AzPatsFan
Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2004
- Messages
- 7,613
- Reaction score
- 853
For years the Pat's Defense was based on size and smarts. But it was criticized for Team Speed on Defense. How much has that changed?
Below is the list of nominal starters on Defense, before the Draft. Rate them as -, =, or + for below average, average and above average NFL speed. Here is my list of nominal starters, and at some positions rotation starters who share a position, my estimate of their NFL speed:
RDE Seymour + Green +
NT Wilfork =- Wright +
LDE Warren =-
ROLB Thomas ++
WILB Mayo ++
SILB Guyton ++ Bruschi - -
SOLB Woods =+
RCB Hobbs = Bodden =
FS Meriweather + Springs +
SS Sanders = Harrison --
LCB Springs - Wheatley =
Nickle Wheatley =
I end up with 5 starters, at above average, 2; to well above average, 3; when compared to their NFL contemporaries. And 4 starters with average speed. And 4 rotation starters with below average speed.
The Patriots lean toward powerful and big Defensive linemen, so I am sure that there are faster, smaller Defensive lines elsewhere. I am not sure there are better ones though.
Off of my analysis they are no longer a slow Defense, nor a particularly fast one either. But slightly above average in both size and speed. Although the change in team speed at LB is striking.
Rate the Defense yourself, and compare.
Below is the list of nominal starters on Defense, before the Draft. Rate them as -, =, or + for below average, average and above average NFL speed. Here is my list of nominal starters, and at some positions rotation starters who share a position, my estimate of their NFL speed:
RDE Seymour + Green +
NT Wilfork =- Wright +
LDE Warren =-
ROLB Thomas ++
WILB Mayo ++
SILB Guyton ++ Bruschi - -
SOLB Woods =+
RCB Hobbs = Bodden =
FS Meriweather + Springs +
SS Sanders = Harrison --
LCB Springs - Wheatley =
Nickle Wheatley =
I end up with 5 starters, at above average, 2; to well above average, 3; when compared to their NFL contemporaries. And 4 starters with average speed. And 4 rotation starters with below average speed.
The Patriots lean toward powerful and big Defensive linemen, so I am sure that there are faster, smaller Defensive lines elsewhere. I am not sure there are better ones though.
Off of my analysis they are no longer a slow Defense, nor a particularly fast one either. But slightly above average in both size and speed. Although the change in team speed at LB is striking.
Rate the Defense yourself, and compare.
Last edited: