2009 Defense

[mgteich]

I would think that it is important to consider extensions to Sanders and O'Neal, since their contracts end in 2008. They played ALL the defensive reps against Denver, ALL of them.
===============================
The "starting" defense (11) based on who played more
DL Seymour, Wilfork, Warren
LB Thomas, Mayo, Guyton, Vrabel
DB O'Neal(fa), Hobbs, Sanders(fa), Meriweather
===============================
2009 DEPTH (10)
We do have 2009 depth at DB: Wilhite, Richardson and Wheatley
and at LB: Bruschi, Woods (with a high RFA tender), Crable, Redd
and at DL: Green, Smith, Adams/Wright(fa)

 

[JSn]

I agree witht hose extensions.

Sadly, I can hear the Deltha bashers coming already.

 

[maverick4]

Re-sign to long deals:
Wilfork, O'Neal, Sanders.
Do not re-sign Vrable, Bruschi, Harrison when contacts expire.

 

[JSn]

Re-sign to long deals:
Wilfork, O'Neal, Sanders.
Do not re-sign Vrable, Bruschi, Harrison when contacts expire.

You know, if Rodney can still play next year, even on a slim rotation, I'd resign him. I think his leadership value is huge.

By the end of the year, though, new leaders may emerge.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re-sign to long deals:
Wilfork, O'Neal, Sanders.
Do not re-sign Vrable, Bruschi, Harrison when contacts expire.

I'm pretty sure Bruschi is planning to hang it up when his contract ends. I wouldn't be surprised if Vrabel called it a career after '09, either, although he might still have a bit more in the tank, especially in a reduced role.

 

[Pats726]

I would think that it is important to consider extensions to Sanders and O'Neal, since their contracts end in 2008. They played ALL the defensive reps against Denver, ALL of them.
===============================
The "starting" defense (11) based on who played more
DL Seymour, Wilfork, Warren
LB Thomas, Mayo, Guyton, Vrabel
DB O'Neal, Hobbs, Sanders, Meriweather
===============================
2009 DEPTH (8)
We do have 2009 depth at DB: Wilhite, Richardson and Wheatley
and at LB: Bruschi, Woods (with a high RFA tender), and Crable
and at DL: Smith, Adams

No Jarvis Green...who is still signed??

 

[mgteich]

Oops! I will edit.

No Jarvis Green...who is still signed??

 

[Pats726]

Oops! I will edit.

I know Wright is signed only to 08...but Jarvis really is a big part of things...I would try and resign him...as he is a good ST player and backup...

 

[mgteich]

I believe that we should try to sign both Wright and Woods to long-term contracts. They are both very strong on Special Teams.

I know Wright is signed only to 08...but Jarvis really is a big part of things...I would try and resign him...as he is a good ST player and backup...

 

[Pats726]

I believe that we should try to sign both Wright and Woods to long-term contracts. They are both very strong on Special Teams.

I agree...and I also agree about O'Neal and JSanders O'Neal is good...what about LSanders?? Also wondering about Spann and Ventrone...both of who I like...although RV..is more offensive and ST...lol....It looks like a strong D though...(And yes...I would sign Rodnay for a year if he wishes to make a comeback...just on leadership alone..) AND do not forget 2 on the PSqd...Dillard and Redd...those 2 MAY be sleepers...

 

[Sicilian]

I don't think we're done drafting for defense either. I'm kind of hoping for a stud OL in the first round, but if there's no value there at the Pats' pick, I can see us picking up ANY position on the D.

Insurance on the line, continued youth movement in the linebackers, a new corner to compete with O'Neal and the other young guys, or a safety to play alongside Meriweather could all help.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I'd like to improve the pass-rush. Is there an olb who is available? Would also
like to add some depth on DL. Not sold on secondary either. Want to see more
of J.Sanders and T.Wheatley. I think Hobbs and Meriweather will be ok. We might
have struck gold in Mayo and Guyton. Want to see more of Guyton the rest of
the year.

 

[Richter]

I definitely think that looks like a solid defense going forward, especially with the 2 young ILB. Drafting a stud pass rusher and another rangy safety would be the finishing touch for a few years.

 

[D-Money]

This team needs to draft another LB in 2009.Get help at CB and safety.

 

[mgteich]

More of James Sanders? He played 100% of defensive reps Monday night.

I'd like to improve the pass-rush. Is there an olb who is available? Would also
like to add some depth on DL. Not sold on secondary either. Want to see more
of J.Sanders and T.Wheatley. I think Hobbs and Meriweather will be ok. We might
have struck gold in Mayo and Guyton. Want to see more of Guyton the rest of
the year.

 

[patsfaninpa]

More of James Sanders? He played 100% of defensive reps Monday night.

I don't mean pct. of plays. I mean more to see if he is a legit full-time
starter on a championship team. Not sure he's the force we want at SS.
I'm patient. I'll wait until the end of the year. But, I don't think we can
say for sure he's the answer. We've been awfully spoiled by 12 years
of Milloy and Rodney.

