NEPettyOfficer72
On the Game Day Roster
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2011
- Messages
- 478
- Reaction score
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Bare with me, this is alot I know, but I'm sick of hearing those outside say that we lack talent, because all of the tools for success are there. The defense just needs to realize it and wake up .. and dominate.
DEFENSIVE LINE
All I hear people say lately is that the defense this year doesn't have the talent to compete anymore, and I strongly disagree. When I look at the Patriot defensive roster this year I see one of the most talented units in all of football. It's just not applying on the field like I know it could for whatever reason. You have a line stacked with great veteran experience, and playmaking ability in Albert Haynesworth "Fat Albert" (former MVP candidate), Vince Wilfork "Wilfork's Island", Shaun "Don't call me Abraham" Ellis, Gerard Warren "Big Money" and Andre I've come alive Carter who is having a terrific season. Not to mention, other "younger" talent behind these guys like Mark Anderson who at one time had over 12 sacks with Chicago during their lights out defensive years. He too is having a nice season tied with Carter for a team lead of 4.5 sacks. That rotation alone has the potential to produce affective pash rush and a very low rushing yard percentaged averaged against them.
And age wise, they are not old like some critics are calling them. Albert Haynesworth is only 30 .. and if 31 then barely. Vince Wilfork is around the same age... maybe 32 and Shaun Ellis, didn't he just give us trouble last year? These guys should be eating up one on one blocks, taking up at least 2 or 3 offensive lineman with them and freeing up space for other defensive lineman and Linebackers to make plays rushing the passer. Not only that but they should also have more than enough pressure just from their rotation alone which would allow for the linebackers to make plays on the ball during passing situations as well as the secondary which I will get to later on. With that being said, all the ingredients is there, just needs either the right scheme, motivation or application onto the field during game situations.
LINEBACKERS
Linebacker wise, I believe that we also have great talent and potential here as well. To me, Jerod Mayo can be as good as they come and is a top 5 Linebacker in this league period. He does whatever you ask him to do and is great at it. When he is healthy, he definitely makes a difference and prepares for the game like Pat Kirwan said, "a young Ray Lewis". And the great thing about all of this is that he is still young, younger then what Tedy was during his prime and learned from Tedy and some of the other greats in this game. His counter part former Florida Gator Superstar Brandon Spikes, can also be a very good playmaker. Where he lacks speed, he makes up for it being instinctive and extremely strong, allowing him to shed blocks and blow up plays whenever he wants. Potentially, these two together could be a very effective duo, with all the tools to take over certain game situations and stop the opposing offense at will. In addition, the other players like versatile linebacker Rob Ninkovich who is vastly underrated and Dane Fletcher who can be a very active and aggresive run stuffer at the point of attack as well as the undrafted Gary Guyton are all good players, and I don't see why the struggles have been going on here at all.
SECONDARY
And last but not least, the secondary. Now I realize that we've lost Leigh Bodden, Brandon Meriweather and Ras-I Dowling all in one season but there is yes I'm going to say it, there is still talent here. Second year Cornerback Devin McCourty had one of the greatest rookie defensive seasons EVER (made CAPTAIN). He displayed his best Mike Haynes impressions on a weekly basis, breaking his interception record set back in 1976 I believe. Top receivers in the league were getting shut down or handled at his expense and tackles were being made. He played loose, inspired, he was focused and looked every bit of as advertised coming out of college and then some. To me, he looked like the best cornerback next to Ty Law and Mike Haynes who've we ever had and better than the gambler/risk-reward corner Asante Samuel, displaying that he is a better OVERALL corner. IMO, I truly believe Devin is that good, as good as what he played last year and will be a great player for years to come, he just has to find his way back and I believe he can. You can't fluke a rookie season like that at the cornerback position
On the other side, Kyle Arrington seems to be having a career year, and is playing well even though he's had his moments. I think that as he continues to make his game whole, from an overall standpoint will shed more light on that side of the field because he is showing up the signs of being a good player but needs to do it on a more consistent basis. And that experience in the nickle and slot as well as some starting experience in some games last year didn't hurt as well. Definitely not a lack of talent on that side either. And next on the depth chart, behind those two is Antwaun Molden who was the next best prospect coming out of college at his position behind Antonio Cromartie-Rodgers during the 2008 draft. He has tremendous upside with great size, strength along with speed and needs to put it all together and will be a factor if he does. I just don't understand why he hasn't yet, and perhaps he'll have more chances moving forward
Now on to one of my favorite players in the NFL, Patrick Chung. Here is an extremely smart, instinctive, determined, hard-nosed, tough and talented Safety who potentially could have made the probowl last year if not for being injured and even still made an impact. He has the capability of carrying the torch for Rodney Harrison, being that type of enforcer and in the past has showed flashes of Ronnie Lott and Ed Reed, especially during that Miami game last year. I think he can play like that night all the time, but first needs to improve communication within the secondary, as he can be a great leader. He also needs to physically step up and become to intimidator he once was in college and his rookie and sophmore year. Patrick Chung has all the tools neccesary to be an all-pro, and the type of safety who doesn't need anyone elite player alongside him, but needs to get it together.
CONCLUSION
I'm sick of the excuses, as we have enough talent to bring back those years of Superbowl Championships in the past. We have plenty of playmakers and guys that can get it done despite what others outside may think. Every position on our defense has at least one or two probowl or all-pro caliber players which gives us more than a shot at being a championship defense. We just need to put it all together and realize that, whether its scheme, desire or communication. And with Bill Belichick at the helm, I am confident that it will all be fixed. R.I.P to Miss Myra Kraft. Thats all I have.
