DT rotation

Patriots’ Unique Balanced Defensive Line Rotation Bucks NFL Trend

Rookie Malcom Brown leads Patriots interior defenders by playing just 36 percent of defensive snaps. Behind him is Dominique Easley (32.5 percent), Sealver Siliga (31.6 percent), Alan Branch (31.1 percent) and Akiem Hicks (16.1 percent). They each play between 15 and 35 snaps per game and have specialized roles each week.

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The Patriots rarely play two defensive tackles on third down, which also drags down each player’s total snap percentage. Easley usually is on the field with either three defensive ends or two defensive ends and a rushing linebacker.

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And the only one they need to re-sign next year is Hicks, which should be doable if they want him (I hope they do - he's a monster).

And Easley and Brown are only going to get better and better...

Well-played, BB, well-played!

50-yard-line said:

And the only one they need to re-sign next year is Hicks, which should be doable if they want him (I hope they do - he's a monster).

And Easley and Brown are only going to get better and better...

Well-played, BB, well-played!

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IDK if they can. They have other guys they need to sign and considering the depth at this position Hicks may be the good player you need to let walk to sign other players at other positions.

BobDigital said:

IDK if they can. They have other guys they need to sign and considering the depth at this position Hicks may be the good player you need to let walk to sign other players at other positions.

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It's almost a win-win with Hicks. He's either not got a big market and we can re-sign him for a reasonable number. Or he does have a fairly big market and we'll be on track to get a 2017 comp pick for him.

BobDigital said:

IDK if they can. They have other guys they need to sign and considering the depth at this position Hicks may be the good player you need to let walk to sign other players at other positions.

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I doubt he'll be overly expensive, but he might go the Ayers/Castillas route, sure.

And wholeheartedly agree: Hightower, Collins, and Jones are the priority.

50-yard-line said:

And the only one they need to re-sign next year is Hicks, which should be doable if they want him (I hope they do - he's a monster).

And Easley and Brown are only going to get better and better...

Well-played, BB, well-played!

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I love Nicks, he is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. He has Ngata talent and it is completely untapped.

I think Siliga is a UFA after this season as well. I could see them letting Branch go after the season and using the $1.7M in cap space that opens up on the younger Hicks and Siliga.

Fencer said:

Patriotsâ€[emoji769] Unique Balanced Defensive Line Rotation Bucks NFL Trend

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It reminds me of the 2013 Seahawks when nobody on their DL played more than 60% of the snaps.

The rotations on early downs seems to be -

LE - Ninkovich, Sheard
NT - Branch, Hicks
DT - Brown, Siliga
RE - Jones, Sheard

Easley plays DT mostly in sub packages.

Brady6 said:

I love Nicks, he is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. He has Ngata talent and it is completely untapped.

I think Siliga is a UFA after this season as well. I could see them letting Branch go after the season and using the $1.7M in cap space that opens up on the younger Hicks and Siliga.

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Hicks is a beast (it's Hicks, not Nicks - easy mistake!).

I thought Siliga was an ERFA. I really don't think Hicks will be expensive. and Branch is well worth next year's 2.5 guaranteed money if he keeps playing at this level.

50-yard-line said:

Hicks is a beast (it's Hicks, not Nicks - easy mistake!).

I thought Siliga was an ERFA. I really don't think Hicks will be expensive. and Branch is well worth next year's 2.5 guaranteed money if he keeps playing at this level.

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Spell check for some reason wants it to be Nicks...

I think Siliga signed a tender this offseason making him a UFA this offseason.

Side note - PFF has Brown as the 10th best DT against the run this season. I know people aren't big on PFF but I think they do a decent job showing what trench players do.

And we also have to make a decision about Chris Jones pretty soon. Hard to believe we will keep all 6 DT's on the active roster.

To my uneducated eyes Branch & Brown have looked like unstoppable monsters in there at times. I like Hicks too, but Branch has been a beast.

Remember the dire predictions after Vince left??? One might deduce that BB and his staff know what they are doing after all.

Branch has been the difference in run defense, which was questionable early. Good for him, he simple upped his game and turned ferocious.

The inside pass rush has yet to click IMO. When Sheard and Flowers, or others start adding to Easley's pressure, plus the linebackers, we'll really have something.

Brady6 said:

I love Nicks, he is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. He has Ngata talent and it is completely untapped.

I think Siliga is a UFA after this season as well. I could see them letting Branch go after the season and using the $1.7M in cap space that opens up on the younger Hicks and Siliga.

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I'd stop short of comparing Hicks to a fmr All-Pro just yet.

Agree, though. I think they really try to keep him. He's youngerand quicker than Branch and a better rusher than Seal.

I think Hicks will want to re-up for a year and then hit FA with a solid year of production behind him. If he continues his solid play, I would think 2.5-3mill for 2016 would do it. .

The Patriots D will thank Belichick for this in the playoffs. If the front 7 remains healthy, having a "fresher" DL will be a God send come January. Unleash the Krakens!

DarrylS said:

Remember the dire predictions after Vince left??? One might deduce that BB and his staff know what they are doing after all.

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OK. Now you're just being silly.

Actually, there were also several members of this board who saw that it was time to part ways with Big Vince and make way for new, cheaper blood.

pencilneckgeek said:

OK. Now you're just being silly.

Actually, there were also several members of this board who saw that it was time to part ways with Big Vince and make way for new, cheaper blood.

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Vince wasn't good last year and was clearly on his last legs. Letting him walk was an easy decision based on what he could provide between the lines. Kraft, BB, and the fans love the guy. That made it tough. The salary cap doesn't allow you to keep pricey players for their locker room presence though. That's bad business. That said, I don't think things could've gone much better this year at the DT spot. They've had 5 guys who have been healthy, effective, and cost efficient at the position. Polar opposite of 2013.

Brady6 said:

It reminds me of the 2013 Seahawks when nobody on their DL played more than 60% of the snaps.

The rotations on early downs seems to be -

LE - Ninkovich, Sheard
NT - Branch, Hicks
DT - Brown, Siliga
RE - Jones, Sheard

Easley plays DT mostly in sub packages.

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I would argue the biggest difference between seattles Super Bowl winning team, losing team and this years team has beena chasmic dropoff in rotational front 7 players. They would destroy teams with constant pressure, allowing their secondary to shine. Now, with so many players signed to top of market deals, those guys are counted on to play minutes that works against their productivity, and their drafting hasn't filled in the necessary gaps.

What exactly are the specific roles of the DTs, beyond Easley on third down? Brown, Branch, Hicks, Silinga - they are seem similar to me as cloggers in the middle. Is it just about keeping them fresh and having super depth? Or is there more nuance here, which I would love to appreciate?