 

[mgteich]

The team I posted has 20 players. If we re-sign James Sanders, O'Neal and Wright, and tender Woods, I think that we have a solid complete team. Barring injury, we'd be done expect for a potential draftees, perhaps one each at DL, OLB and S.

So, sure there is are potential spots on the special teams for Spann, Ventrone (does he even practice on defense), Dillard, Redd and Ruud (who you forgot). However, I don't see them winning spots from the 20 I listed. We could re-sign Lew Sanders for camp, but I expect that he would be instead of O'Neal on the 53 if he is signed. We already have Hobbs, Wilhite, Wheatley and Richardson as our young future.

And sure there is always another year for Harrison, if he is ready.

I agree...and I also agree about O'Neal and JSanders O'Neal is good...what about LSanders?? Also wondering about Spann and Ventrone...both of who I like...although RV..is more offensive and ST...lol....It looks like a strong D though...(And yes...I would sign Rodnay for a year if he wishes to make a comeback...just on leadership alone..) AND do not forget 2 on the PSqd...Dillard and Redd...those 2 MAY be sleepers...

 

[BradyManny]

I would think that it is important to consider extensions to Sanders and O'Neal, since their contracts end in 2008. They played ALL the defensive reps against Denver, ALL of them.
===============================
The "starting" defense (11) based on who played more
DL Seymour, Wilfork, Warren
LB Thomas, Mayo, Guyton, Vrabel
DB O'Neal(fa), Hobbs, Sanders(fa), Meriweather
===============================
2009 DEPTH (9)
We do have 2009 depth at DB: Wilhite, Richardson and Wheatley
and at LB: Bruschi, Woods (with a high RFA tender), and Crable
and at DL: Green, Smith, Adams/Wright(fa)

IMO, O'Neal is a stopgap - if they like what he does the rest of the season, they can bring him back, but if they decide to invest in another CB via the draft, then I doubt they'll think twice about moving on from O'Neal.

I agree with the rest of the starting lineup. I have Guyton penciled in as well, for a guy to progress as fast as he has and see his snaps increase, I don't think its crazy to think he could start by next year.

I'd also want to throw Vince Redd into the mix at OLB depth.

Overall, I'm seeing the defense is in pretty good shape for at least next season. As I just said in another thread, if everyone's health holds up (knock on some wood, right now) defense is not looking like a major need going into the April draft - presuming we re-sign guys like Sanders, Woods, and perhaps O'Neal.

If Wheatley and Wilhite develop fast enough, then CB isn't a real need, unless they don't want O'Neal back. If they do, then I can see them using a Day 1 pick on CB.

If Harrison is calling it quits, then another safety will be a need, likely addressed sometime between rounds 2-5 in the draft. If Sanders is re-signed, then they have their starting combo for the next few years.

If Guyton continues to impress, then SILB is no longer a major need. Depending upon what they think of Bo Ruud, I would think they would add some depth to ILB, pretty much anywhere between rounds 2-7.

AD is signed through 2011, Vrabel may be on the back 9, but is still playing a lot of snaps. Woods has proven he can be the first OLB off the bench, if he's re-signed, then between Crable and Redd, there is little need to get an OLB, unless they specifically really target a need and see an area they can upgrade over Crable/Woods/Redd, ie, an OLB with noted exceptional pass rushing skills (I think thats Crable, anyway) or one who is exceptional at dropping back into coverage or covering TEs.

All in all, I'm very excited about the future of this D.

 

[Deus Irae]

I expect that the team will be looking for at least one safety, at least one corner, two linebackers, and any defensive lineman that intrigues them becomes an instant 'get' given the way this team views the importance of the defensive line.

I don't expect Bruschi back unless he's willing to be a backup/1 down kind of player next season.

O'Neal is a boom/bust player, and that's not really what the Patriots like in their corners. If he can rein that style of play in, he may stick for another year, depending upon Wheatley's progress and his willingness to be a #3 corner. If he can't control his impulses, he'll be gone.

I think this team will look for a big safety if Harrison doesn't come back, although it may toy with the idea of a small cover linebacker type of player if they can't find a safety they are happy with in that hybrid role that Rodney was playing.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I don't mean pct. of plays. I mean more to see if he is a legit full-time
starter on a championship team. Not sure he's the force we want at SS.
I'm patient. I'll wait until the end of the year. But, I don't think we can
say for sure he's the answer. We've been awfully spoiled by 12 years
of Milloy and Rodney.

I think you are looking at this a bit skewed.

Run a search on Reiss' Pieces for defensive "snaps" and check James Sanders snaps - you'll see he consistently is among the highest on the team. Despite D.W. Toys and the Lynch Sanders fan club, James clearly enjoys BB's trust and high regard.

Meriweather has been playing closer to the line of scrimmage from his Nickel Safety role, he's the most likely player to take over the SS role because he's been seeing more of it. Spann now assumes the Nickel Safety, Meriweather gets to be Rodney Jr., and Sanders stays right where he is as the linchpin of the secondary.

I anticipate little loss in production, if any, from the Safety position.