Excited about our D yet?

Looking back at the team building process, I say WOW.

- Chandler Jones, and Collins for speed rushers (plus possibly Buchanon), plus reliable Ninko
- Armstead, Tommy Kelly pushing up the middle, plus Vince
- same LB core Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, plus Collins can cover; Dane Fletcher, Beaharnais for depth
- Talib, Dennard, Arrington all back
- add in Logan Ryan and maybe even Raz-I
- Adrien Wilson, McCourty, Harmon, Tavon

BB added serious pass rush talent. Depth and talent at corner. Toughness and experience at safety.

Cant wait for the season to get started!!

== FRITZ

They should just give us the Lombardi now and be done with it.

Meh...i'll believe it when i see it. I'm honestly more excited about the O and the new receivers. I want to see some ******* DBs beaten on a jump ball on the outside for a change.

The picks are intriguing but we have a long way to go.

I am quite enthusiastic about our D, and we will know better about game 7 or 8 where we actually stand..

We have gotten younger, faster and more versatile than in the past.. there have been significant changes and upgrades on this side of the board..

The days of picking up a jag or a "has been" off the street to play in the secondary are long gone..

Patience will be needed to get all these guys up to NFL speed and aptitude, but much confidence in what we have done..

I wish I could get more enthused about the Collins pick. Trying.

Fans were excited about the vaunted big nckel, too.....

I think the key element for the optimism with the defense is more than just the raw talent that will be out there. You have to use your imagination to see what all that talent means to BB. It means that he can FINALLY begin to open up that playbook. To now use all that creativity to maximize the skills and depth that we finally have. Don't forget that our DC really IS a rocket scientist (RPI).

Because of all the injuries, youth, and lack of true talented depth, we have been extraordinarily conservative in our defensive sets. Because of it, our bitz rate was among the lowest in the league. Teams knew that we would be in that 4-3 set close to 90% of the time and rushing with just four guys who rarely stunted,

However as we have gotten better in our back end, we can now afford to become more aggressive with our front seven. That means we can afford to take more chances and our blitz rate can perhaps even get to the league average. As our defense develops more experience and cohesiveness, we can afford to show more varied looks up front, and do more combination LB/DL stunts and stems. Now things like overloads and zone blitzes will become part of our repertoire. Until now those were things we only saw being done by other defenses.

Now I don't think we are suddenly going to go nuts on the creativity, but I DO believe we have turned the corner. Hopefully that will mean more pressure of the QB, more big plays, and more confusion by opposing offenses. I fully expect the defense this year to be an equal partner with the offense, and it will need to be, since I doubt the offense will be in sync for the first 6 weeks of the season.

I agree we will all like this defense later rather than sooner, there are a lot of new bodies to integrate into our d schemes..

But I really like what we have done.. have to remember the CFL signings as well.

Last season they were 9th in the league in points allowed with 331 (just under 21 PPG). If they improve by just 1 field goal per game that would be an improvement to 4th in the league, that would average out at just under 18 PPG.

3 points a game less isn't too big of an ask as an improvement and 18 points given up should make life easier for the offense.

Another improvement that is likely to happen is a decrease in the big plays, once Talib joined they appeared to go down so with him (hopefully) for the full season and McCourty patrolling center-field the big plays should be reduced, which in turn will lower the only thing hacks like ESPN look at - yardage, which will be a big number due to the fact teams have to pass to try and keep up with the Patriots offense.

As for Jamie Collins - I think the biggest benefit he will give the team is immense versatility, the guy has played as a defensive back and a defensive end that is the kind of weapon Patricia needed and should give him the confidence to use overload blitzes, zones blitzes (just think of what can be drawn up if you have Jones at DE and Collins as the OLB behind him) and have a big, athletic guy to cover a TE in man coverage if needed.

But, don't expect them to come out of the gate firing on all cylinders there will likely be growing pains along the way, the defense is still very young but it has potential.

Very excited about this defense. This could be like the 2011 Texans that got so much better (yeah I know they also got Wade and Watt at the same time as well as improved thier secondary that same year.) The Patriots looked to be making that jump after they traded for Talib last year, but Injuries slowed Jones and the depth wasn't as good as it needed to be in the secondary vs the Ravens. This year they have added some veteran leadership with Adrian Wilson. Chandler Jones should be really really good this year, he was pretty good last year before the ankle injury, but this year we might finally have our elite passrusher. Add in Bequette and Ninkovitch supported by Jamie Collins and additions for depth to the secondary in the third round and we could have a recepie for significant improvement. Small changes can really multiply in the NFL.
Last year at this time our starting corners were McCourty and Arrington to presumably play off zone coverage. Now our outside corners are man cover guys which is a better fit with the current realities of the passing game of the NFL where if you do not throw off the timing of the other teams outside passing attack by jamming the line it is very difficult to stop it, no matter how tight the zones might be, NFL offenses have become too adept at crushing zones. Thank our offense and Welker the zonebuster for teaching them.

betterthanthealternative said:

I wish I could get more enthused about the Collins pick. Trying.

