I made a huge mistake last year of evaluating JJ Watt too early. Watt was a relatively new convert to the DE position, and in the tape I saw of him from earlier in the year he was somewhat stiff. Box commented on this as well, and I think considered him more of a developmental guy. But Watt progressed at an incredible rate, and by the end of the season he was a totally different player. Probably as a result, I wasn't as high on him as several other people were, and I was dead wrong.
I LOVED Watt going into the draft. What I saw on tape was a rangy, freakishly athletic, and explosive 300 pounder making plays that most defensive ends just can't make. Too bad Houston scooped him up at pick #11.
But BB's selection of Solder turned out to be prescient. Light retired this year and the Pats would have been in scramble mode if they hadn't taken Solder in 2011. Solder has a great toolset along with size, length and athleticism that can't be taught. He was forced into action early his rookie year due to Vollmer's injury and appeared solid when thrown into the fire.
The Pats success in the second round although it may only be 50/50 is about average for the NFL. But the difference is that the Pats have a lot more QUANTITY of second round picks. That allows them to create more depth and overall talent on the team.
Depth comes in handy when injury occurs but considering the limitations of the 53 man roster and how hard it is to stockpile talent, injury can still play a major factor in the NFL, especially the playoffs where the margin of error is so slim and the competition is that much more tough and talented.
2008 - Brady's injury pretty much put us out of the playoff picture although Cassel played valiantly and earned himself a starting gig with KC as a result. When Welker went down with injury that spelled the end of the Pats playoff run in 2009. Gronk's injury in 2011 might have cost us the Superbowl.
All you can do is build the best team you can, the deepest team you can, coach em up as best you can, build their mindset and toughness, then let it ride. Each team is different. But 2012 holds a special promise. BB has finally got his warriors - the most versatile weapons for a 3-4 defense are the edge rushers. Chandler, Hightower, Bequette, and Scott offer intriguing possibilities for BB on defense to attack, harrass, and corral the enemy QB.
I know we are going to see fireworks on offense in 2012, that's a given with all the weapons we have and Brady still in his prime. What I'd really like to see is the emergence of a defense that can hold onto leads in the 4th quarter. A defense that can rattle some teeth and cause some sleepless nights for the opposing QB. Let's get the swagger back on D and have a lot of fun watching the Pats campaign unfold in 2012! Let's get another ring! And in the name of all that is holy, can we PLEASE beat the damn giants?!