Tunescribe

I look at this Patriots defense and see little seasoned leadership, plus little cohesion (esp. at cornerback and linebacker) coming out of the gate. Unless BB is keeping something under wraps, seems to me we're going to need every point the offense can muster. If anyone here can make a case for this defense being anything but average, I'd like to hear it.

JD10367

I think it has potential. The DBs are an upgrade over last season, with the addition of Springs, Bodden, Chung, and Butler (and I think Wilhite will do well). Linebacker, they DO still have Adalius and Mayo. D-line, we don't even need to talk about.

I don't think they'll be top five. They'll probably be what they usually are: between #10 and #15 in the league in yards allowed, but between #5 and #8 in points allowed (which IMO is much more important). And, as long as Brady and his targets stay healthy, that offense should be scoring an easy 28 PPG, so it's not like we need them to be the '86 Bears...

RayClay

I agree they could have turned over better, but I feel like they stocked up well, good blend of youth and experience in the secondary, and some tools for some real exotic stuff in the front seven. They are defensive wizards, so i give them half a season to gel a bit.

Thank Gawd, we at least have some athlete's.

__________________

gmtaxi27

It's hard to say. You really can't put much stock in pre-season.

Teams don't scheme, they don't really plan for the team they are playing.

Case in point, did you see how the Skins corners played Moss? They were playing 10 yards off of him. Do you think that is going to happen in the regular season?

I do think our defense has the potential to be real solid. I love our d-line. Outside of maybe the Giants, I would say we have the best and deepest d-line in football. A healthy Thomas coming back is huge. I pass rush was non-existant when he went down. I expect a big season from him.
Can our seconday be any worse than last year? I guess it could, but Boden looks pretty solid. I would have liked to seen more of Springs, but unless he lost a few steps I expect him to be solid. I think our Saftey's could be the most underated in football. I love how Merriweather is progressing.

I am not worried, but we shall see.

tanked_as_usual

confident enough.......

Bledsoe11

All I know is if they are still playing CBs 20 yards off against Buffalo, I'm going to SCREAM!

reflexblue

Not yet, i haven't been impressed with the pass def. But i think like most years it will get expedientially better as the season progresses.

__________________
S.H.E.S.
I Likes Spikes.

JR4

You are kidding right?

Average?

Last year this was a top 10 D right? What key players have they lost
that would make them worst? None

What new players will make them faster and/or more physical?
How about Burgess, Bolden and Springs(if healthy)
Oh and then there is Brace and the fact Mayo is bigger/stronger
and Gyton will have the needed experience under his belt.
Meriweather is primed for a break out season.

We have yet to see what this D will bring when they start game
planning for teams.

Will they be great from the get go? Probably not but after 6 weeks
I bet you'll be singing a different tune.
I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up being a top 5 D if no significant
injuries.

IcyPatriot

Every year I see the team as a project from weeks 1 to week 6. I think Bill fields a team he feels he can best work with ... a team that has maximum potential vs a team that has little room to improve.

The secondary will have some rough edges for a few weeks ... so will the pass rush ... but it's like this every year Bill has been here IMO. At least Dean is not a Patriots rookie this year and I think that's a plus.

NEGoldenAge

Y'all are gonna be pleasantly surprised. This D is gonna be a turnover-generating machine..... something that's been lacking the last couple of years.