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Let me help you with that. Here's what I did. Think of Collins as Dion Jordan without the Hype. Both are comparable in size, speed, quickness, and athletic skills. Collins has actually been slightly more productive on the field base on some of the stats I've seen. Then when you add the fact that Jordan played on one of the best teams in the country, was on TV all the time, and had great coaching. While Collins played on one of the worst teams and had bad coaching, which could easily explain the occasional lack of total effort, you can explain how he could happily drop to an area where we could draft him.

Collins is a lot more than merely a gifted and explosive athlete. He HAS the production to back it up. Right now this is a kid who we got late in the 2nd round, who has the potential to be a real star in a few years. Plus a kid talented enough to come in his rookie year and make an impact as a stituational player Think Robert Quinn or the kid from Seattle, neither of whom had spectacular years as rookies, but DID have some impact as situational players.

Now I doubt Collins can come in and be as impactful as say a Von Miller, BUT he is physically gifted enough that he could eventually grow into that role. I have gone from "OMG another guy I never heard of" to "this could be the unseen steal of the draft"...all in just 2 days. From "WTF, my Binkie (Hunt) was still on the board" to "I'm glad we didn't take my Binkie. In fact if I had know more about him, Collins would have been my Binkie"

Feel better now BTTA

What has me excited about the Collins pick is the versatility that he provides.

When our defense is at its best other teams had no idea where the pass rush comes from. Almost every position on the defense can play multiple positions/do multiple things.

Collins- Can cover as an OLB, can rush the passer with his hand on the ground, can play the run as an olb

Hightower- Can cover as an OLB, can rush the passer with his hand on the ground, can play the run as an olb, can slide inside in a 3-4.

Mayo- Can play every linebacker position, can blitz, play the run, and cover in the passing game

Spikes- has always been a thumper in the run game. Improving in his blitzing and pass coverage

Chandler Jones- Can rush as 4-3 end, can stand up and play a 3-4 olb, as he bulks up he can kick inside in a nascar package.

McCourty- Can play any coverage as well as every position in the secondary (slot, deep safety, outside corner)

Nink- Can play 4-3 DE or OLB, 3-4 olb or ilb in a pinch.

Cunningham- can play 4-3 DE, 3-4 olb and DT in a pass rush package.

The Ravens have always given us problems because they are extremely versatile and strong. Our drafts recently seem to have the aim of returning us to our elite versatility and size/strength.

patfanken said:

Let me help you with that. Here's what I did. Think of Collins as Dion Jordan without the Hype. Both are comparable in size, speed, quickness, and athletic skills. Collins has actually been slightly more productive on the field base on some of the stats I've seen. Then when you add the fact that Jordan played on one of the best teams in the country, was on TV all the time, and had great coaching. While Collins played on one of the worst teams and had bad coaching, which could easily explain the occasional lack of total effort, you can explain how he could happily drop to an area where we could draft him.

Collins is a lot more than merely a gifted and explosive athlete. He HAS the production to back it up. Right now this is a kid who we got late in the 2nd round, who has the potential to be a real star in a few years. Plus a kid talented enough to come in his rookie year and make an impact as a stituational player Think Robert Quinn or the kid from Seattle, neither of whom had spectacular years as rookies, but DID have some impact as situational players.

Now I doubt Collins can come in and be as impactful as say a Von Miller, BUT he is physically gifted enough that he could eventually grow into that role. I have gone from "OMG another guy I never heard of" to "this could be the unseen steal of the draft"...all in just 2 days. From "WTF, my Binkie (Hunt) was still on the board" to "I'm glad we didn't take my Binkie. In fact if I had know more about him, Collins would have been my Binkie"

Feel better now BTTA

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No, I am not sold on Collins. I saw a guy that quit on his teammates and coaches last year. Yes I realize the coaching staff was perhaps the worst in the history of college football last season, but it was an excellent opportunity for Collins to become a leader and rally the troops.

Instead he sulked, played only against the pass and made very little effort against the run.

I am not completely giving up on him as I realize the program down there was in shambles and it was the worst situation in the history of college football.

