I think Bill blew it with these cornerback signings

[cardiak]

I think he panicked and reacted to the Broncos free agent signings all wrong. Paying top dollar for a defensive backfield without being able to create consistent pressure on QBs is like throwing good money after bad. I'm serious, find me one elite defensive backfield that doesn't have a great defensive line in front of it!

Powerful defensive lines are the foundation you build on. With them everyone behind them look better, without them everyone looks worse. Conversely the opposite is also true but not if not to the same extent. Lines are your first wave of attack and if they are good those 3-4 defensive line players can make 7-8 defensive backfield players jobs easier. Or you can bust a nut on two corners who will make 3-4 defensive line players job slightly easier on coverage sacks.

We had a chance to nab some great defensive ends in this years wild free agency to create a dominant pass rush that we've been lacking. But of course our lousy defensive backfield all these years has nothing to do with opposing QBs having all day to play toss with their receivers.... You'd think BB would learn how he won his superbowls when coaching in NY and why he lost them these last two times against NY.

 

[Keyser Söze]

 

[supafly]

Why would we pay Talib 9--9.5 million a year to stay here, when we could just go out and pay a future HOF player in Revis a couple million more? It seems like a no-brainer to me.

It's a passing league, and we couldn't stop Manning in the AFCCG. Denver has all of those weapons and will be our biggest competitor once again, or at least both teams will be in the top 3-4 AFC teams no matter what. Belichick went out and gave us some depth, which was much needed and very important.

Our CB depth chart is pretty good--possibly the best in the NFL 1-5.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Really?????

 

[Efstratios]

Our CB depth chart is pretty good--possibly the best in the NFL 1-5.

This statement gives me a tingly feeling that I'd never thought I'd feel as a Pats fan :rocker:.

 

[ausbacker]

I think he panicked and reacted to the Broncos free agent signings all wrong. Paying top dollar for a defensive backfield without being able to create consistent pressure on QBs is like throwing good money after bad. I'm serious, find me one elite defensive backfield that doesn't have a great defensive line in front of it!

Powerful defensive lines are the foundation you build on. With them everyone behind them look better, without them everyone looks worse. Conversely the opposite is also true but not if not to the same extent. Lines are your first wave of attack and if they are good those 3-4 defensive line players can make 7-8 defensive backfield players jobs easier. Or you can bust a nut on two corners who will make 3-4 defensive line players job slightly easier on coverage sacks.

We had a chance to nab some great defensive ends in this years wild free agency to create a dominant pass rush that we've been lacking. But of course our lousy defensive backfield all these years has nothing to do with opposing QBs having all day to play toss with their receivers.... You'd think BB would learn how he won his superbowls when coaching in NY and why he lost them these last two times against NY.

I'm looking forward to watching the Patriots address the Defensive Line over the next few months cardiak.

 

[supafly]

I'd also note that our pressure, while still needing improvement, produced the most sacks from a NE team in many years---and that was with all of the key injuries.

On top of that, it's much easier to bring in a DT/DE in the draft than it is to find a top notch CB, so they will probably be going DT with a 1st/2nd round pick.

 

[billdog3484]

I think you are crazy in thinking we blew it. Our defense was incredible when healthy. Best it had been in years. The only difference was Talib. For nearly a decade our 3rd down d has been atrocious. We haven't had corners that could guard anyone. It's been unacceptable.

The NFL has changed. Passing games rule. You have to be able to stop them. There is a premium on lockdown corners and we have the best one by far now plus a solid #2. We can exert more pressure with numbers bc we can trust our cb's to hold coverage longer. We can disguise better. We can do some much more now.

I agree d line is important. If we lose wilfork we have to add a run stuffer. But also keep in mind. Bc we can single cover more we can also add guys in the box if need be


Finally. What premium pass rushers are out there? Peppers Allen and ware are big names. I can be wrong but their name is bigger than their game at this point. They're all way overpaid. This isn't madden.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I think he panicked and reacted to the Broncos free agent signings all wrong. Paying top dollar for a defensive backfield without being able to create consistent pressure on QBs is like throwing good money after bad. I'm serious, find me one elite defensive backfield that doesn't have a great defensive line in front of it!

Powerful defensive lines are the foundation you build on. With them everyone behind them look better, without them everyone looks worse. Conversely the opposite is also true but not if not to the same extent. Lines are your first wave of attack and if they are good those 3-4 defensive line players can make 7-8 defensive backfield players jobs easier. Or you can bust a nut on two corners who will make 3-4 defensive line players job slightly easier on coverage sacks.

We had a chance to nab some great defensive ends in this years wild free agency to create a dominant pass rush that we've been lacking. But of course our lousy defensive backfield all these years has nothing to do with opposing QBs having all day to play toss with their receivers.... You'd think BB would learn how he won his superbowls when coaching in NY and why he lost them these last two times against NY.

