How Much Optimism Do You Have Over This Defense?

Joey007 · May 31, 2014

Personally it's the most optimistic I've been over the defense in years, though I'm someone who's generally an optimist. I feel as though there is no glaring hole in this defense. While there are concerns with the safety spot opposite McCourty and the depth at linebacker there is so much star potential that's scattered everywhere in this defense. I remember years where I had a hard time really finding many difference makers at all on our defense, it's going to be a pretty refreshing change I'd say.

Brady6 · May 31, 2014

The defense if healthy is the best in the AFC without question. These five player all rank as the best or in the top five at their position in the AFC –

- Darrell Revis
- Jerod Mayo
- Devin McCourty
- Vince Wilfork
- Chandler Jones

Ninkovich and Browner are right outside of that top tier group, and then there are the players like Collins, Hightower, Dennard, Ryan, and Easley who have the skill set and talent to penetrate the top five at their position as well.

mcmurtry86 · May 31, 2014

Brady6 said:
The defense if healthy is the best in the AFC without question. These five player all rank as the best or in the top five at their position in the AFC –

- Darrell Revis
- Jerod Mayo
- Devin McCourty
- Vince Wilfork
- Chandler Jones

Ninkovich and Browner are right outside of that top tier group, and then there are the players like Collins, Hightower, Dennard, Ryan, and Easley who have the skill set and talent to penetrate the top five at their position as well.

Saying Wilfork is a top 5 DT at this point seems optimistic. In 2012 he was elite. But last year he struggled even before the Achilles injury and that's usually an injury which is often a career altering one.

And I don't know what Rob Ninkovich you watch if you think he's right outside the top 5 tier DE.

Brady6 · May 31, 2014

mcmurtry86 said:
Saying Wilfork is a top 5 DT at this point seems optimistic. In 2012 he was elite. But last year he struggled even before the Achilles injury and that's usually an injury which is often a career altering one.

And I don't know what Rob Ninkovich you watch if you think he's right outside the top 5 tier DE.

He was playing with an injury, and he did not struggle as much as suggested, he had difficulty in the Jets game.

Ninkovich led all defensive lineman in the NFL with 91 tackles; he led the Patriots with 86 total QB pressures, and was second on the team with 8 sacks. If you can name six 4-3 left defensive ends in the AFC that you view as better than Ninkovich I would be surprised, but feel free to try. I have...

joepatsfan · May 31, 2014

Normally, well atleast in the last 4-5 season, I've been negative on the defense and cant trust them even though I tried to believe.... now.. not trying to be ****y about our D.. but..

We have Revis. Browner. DMC. Dennard. Ryan. Collins. Mayo. Hightower. Jones. Kelly. Wilfork. Easley. Nink. Buchanan......

I have no doubts, IF healthy, this defense is top 5 in the NFL.

JackBauer · May 31, 2014

Haven't been this excited in years. The only thing that holds this back from being an elite defense is injuries, IMO. There are some concerns with the depth at LB, and it seems the staff likes what they've got in Harmon and Ryan, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt there. Aside from Revis, what's really exciting about this unit is that they should offer a whole lot more in terms of pass rush - I love what Easley brings and I can't wait to see how they use Hightower and Collins.

SHOWTIME15 · May 31, 2014

I'm worried about the linebackers in coverage, but that's about it.

JMC00 · May 31, 2014

TommyBrady12 said:
I'm worried about the linebackers in coverage, but that's about it.

Well the only worry would be Hightower and much of his problems last year was he was trying to play Mayo's role and he just wasn't ready yet.

But if he is taking over for Spikes at the Mike while it is a slight downgrade in run defense it's probably an upgrade in pass defense.

JoeSixPat · May 31, 2014

mcmurtry86 said:
Saying Wilfork is a top 5 DT at this point seems optimistic. In 2012 he was elite. But last year he struggled even before the Achilles injury and that's usually an injury which is often a career altering one.

And I don't know what Rob Ninkovich you watch if you think he's right outside the top 5 tier DE.

For the Patriots purposes, Ninkovich is in THEIR top tier for DEs - he's versatile and plays his role well. Wilfork, pre-injury, may not have been in his prime but was still playing his role well (look at the Pats run-stopping ability after he went down) - and one guesses that the Pats feel his Achilles isn't going to limit his playing that limited yet very important role

I count myself as "very" optimistic in this year's D

breakin · May 31, 2014

As it has been stated before, this season looks like its going to be the return of the Hoodie. If they stay relatively healthy (they can afford an injury at some postions, but others like LB would really hurt) then i think people will be back talking about Belichick as one of the best Defensive coaches in the game.

Last season I was optimistic about what the Defense could be.

This year im convinced its a top 5 or better D.

