My Blueprint for the Defense

[mayoclinic]

I'm not seeing it with Ealy either. I don't know what to make of this years pass rushers. They're not getting me excited.

Edit: he doesn't have the length, but what do you think about Aaron Donald as a backup DE as well as interior guy? If he has that versatility, that makes him a more likely Pats pick at 29.

Donald's a guy I haven't entirely figured out, so he's kind of off to the side for me, but he has so much going for him that I certainly wouldn't rule him out. I'm not sure he's fast enough to come off the edge, but with his motor and determination, I wouldn't put it past him. I worry more about his 31 1/2" arm length going against tackles than I do about his height. I agree that if he had that versatility, it would be a factor - kind of a shorter version of Justin Smith. Good thought.

 

[mayoclinic]

Mayo, let's be real here bro. Seattle deservingly won the SB, they were the best team all season. No denying that. But they were also lucky in the sense they didn't deal with injuries the way we did.

According to Rich Gosselin's list of starter games lost to injury, Seattle finished with the 14th least injuries - 44 starter games lost due to injury, just below the median of 49. The Pats had the 3rd most with 74, so I understand that that played a factor. But it's not like other teams didn't have to deal with any adversity. The Seahawks lost starting CB (and 2012 Pro Bowler) Brandon Browner for half the season and the playoffs, but they had essentially no dropoff in secondary play because they had developed sufficient depth.

Again, the Pats' injury situation this year was ridiculous. But it's also ridiculous not to plan for injuries in today's NFL. If you scheme for a big, physical outside CB to play press-man then you need more than 1 of them, so that you don't have to switch to a porous soft zone every time he gets dinged. And when your cornerstone NT is 31 years old and has played a huge amount of snaps over the past several years, you want to find a reliable backup before that player ruptures his Achilles and goes on IR, resulting in no run defense. Those are basic needs that many have been calling to be addressed for years, and they don't have to be addressed with high picks, but they were largely ignored. For a team that puts so much emphasis on depth, we were caught napping at several positions this year.

 

[everlong]

I agree that Kony is going to light up the combine and somebody, Jerry Jones, is going to take him way too high based on that potential that he'll never live up to.

Donald is growing on me but I feel he is strictly a one gapper which isn't a problem for me but probably is for Bill. Conversely Hageman definitely can go two gap as a 3-4 end or a one or two gap 4-3 DT. I feel like Jernigan although more suited to a one gap system can play a two gap. The thing about Donald is that first step is impressive. If he doesn't beat his man off the snap he struggles and will fight hard but doesn't have great hand work. It will be interesting to see his arm length. Comparing him to Justin Smith is tough because Smith is 6'4' with long arms. I stil would rather have Jernigan or Hageman.

 

[manxman2601]

Donald's a guy I haven't entirely figured out, so he's kind of off to the side for me, but he has so much going for him that I certainly wouldn't rule him out. I'm not sure he's fast enough to come off the edge, but with his motor and determination, I wouldn't put it past him. I worry more about his 31 1/2" arm length going against tackles than I do about his height. I agree that if he had that versatility, it would be a factor - kind of a shorter version of Justin Smith. Good thought.

I really like the Justin Smith comparison. Whether he wins with his first step or not, Donsld is a constant nightmare for a blocker (or two). That's going to free up another rusher or linebacker coming in behind him as I'd does at SF for Aldon Smith. Jamie Collins (or Marcus Smith) would lunch on QBs with Donald in front of them.

 

[mayoclinic]

I agree that Kony is going to light up the combine and somebody, Jerry Jones, is going to take him way too high based on that potential that he'll never live up to.

Donald is growing on me but I feel he is strictly a one gapper which isn't a problem for me but probably is for Bill. Conversely Hageman definitely can go two gap as a 3-4 end or a one or two gap 4-3 DT. I feel like Jernigan although more suited to a one gap system can play a two gap. The thing about Donald is that first step is impressive. If he doesn't beat his man off the snap he struggles and will fight hard but doesn't have great hand work. It will be interesting to see his arm length. Comparing him to Justin Smith is tough because Smith is 6'4' with long arms. I stil would rather have Jernigan or Hageman.

I agree with this completely.

