoaga and together they accumulated 60% of the defensive snaps (36/59) in a 3-4, I guess the promotion was serious.
 
It went poorly--but I wonder if the coaching staff could be experimenting (after the Denver game) with run defenses, not quite sure what they will settle on.
 
The problem seemed to be filling the gaps--could this be due to the inexperience of Sopoaga, Siliga, Hightower, Vellano, Jones--even Spikes learning to play together?
 
Looking for a silver lining, I wonder if this could be analogous to the rookie wide receivers getting in tune with the offense.
 
In other words, can this D-line be coached up by January 19?
 
Interestingly, BB had nothing but positive words about Hightower today. Doesn't respond well to criticism?

 

[Super Nomario]

Given that Siliga rotated with Sopoaga and together they accumulated 60% of the defensive snaps (36/59) in a 3-4, I guess the promotion was serious.
 
It went poorly--but I wonder if the coaching staff could be experimenting (after the Denver game) with run defenses, not quite sure what they will settle on.
 
The problem seemed to be filling the gaps--could this be due to the inexperience of Sopoaga, Siliga, Hightower, Vellano, Jones--even Spikes learning to play together?

Someone (Reiss?) pointed out they were running a lot of 3-4 with Chris Jones and Vellano at DE, Sopoaga / Siliga at nose, and Chandler Jones and Ninkovich at OLB. I suspect this was to combat Houston's rushing offense. The D struggled at times, but Houston is good at running the ball. They're averaging 4.4 YPC on the season, for all their offensive struggles, and yesterday had ... 4.3 YPC. I think we'll see this particular 4-3 combo again versus run-heavy offenses, but against more pass-heavy teams see more of the Jones / Jones / Vellano / Ninkovich front.
 

Interestingly, BB had nothing but positive words about Hightower today. Doesn't respond well to criticism?

I can't recall Belichick ever saying anything negative about one of his players in public. He might mean it, but saying it out loud doesn't mean much.
 
FWIW, PFF gave Hightower a -1.2 vs the run (-0.7 overall), with Chris Jones (-1.5), Spikes (-1.6), Harmon (-1.8), and Sopoaga (-2.2) all grading out worse against the Texans ground assault.

 

[lambeau]

Interesting about the yardage--didn't look so good on TV; I'm hoping the 3-4 gels with experience together.
 
Also interesting how BB continues to tinker--I'd guess Fletcher and Collins (couple of nice rushes) are earning more passing down reps.

 

[kolbitr]

Someone (Reiss?) pointed out they were running a lot of 3-4 with Chris Jones and Vellano at DE, Sopoaga / Siliga at nose, and Chandler Jones and Ninkovich at OLB. I suspect this was to combat Houston's rushing offense. The D struggled at times, but Houston is good at running the ball. They're averaging 4.4 YPC on the season, for all their offensive struggles, and yesterday had ... 4.3 YPC. I think we'll see this particular 4-3 combo again versus run-heavy offenses, but against more pass-heavy teams see more of the Jones / Jones / Vellano / Ninkovich front.
 
I can't recall Belichick ever saying anything negative about one of his players in public. He might mean it, but saying it out loud doesn't mean much.
 
FWIW, PFF gave Hightower a -1.2 vs the run (-0.7 overall), with Chris Jones (-1.5), Spikes (-1.6), Harmon (-1.8), and Sopoaga (-2.2) all grading out worse against the Texans ground assault.

Minor addendum...Doug Kyed has been trying to prop up Hightower today...I have no ideas whether he is on target or not, but he is convinced DH is at least 50% overwhelmed mentally, and 50% playing out of position...

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Minor addendum...Doug Kyed has been trying to prop up Hightower today...I have no ideas whether he is on target or not, but he is convinced DH is at least 50% overwhelmed mentally, and 50% playing out of position...

 
Doug has been pumping up Hightower all season.
 
I appreciate him coming in here and doing his chat with us, but I haven't seen him really say a bad word about anyone. He's been super protective of Hightower all year, and I'm not sure what he's seeing. He fails the eye ball test, the basic stats test, and the advanced stats test.
 
I have no idea if he's overwhelmed or not, but I don't think it's a secret that he's playing out of position. The problem is that he's a 3-4 ILB playing on a 4-3 team. He's too slow and sucks at coverage, so playing OLB has been a chore. He's not good enough at shedding blocks to be able to play well in a 1 gap scheme. He's really made to be 2nd fiddle ILB in a 2-gap 3-4 scheme.
 
Unfortunately, the Pats played a few snaps in a 3-4 against the Texans, and Hightower was eaten up by linemen getting to the second level. The DT's we have aren't suited for a 2-gap scheme, and Hightower just can't shed blockers. Until we get some real linemen in there (next year), Hightower is going to struggle because I just don't think he's talented enough to make up for poor play around him.

 

[lambeau]

Very interesting article by Kyed at NESN.com on 3-4 vs. 4-3.

 

[crystalline]

Interestingly, BB had nothing but positive words about Hightower today. Doesn't respond well to criticism?

 
 

Very interesting article by Kyed at NESN.com on 3-4 vs. 4-3.

 
Can you link these?  Thanks.

 

[lambeau]

Siliga received a 4.5 rating for run defense against Buffalo from PFF--I can find only two other tackles,Brandon Mebane(Seahawks) and Damon Harrison(Jets)
with a game rating that high this year. Since being activated, his cumulative run defense rating is 7.2--only exceeded by Harrison over those five weeks.
It's only 5 games-- but if kept up a full season he would have roughly tied Mebane behind Harrison for the second best rating against the run of all tackles.
Harrison also a UFA.
SSS--but surely SN is correct that this softens the blow of losing Spikes.

