New England Patriots: What Does DE Marcus Stroud Bring To the Table?

Tuesday afternoon, the New England Patriots agreed to terms on a contract with free agent defensive end Marcus Stroud. 

Stroud, who has spent the last three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, will join a Patriots defensive line that was very much beat up all of last season. 

Sitting at 32 and not getting any younger, what does Stroud have to offer for the Patriots? What does the veteran defensive end bring to the table? 

NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net.

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Insurance on the Defensive Line

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is sacked by Alez Carrington #92 and Marcus Stroud #99 of the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York.

As stated earlier, the New England Patriots defensive line suffered a significant amount of injuries last season and had multiple players in their rotation. 

Adding Stroud is essentially adding another body to the position. Stroud will play a lot of snaps and will be a key player in New England's rotation on the line. 

Just for a comparison: The Boston Celtics of the NBA really bulked up at the center position last off-season. The Celtics played with only two centers the previous season and then went out and added three centers to the team's rotation. 

Veteran Experience

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 9: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals is sacked by defensive tackle Marcus Stroud #99 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter October 9, 2005 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by E

Stroud has been around for quite sometime while spending three seasons with Buffalo and his previous seven with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

While playing with the Jaguars, he played in several playoff games and was apart of a defense that was stout against the run. 

Being a ten-year pro, Stroud will fit in nicely with a young defense in New England. 

Healthy History

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Marcus Stroud #99 of the Buffalo Bills plays against Ramon Foster #73 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Pittsburgh won 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Rick Stew

Despite being 32-years-old and a ten-year veteran, Stroud has always been healthy and reliable his whole NFL career.

His three seasons in Buffalo, Stroud only missed two games. During his time in Jacksonville, Stroud went all 16 games five times during his seven years with the Jags and played in ten plus games six out of those seven. 

Being 32 years old, it may deceive that Stroud's body is going down hill. It's not—he's always been healthy. 

Leadership

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 20: Defensive tackle Marcus Stroud #99 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 20, 2009 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won 33-20. (Photo by

During Stroud's time in Buffalo he served a team captain and during his time with the Jags, he was a vocal part of a suffocating defense. 

When you look at New England's defense, they lack veteran leadership; Stroud can add that. 

With Vince Wilfork already on the d-line, Stroud will blend in nicely with Wilfork's presence as a leader. 

Pass Rush Ability

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Jake Delhomme #17 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass with pressure from Marcus Stroud #99 of the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Image

Over the past few seasons, New England has been lacking a dominant pass rush. 

By adding Stroud, he brings with him a decent pass rushing ability.

In Stroud's ten-year career, he's recorded 29.5 sacks—nearly three per year. 

Three sacks per season doesn't really jump off of the stat sheet, however it's better than zero. 

Last season, on a miserable Buffalo defense, Stroud recorded three sacks.