Despite all the "learned " caterwauling in the media and parroted on the boards the Pats pass rush problem was largely addressed and solved last season, in the off-season, and in the draft.
The real source on the pass rush problem was that there was no rush from anywhere other than the OLBs. Despite opponent QBs being able to step up to avoid the outside rush, without fear last season, yet the OLBs still largely met their quota of sacks. Missing were the other sack sources. In a typical year about 15-20 sacks comes from those positions. I believe they produced 18 sacks with 10 from TBC and 5 from DB and a few others.
They have both starters backs more depth and a premium draft pick to join the crew. They also appear to have the interior rush missing last season, via G Warren and D Lewis as well as Mike Wright, from the Defensive line, the ILBs, Mayo and draftee Spikes, and the SS position maturing Pat Chung.
The prime need was to eliminate the 3rd and 2s and force 3rd and 8s, to prevent run conversions and to allow the pass rush to just go. Mayo/Spikes appears to have toughened the Run D, and done that in Combo with G Warren and D Lewis with an assist from Pat Chung.
The entire secondary is as deeply talented as I have ever seen since the Mike Haynes, Ray Clayborn, Tim Fox era. There may have been more single talents in the SB era, but never the numbers of talented players.
Welcome back Derrick Burgess. You fit well with TBC at ROLB/WOLB, and your specialty at LOLB/SOLB. With a years' experience in the system and more interior pass rush you might approach twice your Pats sack numbers.
