Pass rush SOLVED!
Hehe, well not entirely. But I could see Burgess becoming an 8 sack guy if he wins the starting job and really gets the system. Pats were never built on 1 dominant pass rusher anyways. As long as you can bring pressure from all parts of the field, DL/LB, DB blitz etc., this defense will work.
I know you meant this as sarcasm, but I don't. Pass Rush is yesterday's problem,and has been solved. In the last 8 games, Burgess produced 5 of his 6 sacks, 6 of 6 QB hits, and 18 of his 23 QB pressures. It took a while, but now he knows what he is doing, in the Belichick read-and-react 3-4 D.
He didn't play in Jacksonville blowout, so than the numbers project to 11.5 sacks, 13.5 QB hits and 41 QB pressures. Is that enough from one position, and good enough for y'all?
I'm more concerned with what concerned Belichick so badly, aiding the pass rush by stopping the run, and creating more 3rd and long, obvious, passing situations. Those were few and far between last season.
Then the rushers can rush, and the secondary can prepare to cover. This Defense was not far from being extremely good last season, but also not far from being very poor too. Tightening up the Rush Defense was and is, the first order of the day,and am absolute imperative. The Pass Rush will take care of itself, then.
Your other comments are spot on. The Pats were never a dominant rusher team.