Thinness on Defensive Line

State · Sep 30, 2013

Without Wolfork, apparently for the rest of the season, it will be thin in more ways than one. This has been a weakness going into the season.

Now it's a gaping hole plugged for now by veteran Tommy Kelly and an assortment of undrafted FAs.

Look for us to bring Marcus Forston up from the practice squad.

Time to call back Anthony Rashad White, a similar NT-type body? Patriots release DT Anthony Rashad White from IR

Hope Armond Armstead is healing fast from his infection. Any news from that front?

Don't look for any blockbuster trades. Don't we smell desperate? Or veteran re-treads. The one possible exception for a trade would be with Pittsburgh for Ziggy Hood. Head's up to Sciz for that. At this point they may gladly stock up on draft picks.

We got to go with what we have. But this may weaken our run defense, prompting Spikes to see the field more. It's a good thing the league is a passing one.

Are th

Blackluck · Sep 30, 2013

List of FA DTs:

AzorianPats · Sep 30, 2013

State said:
Without Wolfork, apparently for the rest of the season, it will be thin in more ways than one. This has been a weakness going into the season.

Now it's a gaping hole plugged for now by veteran Tommy Kelly and an assortment of undrafted FAs.

Look for us to bring Marcus Forston up from the practice squad.

Time to call back Anthony Rashad White, a similar NT-type body? Patriots release DT Anthony Rashad White from IR

Hope Armond Armstead is healing fast from his infection. Any news from that front?

Don't look for any blockbuster trades. Don't we smell desperate? Or veteran re-treads. The one possible exception for a trade would be with Pittsburgh for Ziggy Hood. Head's up to Sciz for that. At this point they may gladly stock up on draft picks.

We got to go with what we have. But this may weaken our run defense, prompting Spikes to see the field more. It's a good thing the league is a passing one.

Are th

Still too early to tell. I think we are going to roll with what we have. Vellano looks like a good player, but how good will he look when a team game plans around him? I don't see this team making any big trades, unless it looks real bad.

Oswlek · Sep 30, 2013

AJ Francis for a few weeks and Armond Armstead after that.

Snake Eyes · Sep 30, 2013

I was frustrated we didnt draft Brandon Williams, now I'm downright angry

Oswlek · Sep 30, 2013

Snake Eyes said:
I was frustrated we didnt draft Brandon Williams, now I'm downright angry

You can't have them all. :confused2:

ausbacker · Sep 30, 2013

At this stage, I'm wondering if the Patriots have the personnel on the Defensive Line to launch a NASCAR package of sorts? Wilfork is irreplaceable making it a matter of scheme now.

patsinthesnow · Sep 30, 2013

Kenbrell Thompkins and Joe Vellano.

Have two UDFAs ever been asked to do so much? Both have come through so far.

Noone can replace Big Vince, but Vellano's played well. Let's hope the kid learns quick.

mgteich · Sep 30, 2013

We need three DT's to have lots of reps, especially when we play teams with a hurry-up offense.

The team knows whether to count on Armstead for major reps. My suspicision is that they are not counting on him.

In any case, the "obvious" choice is to add someone from the Practice Squad.

I would also be fine with bringing in an old vet as a backup, even as an emergency #4 DT. Kelly and Vellano are the starters. We need a backup, who will be part of the rotation. AND, we could use a fourth DT. I have learned to be fine with our 4 UDFA defensive tackles (2 on the 53 and 2 on the Practice Squad). I expect that there might be someone out there worth signing.

One strategy is bring someone in with the idea of him learning the system, with the hope that one of the kids (or Armstead) will beat him out for a roster spot during the bye week.

JackBauer · Sep 30, 2013

Wouldn't be surprised if it goes Kelly, Vellano, (Chris) Jones, Francis.

patsfan-1982 · Sep 30, 2013

I really don't think they will sign anyone maybe bring up someone from PS but I just think the rookies and DE's will play a lot more now

DaBruinz · Sep 30, 2013

Did we REALLY need another thread talking about this? This is the common talk in the Wilfork thread.

There aren't a lot of options out there. As I mentioned in the other thread, you have:

Sione Pouha, Casey Hamption, and Antonio Garay. I didn't realize it, but Ma'ake Kemoeatu is also available and he had NT experience. You also have Kyle Love who hasn't been able to hook on with another team, though the Type2 diabetes is still an issue.

Now, there are some decent players in Justin Bannan, Ty Warren, Ron Edwards.

All these players have blemishes/warts.

The Pats, could of course, just promote Forston or Francis (or both) and got that direction..

dales804 · Sep 30, 2013

ausbacker said:
At this stage, I'm wondering if the Patriots have the personnel on the Defensive Line to launch a NASCAR package of sorts? Wilfork is irreplaceable making it a matter of scheme now.

This thought occurred to me, too. Don't know if they'll do it but won't be surprised if we see more of it going forward.

Snake Eyes · Sep 30, 2013

Oswlek said:
You can't have them all. :confused2:

We took Duron Harmon, when Brandon Williams was still available, which I consider idiotic.

Oswlek · Sep 30, 2013

Snake Eyes said:
We took Duron Harmon, when Brandon Williams was still available, which I consider idiotic.

Harmon looks like a good prospect. :confused2:

mgteich · Sep 30, 2013

You can discuss whatever you wish on the "Wilfork" thread. Silly me, I thought that the Wilfork thread was about Wilfork, his injury and his future.

I suppose that a thread on Armstead's health would mean that the thread was really about DT options?

I'm fine with thread titles that are descriptive and with more threads, rather than fewer. I really don't like sifting through long, long threads that are sidscussing a dozen different topics.

DaBruinz said:
Did we REALLY need another thread talking about this? This is the common talk in the Wilfork thread.

There aren't a lot of options out there. As I mentioned in the other thread, you have:

Sione Pouha, Casey Hamption, and Antonio Garay. I didn't realize it, but Ma'ake Kemoeatu is also available and he had NT experience. You also have Kyle Love who hasn't been able to hook on with another team, though the Type2 diabetes is still an issue.

Now, there are some decent players in Justin Bannan, Ty Warren, Ron Edwards.

All these players have blemishes/warts.

The Pats, could of course, just promote Forston or Francis (or both) and got that direction..

mgteich · Sep 30, 2013

The pick certainly seemed to be a reasonable one (which we all criticized). Harmon is already our #3 safety and a special teamer. Of course, this may reflect more on Belichick's previous picks and acquisitions than on Harmon. Time will tell.

Oswlek said:
Harmon looks like a good prospect. :confused2:

Snake Eyes · Sep 30, 2013

Oswlek said:
Harmon looks like a good prospect. :confused2:

I think we'd have been better off trying to get him later on, the game is all about the lines.

Ring 6 · Sep 30, 2013

Snake Eyes said:
We took Duron Harmon, when Brandon Williams was still available, which I consider idiotic.

Of course you do.

Ring 6 · Sep 30, 2013

ausbacker said:
At this stage, I'm wondering if the Patriots have the personnel on the Defensive Line to launch a NASCAR package of sorts? Wilfork is irreplaceable making it a matter of scheme now.

They have already been doing that in sub packages, but it would be silly in the base.

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