"Aging Patriots" a Cliché, Not Reality

Sportswriters, both professional and amateur, continue to write about the "aging Patriots defense." There was some truth to that two years ago, with a linebacker corps of Mike Vrabel, Rosevelt Colvin, Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, Adalius Thomas and Larry Izzo. Thomas was the baby at 30. 

Today Vrabel is gone by trade.Seau and Colvin have probably returned to their retirement for good now, and Izzo left in free agency. Bruschi appears to be on his last legs. It is unlikely that he will finish 2009 as a starting ILB for the Patriots, even if he begins the season in that role. By crunch time, Thomas, only two years ago the "baby" of the group, will be its old man, a big, fast, hard-hitting linebacker at the top of his career.

The Patriots have brought back Tully Banta-Cain, a promising pass-rushing OLB when he left in free agency a few years ago. He discovered that life wasn't as good when you didn't have ten guys with Super Bowl rings out on the field with you, and eleven more on the offense who could hold the ball long enough that you could rest before going back onto the field. 

He flourished in New England before; there is no reason to believe that he will not do so again. Unlike the departing linebackers, Banta-Cain is 28. He is just entering his peak years.

A secondary that, a few years ago, had Ty Law, Tyrone Poole and Rodney Harrison as its mainstays now has Brandon Meriweather, Ellis Hobbs and Leigh Bodden in those roles, all 28 or younger. 

Now, as then, the free safety is young. The only older defensive back in the mix is Shawn Springs; his role will likely be one in which his age will be a factor.

The defensive line, at 27 (Wilfork), 28 (Warren) and 29 (Seymour) is still years away from being an aging one. Instead, it is probably the best one in the NFL. All are prime run-stuffers; all can push the pocket, getting some sacks for themselves and generating some for the linebackers. 

The often discussed problem of Wilfork and Seymour both coming to the ends of their contracts this year is less of a problem than one might think. 2010 will be a no-salary-cap season.  While the best clubs are restrained in raiding other clubs' free agents, they are under no such limitations on holding their own. The odds are very good that both will re-sign, and the Patriots are likely to keep that line for some time to come.

The line also has quality depth, with Jarvis Green, Mike Wright and LeKevin Smith all decent, if not overwhelming, backups. Green has often shown that he could step in as a starter with no harm to their defense.

At this point, there is no such thing as the "aging Patriots defense." They have one man to replace. Most of their defensive rebuilding will be upgrading their existing roster rather than filling vacancies left behind by older players. The league still has many years of powerful Patriots teams to face.