Derrick Burgess Solidifies New England Patriots' Defense

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Coming into training camp, there was one glaring hole in the New England Patriots' projected lineup.  Tom Brady would be back at quarterback. There would be an embarrassment of riches at running back and wide receiver. The lines were solid. The defensive backfield had received major reinforcements with the signings of Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden and with the drafting of safety Patrick Chung and cornerback Darius Butler. 

One inside linebacker spot was solid with Jerod Mayo, and the other would be all right for one more year with Tedy Bruschi. One outside linebacker spot was strong with Adalius Thomas.  But what was going to happen at the other outside linebacker spot?

That spot had been held for years by Mike Vrabel, the jack-of-all-trades who could play the run or the pass, rush the passer, and even come in on offense as an extra tight end. Vrabel, however, had slowed badly last year, and in the offseason the Patriots traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs. Who would replace him?

The Patriots had Pierre Woods, who had turned in a decent but not great performance last year, when Thomas was hurt. They re-acquired Tully Banta-Cain, who had served them well as a situational pass rusher but had fizzled in San Francisco when handed a starting job. 

They had Shawn Crable and Vince Redd, imposing physical specimens who were hurt last year and never really had a chance to show what they could do. Until last week, it appeared the Patriots had nothing but question marks at OLB opposite Thomas.

Then the Patriots acquired Derrick Burgess, formerly a killer pass rusher with the Eagles and then the Raiders.  There is now only one question mark. That is whether he is fully recovered from the injuries that kept him from playing a full season last year. 

If he is, the Patriots are all set.  Burgess can jam running lanes and can rush the passer with the best of them. He will probably not be put into deep pass drops very often; he will be able to handle coverage in the flat satisfactorily. But they didn't get him to cover receivers. His time will be spent in opposing backfields. Assuming he is fully healthy, the Patriots have solved their problem and should return to an elite level on defense. This looks like a very good year for the Patriots.

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