VJCPatriot
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2006
- Messages
- 16,810
- Reaction score
- 5,511
I've been thinking it over, and this could be the YEAR that this Pats defense becomes the most dominating unit in the NFL.
Up front of course we've got the established vet talents now in Seymour, Warren, and Wilfork. Jarvis Green and Mike Wright will be backing them up. Maybe that Guyton guy can get some minutes if he makes the roster.
The biggest difference though is in the linebackers corps. This unit just got a whole lot younger, faster, and talented.
Mayo is a top 10 pick and figures to man the middle with true sideline to sideline speed. When's the last time we've had that? Hobson and Bruschi are also in the starting rotation. Seau hopefully will make a comeback. But we have the flexibility to move Vrable or even Thomas inside if need be.
Now check out the outside linebackers. Starters Thomas and Vrabel. OLB is Thomas natural position and I believe that he will prosper there this year. With another year of the system under his belt expect AD to start to dominate some games with his talent. The main backups are Pierre Woods and Shawn Crable. Crable is very athletic, tall, and long. BB feels that Crable is a lot like Woods, so you've got some talented youngsters backing up.
The secondary is pretty much the same, minus samuel but plus Wheatley, Wilhite and a couple of free agent corners. The corner quality is dropped off a bit with the loss of Samuel but the safeties look to be better this year. Harrison and Sanders are the vets here, but look for former 1st round pick Meriweather to challenge for playing time, and likely winning a spot eventually. Tank Williams is a physical young safety with something to prove, and Slater has the flexibility to fill in at safety as well if needed.
In summary, the 3-4 defense needs solid DL to function, and I believe we have that base covered. But the 3-4 really shines when you get serious talent into the linebacker unit. The Pats have that infusion of speed and talent now in the form of Mayo, Crable, and Woods. I expect this defense to dominate ballgames and pitch a few shutouts. 2007 will be remembered as the year of the offense, but 2008 will be remembered as the year of the defense.
Up front of course we've got the established vet talents now in Seymour, Warren, and Wilfork. Jarvis Green and Mike Wright will be backing them up. Maybe that Guyton guy can get some minutes if he makes the roster.
The biggest difference though is in the linebackers corps. This unit just got a whole lot younger, faster, and talented.
Mayo is a top 10 pick and figures to man the middle with true sideline to sideline speed. When's the last time we've had that? Hobson and Bruschi are also in the starting rotation. Seau hopefully will make a comeback. But we have the flexibility to move Vrable or even Thomas inside if need be.
Now check out the outside linebackers. Starters Thomas and Vrabel. OLB is Thomas natural position and I believe that he will prosper there this year. With another year of the system under his belt expect AD to start to dominate some games with his talent. The main backups are Pierre Woods and Shawn Crable. Crable is very athletic, tall, and long. BB feels that Crable is a lot like Woods, so you've got some talented youngsters backing up.
The secondary is pretty much the same, minus samuel but plus Wheatley, Wilhite and a couple of free agent corners. The corner quality is dropped off a bit with the loss of Samuel but the safeties look to be better this year. Harrison and Sanders are the vets here, but look for former 1st round pick Meriweather to challenge for playing time, and likely winning a spot eventually. Tank Williams is a physical young safety with something to prove, and Slater has the flexibility to fill in at safety as well if needed.
In summary, the 3-4 defense needs solid DL to function, and I believe we have that base covered. But the 3-4 really shines when you get serious talent into the linebacker unit. The Pats have that infusion of speed and talent now in the form of Mayo, Crable, and Woods. I expect this defense to dominate ballgames and pitch a few shutouts. 2007 will be remembered as the year of the offense, but 2008 will be remembered as the year of the defense.