Hurray for beer.

 

[strngplyr]

I think he panicked and reacted to the Broncos free agent signings all wrong. Paying top dollar for a defensive backfield without being able to create consistent pressure on QBs is like throwing good money after bad. I'm serious, find me one elite defensive backfield that doesn't have a great defensive line in front of it!

Powerful defensive lines are the foundation you build on. With them everyone behind them look better, without them everyone looks worse. Conversely the opposite is also true but not if not to the same extent. Lines are your first wave of attack and if they are good those 3-4 defensive line players can make 7-8 defensive backfield players jobs easier. Or you can bust a nut on two corners who will make 3-4 defensive line players job slightly easier on coverage sacks.

We had a chance to nab some great defensive ends in this years wild free agency to create a dominant pass rush that we've been lacking. But of course our lousy defensive backfield all these years has nothing to do with opposing QBs having all day to play toss with their receivers.... You'd think BB would learn how he won his superbowls when coaching in NY and why he lost them these last two times against NY.

Corners are expensive, yes, but the "dominant" DE's who, by the way, are all about 32-34 years old, are signing 10m/yr deals.

Bennet took a discount to stay with the team that won the SB. Johnson is the only good DE who signed for a reasonable price.

You can't get a dominant front seven AND back four through free agency alone. Seattle had both because they bought the line and drafted the secondary. They got lucky (or had great evaluation, not the point).

Upgrading the defensive backfield was a better option than paying 10m per DE. The spot I believe we missed out on was getting a DT, though Melton is still available.

 

[Rob0729]

You are entitled to your opinion, but I think you are wrong. A guy like Revis improves your pass rush. He makes it harder for the primary receiver to get open. It may take that receiver an extra second or two to get open which gives the pass rush an extra second or two to get to the QB. Also, he allows the Pats to send an extra pass rusher because he can be on an island.

Also, Browner strong point is physical play at the line. He can knock a receiver off his route with his size and strength. That also gives the rush more time to get to the passer because the receiver needs to get back on his route.

There is no one way to build a strong defense. The Jets during 2009 and 2010 built dominant defenses from the secondary in. They had a great secondary and a mediocre pass rush without blitzing 45-55% of the time. Revis allowed them to blitz so much because he could live on an island.

 

[patsfanincleveland]

I think he panicked and reacted to the Broncos free agent signings all wrong. Paying top dollar for a defensive backfield without being able to create consistent pressure on QBs is like throwing good money after bad. I'm serious, find me one elite defensive backfield that doesn't have a great defensive line in front of it!

Powerful defensive lines are the foundation you build on. With them everyone behind them look better, without them everyone looks worse. Conversely the opposite is also true but not if not to the same extent. Lines are your first wave of attack and if they are good those 3-4 defensive line players can make 7-8 defensive backfield players jobs easier. Or you can bust a nut on two corners who will make 3-4 defensive line players job slightly easier on coverage sacks.

We had a chance to nab some great defensive ends in this years wild free agency to create a dominant pass rush that we've been lacking. But of course our lousy defensive backfield all these years has nothing to do with opposing QBs having all day to play toss with their receivers.... You'd think BB would learn how he won his superbowls when coaching in NY and why he lost them these last two times against NY.

What's a Saturday night without some knucklehead starting a completely clueless thread.

Is patsfans getting punked?

 

[mayoclinic]

I think he panicked and reacted to the Broncos free agent signings all wrong. Paying top dollar for a defensive backfield without being able to create consistent pressure on QBs is like throwing good money after bad. I'm serious, find me one elite defensive backfield that doesn't have a great defensive line in front of it!

Powerful defensive lines are the foundation you build on. With them everyone behind them look better, without them everyone looks worse. Conversely the opposite is also true but not if not to the same extent. Lines are your first wave of attack and if they are good those 3-4 defensive line players can make 7-8 defensive backfield players jobs easier. Or you can bust a nut on two corners who will make 3-4 defensive line players job slightly easier on coverage sacks.

We had a chance to nab some great defensive ends in this years wild free agency to create a dominant pass rush that we've been lacking. But of course our lousy defensive backfield all these years has nothing to do with opposing QBs having all day to play toss with their receivers.... You'd think BB would learn how he won his superbowls when coaching in NY and why he lost them these last two times against NY.

I think that you are correct about the importance of the defensive line. Given the choice between a great secondary and a great DL, I take a great DL any day. Ideally there is synergy between the two.

I expected DL to be a priority in FA and the draft, along with retaining Talib or finding a replacement. BB found a Talib replacement for similar 2014 $$$, so I don't consider that signing "blowing it". The market was higher than predicted, the options were limited, and the opportunity that presented itself was extraordinary. As for the Browner signing, again my guess is that with Revis in the fold the Pats saw and acted on an opportunity to "overload" and turn a liability into a strength. I can't fault them for that.

