Patriots D in 2008 - IMPROVED

[patsox23]

This is, of course, just a guess, and a guess from someone who does not downplay the huge loss that IS Asante Samuel. But the combination of several factors, listed below, leads me to believe that the defense will be markedly better this season. Not the kind of historic jump we saw the offense take in 2007, but a jump just the same.

1) Dom Capers
2) influx of veteran talent (mostly this is just Fernando Bryant and Victor Hobson (I guess), guys like Webster are junk)
3) The improved health of Richard Seymour
4) The "Bill Belichick being pi$$ed-off" factor
5) young, athletic playmakers - Mayo, Crable, Wheatley
6) progression of Adalius Thomas

That is all.

 

[NJPatsfan26]

This is, of course, just a guess, and a guess from someone who does not downplay the huge loss that IS Asante Samuel. But the combination of several factors, listed below, leads me to believe that the defense will be markedly better this season. Not the kind of historic jump we saw the offense take in 2007, but a jump just the same.

1) Dom Capers
2) influx of veteran talent (mostly this is just Fernando Bryant, I think guys like Webster are junk)
3) The improved health of Richard Seymour
4) The "Bill Belichick being pi$$ed-off" factor
5) young, athletic playmakers - Mayo, Crable, Wheatley
6) progression of Adalius Thomas

That is all.

WOOOOOOO

Good one!!

:rocker::rocker:

 

[Metaphors]

7) Facing Croyle, Pennington, Beck, Alex Smith, Edwards (x2), Clemens, Henne, Russell and Leinart

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

This is, of course, just a guess, and a guess from someone who does not downplay the huge loss that IS Asante Samuel. But the combination of several factors, listed below, leads me to believe that the defense will be markedly better this season. Not the kind of historic jump we saw the offense take in 2007, but a jump just the same.

1) Dom Capers
2) influx of veteran talent (mostly this is just Fernando Bryant and Victor Hobson (I guess), guys like Webster are junk)
3) The improved health of Richard Seymour
4) The "Bill Belichick being pi$$ed-off" factor
5) young, athletic playmakers - Mayo, Crable, Wheatley
6) progression of Adalius Thomas

That is all.

I thought BB was mad last year?

 

[Disco Volante]

7) Facing Croyle, Pennington, Beck, Alex Smith, Edwards (x2), Clemens, Henne, Russell and Leinart

Don't forget 3 of our closest games last year were against...

Eli Manning (League INT leader)
Kyle Boller
AJ Feely

I thought BB was mad last year?

The BB pissed off at defense factor should have reached it's height after giving up a 21-3 lead in the '06 AFC Championship game. Team still didn't learn it's lesson.

The thought of an improved defense is an amazing thought, but we'll see. Our defense had the benefit of playing in a lot of games with huge leads last year.

 

[FilPats]

I thought BB was mad last year?

This year, BB's raging mad. Go Pats:rocker:

 

[juny]

I think they will be a faster D from last year with the guys they drafted this year. I'm really hoping Adalius Thomas game steps up after a year learning the system.

 

[BradyManny]

I do think Asante's loss is way overblown. Allegedly the metrics for this past season for Hobbs and Asante are quite similar - I've heard it said a few times, and am waiting for football outsiders to post DB metrics for the past season to confirm. But I'd buy it. So basically, you're seeing that a hobbled Hobbs (no pun intended) was as effective - outside of causing interceptions - as Asante.

As for all the other things noted - I do believe this defense will be vastly improved. Seriously, I think we're going to see a much faster & intimidating defense. Hobson at SILB and Mayo at WILB - whether they start or are part of a rotation - is an upgrade, Seymour should be back to his normal self, Meriweather should contribute more, AD should be a beast at OLB and still has the versatility to be effective at ILB as well. All signs point to a better D.

 

[N.Eman]

i hope your right. This D will be something to look close at. Obviously they'll have many new things up their sleeves. I get so psyched and wish kickoff week was here!

 

[spacecrime]

The BB pissed off at defense factor should have reached it's height after ... the '06 AFC Championship game.

Yeah, that was the peak. A few months later, after the video-taping incident, he was happy as a lark

 

[NEPatriot]

how is our O going to be in this season?

 

[BelichickFan]

I thought BB was mad last year?

He's extra mad this year

Assuming normal injuries we should be better. The only big loss was Samuel (not counting Colvin as he missed the second half of the season). I expect Samuel to easily be offset by the combination of : the replacement CB who will be a downgrade from Samuel but an upgrade from Gay, more experience for Thomas and Meriweather, and finally fresh legs at ILB; I think we'll love our Mayo.

And, yeah, Capers will probably help a lot too.

 

[BelichickFan]

6) progression of Adalius Thomas

That is all.

Ooops. You meant progression of Adalius Thomas and Brandon Meriweather, right ?

 

[Disco Volante]

Yeah, that was the peak. A few months later, after the video-taping incident, he was happy as a lark

"The BB pissed off at defense factor should have reached it's height after the '06 AFC Championship game."

SpyGate had nothing to do with BB being pissed off at his defense...

 

[patsox23]

Ooops. You meant progression of Adalius Thomas and Brandon Meriweather, right ?

Actually, YES. Good point. Two of our better playoff performers on D.

 

[Disco Volante]

Wonder if Meriweather learned how to catch a football.

If so, I have high hopes.

 

[BelichickFan]

Wonder if Meriweather learned how to catch a football.

If so, I have high hopes.

According to all reports, if he hasn't learned to catch better it isn't through a lack of effort.

Regarding Belichick being angry - we may hate Peyton but he is good and Belichick knows it. I have a strong feeling he's more aggravated about giving up the winning TD to Peyton's special needs brother.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

This is, of course, just a guess, and a guess from someone who does not downplay the huge loss that IS Asante Samuel. But the combination of several factors, listed below, leads me to believe that the defense will be markedly better this season. Not the kind of historic jump we saw the offense take in 2007, but a jump just the same.

1) Dom Capers
2) influx of veteran talent (mostly this is just Fernando Bryant and Victor Hobson (I guess), guys like Webster are junk)
3) The improved health of Richard Seymour
4) The "Bill Belichick being pi$$ed-off" factor
5) young, athletic playmakers - Mayo, Crable, Wheatley
6) progression of Adalius Thomas

That is all.

7. healthy hobbs
8. 2nd season for merriweather
9. tank williams is a good addition

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

This is, of course, just a guess, and a guess from someone who does not downplay the huge loss that IS Asante Samuel. But the combination of several factors, listed below, leads me to believe that the defense will be markedly better this season. Not the kind of historic jump we saw the offense take in 2007, but a jump just the same.

1) Dom Capers
2) influx of veteran talent (mostly this is just Fernando Bryant and Victor Hobson (I guess), guys like Webster are junk)
3) The improved health of Richard Seymour
4) The "Bill Belichick being pi$$ed-off" factor
5) young, athletic playmakers - Mayo, Crable, Wheatley
6) progression of Adalius Thomas

That is all.

Isn't Seymour your best D player, especially with your run D? I can't see how the Pats D won't be great next year-should be back to '04 form.

BTW-TO, Plax, and Devon Thomas will likely toy with Samuel-book it.

 

[BTTA]

7) Facing Croyle, Pennington, Beck, Alex Smith, Edwards (x2), Clemens, Henne, Russell and Leinart

I don't think Henne gets off the bench this year, and washes out of the league in three years.