Can we stop the run? In a word NO.
On the positive side I thought the first unit O line and RBs looked great. And Brady is Brady (please stay healthy, Rohan Cassel needs to improve). Maroney has serious wheels.
The bad news... just like Groundhog day...
I know, I know, way too early to panic and Bill & Co. know all but....
The past two off seasons they have done little to improve our defense. I guess we can keep trying Gardner, Beisel, Izzo, Davis (please feel free to add to this list) but the reality is that MLB is a weakness of the team, I can't see Vrabel lasting long on the outside if the ILBs continue to wave arms at running backs who are 5 yards past the LOS. Can we end the Beisel era? I was on his side hoping he had turned the corner until I saw him "play" last night. As Bruschi has said stopping the run is a mindset and Monty just doesn't have it.
Maybe one of the yound guys can move to the outside and Vrabel move back in but seems like a more prudent approach would be to have someone who can actually play the position on the roster.
Also the secondary seems to be made up off a bunch of B- to C players, no true top end talent.
My disapointment is magnified because the Pats are in the middle of their window of opportunity will so many players in their prime an addition here or there would have really helped this team. As it stands now I think we will score a lot, an awful lot but won't be able to stop anyone. We all know how that worked for Indy...
Go Pats, more "expert" analysis to come through out the season.