Out of curiosity, which "great defensive ends" did you have in mind? I wanted Lamarr Houston, and would have applauded that signing. I'm not convinced Michael Johnson was the answer. Demarcus Ware? I don't think giving $10M/year to Ware was a wise move. Julius Peppers? $8.5M this year for a 34 year old pass rusher. Jared Allen is holding out for similar or better money, from all reports.

FA is less than 5 days old. The draft is 8 weeks away. If the defensive line isn't addressed in the next 2+ months, then either the in-house options are considerably more advanced than most of us currently expect, or BB may indeed have "blown it", but I wouldn't go that far yet.

 

[Brady6]

I think he panicked and reacted to the Broncos free agent signings all wrong. Paying top dollar for a defensive backfield without being able to create consistent pressure on QBs is like throwing good money after bad. I'm serious, find me one elite defensive backfield that doesn't have a great defensive line in front of it!

Powerful defensive lines are the foundation you build on. With them everyone behind them look better, without them everyone looks worse. Conversely the opposite is also true but not if not to the same extent. Lines are your first wave of attack and if they are good those 3-4 defensive line players can make 7-8 defensive backfield players jobs easier. Or you can bust a nut on two corners who will make 3-4 defensive line players job slightly easier on coverage sacks.

We had a chance to nab some great defensive ends in this years wild free agency to create a dominant pass rush that we've been lacking. But of course our lousy defensive backfield all these years has nothing to do with opposing QBs having all day to play toss with their receivers.... You'd think BB would learn how he won his superbowls when coaching in NY and why he lost them these last two times against NY.

I hope he blows at WR, OL, TE, and DT in the coming weeks.

 

[Deus Irae]

I think he panicked and reacted to the Broncos free agent signings all wrong. Paying top dollar for a defensive backfield without being able to create consistent pressure on QBs is like throwing good money after bad. I'm serious, find me one elite defensive backfield that doesn't have a great defensive line in front of it!

Powerful defensive lines are the foundation you build on. With them everyone behind them look better, without them everyone looks worse. Conversely the opposite is also true but not if not to the same extent. Lines are your first wave of attack and if they are good those 3-4 defensive line players can make 7-8 defensive backfield players jobs easier. Or you can bust a nut on two corners who will make 3-4 defensive line players job slightly easier on coverage sacks.

We had a chance to nab some great defensive ends in this years wild free agency to create a dominant pass rush that we've been lacking. But of course our lousy defensive backfield all these years has nothing to do with opposing QBs having all day to play toss with their receivers.... You'd think BB would learn how he won his superbowls when coaching in NY and why he lost them these last two times against NY.

 

[JMC00]

 

[Sticky Caulk]

The Patriots get consistent pressure. They are one of the better pass rushing teams in the league. They also contain QBs not names Newton as well as any team. Basically, I have no idea where you got the idea that the Patriots need to address the pass rush beyond a rotation DE and DT depth, which will all be very cheap.

 

[Lansdowne]

There's always one.

 

[JR4]

Other factors to consider. PATS have good pass rushers. If these new
corners make QBs hold the rock a little longer we may see more three and
outs because of added pressure on QBs. DLine is going to be fine even
with out Vince. Also being able to free up an extra DB because coverage is
better means there may be more blitz packages.

 

[PATS16N0]

I think he panicked and reacted to the Broncos free agent signings all wrong. Paying top dollar for a defensive backfield without being able to create consistent pressure on QBs is like throwing good money after bad. I'm serious, find me one elite defensive backfield that doesn't have a great defensive line in front of it!

Powerful defensive lines are the foundation you build on. With them everyone behind them look better, without them everyone looks worse. Conversely the opposite is also true but not if not to the same extent. Lines are your first wave of attack and if they are good those 3-4 defensive line players can make 7-8 defensive backfield players jobs easier. Or you can bust a nut on two corners who will make 3-4 defensive line players job slightly easier on coverage sacks.

We had a chance to nab some great defensive ends in this years wild free agency to create a dominant pass rush that we've been lacking. But of course our lousy defensive backfield all these years has nothing to do with opposing QBs having all day to play toss with their receivers.... You'd think BB would learn how he won his superbowls when coaching in NY and why he lost them these last two times against NY.

I like how you use the word "we" while repeating idiotic vomit recently seen all over Bronco idiot forums and the Jet fan suicide hotline.
"Belichick just created the best pass defense in the AFC. Gawd, he's so desperate!"

No, we were "desperate" when an injury prone quitter like Talib was our only option at corner. Now, thanks to Elway the genius, we have have Revis Island - a once in a generation talent instead.

Oh, and Browner