Two thoughts:
1) the Patriots are sticking with 4-3 base. Did not expect that, but no big deal. I'm sure that he's doing exactly what Belichick told him to do, and this has me excited in its own right.
2) Good for him. Seriously, given his family history of diabetes, I am happy re: this development.
I am with you one hundred percent on 2. Although I, and many on here will disagree with your first point. IF, the young talent can produce on a level of situational role players (jones, bequette, Hightower), this defense isn't going to be a true anything. If these kids can grasp the concept and fanene can be what fat Albert wasn't (team first, dominating role player), this team will be running out a front six that could effectively lend itself to a 2-x or 6-x functional description. In short, two, maybe less, hands in the dirt. Four lbs wandering, two edge threat/flat coverage types, mayo up the middle with Hightower (i am so high on this kid, the roles he played under Saban while leading that d...) the true wild card. Keep in mind the guy from Oakland (top pick, injured as late but productive while healthy) as an elephant...
I expect a heavy return to the ameoba type d of a few years ago, this time with more focus on acute zone overload apposed to the "three plus willie" attacks of almost a decade ago. Baltimore has been doing it for a while with ray in charge. Big two to up front with two limited coverage guys (edge rushers, more or less), a relative wild card, and Ray.
Enter Vince, fanene. Jones, baguette and that's just the early pick rookies...(one of two contributing would be fantastic). Hightower as your wildcard, and mayo as your ray-esque leader/do it all type (i am NOT comparing mayo to Lewis, mayo is out classed)...did I mention Hightower? Pretty sure he may fit that bill as well...
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