What we need next year: PASS RUSHING

[Snarf]

We need to get some kick ass pass rushers this off season. Enough of this "sit back and let the QB complete 3rd and 15" stuff.

This is a passing league, where the rules give receivers huge advantages over defenses. You absolutely need to stop passes before they leave the QB.

So please please please BB/SP, build us one of the best pass rushing defenses in the league!

 

[tanked_as_usual]

sign terrell suggs, draft connor barwin

 

[Lansdowne]

Terrell Suggs, he can play DE and OLB, and he's a pass-rushing machine. Move Vrabel back inside with Mayo, and have Suggs go at it alongside Thomas on the outside. There's your pass-rush!

 

[cblesz]

Agree...top priority should be pass rush. If we are not going to add a high quality corner, a pass rush is essential. We had ZERO pass rush this year. Is Suggs free?

 

[yopats]

I remember the Pass Rush being decent before AD went down... but def needs some strengthing..

 

[signbabybrady]

AD and Vrabel are both good pass rushers. What we need is a better Secondary so we can be more agressive with our pass rushing.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Last year the Pats were second in sacks behind the Giants. This year, production was way down. Vrabel had 12.5 sacks in 2007 (I think), this year, 4. AD will help a lot, and if Seymour can stay healthy and reproduce his 8 sacks, we might be among the leaders again.

 

[WhiZa]

Don't forget about Crable who was made to rush the QB with his speed and lengthy frame. Even if he doesn't get to the QB he can still knock the ball down.

 

[borg]

I remember the Pass Rush being decent before AD went down... but def needs some strengthing..

Verses SD early on, Rivers went untouched

 

[cblesz]

Our pass rush was awful/non-existent all year.

 

[condon84]

Last year the Pats were second in sacks behind the Giants. This year, production was way down. Vrabel had 12.5 sacks in 2007 (I think), this year, 4. AD will help a lot, and if Seymour can stay healthy and reproduce his 8 sacks, we might be among the leaders again.

Last year we were up big and other teams had to pass to catch up. Vrabel's sack total was bloated because of that. Vrabel has clearly lost a step as I never saw him get around the edge this year like he used to. Vrabel would be great if we moved him inside.

Signing Suggs would be ideal. Him and AD on the edges would be sick. I didn't see enough of Crable to say he would bring pressure from the outside as he seemed lack the quick first step needed to be a monster on the edges. I watched some South FLorida games and George Selvie seems ideal. I don't know about his coverage skills, but his quick first step and moves to get to the QB are outstanding. I'd be thrilled if we draft him.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

AD and Vrabel are both good pass rushers. What we need is a better Secondary so we can be more agressive with our pass rushing.

if you don't have a pass rush, it doesn't matter what kind of secondary you have.........seymour had double the sacks of anyone else on the roster......that tells you the pass rush from OLB was ineffective......vrabel is getting old, for that fact, thomas is no spring chicken either........crable hasn't proven a thing and should be counted on as a backup at best next year........

OLB needs to get younger with some quality...........

 

[ALP]

Our pass rush was awful/non-existent all year.

i agree, and that is true w/ or w/o AD...

i also agree taht we have some nice pieces coming back who can play that role (AD, Crable) but i would still also like to add someone...someone good

if suggs is not TOO expensive, i say get him....otherwise, draft someone who will be much cheaper

if we have rosie, crable, woods, AD and either a draftee OLB, or a FA OLB to rush the passer, i think well be in prime condition

(and yes, as others have said, put Vrabel inside for one more season, and then let him go)

 

[cblesz]

if you don't have a pass rush, it doesn't matter what kind of secondary you have.........seymour had double the sacks of anyone else on the roster......that tells you the pass rush from OLB was ineffective......vrabel is getting old, for that fact, thomas is no spring chicken either........crable hasn't proven a thing and should be counted on as a backup at best next year........

OLB needs to get younger with some quality...........

Agree...young and quick...I love Vrabel but he is getting old and slow.

 

[DaBruinz]

We need to get some kick ass pass rushers this off season. Enough of this "sit back and let the QB complete 3rd and 15" stuff.

This is a passing league, where the rules give receivers huge advantages over defenses. You absolutely need to stop passes before they leave the QB.

So please please please BB/SP, build us one of the best pass rushing defenses in the league!

Could you please show me the QB hurries category and how the Patriots did this year?

Then show me when the Patriots had some "kick ass" pass rushers on their team during this run with BB and Pioli.

Then show me all these magnificent pass rushers who are going to come in and magically fix the Pats defense because it wasn't just the Pass rush that was ineffective. Their run stopping left a lot to be desired...

The Patriots don't need pass rushers. They need OLBs who can be effective in all 3 aspects that the Patriots look for. Putting pressure on the QB, Setting the edge against the run and being able to drop back into coverage. At their BEST, the Patriots could rush the Passer from any of the 4 LBing positions. And Vrabel, Bruschi and Cox were effective enough in coverage and McGinest was to a lesser extent.

Getting a PURE PASS RUSHER like a Freeney isn't going to happen because it won't help this team. Terrell Suggs would help because he can do all 3. He's NOT just a pure pass rusher.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Could you please show me the QB hurries category and how the Patriots did this year?

Then show me when the Patriots had some "kick ass" pass rushers on their team during this run with BB and Pioli.

Then show me all these magnificent pass rushers who are going to come in and magically fix the Pats defense because it wasn't just the Pass rush that was ineffective. Their run stopping left a lot to be desired...

The Patriots don't need pass rushers. They need OLBs who can be effective in all 3 aspects that the Patriots look for. Putting pressure on the QB, Setting the edge against the run and being able to drop back into coverage. At their BEST, the Patriots could rush the Passer from any of the 4 LBing positions. And Vrabel, Bruschi and Cox were effective enough in coverage and McGinest was to a lesser extent.