Big-T · May 31, 2014

Honestly, outside the top 5 would be a little disappointing and outside the top 10 would be a massive let down IMO (unless everyone gets injured again). That's the kind of expectation, never mind hope, I have of this defense.

State · May 31, 2014

I'm guardedly optimistic. One of the best group of athletic linebackers we've ever had, an infusion of free agency talent in the backfield, which was a definite need, and some intriguing storylines on the defensive line with all the guys coming back from injuries. I'm very excited about the possibility late in the season for a healthy Armond and Domininque blasting up the middle in obvious third-down passing plays, causing Peyton Manning to lose much sleep as he learns he has to face us.

I think this defense is good enough to get us to the Super Bowl if people stay healthy. I just don't think it's as good as what we had in 2004/2005. The missing link is the Rodney Harrison replacement we've never had.

The one area we're lacking on defense is a thumper safety to decleat a receiver or lower the boom on a running back. That's why I had Deone Bucannon penciled in for us in the first, but everyone said that was too early. Turns out he wasn't even around by the time we picked.

You'll see what we're missing when we play the Jets and we see Calvin Pryor manning the safety. Logan Ryan will be all right for us there. Just all right.

Marqui · May 31, 2014

JoeSixPat said:
For the Patriots purposes, Ninkovich is in THEIR top tier for DEs

Huh, what does that mean?

strngplyr · May 31, 2014

Marqui said:
Huh, what does that mean?

I'd assume he means that the Patriots ask Ninkovich to play the run more than many teams might ask their DE's to.

Ninkovich is a perfect fit for the Patriot's defense, however, he's not a top 5 DE in the AFC, however, the one who initially said it cleverly threw in "top 5 LDE" to help his argument.

TriplecHamp · May 31, 2014

My realistic expectations: Top 3 in 3rd down defense, and Red Zone defense. Turnovers are priority #3 and if we do those 2-3 things we will win a superbowl. I trust Brady and McD to do the rest.

ausbacker · May 31, 2014

If 10 means I expect the D to be an elite unit and suffocate opponents to the point of embarrassment then I'm at a 6 for this D. On paper it looks like a special collection of players however, my voice of reason says pull back the optimism given the amount of players returning from significant injuries.

Ivan · Jun 1, 2014

I understand the injury concerns but I love the look of this defense. Once they get it down as a group they are going to be able to operate at a level we haven't seen since 2003/2004. The only "weakness" is SS and it looks like they are going to a different model and don't put much priority on it other than as a part of a sub package, in which case it will probably be Chung. They have the best DL/LB/and DB units they have had in years, and I will be shocked if they aren't a top 5 scoring defense, and think they will be top 3. And in the big picture that's what will matter, so if they have a top 5 scoring offense and a top 5 scoring defense they will be really really tough to beat.

AzPatsFan · Jun 1, 2014

State said:
I'm guardedly optimistic. One of the best group of athletic linebackers we've ever had, an infusion of free agency talent in the backfield, which was a definite need, and some intriguing storylines on the defensive line with all the guys coming back from injuries. I'm very excited about the possibility late in the season for a healthy Armond and Domininque blasting up the middle in obvious third-down passing plays, causing Peyton Manning to lose much sleep as he learns he has to face us.

I think this defense is good enough to get us to the Super Bowl if people stay healthy. I just don't think it's as good as what we had in 2004/2005. The missing link is the Rodney Harrison replacement we've never had.

The one area we're lacking on defense is a thumper safety to decleat a receiver or lower the boom on a running back. That's why I had Deone Bucannon penciled in for us in the first, but everyone said that was too early. Turns out he wasn't even around by the time we picked.

You'll see what we're missing when we play the Jets and we see Calvin Pryor manning the safety. Logan Ryan will be all right for us there. Just all right.

Cal Pryor plays like Meriwether. He is a headhunter, always looking for the Big Hit and doesn't play team Defense. I question his coachability.

Today's Refs will be throwing their little Yellow hankies at him, and the secondary as a whole will suck. I was afraid we might take him.

JoeSixPat · Jun 1, 2014

Barring injury (as if that needs to be said) this could be a very special, elite Defense

That being said, Patsfans should prime themselves not to expect this to be a Top 5 D in September

As with nearly every Belichick D, it's more important they're playing well by December and into the playoffs

Some mediocre season stats have, in the past, been the result of a Top 5 finish after a Bottom 5 start.

Brady_to_Moss · Jun 1, 2014

We should all be optimistic. We have the best CB group in the NFL. We upgraded at CB with 2 BIG time players so hopefully teams won't be passing on us like they use to. DL should get better as the CBs got better.

Have the ability to be fighting up there with the top Ds in the league this year

How Much Optimism Do You Have Over This Defense?

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