Jeff Tarpinian, starting NFL linebacker

by Notclevr on Nov 14, 2011 8:58 AM CST

I think we were all pleasantly surprised when Tarpinian made the Patriots roster as an undrafted free agent. Last night he got his first start thanks to Brandon Spikes being hurt, and New England had what was probably their best defensive performance of the season. Coincidence?

Worth noting that the start caught NBC by surprise, as Tarp was one of two Pats who had a mute still photo when he should have been saying "Jeff Tarpinian, University of the United State of Iowa." Here's that video:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Two-Patriots-defenders-were-so-new-they-didn-82?urn=nfl-wp11788

But it's worth noting that Tarpinian has a real shot to stick around with the Pats. They actually *started* ten undrafted free agents last night, from Welker to Woodhead.

And here's a recent interview with Tarpinian on his journey that I thought was interesting. All the more reason to stop hating on Adam Shada--he apparently has been a pretty good recruiter for Iowa:

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4708250/football-journey-jeff-tarpinian

Poll

Favorite Iowa LB in the NFL?

Pat Angerer

72 votes

A.J. Edds

2 votes

Chad Greenway

88 votes

Jeremiah Hunter

1 votes

Jeff Tarpinian

1 votes

164 votes | Poll has closed

Unless otherwise expressly indicated by BHGP editors, this FanPost is strictly the viewpoint of the author and is not endorsed by BHGP in any way.

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Comments

I was watching

and had to rewind because I wasn’t sure it was him. Good to see him getting a shot.

"'Contrariwise,' continued Tweedledee, 'If it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic." - Lewis Caroll, Alice Through the Looking Glass

by chitownhawkeye on Nov 14, 2011 10:46 AM CST reply actions

Great link!

Thanks for the post.

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on Nov 14, 2011 11:55 AM CST reply actions

Really?

i always knew he was pretty good, but i never thought he was starter in the NFL good.

then again, i didnt think Angerer was either, and now he may be the best one in the league, so shows what i know

"Your spelling and grammar errors belie a seriously skilled thought process"- therealCatnuts

by justsomehawkeyefan on Nov 14, 2011 3:55 PM CST reply actions

I think we would have loved Tarp if his Iowa career hadn't been killed by injuries.

"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"

by RossWB on Nov 14, 2011 4:52 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed

I’m a Pats fan, and when I heard that he got injured in training camp I figured that was going to be the story of his football career. But it looks like he stuck on, and at the very least he seemed like he might have potential as a special teams stud for a couple years (or just until he got hurt again). But now he’s at least got a chance to step up and own a space on that defense.

by Notclevr on Nov 15, 2011 10:43 AM CST up reply actions

I wonder if that wasn't Bellichek doing Ferentz a solid.

How many UFA get injured in camp and then don’t get released? Can’t be many.

by Norm Parker's Amputated Toes on Nov 15, 2011 5:37 PM CST up reply actions

No such things as "doing a solid" in NFL football

Especially the Patriots. He earned that.

I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.

by therealCatnuts on Nov 15, 2011 5:39 PM CST up reply actions

He might be

but it was certainly helped by the fact that the Pats have very little defensive depth. They’re a MASH unit this year.

"'Contrariwise,' continued Tweedledee, 'If it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic." - Lewis Caroll, Alice Through the Looking Glass

by chitownhawkeye on Nov 14, 2011 6:29 PM CST up reply actions