Phil Simms says Pats front 7 could be best in NFL by the end of the year

[Bostonian1962]

Did anybody else notice at the end of the telecast, of the Pats - Titans game, that Phil Simms said this could very well be THE BEST Front 7 in the NFL, before the year is out?

Quite some high praise, don't you think?

Is that unrealistic, or a real possibility, IYHO? Discuss.

 

[Big-T]

Didn't he also say something about it being the best (or best looking?) that he's seen in the last 20 years too?

He mentioned the Pats front 7 then mumbled something followed by 20 years, couldn't quite catch what but it sounded like "best looking".

 

[resdubwhite]

He played on a team with a decent front 7 too.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

He played on a team with a decent front 7 too.

They did have loads of talent and (I believe) a coach who was considered a defensive genius. :rocker:

 

[Frezo]

Simms was trying to do his best Gruden imitation.

 

[Patstopia]

I know that I live for Phil Simm's opinion. Especially on a week one game.

Sorry, I usually edit myself, but I just couldn't resist.

 

[Avenger]

The 20 years comment was about how dominant it was against the run.

 

[Deus Irae]

When it comes to the run, I think it's pretty safe to look at

Wilfork
Love
Mayo
Spikes
Hightower

as an excellent group of 5. The question, to me, is what teams are going to be able to do at the edges of the D-line. If Jones and his counterpart show as run stoppers, this will be a very difficult 7 to run on.

 

[BradyManny]

Jones looks really capable on the edge in run support. That was a strength in this past game from what I saw. He already knows how to use his arms.

I didn't see how Ninko held up on the other side, I assume, as always he was solid, but not necessarily spectacular. I would personally love to see Carter back in a month or so, provided he is healthy. He was a beast against the run and the pass, and could play LDE opposite Jones.

The ripple effect is that it gives a layer of depth to the thinnest part of the defense, which is backup LB. If Ninko has the flexibility to play either at DE or OLB, then we aren't rolling a special teamer out there if one of our big 3 LBs goes down.

 

[Ivan]

When it comes to the run, I think it's pretty safe to look at

Wilfork
Love
Mayo
Spikes
Hightower

as an excellent group of 5. The question, to me, is what teams are going to be able to do at the edges of the D-line. If Jones and his counterpart show as run stoppers, this will be a very difficult 7 to run on.

I was thinking the exact same thing last night, it will be really interesting to see how Ray Rice does against them and how they respond when teams start screening against them, if they can cover the perimeter against runs and screens they are going to be a serious b.tch to deal with. The best thing, however, is just how young they are and the possibilities for just how high their ceiling may be. serious injuries aside this defense could be really really good for a long time to come.

One game and into full blown homer mode already, not too shabby.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I wonder if teams will run the spread offense against us since the Pats are still questionable for pass defense. Other great teams we've seen against the run- Steelers and Ravens, for example- also had great ballhawking safeties, multiple star pass rushers, and good cornerbacks. Hopefully Mayo and Hightower will not be liabilities in coverage.

 

[letekro]

I wonder if teams will run the spread offense against us since the Pats are still questionable for pass defense. Other great teams we've seen against the run- Steelers and Ravens, for example- also had great ballhawking safeties, multiple star pass rushers, and good cornerbacks. Hopefully Mayo and Hightower will not be liabilities in coverage.

We will find out against Baltimore in 2 weeks. I, for one, am a little concerned.

 

[smg93]

Regarding Jones, I watched the replay of the game and on more than one occasion, I saw him pursue an RB from behind and make the play. I thought his speed was very impressive.

 

[Rob0729]

I think Simms is jumping the gun a bit, but I think this front seven have the potential to be one of the best if not the best. In the Pats' front seven, they have 4 first round picks (Mayo, Wilfork, Jones, and Hightower) and a second rounder (Spikes). They should be a top front seven if not this year, next year.

 

[bresna]

Simms also commented late in the game that the Patriots D's conditioning was great because they all looked good after being out there playing the whole game... completely missing the fact that the Patriots defense was only on the field for a whole 10 and half minutes in the second half with a little over 1 minute in the 4th quarter.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

I wonder if teams will run the spread offense against us since the Pats are still questionable for pass defense. Other great teams we've seen against the run- Steelers and Ravens, for example- also had great ballhawking safeties, multiple star pass rushers, and good cornerbacks. Hopefully Mayo and Hightower will not be liabilities in coverage.

Steelers have "good corners"?

Huh?

Where did that come from?

Have you watched any of the games the Patriots played against the Steelers?

That is a pretty good indication.

 

[Kontradiction]

Did anybody else notice at the end of the telecast, of the Pats - Titans game, that Phil Simms said this could very well be THE BEST Front 7 in the NFL, before the year is out?

Quite some high praise, don't you think?

Is that unrealistic, or a real possibility, IYHO? Discuss.

Not surprising. On Moving the Chains in the days following the 2011 AFCCG, Simms was on and said that he believed that the reason why the defense was ultimately able to withstand the offense being slowed down and the shoddy pass defense was due to the fact that the front seven was stout again. So the fact that he's saying it again is of no surprise.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

The true test of this front 7 and the ability to stop the run will come in 2 weeks when the Pats visit the Ravens.

Ray Rice has done extremely well against the Pats in the past and if he struggles it will show a lot about these guys up front.

I don't really believe Chris Johnson is all that good anymore,injury has creeped up on him and he has been used hard for several years,last year even when healthy he struggled
...he reminds me of Larry Johnson of KC who years ago went from the best in the league to a guy who couldn't even make the roster just a few years later.

 

[OnTheHeights]

Best front 7 in regard to rush defense... possibly.
Best front 7 overall, including pass rush... no.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Did anybody else notice at the end of the telecast, of the Pats - Titans game, that Phil Simms said this could very well be THE BEST Front 7 in the NFL, before the year is out?

Quite some high praise, don't you think?

Is that unrealistic, or a real possibility, IYHO? Discuss.

Again..it means nothing. It's week 1. Lets talk at week 9 or 10