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I dont agree with your assessment of the NT's value in our system.
The NT is responsible for 2 gaps. Thats it, and they rarely get a pass rush either.
They are no more critical than any other DL, with one big exception:
If the NT is AWFUL you create cutback lanes on every running play. A NT getting blown off the ball is a severe, perhaps as severe as you can have, problem. But you do not need exceptional play at that spot.
Having a NT who can hold up at the los and make a play now and then is very important, having one that does more than that is not nearly as important as commonly believed. IMO, of course.
If we assume Wilfork is a dominant NT (which I would agree with) then to say that NT is the most important position on the defense, would infer that our defense has been most dominant since Wilfork arrived, and has gooten more dominant as his play improved, and that is aboslutely incorrect.
I think Belichick would disagree. The lack of a NT was the reason the Pats didn't go to the 3-4 as a base until 2003 here. It may or may not be more important than any other position on the line (which I feel it is more important). It is clearly the hardest to fill. Guys who weigh 320 plus who are agile, durable, and have good stamina don't grow on trees.