The Five Front Seven Additions

[mgteich]

Let's be honest here. Belichick took a shotgun approach. He brought Wright back at a decent salary of $2.9M (he is an addition to the 2010 defense). Belichick signed Ellis at starter pay: $4M. Carter is a bargain starter at $2.3M. He also brought in Anderson and Haynsworth for chump change ($1.5M and 1.3M respectively).

Belichick kept two of his 2010 youngsters on the PUP list. I would think that he always expected to add at least one of them after the bye week. After all, there are always injuries, and sometimes one of the additions doesn't work out. This is a FINE Plan B.

I'm actually surprised that all the additions are still here.

I expect to see a couple of changes after the bye week. We should know better by then who is learning the new defense and who is likely to fit in for the rest of the year. Personally, I think that Brace is almost a lock to return if he is healthy. He was progressing last year, and could potentially do well as a DT. He is certainly worth having as our #14 defensive front seven player.

The BOTTOM line is that Belichick kept Wilfork, Love, and Pryor inside (Warren replaced him Pryor when he fell to IR).

Belichick almost started over at DE and OLB/DE, even adding a new set of defensive schemes. It's Ninkovich and the newbies. This is exactly what everyone here wanted. Belichick did it. He changed the players and the schemes. And we WHINE and WHINE when everything isn't great after only four games together and almost no off-season!

 

[IcyPatriot]

Belichick almost started over at DE and OLB/DE, even adding a new set of defensive schemes. It's Ninkovich and the newbies. This is exactly what everyone here wanted. Belichick did it. He changed the players and the schemes. And we WHINE and WHINE when everything isn't great after only four games together and almost no off-season!

the people who do not understand the team is a work in progress for the first 6-8 games of every season whine - foolishly i might add. If every year was off the blueprint of previous years we would be an open book of a team with way less success since Bill came here.

 

[cstjohn17]

Lets me honest here, the new group os exactly the same as the no talent JAGs they have ran out there for the past few years.

 

[Schmo]

the people who do not understand the team is a work in progress for the first 6-8 games of every season whine - foolishly i might add. If every year was off the blueprint of previous years we would be an open book of a team with way less success since Bill came here.

+1

Did no one notice the learning curve last year with all the new young players? Not only do our new players have to learn a new defense this year, but all of our returning players have to learn the 4-3 as well. I'd say the defense this year will take even longer to solidify than last year... but still in plenty of time for the playoffs.

 

[Schmo]

Oh, and we're still winning games BTW.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Let's be honest here. Belichick took a shotgun approach. He brought Wright back at a decent salary of $2.9M (he is an addition to the 2010 defense). Belichick signed Ellis at starter pay: $4M. Carter is a bargain starter at $2.3M. He also brought in Anderson and Haynsworth for chump change ($1.5M and 1.3M respectively).

Belichick kept two of his 2010 youngsters on the PUP list. I would think that he always expected to add at least one of them after the bye week. After all, there are always injuries, and sometimes one of the additions doesn't work out. This is a FINE Plan B.

I'm actually surprised that all the additions are still here.

I expect to see a couple of changes after the bye week. We should know better by then who is learning the new defense and who is likely to fit in for the rest of the year. Personally, I think that Brace is almost a lock to return if he is healthy. He was progressing last year, and could potentially do well as a DT. He is certainly worth having as our #14 defensive front seven player.

The BOTTOM line is that Belichick kept Wilfork, Love, and Pryor inside (Warren replaced him Pryor when he fell to IR).

Belichick almost started over at DE and OLB/DE, even adding a new set of defensive schemes. It's Ninkovich and the newbies. This is exactly what everyone here wanted. Belichick did it. He changed the players and the schemes. And we WHINE and WHINE when everything isn't great after only four games together and almost no off-season!

Well said. I highlighted the part that a lot of people are forgetting. These guys basically had to learn something brand new in half the time.
BB revamped a DL that needed work. It is way to early to know if it has failed or succeeded.

Reading your post reminds me the DL has a lot of upside. Wilfork, Ellis, Carter, Wright, Brace, Anderson, even Warren. And if Hayneworth can get healthy (and is right in the head), that is a group that should be able to stop the run well and should be able to provide at least an average pass rush. If we can get what we should be able to out of that group and McCourty returns to near last year's form, the D should be decent by the second half of the year.

 

[IcyPatriot]

2001:
Brandon Mitchell, Anthony Pleasant, Richard Seymour, Bobby Hamilton, David Nugent, (Mike Vrabel / Willie McGinest)


2003 and/or 2004
Jarvis Green, Dan Klecko, Bobby Hamilton, Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Ted Washington, Vince Wilfork, (Mike Vrabel / Willie McGinest)

A bit sloppy there, I missed a few and I combined 2003/2004 for a reason. The talent level then is fairly comparable to the talent level now with the exception of the hybrid ends that were Vrabel and McGinest. We have not been able to replace them or Seymour for that matter. We don't have players like them. We are stronger up the middle with Vince but weaker on the outside both in DE's and OLB's for that matter but that is another topic.

Every draft we identify players who could be like them but we do not draft these players. The problem kind of remains the same however we have had good teams since 2004 - just not teams that went all the way.

Whether we play a 3-4 or a 4-3 or a hybrid of the same we are missing the important end - the game changer on the outside.

It is what it is and we are what we are.
Bill has tried to compensate for weaker DE's and OLB's with better tackling CB's - the results are not the best.

 

[Deus Irae]

...Belichick almost started over at DE and OLB/DE, even adding a new set of defensive schemes. It's Ninkovich and the newbies. This is exactly what everyone here wanted. Belichick did it. He changed the players and the schemes. And we WHINE and WHINE when everything isn't great after only four games together and almost no off-season!

