Should we be worried about the defense?

[slash83]

First off let me say I personally am not...

The front seven is going to awesome this year, The D was awesome vs the run today, CP ran 6 times for 8 yards. Wilfork was a man among boys today insider the 4-3. Mayo has awesome closing speed when getting after the QB, Burgess also showed up on the roll out from JC, Burgess looked fast with good closing speed to put a hit on the QB.

Wilhite was picked on today, he has looked good throughout the preseason but today was his worst game.

I know Springs has missed a lot of playing time but I still expect him to be the starter opposite of Bodden come week 1. Guy has been around a long time let him rest up learn the playbook inside and out and let him go week 1, the guys a football player Im sure he hasnt forgot how to play the game.

Bodden gave up the play to Moss on the sideline but was right there, great play by JC and Moss though. Besides Meriweather Bodden was the next best DB out there today.

Im not worried about the D, the front 7 is going to cause havoc. The secondary will get better game by game, Boddens a deff starter and Springs will start as long as hes healthy week 1. Wilhite will probably be the 3rd DB followed by Butler and Wheatley. The defense is going to be good, the defense has been vanilla throughout the preseason, expect to see some exotic fronts n blitzes from BB and Dean, the talent is there and will see results.

 

[Marqui]

Front 7 looked good for the most part, but the Dbacks were pretty bad.

 

[patsox23]

I don't want to incur the wrath of JD or anything, but yes, I think we should be worried about the D. Don't get me wrong, I still believe the Patriots are the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl, and I also believe the O will cover up for some defensive deficiencies, but the D seems to be terrible at tackling and it seems not all that tough to throw on them. I could be wrong, I hope I am, and I genuinely think they'll improve, but so far the answer to your question is a resounding "Yeah, but..."

 

[BelichickFan]

It'll be a work in progress but should be fine as the season progresses. We have a TON of new/young players. Mayo, Guyton, all the CB are either rookies, second year players or new to the team and they're all starting. I expect the defense to be iffy for a while but better than last year and it should get better each quarter of the season.

 

[mgteich]

Well, there is a choice. Worry about the defense or worry about nothing.

 

[staypuff]

Re: Sanders is the worst player in the nfl

he is capable of losing any game for us by himself - it is like 10 on 11 when he plays. If he gets hurt, we are instantly better team.

 

[Deus Irae]

How to put this without hearing howls from the mob....... Ahh, screw it.



In a great twist, Hobbs would still be this team's #1 DB at this point.

 

[BelichickFan]

In a great twist, Hobbs would still be this team's #1 DB at this point.

Oh, my goodness, I don't think so.

 

[Deus Irae]

Oh, my goodness, I don't think so.

I do. Frankly, I'm surprised you think otherwise. There's not a DB out there that's even close right now, since Springs hasn't played.

 

[BelichickFan]

I do. Frankly, I'm surprised you think otherwise. There's not a DB out there that's even close right now, since Springs hasn't played.

I would take Wilhite, Bodden and Butler over Hobbs right now. They sure gave up some plays tonight but they're more competitive for the ball, admittedly not against a particularly good team. Hobbs and O'Neal weren't even in competition for the ball seemingly half the time last year.

 

[Deus Irae]

I would take Wilhite, Bodden and Butler over Hobbs right now. They sure gave up some plays tonight but they're more competitive for the ball, admittedly not against a particularly good team. Hobbs and O'Neal weren't even in competition for the ball seemingly half the time last year.

Bodden's playing defense precisely the same way that Hobbs did last season, with one difference.

Hobbs did it better.

The other 2 aren't even in the same galaxy with Bodden or Hobbs right now.


P.S. Bodden got smoked deep, although the pass didn't connect. If that same thing had happened with Hobbs, even in the exhibition season, we'd still be hearing the anguished screams of the mob.

And the current crew has had the benefit of a pass rush hurrying the opponent QB.

 

[Deus Irae]

BelichickFan, don't get me wrong. I'm not in any kind of panic about it. It's still the exhibition season, and I expect Springs will be ready for week 1 and that the kids will develop over time.

 

[BelichickFan]

P.S. Bodden got smoked deep, although the pass didn't connect.

Indeed he did. I haven't gone back and watched the DVR over and over but I do know the DBs are more competitive for the ball this year. Last year it was pitch and catch even against mediocre passing "attacks" like the Dolphins.

 

[BelichickFan]

BelichickFan, don't get me wrong. I'm not in any kind of panic about it. It's still the exhibition season, and I expect Springs will be ready for week 1 and that the kids will develop over time.

And I'm not saying we're gonna have 4 all pro CB but Bodden and Wilhite will be good starters IMO, Springs will be a good situational guy and Butler looks like he can play. By midseason I expect them to be a strength.

 

[JoeShmoe]

Its pre-season guys - relax

Would you rather go back to Deltha O'Neil?

Come on, we have a lot of new guys there, they're learning the ropes and will get better. Wilhite has a lot of potential, Butler will be a stud in a few years as will Chung - just let it develop. We had an ageing defense, now we have a young one but Rome wasn't built in a day

As for the front 7, well man Im stoked there. Pryor and Brace give us real options with Wright/Green. Seymour looks fit this year and ready to play. Warren will be getting back to his best too. Behind them Mayo, Burgess and Guyton and Thomas. Theres a lot to like there and these guys probably haven't shown anything of what were gonna see

And you know Bill. He'll thrown in the odd defensive mix in the regular season, keep the guys fresh and then throw armageddon at playoff time

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Why shouldn't we be concerned about the D? It only makes logical sense.

We've lost once fine contributors (Vrabes & Hobbs) and other defensive stalwarts are another year older (Bruschi). I like the youth corps on D and FAs like Bodden but the D has to be the major concern of the 2009 Patriots given the still intact super talented offense. Good Belichick defenses take time to coalese. I'm hoping that weak early season opponents will allow this year's squad to season without damage to the W/L.

 

[ElReyDeLosReyes]

I'm worried about Tedy Bruschi being on the team. He's almost a liability to this defense now it seems.

I mean I respect and like him, but he got burn badly.

 

[BigMike]

Agree... Tedy looks like hes 87 yrs old out there and should b announcing hsi retirement next week.

The Secondary needs more time to gell - many new parts out there.

 

[Rob0729]

How to put this without hearing howls from the mob....... Ahh, screw it.



In a great twist, Hobbs would still be this team's #1 DB at this point.

I think he would be starting, but I actually think, other than his attempt to intercept the ball rather than trying to break it up last night, that Bodden has been very solid this preseason. Without seeing much of Springs, I think he could beat out Whilhite for the starting job.

My guess is that Butler could be starting by the end of the season though. Not because someone lost their position, but he earned it. The guy has the tools to be very good, he just needs a little more polishing.

 

[chillinvillin]

you have 3 new CBs. its going to take time for them to gell and learn the play calling. I think the defence will be average the first 6 games but should step it up the second half of the season. also, since this is preseason its my understanding that the playcalling is for a vanilla defence so im not to worried.