With the Patriots fielding one of the best offenses in NFL history once again, all eyes are focused on the defense.
The loss of Asante Samuel will hinder the team’s plans greatly, but that doesn’t mean they will be a bad defense. In fact, this defense has the ability to be more successful than last year, which ranked fourth overall in the NFL.
There are several question marks on the roster, but the Pats have done their best to mask their weaknesses. Here’s how the positions break down.
Defensive End Chris Norwell, Kenny Smith, Le Kevin Smith, Santonio Thomas, Ty Warren, Richard Seymour, Jarvis Green
Defensive end is a make-or-break position for the Patriots. The entire defense is predicated on having an effective pass rush and a strong run-D, which is why all three starters on the Patriots D-line were first-round picks by the team.
Richard Seymour showed his dominance almost instantly after being drafted by the Patriots. His size, skill, and smarts helped him to become recognized as one of the top DEs in the NFL. His tackling skills are top-notch, and he commands double-teaming on every down.
His skills have also been noted by team officials, making him one of the only Patriots players to successfully hold out for a larger contract. Although he has been marred by injuries as of late, he has still found a way to consistently contribute.
During minicamp this year, Seymour claimed to be in better shape than he had been in the past two years.
Ty Warren is also a top-notch defensive end. He definitely benefits from the presence of Seymour, but has a great amount of skill himself. He is better at moving and eluding blockers than he is at taking them on face-to-face, and he has had some inconsistencies in his game in the past. He had a career year in 2007, and looks to continue his mean streak this year.
Behind those two, Jarvis Green is the best backup end on the roster. With enough skill to be a starter on most NFL teams, Green has thrived in his backup role in New England. He is also necessary for the “grind-it-out” type of defense the Patriots play.
He has shown consistency playing both right and left end, and the team doesn’t show much of a drop-off when he spells for Warren or Seymour.
With Green serving as the No. 3 DE on the depth chart, the Patriots don’t need much more depth. Santonio Thomas and LE Kevin Smith will most likely make the 53-man roster, but won’t see much playing time (barring injuries, of course).
Needs: None.
Expected Cuts: Chris Norwell, Kenny Smith
Nose Tackle
Vince Wilfork, Mike Wright, Steve Fifita
Vince Wilfork has improved each year since being drafted in the first round out of Miami. He is a large, powerful tackle, with great athleticism for his size (6’2”, 325lbs). He is the perfect puzzle piece for the Patriots’ 3-4 defense; he is near impossible to move (even with a double-team), and has the power to move the pocket against the pass or penetrate against the run.
10 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Alex Boylhart 12 months ago
I think you should be more concerned about the Pats defense. The offense is so good that opposing teams almost can't run the ball, so not only is your secondary the weakest link, its going to be the most exposed to do the high volume of passing. Your corners are old, your safeties suck (I think losing Wilson was one of their worst moves), your LB's are still old, and if Wilfork goes down so does the whole defense. Over the course of 16 games and playoffs, I'd be very concerned about the injuries.
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Matt's Pats Blog 12 months ago
Thanks for commenting. I agree that the D is the weakest link (simply by process of elimination), and that injuries could screw it up. I do have a couple counter-points though:
1.) The CBs aren't really that old. The "old" CBs are Bryant, Webster, and Lewis Sanders. The rest are within their first 3 years in the league.
2.) Eugene Wilson wasn't good. He hand't been performing well at safety for over two seasons (he came out of college really, really well, but actually got worse over time). That's why TB is using him at CB, rather than safety.
3.) The LBs are old, but the Pats addressed that by getting Hobson as well as drafting 3 LBs in this year's draft. Adalius isn't really old, he's still in his prime. So yeah, Bruschi and Vrabel are old (and Seau if he returns), but that's it.
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Alex Boylhart 12 months ago
First I need to apologize. I read my first comment over again and I sounded like a dick lol. Didn't mean to come off that way. Anyway, about the corners, I said they are old because those 3 are the ones that will be starting/playing the most, so the young guys sitting on the bench don't really matter. I like Hobson a lot. Is Mayo going to start?
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Matt's Pats Blog 12 months ago
I agree - I really like Hobson alot. He could really have a monster year (or a dud year, who knows). He definitely has shown skill and versatility which are the two elements of a successful Patriots career.
I like Mayo alot, and I've been hearing that he's been spending an absurd amount of time in the video room studying the defense. If he's not starting in week 1, I fully expect him to start by the end of the season. I think he will be a big-time playmaker for the Pats for a while.
Regarding the CBs, I still think Ellis Hobbs will hold on to the #2 spot on the depth chart. He's only 25 at this point, but his skills are truly suspect. I can definitely see how you'd expect the older 3 CBs to take the top spots. CB is definitely a huge area of concern for the Pats. I wouldn't be surprised if they use one of their extra #2 picks in next year's draft to trade for a CB replacement now. Either way, we're going to miss Asante.
It's going to be an interesting pre-season on defense; lots of positional battles. Especially in the secondary.
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Aaron Dodge 12 months ago
I'm excited about this years defense. It's been awhile since I've been able to honestly say that. It felt as if we drafted for need this year which make me feel a lot better about the gaps left in the LB and secondary rotations.
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adam folarin 12 months ago
Good Article Every thing you wrote I agree with.
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Zachary Hueras 11 months ago
I'm inclined to think that Hobbs' skills aren't that questionable. I think he's a good cornerback, and he's only getting better. If he can stay healthy, too...
I think Hobbs saw a lot more action than Samuel (and, if you ask me, Samuel didn't look so great at times throughout last season, though that could relate to his contract dispute). I also think Hobbs plays underneath a lot, and people think he's playing deep.
For instance, on Burress' TD catch during the Super Bowl, Hobbs said he was playing the underneath route (or a near zone, effectively) and that he didn't receive the help he should've over the top. That whole play was a pretty big misread (friggin' slant-n-gos), but if Hobbs was really in the position he should've been in, then I'd throw the blame to the free safety for that one.
I have a feeling Hobbs doesn't get "beat" as much as it appears, anyway
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Matt's Pats Blog 11 months ago
That's a really good point. We really never know how good or bad a defensive back is performing unless we know what coverage they're playing. I guess Hobbs could have looked like he was out of place only because he was improvising to fill the gap left by a missing safety.
I hope he plays well this year. He could have a really bright future.
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Zachary Hueras 11 months ago
I'm inclined to think that Hobbs' skills aren't that questionable. I think he's a good cornerback, and he's only getting better. If he can stay healthy, too...
I think Hobbs saw a lot more action than Samuel (and, if you ask me, Samuel didn't look so great at times throughout last season, though that could relate to his contract dispute). I also think Hobbs plays underneath a lot, and people think he's playing deep.
For instance, on Burress' TD catch during the Super Bowl, Hobbs said he was playing the underneath route (or a near zone, effectively) and that he didn't receive the help he should've over the top. That whole play was a pretty big misread (friggin' slant-n-gos), but if Hobbs was really in the position he should've been in, then I'd throw the blame to the free safety for that one.
I have a feeling Hobbs doesn't get "beat" as much as it appears, anyway
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Mike Dussault 11 months ago
The Pats defensive style won't ask Fernando Bryant to play much press coverage and that should hide his perceived weaknesses. I think he'll replace Asante no problem. Wheatley could be a stud too.
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