Actually, it's been since 2008, and that's why people have a problem.

 

[Metaphors]

He brought Wright back at a decent salary of $2.9M (he is an addition to the 2010 defense).

Wright is an outstanding interior pressure guy and along with Pryor were the drivers behind the 4 sacks and 11 (!!!!) QB hits in week #1. Too bad he has turned into a chronic concussion guy and Pryor is out for the year. That has really affected the Pats ability to bring pressure and for the most part (Wright was a known risk) is just bad luck.

Belichick signed Ellis at starter pay: $4M.

Never really understood this move. Productivity had been dropping like a lead balloon. Maybe he fills a role that I'm not seeing or haven't seen yet, but I couldn't give much justification for this move and still can't.

Carter is a bargain starter at $2.3M.

Can't find anything about this move that isn't positive. When the team talks about the pass rush almost getting there, he is the prime example of this. Also has been solid against the run and from all indications is a great guy in the locker room.

He also brought in Anderson and Haynsworth for chump change ($1.5M and 1.3M respectively).

In limited snaps, Anderson has shown up with pressure and QB hits in the 4th quarter. Haynesworth hasn't been able to stay healthy but looked positive against Miami in the snaps he was in there.

So outside of some injury issues...bad luck (Pryor), failed risks (Wright) and question marks (Haynesworth)...the DL plan doesn't look bad at all. I'm holding off judgement on Ellis since a big game Sunday would go a long way to justifying his addition.

 

[Hael]

Ellis is the biggest bust so far, but I agree the rest is better than claimed.

I do wish they'd play Anderson more, and Cunninghams disappearance act is peculiar. 2nd year player who was decent last year should be more than decent this year, but alas no dice.

 

[Bostonian1962]

Good write-up, but of Brace, Deadrick, Warren, Love, and other round players we have, who is supposed to be the pass rushing maniac?

 

[IllegalContact]

I'm just hoping there there is a certain amount of 'by design' going on here with guys like ellis and haynesworth in that it would be much more beneficial to have these guys hit their stride later in the season than be in it right now, only to get hurt in november......

I still think the defense has the bodies to be effective enough at some point this season.

my biggest interest still is seeing marcus cannon....he could be a key to 'ground and pound' capability later in the season. he has the size and strength to offset and 3-4 DL one on one which frees a guy up in the middle.

 

[mgteich]

The outside pass rush should be coming from Carter, Ellis, Ninkovich and Anderson.

Wilfork and Love are fine inside, although depth is needed. Wilfork has 2 interceptions. We really can't ask more from the DT's.

Good write-up, but of Brace, Deadrick, Warren, Love, and other round players we have, who is supposed to be the pass rushing maniac?

 

[borg]

It's amazing that Big Vince is able to play the snaps he does, game after game. He's virtually indestructable. Then there's that other fat guy...I hear he's rehabbing a wallet bruise on his tuccus

 

[captain stone]

The outside pass rush should be coming from Carter, Ellis, Ninkovich and Anderson.

Wilfork and Love are fine inside, although depth is needed. Wilfork has 2 interceptions. We really can't ask more from the DT's.

Bill can add immed. needed depth at DL by IRing Wright. Why he's wasting a precious roster spot on someone who will likely never play again is a complete mystery. Hell, Pryor will be more ready to play again than the guy who's one more inoccuous head shot away from being carried off the field on a stretcher.

 

[mgteich]

My candidates would be Adams or Tarp.

Bill can add immed. needed depth at DL by IRing Wright. Why he's wasting a precious roster spot on someone who will likely never play again is a complete mystery. Hell, Pryor will be more ready to play again than the guy who's one more inoccuous head shot away from being carried off the field on a stretcher.

 

[NEP4Life]

Bill can add immed. needed depth at DL by IRing Wright. Why he's wasting a precious roster spot on someone who will likely never play again is a complete mystery. Hell, Pryor will be more ready to play again than the guy who's one more inoccuous head shot away from being carried off the field on a stretcher.

Maybe Wright is this season's Fred Taylor?

 

[sevengables_2207]

nice post.

i have quietly been optimistic about the defense due to the influx of new players and the limited practice time due to a goofy lockout-shortened offseason.

like last year, i feel this defense will begin to gel into a solid unit midseason, and with any luck, begin playing it's best football down the stretch and into the playoffs.

as i like to say when in momentary lapses into doubt or confusion... winter is coming.

 

[sevengables_2207]

Maybe Wright is this season's Fred Taylor?

I sure hope not!

His ability to bring pressure from the interior is much needed.

 

[State]

Wright is another concussion ready to happen. I like the player, but his track record speaks for itself. I never understood why a guy who's had a couple of concussions--which we're understanding is a bigger medical deal a la Teddy Johnson--doesn't wear an extra pad on top of his helmet.

I know he'll look goofy, like the LT who played for the 49ers with Joe Montana.

The big question is Cunningham. We've all seen the lack of productivity of Ellis. He apparently emptied his tank for good against the Patriots in the play-offs.

I think Anderson is the perfect edge rusher we've been looking for since McGinest. Andre Biceps is used too much, limiting his pass rushing. But he's more the complete player.

I'm worried about Vince. Seeing him on the sidelines after the interception in Oakland, he looked beyond exhausted. Do you remember seeing that? The TV panned to the bench. We're playing him too much. That should get better when other interior players return, esp. Brace.

I don't care if I don't see Big Albert until a playoff game, assuming we make it of course. Then I'll expect him to take over for just two or three plays by single handedly collapsing the pocket.

But watching JJ Watt play against the Steelers convinced me how great he'd be on the left side, the best since Bobby Hamilton. Too bad we weren't able to take him. We had the ammunition to get him and Solder, I think.