Best DL BB ever coached

I'm starting a separate thread on "Best defensive lineman I ever coached", because I'm quite sure BB means it. If he thought "One of the best", he'd say "one of the best" or "one of the best, if not the best" or some other formulation.

So -- Wilfork better than Richard Seymour?

To my eye test, as supported by stats and other reasoning:

• Seymour was the more effective pass rusher.
  
• Seymour was the more effective batter-down of passes.
• Wilfork was stronger.
• Wilfork was better at lateral pursuit through traffic.
• Wilfork faced more difficult read/react challenges.

I certainly don't find BB's assessment shocking.

If we get to face Big Vince, I hope he puts up a Seymouresque "revenge game" against us. Not sure who remembers the embarrassing series of penalties that Big Sey got in trying to show off against his old tesm.

Fencer said:

I'm starting a separate thread on "Best defensive lineman I ever coached", because I'm quite sure BB means it. If he thought "One of the best", he'd say "one of the best" or "one of the best, if not the best" or some other formulation.

So -- Wilfork better than Richard Seymour?

To my eye test, as supported by stats and other reasoning:

• Seymour was the more effective pass rusher.
  
• Seymour was the more effective batter-down of passes.
• Wilfork was stronger.
• Wilfork was better at lateral pursuit through traffic.
• Wilfork faced more difficult read/react challenges.

I certainly don't find BB's assessment shocking.

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Big vince was the far better locker room presence.

Big vince played 34 DE at a high level occasionally when called upon (against Jake long, #1 pick IIRC(you know, Sey's spot)).

Big vince has 3 career INTs returned for 48 yards (from NT) vs Seymours 2 INTs returned for 6 yards.

Big Vince was visibly ecstatic to mow down on some turkey after the greatest humiliation of the JEST in patriots history:
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Meanwhile the GOAT faked it (must have had an avacado smoothie waiting [emoji1] ) and Gregory went all nitty picky, carefully taking a piece and a small bite.

Simply for the Thanksgiving feasting, beat player ever.

"Best defensive lineman he ever coached" does not mean best defensive lineman that ever played for the Patriots...

For most of his career, Vince would consistently collapse the pocket while double teamed. He was also an incredible run stuffer. He should easily get into the hall of fame, but a DT of his style may not be sexy enough for the mediot HOF voters.

vince was a better "patriot"....more unselfish......he was great......has had a great career....seems like a great guy

seymour was better in his prime......more disruptive

just one guy's eye test

DarrylS said:

"Best defensive lineman he ever coached" does not mean best defensive lineman that ever played for the Patriots...

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Well, he didn't just say best DL he ever coached- he also said "There may have never been anyone at his position with as much strength, toughness, intelligence, instinctiveness and athleticism".
I agree with OP - BB rarely ever calls some one "best" in unequivocal terms. Often he says "there is no one better" or "as good as any". This is really extraordinary praise for Vince.

is he talking about just DLs on the patriots or his entire coaching career? i can't remember if those old giants teams had any good DL - but their linebackers were unreal.

The Seymour analogy is interesting and reinforces how things always look rosier in a rear view mirror, when he was here often on this board he was criticized as his numbers did not show up in the "Box Score" or "Game Book", there would be threads about how he "disappeared"...

Then later in the week when BB ascended to the podium, he would expand that the game Seymour played and was loathed on this board, was one of the best he has ever seen..

TommyBrady12 said:

is he talking about just DLs on the patriots or his entire coaching career? i can't remember if those old giants teams had any good DL - but their linebackers were unreal.

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His entire coaching career.

DarrylS said:

The Seymour analogy is interesting and reinforces how things always look rosier in a rear view mirror, when he was here often on this board he was criticized as his numbers did not show up in the "Box Score" or "Game Book", there would be threads about how he "disappeared"...

Then later in the week when BB ascended to the podium, he would expand that the game Seymour played and was loathed on this board, was one of the best he has ever seen..

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I wonder if chandler jones has this same issue in perception. He is not really impressive in the eye test.

I think BB loves guys who have work ethic, versatility, and buy into his defensive philosophy. I think Seymour had those things too, but Wilfork personified them. BB once called Tedy Bruschi the "perfect football player" because he was that kind of player and person, but I'm sure if you asked him candidly he would say someone like LT was the best linebacker he ever coached. Might be the same kind of thing here.

Highest praise given by an exceptional coach for an exceptional player and athlete. I know that I'm going to miss Big Vince immensely....

Lawerence Taylor was functionally a DL in the Giants D when BB was the DC, Taylor was the best.

patsfan13 said:

Lawerence Taylor was functionally a DL in the Giants D when BB was the DC, Taylor was the best.

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Lawrence Taylor was a Linebacker, period. Belichick was not including him in this assessment.

I was surprised when he said that because Seymour is considered a possible hof and Wilfork usually not but it makes sense when I think about it. Id probably take 2010 Wilfork at his best over any Seymour. Man do I miss that line of Warren, Wilfork, and big Sey.

Two remarkable athletes (Seymour and Wilfork). Both probably the best at their position of their era. If Seymour had been a better team guy I don't think BB would've said what he said. Seymour was the 3-4 RDE of BB's wet dreams.

Fencer said:

I'm starting a separate thread on "Best defensive lineman I ever coached", because I'm quite sure BB means it. If he thought "One of the best", he'd say "one of the best" or "one of the best, if not the best" or some other formulation.

So -- Wilfork better than Richard Seymour?

To my eye test, as supported by stats and other reasoning:

• Seymour was the more effective pass rusher.
  
• Seymour was the more effective batter-down of passes.
• Wilfork was stronger.
• Wilfork was better at lateral pursuit through traffic.
• Wilfork faced more difficult read/react challenges.

I certainly don't find BB's assessment shocking.

Click to expand...

Wilfork essentially played a 3 man line by himself in his prime, lining up with a couple guys named Joe, or one guy in a 4 man line. He played either end or NT DT from play to play.

Froob said:

I was surprised when he said that because Seymour is considered a possible hof and Wilfork usually not but it makes sense when I think about it. Id probably take 2010 Wilfork at his best over any Seymour. Man do I miss that line of Warren, Wilfork, and big Sey.

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Richard Seymour's 2003 season was JJ Watt-like (especially given how different the game was back then). Seymour also had incredible 2006 and 2008 seasons but we try and forget those seasons.

VrabelJr said:

Richard Seymour's 2003 season was JJ Watt-like (especially given how different the game was back then). Seymour also had incredible 2006 and 2008 seasons but we try and forget those seasons.

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I'm a big fan of Seymour but imo Wilfork had the better career. It's a shame things went south between Seymour and Belichick because he had a really good shot at The Hall before he he was sent to the black hole.