Pats defense set?
 

DE Warren
NT Wilfork/Brace
DE Seymour

OLB Thomas
ILB Mayo
ILB Guyton/Lenon
OLB Burgess

CB Springs
CB Bodden
NB Wilhite/Etc.
S Sanders/Chung
S Meriweather

This could be a very exciting year for the D-fense, as well as the offense. Pats have got to be considered one of the favorites to win it all as long as they stay healthy.

Re: Pats defense set?
 

Where's Teddy Bruschi? Also, as I've said before, don't be surprised if Springs is not a lock as a starting corner.

Re: Pats defense set?
 

I think Bruschi will be phased out of the defense as his lack of range hurts us. He could play a Ted Johnson role for us as a runstopper though. Who do you think will start over Springs?

Re: Pats defense set?
 

Burgess will be a DE in sub packages, and I think it is very doubtful he will see much action as an OLB in the base 34.

Re: Pats defense set?
 

You don't think that Burgess can adjust to the 3-4? I suppose you think that Pierre Woods will be the starter in base 3-4 then? Whatever happened to Crable? He didn't get hurt again did he?

Re: Pats defense set?
 

Belichick is always looking for a way to improve, so it's not outside the realm of possibility that the Pats would add another player to their defense before they play the Bills. But it's quite remarkable the transformation and apparent improvement that has taken place with a defense that wasn't really all that bad - 8th in scoring, 10th in yardage - since the 2008 season ended six months ago.

Re: Pats defense set?
 

Hopefully Kevin Carter chooses to come here and he would be perfect for Depth. I still would like to see one more LB in here however.

Re: Pats defense set?
 

The secondary was quite poor however. Not surprising that nobody starting for that secondary returns in 2009. BB has done this before, like the WR corps overhaul which yielded us the currently dominant - Moss+Welker combo. And we got Galloway and Lewis to stretch the field in addition to that in 2009. Brady is gonna be throwing some serious heat in 09! The defense looks loaded up as well, which is a good thing and should be an improvement over 07.

Re: Pats defense set?
 

Are we set. Sure, if there are no injuries. Even with injuries, we are in fine shape, although Carter would be a solid veteran emergency backup.

Wheatley, Woods and Bruschi will get lots and lots of reps this year, almost assuredly more than Brace. So will at least one of our top backup DE's (Green, Smith or Carter).

Re: Pats defense set?
 

I think its a long shot for him to learn a new position in a new system, and be effective enough to start in an extremely complex defense, yes.
I also don't think he is the best player to have on the field in the base D.
I would much prefer to have an OLB who can be effective in keeping the integrity of the D, stop the run first, in tact, and have Thomas be the pass rusher than put a guy out there who has never played the position so I can rush him out of the base and out Thomas in coverage.
We only rush one of the OLBs from the base.
The concept of having 2 good pass rushers so we can be deceptive and rush either one goes away when one of them can only rush.
Its either Burgess rushing 100% and Thomas covering 100% or Thomas rushing UP TO 100% and Woods rushing once in a while.
Given that run D is the priority out of the base, I don't see much use for Burgess there unless he can show BB he can play the run.

Personally, I think we traded for a pass rush specialist who maybe possibly might be able to be more, but its doubtful.
Thats fine though, because thats really all we needed.