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5 Reasons the New England Patriots Defense Will Be Better in 2016
Steve Balestrieri
Defensive Line will be better, deeper and have a better pass rush:
We are already hearing the rumblings that the defensive line will take a step back in 2016. We’re not buying that. While the team would have loved to have had Akiem Hicks back, I think they had no plans on retaining Chandler Jones. While a very talented pass rusher, he was good but not great, and he was weak in setting the edge in the running game. Jones pass rushing production was like a Halloween mask: it disappeared after October 31.
With Jones gone, this elevated Jabaal Sheard to a starting position. Not only is he much better at setting the edge in the running game, but he registered eight sacks in about 400 fewer snaps than Jones. But the team wasn’t done.
Continue reading...
Steve Balestrieri
Defensive Line will be better, deeper and have a better pass rush:
We are already hearing the rumblings that the defensive line will take a step back in 2016. We’re not buying that. While the team would have loved to have had Akiem Hicks back, I think they had no plans on retaining Chandler Jones. While a very talented pass rusher, he was good but not great, and he was weak in setting the edge in the running game. Jones pass rushing production was like a Halloween mask: it disappeared after October 31.
With Jones gone, this elevated Jabaal Sheard to a starting position. Not only is he much better at setting the edge in the running game, but he registered eight sacks in about 400 fewer snaps than Jones. But the team wasn’t done.
Continue reading...