- Joined
- Sep 13, 2004
- Messages
- 37,541
- Reaction score
- 16,315
We are fussing a lot about the defense one week into free agency. However, we expect to re-sign Carter, even if he might not be ready to start preseason. We also expect to add another safety in free agency and/or the draft. A defensive end in the first 40 picks seems very likely.
IMHO, the resulting defense will likely be significantly better than in 2011. It won't be a top defense, but it is likely to be a young improving, respectable one.
DL We will add Fanene and likely a draftee first rounder (or early second rounder).
We will still have Carter. I expect that we will also add Warren or someone else.
ILB In the 3-4, three ILB's get all the reps. We are in fine shape.
OLB Ninkovich, Scott, Cunningham, Carter
as weak as last year, perhaps Belichick will find another Ninkovich to train
CB Improved (although many disagree)
S Much improved (last year, we just about played without safeties)
This year, we start with Chung, Gregory, Barrety, and a likely addition fa & draftee
This is our weakest position; but it is not the disaster of 2011.
MY EXPECTATIONS
1) Re-sign Carter or equivalent
2) Add some veteran JAG's for DL, OLB, and S depth (could be after the draft)
3) Draft a DE early, perhaps 2.
4) Draft a safety, especially if a free agent isn't added.
BOTTOM LINE
This is NOT a long wish list in the middle of the second week of free agency. This is a young developing defense. I expect this defense to much better in the last half of 2012 compared to the last half of 2011. Of course, this is what counts. I also expect us to be much better in the first half of the year compared to last year; but that is a very low bar indeed.
IMHO, the resulting defense will likely be significantly better than in 2011. It won't be a top defense, but it is likely to be a young improving, respectable one.
DL We will add Fanene and likely a draftee first rounder (or early second rounder).
We will still have Carter. I expect that we will also add Warren or someone else.
ILB In the 3-4, three ILB's get all the reps. We are in fine shape.
OLB Ninkovich, Scott, Cunningham, Carter
as weak as last year, perhaps Belichick will find another Ninkovich to train
CB Improved (although many disagree)
S Much improved (last year, we just about played without safeties)
This year, we start with Chung, Gregory, Barrety, and a likely addition fa & draftee
This is our weakest position; but it is not the disaster of 2011.
MY EXPECTATIONS
1) Re-sign Carter or equivalent
2) Add some veteran JAG's for DL, OLB, and S depth (could be after the draft)
3) Draft a DE early, perhaps 2.
4) Draft a safety, especially if a free agent isn't added.
BOTTOM LINE
This is NOT a long wish list in the middle of the second week of free agency. This is a young developing defense. I expect this defense to much better in the last half of 2012 compared to the last half of 2011. Of course, this is what counts. I also expect us to be much better in the first half of the year compared to last year; but that is a very low bar indeed.
