Who will be the Pats best player on Defense this year?

[MrNathanDrake]

I think the common feeling is that Revis will easily be our best player on defense, but I think this guy will stand out and make a more visible impact.

I'm talking about #91... not #75

I think Collins can become an elite linebacker this year.

http://bostonherald.com/sports/patr...014/08/patriots_linebacker_trio_can_do_it_all

Collins and Hightower can also change assignments, as Collins has been an absolute menace in coverage throughout camp. He broke up three passes on Wednesday, two to running back Stevan Ridley in one-on-ones and another to tight end D.J. Williams in team drills. Collins’ athleticism makes him such an asset in coverage that he could remain on the weak side against productive pass catching running backs and move to the strong side against better tight ends

“The athleticism that Jamie brings,” Hightower said, “we all know how freakish that is.”

However, the nickel combinations are a bigger question mark. Belichick never takes Mayo off the field, so Collins and Hightower could be rolled out with different goals in mind. Collins is a greater asset against the pass, and Hightower’s size makes him valuable on early downs when the run is in play. Yet, Collins seriously bulked up this offseason, and Hightower’s pass drops improved a lot down the stretch in 2013, so their reps don’t need to be so simply defined.

Collins has bulked up this offseason and he hasn't lost a step in coverage.

 

[PATS16N0]

Revis all the way, but all these guys are going to compliment each other big time.
With Revis sticking to people like white on rice, I expect our defensive line to get to the quarterback a lot more often, and with that pressure on the QB, I see INT's galore.

Think about our awesome turn over differential over the last few seasons which has just been straight up absurd, and that with what we had before. This year is just going to be amazing.

I'm honestly just expecting everyone to tear it up, and everyone just make everyone else that much more effective.

Chandler should blow away his production from last year too.

I think about the potential for this defense, given how decent Belichick has made our defense look before with so many questionable players, and wow... The potential of this defense is nightmare level.

Week 1 please.
Week 5 pretty please.

 

[joepatsfan]

Idk. There are many candidates for this.

I think it's Revis. Then outside of that it could be just about anyone..

Mayo, DMC, Collins, Jones, Browner, Nink, Fork, Kelly, anyone.

I really think everyone on this defense has a chance to come together as a unit and all have career years with the talent combined together.

But to shorten it, Revis. While everyone is primed to be great, Revis will make this ddefense go

 

[Hael]

Revis and it probably won't be close. There are probably only 3 or 4 other defensive players in the entire NFL that have his talent level when he's firing at full cylinder. He's in that JJ Watt type of stratosphere

 

[Sticky Caulk]

all these guys are going to compliment each other big time.

The key to Seattle's defensive dominance.

I have a good feeling about Ninko this year. I am (very) biased because he's my favorite player on the D. I could see the stuff in the secondary helping him have more time to cause havoc. His versatility could be fun too.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Revis by far. But what matters is what the other people around him step up and do. I'd like to see it all come together. You can avoid throwing to one side of the field, but there are 10 other people who should also help make the QB's life miserable.

 

[Baboon]

I am hopeful that the biggest player on D will be Wilfork taking over the middle of the defense again. But adding Revis gives so much more time to the rush or blitzing linebackers... Collins or Hightower will benefit a ton if Mayo stays healthful.

 

[DarrylS]

"Best player on defense" is confusing, as without complimentary players that allow someone like Revis to play 1-1 and take chances, then he might look rather pedestrian...

To single out one player who will be allowed to shine because of others seems to be folly...

The reality is that our whole defense has gotten better and more "mature".... so I expect a lot of D players to look really good..

 

[PATS16N0]

"Best player on defense" is confusing, as without complimentary players that allow someone like Revis to play 1-1 and take chances, then he might look rather pedestrian...

To single out one player who will be allowed to shine because of others seems to be folly...

The reality is that our whole defense has gotten better and more "mature".... so I expect a lot of D players to look really good..

Understand your point but disagree. Revis is the sour cream and bacon in this chicken burrito. He's the one that's going to bring this all together, make new things possible, and really put the exclamation point on all the other pieces, especially when Browner is back to play opposite of him.

The entire unit looks great, by far the best we've had in a long time, but if you take Revis out of the equation, it's just the slightly improved and more experienced version of what we already had.

