Depth On Defense
 

Arguably, we have failed to win the Super Bowl in the last two years because of lack of depth on defense in the playoffs. Let's see where we are. We've re-loaded well, but are very thin at the moment at OLB and S.

DEFENSIVE LINE
The three starters, the two role players, and the one backup are all still in place, and we have an untried rookie on the Practice Squad. Five players get almost all the reps. This unit is in great shape.

INSIDE LINEBACKER
Guyton has stepped up. Mayo has been awesome. Bruschi is fine. There is no depth or players available if there is an injury, unless you count the injured Alexander.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
We're down to Vrabel and Woods. We need at least one more. Redd seems likely to be activated.

CORNER
We're in solid shape with Hobbs and O'Neal as starters, Wilhite as the nickel and Richardson as the dime. We also have Webster and Lew Sanders (when he comes back). If need be, Meriweather can be the dime. Wheatley might (seems unlikely) contribute some late in the season.

SAFETY
We have Meriweather and Sanders. I don't think we want to give Spann, Ventrone or Slater any large amount of reps. They are all special teamers rather than position players (much like Izzo).

THE 19 MAN DEFENSIVE CORE
DL (5): Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Wright
LB (6): Vrabel, Woods, Bruschi, Mayo, Guyton, open
CB (6): Hobbs, O'Neal, Wilhite, Richardson, Sanders, Webster
S (2): Meriweather, Sanders

Re: Depth On Defense
 

Does Alexander play? I haven't seen him on the field. If not, bring up Redd and sign Seau. Seau gives flexibility at two LB spots and Redd can come on as a special teamer/pass rusher with limited reps.

Re: Depth On Defense
 

We're down two impact starters on defense in Rodney and now Adalius. Any compromise in the front seven considering our sometimes-patchwork defensive backfield is ominous. I don't share your confidence in the Hobbs/O'Neal tandem as being "solid"; average is more the word. I hope Wheatley comes back considering the way he was improving, and I believe we'll also need help from Lewis Sanders. Remember, we haven't played an opponent with a healthy offense for several weeks now.

Losing Adalius is a huge blow, and there's not much OLB help on the roster or walking the street. I feel our chances of making the playoffs starting to slip unless the offense comes on like gangbusters.

I'd be amazed if Seau is ready to play football.

Re: Depth On Defense
 

The personnel took a big hit with AT's injury. The depth seems OKAY assuming Redd is activated or Seau is brought back in. BB has worked miracles before, aside from Ty Law and maybe Ted Johnson this defense can match or surpass that 2001 defense at any position. With our ball control style offense rounding into form this defense will be on the field less than it was the last season. I saw a stat in another thread where we lead the league in drive of 10 plays or more. Getting back to the defensive personnel, I'd love to see Seau brought in which allows Guyton to move outside while not requiring Bruschi to be out there for too many snaps.

Re: Depth On Defense
 

There is little to expect from a turn to Seau.

He is old and slow when you need a pass rusher. I expect Woods to get a lot of sanps to show whethe rhsi canbemore tnajust a reserve; but off what he has done so far, I think he has little pass rusher in him.

Unusually for the Pats where the sack stats come from the OLBs, this year the interior DL is doing about half the job. I suspect that there will be more iILB blizing to accomapny Woods play.

Re: Depth On Defense
 

You list pretty questionable "core" CBs.
You list only two core Ss.
You list "open" as one of the core LBs.

Depth is not good.

Re: Depth On Defense
 

BB and SP are rebuilding the Defense and have done a pretty good job of it so far, while continuing to produce winning records. But it is obvious that depth is a problem, that will be addressed in the draft.

I can see a first, second and third allocated to the Defense for a Safety, ILB and OLB. :)

Meanwhile a second for an OL.:o

Re: Depth On Defense
 

I'm looking forward to seeing Vince Redd get out there.........

expectations of this team are not all that great for this year anyway........and solid depth is being built in the process.......

Re: Depth On Defense
 

BB and SP have built this team for a 16 game season, with that being said they are a little thin on quality D players to step up.. Vince Redd maybe, Seau Maybe.. he may have 8-10 games in the tank, Colvin seems to have too many medical issues.. this team will not just take a guy off of the street, so I would suspect Seau and Redd a close second.

Re: Depth On Defense
 

I expect that our 2009 linebackers will include youngsters Mayo, Guyton, Woods, Crable and Redd. They will complement veterans Vrabel, Thomas and Bruschi. Add one special teamer and we are basically full up, although we always have room for high value rookie at any defensive position.

For me, LB is not a high draft priority, especially if Woods signs an extension beyond 2009.