But he has to show something on the field first. And plus I think he will need a year at least before he can contribute in the base defense.

Yes, not only did we compile the right pieces in the draft but players like Don'ta Hightower, Chandler Jones, Justin Francis and etc. look to have a great possibility in blossoming into star players their second year..

I am most excited about the potential year 2 leaps for Jones and Hightower and Dennard.

Don't think Wilson is ready for a year 2 leap.

If Jones can stay healthy, he has a chance to become the pass rusher, this defense has lacked for years.

Hightower should be much more assignment sound this year as well. He may never be that great coverage LBer, but I am excited to think how how more he can contribute by knowing his assignments from day 1.

Hopefully Dennard stays healthy and focused for all 19 games.

We still need one of those safeties aside from DMC prove to be starting caliber. We have alot of potential there but it's still a worry until one guy steps up and actually plays above JAG level.

Same with pass rush lots of potential upgrades there with Collins, Armstead, and other lesser pick ups but they still need to prove it.

Until then these 2 areas have got to improve. Once that happens I honestly believe this is a top 5 defense, if you take how they played with a healthy Dennard/Talib and solidify those 2 spots.

PowerRunRevival said:

What has me excited about the Collins pick is the versatility that he provides.

When our defense is at its best other teams had no idea where the pass rush comes from. Almost every position on the defense can play multiple positions/do multiple things.

Collins- Can cover as an OLB, can rush the passer with his hand on the ground, can play the run as an olb

Hightower- Can cover as an OLB, can rush the passer with his hand on the ground, can play the run as an olb, can slide inside in a 3-4.

Mayo- Can play every linebacker position, can blitz, play the run, and cover in the passing game

Spikes- has always been a thumper in the run game. Improving in his blitzing and pass coverage

Chandler Jones- Can rush as 4-3 end, can stand up and play a 3-4 olb, as he bulks up he can kick inside in a nascar package.

McCourty- Can play any coverage as well as every position in the secondary (slot, deep safety, outside corner)

Nink- Can play 4-3 DE or OLB, 3-4 olb or ilb in a pinch.

Cunningham- can play 4-3 DE, 3-4 olb and DT in a pass rush package.

The Ravens have always given us problems because they are extremely versatile and strong. Our drafts recently seem to have the aim of returning us to our elite versatility and size/strength.

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I think Adrian Wilson adds a ton of versatility on a lot of packages, as well.

I'm liking this D - they were better than advertised last year, when healthy, and I figured they'd be much better this year without additions, juust because of a year together and a year of seasoning.

But adding Talib for the year, A. Wilson (who I still think is a stud), Armstead, (hopefully) Kelly and now Collins is pretty sweet. Don't know much about Logan Ryan, honestly, but should be a solid depth guy.

I still want John Abraham.

Ochmed Jones said:

No, I am not sold on Collins. I saw a guy that quit on his teammates and coaches last year. Yes I realize the coaching staff was perhaps the worst in the history of college football last season, but it was an excellent opportunity for Collins to become a leader and rally the troops.

Instead he sulked, played only against the pass and made very little effort against the run.

I am not completely giving up on him as I realize the program down there was in shambles and it was the worst situation in the history of college football.

But he has to show something on the field first. And plus I think he will need a year at least before he can contribute in the base defense.

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Hard to take anything positive out of a 0-12 season. I do remember the Conf-USA championship game the year before. Houston came in 12-0 ranked 7th and almost assuredly getting a BCS bid. Explosive offense with Case Keenum. Game at Houston. ESPN Gameday was there. So. Miss defensive front dominated that game and beat the Cougs 49-28.

Excited to see Jones, Hightower, Dennard and Tavon in their second year. Out of the 2013 draft class, I have to say I''m cautiously optimistic about Collins, but I have to say more excited about Buchanan.

Bedard summed it up:

Biggest bust potential: Jamie Collins, LB/DE (second round)
Sorry, I just don't see it on film. He's an OK player but I see way too much of Jermaine Cunningham in him. Can dazzle with athletic ability, but how good of a football player is he? Has two pass-rush moves: speed and power. That's it. No spin moves. No rips. Just straight ahead. Has some of the stiffest hips I've seen. Now, the x-factor is how the Patriots view him. If they think he's a standup linebacker, that makes a little more sense. But that would have to come from private workouts because he's played the same hybrid role the Patriots use for their ends.

Biggest upside: Michael Buchanan, DE/LB (seventh round)
The guy has a freak frame and athletic ability. If he can grow into his body and mature a little bit, the Patriots could have something big here. A lot of ifs, but definitely a huge upside to a player out of a good conference.

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