Depth On Defense

[mgteich]

Arguably, we have failed to win the Super Bowl in the last two years because of lack of depth on defense in the playoffs. Let's see where we are. We've re-loaded well, but are very thin at the moment at OLB and S.

DEFENSIVE LINE
The three starters, the two role players, and the one backup are all still in place, and we have an untried rookie on the Practice Squad. Five players get almost all the reps. This unit is in great shape.

INSIDE LINEBACKER
Guyton has stepped up. Mayo has been awesome. Bruschi is fine. There is no depth or players available if there is an injury, unless you count the injured Alexander.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
We're down to Vrabel and Woods. We need at least one more. Redd seems likely to be activated.

CORNER
We're in solid shape with Hobbs and O'Neal as starters, Wilhite as the nickel and Richardson as the dime. We also have Webster and Lew Sanders (when he comes back). If need be, Meriweather can be the dime. Wheatley might (seems unlikely) contribute some late in the season.

SAFETY
We have Meriweather and Sanders. I don't think we want to give Spann, Ventrone or Slater any large amount of reps. They are all special teamers rather than position players (much like Izzo).

THE 19 MAN DEFENSIVE CORE
DL (5): Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Wright
LB (6): Vrabel, Woods, Bruschi, Mayo, Guyton, open
CB (6): Hobbs, O'Neal, Wilhite, Richardson, Sanders, Webster
S (2): Meriweather, Sanders

 

[MetalBleachers]

Does Alexander play? I haven't seen him on the field. If not, bring up Redd and sign Seau. Seau gives flexibility at two LB spots and Redd can come on as a special teamer/pass rusher with limited reps.

 

[Tunescribe]

We're down two impact starters on defense in Rodney and now Adalius. Any compromise in the front seven considering our sometimes-patchwork defensive backfield is ominous. I don't share your confidence in the Hobbs/O'Neal tandem as being "solid"; average is more the word. I hope Wheatley comes back considering the way he was improving, and I believe we'll also need help from Lewis Sanders. Remember, we haven't played an opponent with a healthy offense for several weeks now.

Losing Adalius is a huge blow, and there's not much OLB help on the roster or walking the street. I feel our chances of making the playoffs starting to slip unless the offense comes on like gangbusters.

... and sign Seau. Seau gives flexibility at two LB spots ...

I'd be amazed if Seau is ready to play football.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

The personnel took a big hit with AT's injury. The depth seems OKAY assuming Redd is activated or Seau is brought back in. BB has worked miracles before, aside from Ty Law and maybe Ted Johnson this defense can match or surpass that 2001 defense at any position. With our ball control style offense rounding into form this defense will be on the field less than it was the last season. I saw a stat in another thread where we lead the league in drive of 10 plays or more. Getting back to the defensive personnel, I'd love to see Seau brought in which allows Guyton to move outside while not requiring Bruschi to be out there for too many snaps.

 

[AzPatsFan]

There is little to expect from a turn to Seau.

He is old and slow when you need a pass rusher. I expect Woods to get a lot of sanps to show whethe rhsi canbemore tnajust a reserve; but off what he has done so far, I think he has little pass rusher in him.

Unusually for the Pats where the sack stats come from the OLBs, this year the interior DL is doing about half the job. I suspect that there will be more iILB blizing to accomapny Woods play.

 

[Fencer]

You list pretty questionable "core" CBs.
You list only two core Ss.
You list "open" as one of the core LBs.

Depth is not good.

 

[AzPatsFan]

BB and SP are rebuilding the Defense and have done a pretty good job of it so far, while continuing to produce winning records. But it is obvious that depth is a problem, that will be addressed in the draft.

I can see a first, second and third allocated to the Defense for a Safety, ILB and OLB.

Meanwhile a second for an OL.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

I'm looking forward to seeing Vince Redd get out there.........

expectations of this team are not all that great for this year anyway........and solid depth is being built in the process.......

 

[DarrylS]

BB and SP have built this team for a 16 game season, with that being said they are a little thin on quality D players to step up.. Vince Redd maybe, Seau Maybe.. he may have 8-10 games in the tank, Colvin seems to have too many medical issues.. this team will not just take a guy off of the street, so I would suspect Seau and Redd a close second.

 

[mgteich]

I expect that our 2009 linebackers will include youngsters Mayo, Guyton, Woods, Crable and Redd. They will complement veterans Vrabel, Thomas and Bruschi. Add one special teamer and we are basically full up, although we always have room for high value rookie at any defensive position.

For me, LB is not a high draft priority, especially if Woods signs an extension beyond 2009.

BB and SP are rebuilding the Defense and have done a pretty good job of it so far, while continuing to produce winning records. But it is obvious that depth is a problem, that will be addressed in the draft.

I can see a first, second and third allocated to the Defense for a Safety, ILB and OLB.

Meanwhile a second for an OL.

 

[mgteich]

Alexander has been injured. When he plays, he is a backup ILB, and not a very good one.

Does Alexander play? I haven't seen him on the field. If not, bring up Redd and sign Seau. Seau gives flexibility at two LB spots and Redd can come on as a special teamer/pass rusher with limited reps.

 

[mgteich]

I don't think we have current problems with corner "depth" at the moment. Corner is one of the teams weakness, but the depth is fine.

There is no depth at safety.

I presume that Redd will be activated to fill the open position. I still think this position has absorbed about all the injuries that it can without major effects.

I suspect that as we look at some of our rivals, our depth is about the same as most.

You list pretty questionable "core" CBs.
You list only two core Ss.
You list "open" as one of the core LBs.

Depth is not good.

 

[MetalBleachers]

Alexander has been injured. When he plays, he is a backup ILB, and not a very good one.

One tackle this year: Eric Alexander

I guess I don't understand why they don't just IR him, unless they think he can help them down the road. I think Thomas' injury accelerates the situation because they need someone who can contribute.

 

[DaBruinz]

I agree that, for the Jets game, Redd is really the only answer. Seau and Colvin won't be in game shape.

Anyone the Pats bring in off the street won't play against the Jets, more than likely.

 

[mgteich]

Alexander is a very good special teamer and may available later this year. Obviously, if we need the spot badly enough, he could be put on IR.

One tackle this year: Eric Alexander

I guess I don't understand why they don't just IR him, unless they think he can help them down the road. I think Thomas' injury accelerates the situation because they need someone who can contribute.

 

[captain stone]

Here's Adam Caplan's latest list of BA defensive FAs:
Scout.com: Best Available Free Agents-Defense-Week 11

And Draft Daddy's list, slightly out of date:
Draft Daddy: Feature Articles

No FAs who appear on those lists and who haven't had experience with the NEP really excite me.

The personnel issues at LB have now reached critical mass. Losing AT is the 2nd-most devastating loss of the season. If there is any way at all that AT can recover in time for the POs, then Alexander should be immediately be placed on IR and either Redd be promoted from the PS, or Colvin be re-signed (provided, of course, that he can pass his physical). Regardless, I would bring Colvin, Victor Hobson & Matt Chatham to Foxborough for physicals/workouts. We can no longer afford to keep 2 players, one of whom has been injured all season, and the other is strictly STs-only, on our LB depth chart.

As for the backfield positions, we have some depth at CB, but it is deep in mediocrity; and the FO still has done nothing to replace the in-the-box, RB/TE coverage abilities of the SS position, which must be a high priority this off-season.