I think the defensive line will be one of the more interesting groups on the team this year. Lots to talk about.
1. The return of the two big men in the middle, Wilfork and Kelly. Wilfork is an all-pro talent and Kelly is a very solid player. The Pats played most of the season last year without them, instead going with undrafted rookies and such. Adding these two guys should help the defense immensely. Wilfork isn't much of a pass rusher, but is great against the run and just provides an anchor in the middle. Kelly is strong against the run but can also get to the quarterback. Last year he had 2.5 sacks in just 5 games, and for in 2010 and 2011 he had 7.0 and 7.5 sacks, respectively. He has also had years with just 1 sack, so he's not a sure thing. But he's pretty solid. Good to have them back.
2. Chandler Jones. Worth discussion all by himself. Year 1: 45 tackles/assists and 6.0 sacks. Year 2: 70 tackles/assists and 11.5 sacks. You can just see the improvement all the time. He is a real weapon on the outside. I wonder if year 3 will be a regression or a year where he makes the leap into superstardom. If the rest of the defense plays like they're capable of (DBs covering better, meaning the DL has more time to get to the QB, plus the effectiveness of the other DLinemen, etc.), then he could have a monster season.
3. Easley and Siliga. Two very intriguing guys. Siliga has shown an ability to get to the QB (3 sacks in 5 games), albeit in a very small sample size. And Easley…well…he has gobs of talent. If he can be healthy, then he can provide the Patriots with tremendous push up the middle, which will force QBs to throw with guys in their face, or push them outside into the waiting arms of Jones or Ninkovich. Which brings me to…
4. Rob Ninkovich. A very steady performer against both the run and pass, he is not flash but has a knack for making the big play. If offensive lines are going to load up protection against Chandler Jones and Kelly/Siliga/Easley in the middle, and if the coverage is going to be good, it opens up all kinds of opportunities for Ninkovich. I see him having a potentially huge year for the Pats. I am amazed at how much he is able to stay on the field, but I wish they'd be able to work out a rotation to give him some rest.
5. The rest of the gang. We're talking about Buchanan (shown good pass rushing skills), Vellano (grinder), Chris Jones (injured, but pretty productive against the pass), Will Smith (veteran who used to have some ability; we'll see if he's still got it), Bequette (not sure he'll make the team), Zach Moore (interesting guy), Bass, and Worthy (two guys who are injured). This group represents the "depth" of the DL. Of course, not all of them will make the team. I'm interested in Worthy because of his talent. I like Chris Jones. Neither will likely be available at the start of the season, though, so I'm not sure how they handle it (heck, Worthy may not even pass his physical). These guys aren't as good as the starters, obviously, which is why they're the "depth", and every team's talent falls off at this point. But there are some interesting guys there, who I wouldn't feel bad about putting out there as necessary.
But the key guys: Ninkovich, Wilfork, Kelly, Chandler Jones, Easley, Siliga - I love that group and think they can have a really good season.
1. The return of the two big men in the middle, Wilfork and Kelly. Wilfork is an all-pro talent and Kelly is a very solid player. The Pats played most of the season last year without them, instead going with undrafted rookies and such. Adding these two guys should help the defense immensely. Wilfork isn't much of a pass rusher, but is great against the run and just provides an anchor in the middle. Kelly is strong against the run but can also get to the quarterback. Last year he had 2.5 sacks in just 5 games, and for in 2010 and 2011 he had 7.0 and 7.5 sacks, respectively. He has also had years with just 1 sack, so he's not a sure thing. But he's pretty solid. Good to have them back.
2. Chandler Jones. Worth discussion all by himself. Year 1: 45 tackles/assists and 6.0 sacks. Year 2: 70 tackles/assists and 11.5 sacks. You can just see the improvement all the time. He is a real weapon on the outside. I wonder if year 3 will be a regression or a year where he makes the leap into superstardom. If the rest of the defense plays like they're capable of (DBs covering better, meaning the DL has more time to get to the QB, plus the effectiveness of the other DLinemen, etc.), then he could have a monster season.
3. Easley and Siliga. Two very intriguing guys. Siliga has shown an ability to get to the QB (3 sacks in 5 games), albeit in a very small sample size. And Easley…well…he has gobs of talent. If he can be healthy, then he can provide the Patriots with tremendous push up the middle, which will force QBs to throw with guys in their face, or push them outside into the waiting arms of Jones or Ninkovich. Which brings me to…
4. Rob Ninkovich. A very steady performer against both the run and pass, he is not flash but has a knack for making the big play. If offensive lines are going to load up protection against Chandler Jones and Kelly/Siliga/Easley in the middle, and if the coverage is going to be good, it opens up all kinds of opportunities for Ninkovich. I see him having a potentially huge year for the Pats. I am amazed at how much he is able to stay on the field, but I wish they'd be able to work out a rotation to give him some rest.
5. The rest of the gang. We're talking about Buchanan (shown good pass rushing skills), Vellano (grinder), Chris Jones (injured, but pretty productive against the pass), Will Smith (veteran who used to have some ability; we'll see if he's still got it), Bequette (not sure he'll make the team), Zach Moore (interesting guy), Bass, and Worthy (two guys who are injured). This group represents the "depth" of the DL. Of course, not all of them will make the team. I'm interested in Worthy because of his talent. I like Chris Jones. Neither will likely be available at the start of the season, though, so I'm not sure how they handle it (heck, Worthy may not even pass his physical). These guys aren't as good as the starters, obviously, which is why they're the "depth", and every team's talent falls off at this point. But there are some interesting guys there, who I wouldn't feel bad about putting out there as necessary.
But the key guys: Ninkovich, Wilfork, Kelly, Chandler Jones, Easley, Siliga - I love that group and think they can have a really good season.