Based on the Senior Bowl weigh-ins, Donald had 31 3/4" arms with a 77 3/8" wingspan. Hageman had 33 3/4" arms and an 81 3/4" wingspan, to go along with their 6" height difference.

I would rather have Hageman or Jernigan, but again, Donald has enough going for him that I'm intrigued.

 

[nekromantique]

And when he finally settled in towards the end of this season, he was playing very well.

People like to only focus on the beginning of the season, particularly after mayo went down and he looked lost.

 

[mayoclinic]

I know there are needs on offense, and I'm not suggesting they be ignored. But re-sign Talib, sign Linval Joseph (or pray that Wilfork comes back at 75% or better of his 2004-2012 form if you prefer), get Mayo, Armstead (an unproven, I know) and possibly Kelly back and draft 5 of the following, and you have a top 5, possibly top 3 defense:

1. DT: one of Ra'Shede Hageman, Timmy Jernigan or Aaron Donald.
2. DE: one of Trent Murphy, Aaron Lynch, Brent Urban or Taylor Hart.
3. LB: one of Kyle Van Noy, Christian Jones or Marcus Smith.
4. DB: one of Calvin Pryor, Deone Buchannon, Kyle Fuller or Stanley Jean-Baptiste.
5. DB: one of Antone Exum, Aaron Colvin, Dontae Johnson or Jonathan Dowling.

The underscored prospects are all currently projected to be day 3 picks.

A defense with those 5 players in addition to the signings/returns listed above and the carryovers from 2013 would have the following characteristics:

- It would be strong against the run.
- It would be able to generate serious inside pressure.
- It would be able to generate effective edge pressure, from multiple levels.
- It would have terrific speed and range at the second level, including the ability to cover TEs.
- It would have the coverage size and physicality outside to match up against big receivers.
- It would have an increased physical presence, including the ability to punish receivers and make them think about trying to go over the middle of the field.
- It would have significantly improved overall speed.
- It would have at least a dozen players capable of playing more than one position.
- It would be able to play multiple fronts and schemes.
- It would be have the capability of playing somewhat more aggressively without giving up a ton of big plays.
- It would have the capability to actually get off the field on 3rd down.
- It would have the ability to make red zone conversion extremely difficult.
- It would have the depth to keep players fresh, and to withstand injuries short of a mass casualty event.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

According to Rich Gosselin's list of starter games lost to injury, Seattle finished with the 14th least injuries - 44 starter games lost due to injury, just below the median of 49. The Pats had the 3rd most with 74, so I understand that that played a factor. But it's not like other teams didn't have to deal with any adversity. The Seahawks lost starting CB (and 2012 Pro Bowler) Brandon Browner for half the season and the playoffs, but they had essentially no dropoff in secondary play because they had developed sufficient depth.

Again, the Pats' injury situation this year was ridiculous. But it's also ridiculous not to plan for injuries in today's NFL. If you scheme for a big, physical outside CB to play press-man then you need more than 1 of them, so that you don't have to switch to a porous soft zone every time he gets dinged. And when your cornerstone NT is 31 years old and has played a huge amount of snaps over the past several years, you want to find a reliable backup before that player ruptures his Achilles and goes on IR, resulting in no run defense. Those are basic needs that many have been calling to be addressed for years, and they don't have to be addressed with high picks, but they were largely ignored. For a team that puts so much emphasis on depth, we were caught napping at several positions this year.

To be fair, though, some of those positions involved incredible strings of bad luck, the sort that's almost impossible, given today's constraints, to plan for.

As for DT, they had Wilfork and Kelly. Who would have expected them to both go down for the season less than 6 weeks in? This after Kyle Love was diagnosed with diabetes in the offseason. The only thing I have to wonder about, in retrospect, is why they released Brandon Deaderick.

 

[Coach42]

I'm really starting to fall for Arron Donald. At the very least becomes in day one and improves the interior rush. He wasn't just good this year he was absolutely dominant. He seems like the kind of player where measurable are almost insignificant when you look at what he has put on tape.

 

[mayoclinic]

I'm really starting to fall for Arron Donald. At the very least becomes in day one and improves the interior rush. He wasn't just good this year he was absolutely dominant. He seems like the kind of player where measurable are almost insignificant when you look at what he has put on tape.

