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I'm sure I'm not the only one who wonders what is missing from recent Patriots squads. Since the 04 season I think the play making talent has dropped WAY off. That 04 team was littered with playmakers like Bruschi, Harrison, Vrabel, McGinest and Samuel.
Since those guys have left I can truly say none of that play making ability has been replaced. The closest thing the Patriots have right now is Merriweather and I mean THAT IS IT on the defensive end and everyone wonders why Belichick went for it on 4th down. I do miss the days of the Patriots being one of the "physical" teams out there but when you think about it the game has changed. It's more of a hands off speed don't hit the wide reciever too hard type of game now. I do see that as a major problem for the recent and current Patriots team. I do think they know they dropped the ball on Samuel. He was the last play making young player the Patriots had on defense.
Just look back at the Patriots during the Super Bowl against the Eagles. Tell me who were the guys who made the "big plays" in that game? Bruschi with a sack and a pick and Harrison with what, one or two picks? McGinest with pressure and Vrabel doing damage on O and D. We even had a hammer in the run game (Dillon) to keep the Eagles defense honest.
I do like how they went younger but I don't think it would of hurt to see Darren Sharper signed to help out with a young secondary. It would of been a plus that he also "makes plays" when it counts. Unfortunately I don't see anything out there in this past draft or in this past free agency period that really could of helped them out with the pass rush.
What's your take on this?
Since those guys have left I can truly say none of that play making ability has been replaced. The closest thing the Patriots have right now is Merriweather and I mean THAT IS IT on the defensive end and everyone wonders why Belichick went for it on 4th down. I do miss the days of the Patriots being one of the "physical" teams out there but when you think about it the game has changed. It's more of a hands off speed don't hit the wide reciever too hard type of game now. I do see that as a major problem for the recent and current Patriots team. I do think they know they dropped the ball on Samuel. He was the last play making young player the Patriots had on defense.
Just look back at the Patriots during the Super Bowl against the Eagles. Tell me who were the guys who made the "big plays" in that game? Bruschi with a sack and a pick and Harrison with what, one or two picks? McGinest with pressure and Vrabel doing damage on O and D. We even had a hammer in the run game (Dillon) to keep the Eagles defense honest.
I do like how they went younger but I don't think it would of hurt to see Darren Sharper signed to help out with a young secondary. It would of been a plus that he also "makes plays" when it counts. Unfortunately I don't see anything out there in this past draft or in this past free agency period that really could of helped them out with the pass rush.
What's your take on this?