mgteich

We have about 7 free agents and 7 draftees still to come, but even now the defensive propsects are fine. McGinist will be hard to replace, but he will be replaced. I see no reason to believe that one of the strongest defenses in the league at the end of the season will be getting weaker.

We need about 5-7, but could go with just jags at all but linebacker.
-----------------------------------
DEFENSIVE LINE (perhaps one to compete as backup NT)
With no additions, Klecko will probably be beaten out by Thomas. This group figures to be a bit better as the youngsters all improve. There are no old vets.

LINEBACKERS (need two additions)
We have nine, the right number. Claridge is our young draftee. Alexander and one other should get pushed out by additions. Colvin should have a good year. Are we really complaining about the LB corps getting younger? Beisel will stay if only as a special teamer.

CORNERS (need two)
We'll likely bring in 2-3 to compete with who we have. As of now, we have as good as we ended the season with. And Gay is back.

SAFETY (add a special teamer)
I'm fine with Wilson,Hawkins and Sanders.

SeanBruschi54

I love the anticipation and heart BUT WAY WAY WAY TOOOO EARLY to even remotely say anything like that.

AzPatsFan

Mg,

Don't forget Mike Stone. He isthe new ST star. He nearly duplicated the exploits of Davis and Izzo in about a 1/3 of a season. He may not be a great regular safety but he's better than Jerod Cherry ever was, and just as good on ST. And he is 5-6 years younger than Davis and Izzo. I consider him one of the finds of last season.

Box_O_Rocks

Stone hasn't been re-signed yet...but I want him back too.

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hwc

Quote:

The Defense Will be as good as 2005

Wow. I hope it's a little better than that! Up through the halfway point of the season, the Pats defense couldn't stop a Pop Warner team.

IMO, the job Belichick did turning a putrid defense around late in the season may have been his most impressive coaching job ever.

mgteich

Stone might have been a special team star, but I don't think he has been re-signed. As I indicated, we should add a special teamer. Stone would be fine.

mgteich

Of course it's way early to make conclusions. But I am a bit tired of the gloom and doom on one side and the polyanna on the other. I think we are we have been for the last 5 seasons at this point. We have some holes to fill, and we need to see which free agents and which rookies will make the roster, and which will contribute.

Bottom line is that I think it is reasonable to project a better team and see what we need to fill the holes to make it happen. I would rather do that discuss every high-profile free that gets signed. We almost never sign any in the first week, if ever. I suppose Harrison was close.

groundgame

It is very possible that the D will be improved in '06, especially if Harrison, Bruschi and Seymour are healthy.

CrazyDave

I liked Stone. He missed some tackles, but i thought he showed a lot of enthusiasm in the physicality dept. I would definitely like to see some depth added at SS. Is Tank Wiliams an option? I don't know. I have a friend who is a Titans fan, and he said he's an underachiever, but that may once again be on of those "in our system" things. SS is such a key position.

JR4

I think D has a chance to be better this year for the following reasons:

1. Hobbs will be more experienced. He is coming long nicely.

2. Samuel is good but either Samuel or Hobbs could be beat out in TC
depending who they bring in.

3. If Rodney is back ... automatic improvement with his leadership on the field.

4. There will be a replacement for Willie. If that replacement plays ILB and
Vrabel moves outside then depending on how good that new ILB is the front
seven could be better.

5. Wilfork seemed to get the hang of it towards end of last year, I look to
see him to continue to improve.

6. Seymour should play his heart out with a big contract year coming up.
( I don't see Seymour signing a contract - he wants to see FA money )

7. I think Pees will make us forget Mangini real quick.

One concern is the Defense coaching ... I think they are still short here.
They do not have a DB or LB coach unless the DC is going to do it all.
I would have thought they would have obtained at least one more defense
position coach by now.