Rob Rang's description comes to mind:

Scouts wonder if he can hold up to the size and power of the NFL as a full-time defender but given his burst, 8-10 sacks a year as a pass-rush specialist three-technique defensive tackle deserves late first round consideration for me.

Big Board: Clinton-Dix fits new NFL prototype at free safety - NFL, NFLDRAFT - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

If that's Donald's floor, it's not too bad, and might make a big difference in terms of the defense being able to get off the field on 3rd down. Anything above that would make him a really good pick.

 

[Coach42]

Rob Rang's description comes to mind:



Big Board: Clinton-Dix fits new NFL prototype at free safety - NFL, NFLDRAFT - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

If that's Donald's floor, it's not too bad, and might make a big difference in terms of the defense being able to get off the field on 3rd down. Anything above that would make him a really good pick.

I think part of my hesitation in liking this guy is that it would take a pretty big divergence from drafting history for the Pats to pick this guy. I feel like I'm setting myself up to be disappointed.

 

[manxman2601]

I think part of my hesitation in liking this guy is that it would take a pretty big divergence from drafting history for the Pats to pick this guy. I feel like I'm setting myself up to be disappointed.

BB won't draft him. Just do what I do and enjoy the possibility that he might until it's no longer a possibility

 

[Off The Grid]

As for DT, they had Wilfork and Kelly.

Who would have expected them to both go down for the season less than 6 weeks in?

Me, for one.

I'd been screaming about dialing down Wilfork's Snaps for 2 Years before it happened.

And I explicitly warned about the Catastrophe that inevitably struck us.

Depth of Talent, Gentlemen.

Draft it.

 

[Off The Grid]

I think part of my hesitation in liking this guy is that it would take a pretty big divergence from drafting history for the Pats to pick this guy. I feel like I'm setting myself up to be disappointed.

Personally, I've never bothered speculating about What Bill Might Do.

I find it far more enjoyable to develop my own Vision, while simultaneously basking in his Greatness as a grateful Fan.

Fanatical Yankee, Founding Father of the InterNational House of Have My Cake And Eat It Too

 

[Snake Eyes]

BB won't draft him. Just do what I do and enjoy the possibility that he might until it's no longer a possibility

I will bet you a stack of hundreds that BB doesn’t draft Donald, he’ll trade way back and then draft some garbage defensive back that would have otherwise gone in the 5th.

Donald isn’t BB’s flavor, I could easily see BB trading forward in the draft to take Hageman in the 1st, Hageman is scary to me, and not in a good way.

 

[Keyser Söze]

I will bet you a stack of hundreds that BB doesn’t draft Donald, he’ll trade way back and then draft some garbage defensive back that would have otherwise gone in the 5th.

Donald isn’t BB’s flavor, I could easily see BB trading forward in the draft to take Hageman in the 1st, Hageman is scary to me, and not in a good way.

I can see that.

 

[everlong]

Rang in his latest draft had Donald to the Seahawks at 32. :bricks:

Cause they need another great pass rusher. :enranged:

 

[mayoclinic]

Rang in his latest draft had Donald to the Seahawks at 32. :bricks:

Cause they need another great pass rusher. :enranged:

Are you questioning that Seattle might pick Donald if he's available?

I think it makes perfect sense. It's the "overload" approach which the Giants used so successfully - don't just plug holes, get stronger at positions of strength and establish dominance. See also post #11 above.

Imagine what Bryant/Bennett-Mebane-Donald-Clemons/Avril would do combined with the Legion of Boom behind them?

I think that's as good a strategy for making the defense even better as I can imagine. WR and OL can be addressed later.

 

[everlong]

Are you questioning that Seattle might pick Donald if he's available?

The exact opposite. I was dying at the thought that they'll add to an existing group that explosive when the Patriots won't draft one pure pass rusher.

 

[mayoclinic]

The exact opposite. I was dying at the thought that they'll add to an existing group that explosive when the Patriots won't draft one pure pass rusher.

Exactly. "Overload". The strong get stronger.

Donald in the 1st, Lynch/Murphy in the 2nd, Christian Jones in the 3rd and a couple of big late-round DBs would fix a lot of problems. Of course, that would ignore issues on offense. But it would be sweet.