DEFENSIVE LINE
All I hear people say lately is that the defense this year doesn't have the talent to compete anymore, and I strongly disagree. When I look at the Patriot defensive roster this year I see one of the most talented units in all of football. It's just not applying on the field like I know it could for whatever reason. You have a line stacked with great veteran experience, and playmaking ability in Albert Haynesworth "Fat Albert" (former MVP candidate), Vince Wilfork "Wilfork's Island", Shaun "Don't call me Abraham" Ellis, Gerard Warren "Big Money" and Andre I've come alive Carter who is having a terrific season. Not to mention, other "younger" talent behind these guys like Mark Anderson who at one time had over 12 sacks with Chicago during their lights out defensive years. He too is having a nice season tied with Carter for a team lead of 4.5 sacks. That rotation alone has the potential to produce affective pash rush and a very low rushing yard percentaged averaged against them.
And age wise, they are not old like some critics are calling them. Albert Haynesworth is only 30 .. and if 31 then barely. Vince Wilfork is around the same age... maybe 32 and Shaun Ellis, didn't he just give us trouble last year? These guys should be eating up one on one blocks, taking up at least 2 or 3 offensive lineman with them and freeing up space for other defensive lineman and Linebackers to make plays rushing the passer. Not only that but they should also have more than enough pressure just from their rotation alone which would allow for the linebackers to make plays on the ball during passing situations as well as the secondary which I will get to later on. With that being said, all the ingredients is there, just needs either the right scheme, motivation or application onto the field during game situations.
LINEBACKERS
Linebacker wise, I believe that we also have great talent and potential here as well. To me, Jerod Mayo can be as good as they come and is a top 5 Linebacker in this league period. He does whatever you ask him to do and is great at it. When he is healthy, he definitely makes a difference and prepares for the game like Pat Kirwan said, "a young Ray Lewis". And the great thing about all of this is that he is still young, younger then what Tedy was during his prime and learned from Tedy and some of the other greats in this game. His counter part former Florida Gator Superstar Brandon Spikes, can also be a very good playmaker. Where he lacks speed, he makes up for it being instinctive and extremely strong, allowing him to shed blocks and blow up plays whenever he wants. Potentially, these two together could be a very effective duo, with all the tools to take over certain game situations and stop the opposing offense at will. In addition, the other players like versatile linebacker Rob Ninkovich who is vastly underrated and Dane Fletcher who can be a very active and aggresive run stuffer at the point of attack as well as the undrafted Gary Guyton are all good players, and I don't see why the struggles have been going on here at all.
SECONDARY
And last but not least, the secondary. Now I realize that we've lost Leigh Bodden, Brandon Meriweather and Ras-I Dowling all in one season but there is yes I'm going to say it, there is still talent here. Second year Cornerback Devin McCourty had one of the greatest rookie defensive seasons EVER (made CAPTAIN). He displayed his best Mike Haynes impressions on a weekly basis, breaking his interception record set back in 1976 I believe. Top receivers in the league were getting shut down or handled at his expense and tackles were being made. He played loose, inspired, he was focused and looked every bit of as advertised coming out of college and then some. To me, he looked like the best cornerback next to Ty Law and Mike Haynes who've we ever had and better than the gambler/risk-reward corner Asante Samuel, displaying that he is a better OVERALL corner. IMO, I truly believe Devin is that good, as good as what he played last year and will be a great player for years to come, he just has to find his way back and I believe he can. You can't fluke a rookie season like that at the cornerback position
On the other side, Kyle Arrington seems to be having a career year, and is playing well even though he's had his moments. I think that as he continues to make his game whole, from an overall standpoint will shed more light on that side of the field because he is showing up the signs of being a good player but needs to do it on a more consistent basis. And that experience in the nickle and slot as well as some starting experience in some games last year didn't hurt as well. Definitely not a lack of talent on that side either. And next on the depth chart, behind those two is Antwaun Molden who was the next best prospect coming out of college at his position behind Antonio Cromartie-Rodgers during the 2008 draft. He has tremendous upside with great size, strength along with speed and needs to put it all together and will be a factor if he does. I just don't understand why he hasn't yet, and perhaps he'll have more chances moving forward
Now on to one of my favorite players in the NFL, Patrick Chung. Here is an extremely smart, instinctive, determined, hard-nosed, tough and talented Safety who potentially could have made the probowl last year if not for being injured and even still made an impact. He has the capability of carrying the torch for Rodney Harrison, being that type of enforcer and in the past has showed flashes of Ronnie Lott and Ed Reed, especially during that Miami game last year. I think he can play like that night all the time, but first needs to improve communication within the secondary, as he can be a great leader. He also needs to physically step up and become to intimidator he once was in college and his rookie and sophmore year. Patrick Chung has all the tools neccesary to be an all-pro, and the type of safety who doesn't need anyone elite player alongside him, but needs to get it together.
CONCLUSION
I'm sick of the excuses, as we have enough talent to bring back those years of Superbowl Championships in the past. We have plenty of playmakers and guys that can get it done despite what others outside may think. Every position on our defense has at least one or two probowl or all-pro caliber players which gives us more than a shot at being a championship defense. We just need to put it all together and realize that, whether its scheme, desire or communication. And with Bill Belichick at the helm, I am confident that it will all be fixed. R.I.P to Miss Myra Kraft. Thats all I have.