Getting a PURE PASS RUSHER like a Freeney isn't going to happen because it won't help this team. Terrell Suggs would help because he can do all 3. He's NOT just a pure pass rusher.

I don't think people are suggesting getting an OLB that excels as a pass rusher and can do nothing else. I've gotten frustrated to the point if they aren't going to draft someone first or 2nd round then just get a one trip pony like bruschi was and you can groom him. Vrabel was groomed, but he was a defensive end at first and you could utilize him to just rush the passer as he learns how to set the edge and cover.

I think people want a player whose strength is pass rushing and can also set the edge and cover, but in reality those players just don't exist out of college and the ones that do go top 10.

 

[BelichickFan]

Getting Thomas back will help as will having a stronger secondary so that they're willing to blitz more. I also hope Crable gets on the field next year in some pass rush situations. In normal downs, though, we aren't going to "get" pass rushing. Bruschi's spot is the only one in the front seven which MIGHT change hands.

 

[Kontradiction]

Could you please show me the QB hurries category and how the Patriots did this year?

Then show me when the Patriots had some "kick ass" pass rushers on their team during this run with BB and Pioli.

Then show me all these magnificent pass rushers who are going to come in and magically fix the Pats defense because it wasn't just the Pass rush that was ineffective. Their run stopping left a lot to be desired...

The Patriots don't need pass rushers. They need OLBs who can be effective in all 3 aspects that the Patriots look for. Putting pressure on the QB, Setting the edge against the run and being able to drop back into coverage. At their BEST, the Patriots could rush the Passer from any of the 4 LBing positions. And Vrabel, Bruschi and Cox were effective enough in coverage and McGinest was to a lesser extent.

Getting a PURE PASS RUSHER like a Freeney isn't going to happen because it won't help this team. Terrell Suggs would help because he can do all 3. He's NOT just a pure pass rusher.

Back in the day, our defense got it's paydirt from the pass rush whether it was designed like that or not. Part of the reason why quarterbacks would have such problems against a Belichick defense was because we threw crazy looks at them (especially in 2000-2001) and them rushed them into a throw they weren't ready to make. Our pass rush just simply wasn't like that this year. I don't know if it was the combo of not having Colvin and A.D. or Vrabel not having one of his usual years but it was lacking and it really exposed our secondary early on. I do agree that we should look for a LB who can help in both pass and run support but I think Suggs may be a little out of our range.

And to answer your question about "bad ass pass rusher", we just drafted one this past year. Crable. Let's hope he can get healthy and be able to stop the run as well as cover.

 

[BionicPatriot]

I'm sorry, were Vrabel and Mcgienst crap for us or something? In their prime they were playing like all-pros. No, they never took "over" games singlehandily, but our OLBs were effective enough for us to be a good defense. I'm not looking for Dwight Freeney, but I'm looking for intimidation again. I remember when Petyon freaking Manning was always human playing us. Why? Because our pass rushers harrassed them every time we played them from 01 to 04. Ever since, our D is nothing for them to chop up.

We need a guy like suggs. As Bruinz said, we need some versatility and he's every bit the versatile player. The question is, what about Thomas? He has never been an effective rusher for us in 2 seasons. Last year he was great at ILB, our defense was at the best with Vrabes,-Bruschi-Thomas-Colvin. When we had to rely on him to pick up the slack, it hurt us pass rushing. Also due to the fact we were thin at ILB as well in that time.

IMO, I think ADT has more to offer as a pass rusher than what we've seen. I just don't know if he'll ever be enough to live up to the hype. Maybe he'd be better off being a big ass thumper ILB. Imagine us moving him inside with Guyton and Mayo. But let me say this.

I'm not looking for a 15 sack guy. I'm looking for the OLB who can hold the edge against quick RBs. Anyone notice how we seem to get beat up outside more than inside? there you go. I'm not looking for the guy to sack the QB every second, but I'd like the occasional big play. I'd like to have an OLB that locks down the outside running lane and gets after the QB when he throws.

I don't want to hear that we don't need a pass rusher. Look at the stats, the last 3 years our D has gotten worse and worse. So obviously what we have, what we've been doing on defense since, isn't working and needs to change. Maybe not change, but fix it up. We need more speed so we can actually pressure people.

All these people wanting a expensive ass CB who only plays pass defense taking up 1/3rd of our cap look clueless to me. Give me the LB who can help the DBs with pressure and the help the defense with run stopping. It's funny, because outside of Law we've never had a great CB. We had a lot of good, and average CBs play for us during 01-04. The funny thing is, it never mattered. That's why Mangini was considered a genius, as was/is Belichick. Because, ecspecially back then, they were plugging in anyone, including our very own Troy Brown into a DB with success. Looking back, was it Belichick, or his defense getting after it? Yes folks, we need pass rushers. Plain and simple.

 

[BionicPatriot]

Back in the day, our defense got it's paydirt from the pass rush whether it was designed like that or not. Part of the reason why quarterbacks would have such problems against a Belichick defense was because we threw crazy looks at them (especially in 2000-2001) and them rushed them into a throw they weren't ready to make. Our pass rush just simply wasn't like that this year. I don't know if it was the combo of not having Colvin and A.D. or Vrabel not having one of his usual years but it was lacking and it really exposed our secondary early on. I do agree that we should look for a LB who can help in both pass and run support but I think Suggs may be a little out of our range.

And to answer your question about "bad ass pass rusher", we just drafted one this past year. Crable. Let's hope he can get healthy and be able to stop the run as well as cover.

Look at the 03 championship game for proof. That was Manning's worse came probably either. Now look at the hurries and sacks our defense caused that day. Game over.