 

[bakahump]

Well he (finally) softened the blow of losing Wilfork....a bit.  Spikes is a whole new punch to the face (on running plays) that this defense will need to adapt to.

 

[Phragle]

Sealver Siliga, DT, New England Patriots
As the Patriots clinched a first-round bye with a win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, they did it with the help of an impressive performance from 2011 undrafted free agent Sealver Siliga(+4.5). After arriving in the NFL out of Utah, he played just four defensive snaps in his first two seasons in the league before getting his chance in Week 13 of this year in New England. He’s yet to have a negatively-graded game in his career and, with his snaps increasing in New England, he saved his best for the season finale.
From 29 snaps against the run he was able to make six solo tackles, all of which resulted in a defensive stop. That included beating Bills’ right tackle Erik Pears inside on 1st-and-10 with 10:22 left to play in the first half, easing past him to bring down running back Fred Jackson for a two-yard gain. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Siliga’s play has been his consistency, with just 11 negatively-graded plays from 221 snaps on defense, including none against the Bills. The Patriots have been perennial Super Bowl contenders thanks to their ability to find players that can do a job for them, and they appear to have done just that again in the form of Siliga.

 
Secret Superstars Week 17
 
He also has a 10.5 Run Stop Percentage which is good for 7th of 80, and a 6.1 PRP which would be good for 26th of 63 if he had enough snaps to qualify. He's pretty damn good.

 

[triniSox]

He passes the eye test as well. He looked really good in the last couple weeks. Also, can we update the thread to correctly spell his name?

 

[Corsi]

He passes the eye test as well. He looked really good in the last couple weeks. Also, can we update the thread to correctly spell his name?

 
SILINGA.
 

 

[lambeau]

"Sealver" is a contraction of the Mormon ceremony by which good Mormon families can be "sealed forever" thereby achieving eternal life together.

 

[Tony C]

He passes the eye test as well. He looked really good in the last couple weeks. Also, can we update the thread to correctly spell his name?

 
done.

 

[H78]

Ok, I'll ask. Is there any chance, with him being only 23, that we may have found lightning in a bottle long-term? Any chance he takes over for Vince if he continues to play well through the playoffs?

 

[H78]

Oh, and he came from quite the family. These are his parents' names:
 
Sinatala Siliga
Siala Siliga

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

I doubt he "takes over for Vince", but if he plays well throughout the playoffs, Tommie Kelly might be cut (although i doubt it, as it only saves the team 500K if they cut him).
 
It doesn't matter, really. You can never have enough defensive linemen (as we've learned). If he plays well, he'll get reps.

 

[Super Nomario]

I doubt he "takes over for Vince", but if he plays well throughout the playoffs, Tommie Kelly might be cut (although i doubt it, as it only saves the team 500K if they cut him).
 
It doesn't matter, really. You can never have enough defensive linemen (as we've learned). If he plays well, he'll get reps.

Overthecap says $2.5 MM for cutting Kelly. I'd be surprised if he makes the team next year.

 

[H78]

And am I reading that correctly? 8M saved if Vince is cut?

 

[H78]

And I should say I'm not advocating for Vince to get cut. I'm just wondering if a DT going into his age 33 season, coming off of a torn Achilles tendon, who arguably showed signs of regression early this season, and could save $8m in cap space may not make the team if Siliga continues to play as well as he has. Just a thought.

 

[tims4wins]

They definitely need to look into restructuring Vince, no doubt

 

[steveluck7]

And am I reading that correctly? 8M saved if Vince is cut?

And it would cost them $1.25 million to cut Kyle Arrington. Somehow i hate him more

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Overthecap says $2.5 MM for cutting Kelly. I'd be surprised if he makes the team next year.

 
Miguel has it at $500K (if I'm reading it correctly).
 
People need to get their shit straight.
 
Edit: It says they save $2.5 million on Overthecap, and that there's $500K in dead money. It won't cost them $2.5mm to cut him.

 

[H78]

I still can't believe they gave Arrington the guaranteed money that they did.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

And am I reading that correctly? 8M saved if Vince is cut?

 
There's no way they take $3.6 in dead money to cut him. If they do anything, they restructure.

 

[Super Nomario]

 
Miguel has it at $500K (if I'm reading it correctly).
 
People need to get their shit straight.
 
Edit: It says they save $2.5 million on Overthecap, and that there's $500K in dead money.

Miguel doesn't even have his name spelled right. But this looks like he has it as $1.736 MM (Cap savings if cut or traded column).

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Miguel doesn't even have his name spelled right. But this looks like he has it as $1.736 MM (Cap savings if cut or traded column).

 
 

 
Miguel has it at $500K (if I'm reading it correctly).
 
People need to get their shit straight.
 
Edit: It says they save $2.5 million on Overthecap, and that there's $500K in dead money. It won't cost them $2.5mm to cut him.

 

[Stitch01]

I think Wilfork is much more likely to be cut than play next year under his existing deal.  He's not making $11.6MM on the open market next year coming off his injury, so hopefully there's a compromise there.

 

[Super Nomario]

<Quoting>
 

There's some discrepancy here, but they definitely save a decent chunk of change by cutting Kelly. I think he's gone.
 
 

 
There's no way they take $3.6 in dead money to cut him. If they do anything, they restructure.

Yeah, this seems like an obvious restructure. Pats lower the cap figure, Vince gets some guaranteed money, everyone wins.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

There's some discrepancy here, but they definitely save a decent chunk of change by cutting Kelly. I think he's gone.

 
Nevermind...I'm an idiot. There's clearly some discrepancy's.

 

[H78]

 
Nevermind...I'm an idiot. There's clearly some discrepancy's.

 
Yikes.