Deus Irae

Ok, since there seems to be a lot of contention about the 2011 defense, Let's start with a simple foundation to see if we can at least find some areas of relative agreement:

Which players on the 2011 defense would start for the 2003-2004 defenses? To make it easier, Let's consider Wilfork obvious since he started in both 2004 and 2011. I'll also put down the list of "starters" from the group, just to make it more accessible to people. Legit starters from 2003-2004 may be left out, but it will be legit starters from that time that will be used. Also, I'll put in 3 cornerbacks for people to compare against so people can use the one they consider the weakest link as a comparison. Lastly, remember that you're comparing the level of play for the included years, not before or after.

D-Line: Seymour/Wilfork/Warren
LB: Vrabel/Bruschi/Johnson/McGinest
CB: Law/Samuel/Poole
S: Harrison/Wilson

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Shockt327

Well, could Carter or Anderson play 3-4? I'm pretty sure they couldn't, so....

RodThePat

Maybe Mayo in place of Johnson. That's it.

Rob0729

The 2003 Patriots were the best defense in team history and one of the more underrated defenses in NFL history. Not really fair to compare this defense to that defense. The 2004 defense was slightly worse than 2003. Why not ask which players on this defense could start on the 2000 Ravens' team or the 1985 Bears team?

Ironically, the 2003 defense is more comparable to this year's offense because both had to carry the other side of the ball in a lot of games. The Pats had six games that year where they scored 17 points or less.

patsinthesnow

Uhhhhh.....

Mayo in replace of Johnson.

Arrington as CB 2 or 3?

Carter was bad as a 3-4 OLB, so not him.

That's it.

mgteich

I agree. Carter wouldn't start in the 3-4.

ATippett56

It's an apples to oranges comparison in the front seven of 4-3 defense vs 3-4 defense.

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robertweathers

I'll play along.

No one on the line changes.

LB- Maybe Mayo for Johnson but I'd rather have Ted vs the run and Mayo for other plays.

CB-The 03 secondary stays intact. However in 04 Poole was never right and Law went down vs Pitt on Halloween. That left Asante and Randall Gay the starters and Hank Poteat as the nickel DB. With that said, I would take McCourty in '10 over everyone but 03 Law and '11 Arrington over everyone but '03 Law.

Part of me wonders if the '11 team had 03 Rodney back there, their pass defense would be measurably better.

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mgteich

So, we have gone from calling the defense one of the worst in nfl history to comparing it to one of the best in nfl history. What's the point?

Rob0729

Huh?!? The Pats are running mostly a 4-3 this year.

My point was comparing one of the better defenses in league history to this defense is a slanted comparison.