Revis is the key that transforms it into something else entirely.

 

[DarrylS]

Understand your point but disagree. Revis is the sour cream and bacon in this chicken burrito. He's the one that's going to bring this all together, make new things possible, and really put the exclamation point on all the other pieces, especially when Browner is back to play opposite of him.

The entire unit looks great, by far the best we've had in a long time, but if you take Revis out of the equation, it's just the slightly improved and more experienced version of what we already had.

Revis is the key that transforms it into something else entirely.

Do not disagree and agree with the adage that "he will make everyone better", just have an issue with individual superlatives in a team sport....

The stress last year of Mayo and Wilfork going down on this defense was significant, not because of their individual talents, but due to the impact on other players who had to play different positions, some of which they were not ready for... the whole D suffered, just as the whole D will benefit from the addition of Revis...

 

[PATS16N0]

Do not disagree and agree with the adage that "he will make everyone better", just have an issue with individual superlatives in a team sport....

The stress last year of Mayo and Wilfork going down on this defense was significant, not because of their individual talents, but due to the impact on other players who had to play different positions, some of which they were not ready for... the whole D suffered, just as the whole D will benefit from the addition of Revis...

It's really exciting. I just imagine this nasty, pass rushing, quarterback gobbling, run stuffing, Welker crushing, ball hawking, prayer answering, dream making D making everyone we face cry.

I can't wait!

 

[AzorianPats]

If your talking statistics then I'm going with Jones or Collins. Mayo, as always will rack up the tackles...

But best player? Its Revis...

 

[Kontradiction]

Revis. Hopefully Chandler Jones will be a close second.

 

[fnordcircle]

Tavon Wilson

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Revis or.Jones

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Can't disagree with any of the other posters so far on the possibilities, but I think the answer has to be "the one (or more) of the players on the list who stays healthy until February."

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Revis is a huge addition, but I guess it depends on how we determine "best."

If it's the guy who impacts the defense the most, I'd say Revis. He'll be on an island, eliminating the opposition's top threat and allowing us to roll coverage elsewhere. He will make everyone on the secondary better. Of course if other teams give up on throwing to him, he could have another 0, or 1 INT season yet be dominant.

If it's the guy with the best stats, it might be Jones with the sacks, or perhaps a guy like Collins who can fill up the stat sheet in many different ways.

The one guy who might pile up the stats is McCourty. Not suggesting he's the best (or even in the top 3 on the team), but I could see him filling up the stat sheet with INTs thanks to Revis simplifying his job. He's strong in run support, always has lots of tackles, and has a knack for ripping the ball loose. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a career year playing with Revis.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Revis followed by several possibles.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I still think Revis will have the biggest impact to the overall defense, but I'm going to go with Collins having the best season. The guy just has the physical tools to be something truly special, a jack of all trades. He can literally line up anywhere on the field, including corner. I know he's only a second-year guy and all, but I think he gets it. If he can put it all together, then he'll be amazing.

Also, I think McCourty will have an amazing season as well. BB will be able to use him all over the field and he'll have him doing different things. Remember how Eugene Wilson flourished when Law and Poole were playing that tough man-to-man defense at the corner position? McCourty is leagues ahead of Wilson both physically and his understanding of the game. With Revis and Browner re-directing guys and, more importantly, disrupting the timing of plays, McCourty should shine.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Revis is a huge addition, but I guess it depends on how we determine "best."

If it's the guy who impacts the defense the most, I'd say Revis. He'll be on an island, eliminating the opposition's top threat and allowing us to roll coverage elsewhere. He will make everyone on the secondary better. Of course if other teams give up on throwing to him, he could have another 0, or 1 INT season yet be dominant.

If it's the guy with the best stats, it might be Jones with the sacks, or perhaps a guy like Collins who can fill up the stat sheet in many different ways.

The one guy who might pile up the stats is McCourty. Not suggesting he's the best (or even in the top 3 on the team), but I could see him filling up the stat sheet with INTs thanks to Revis simplifying his job. He's strong in run support, always has lots of tackles, and has a knack for ripping the ball loose. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a career year playing with Revis.

Your post is exactly what I posted and I hadn't even read yours. Wow, that's uncanny.