Our 2014 Defense Plus A Bit Of Health

[mgteich]

We had a top 10 defense, with youngsters improving.

If we retained our 2013 defense (excluding Sopoaga and Spikes), wouldn't we be stronger in 2014, expecting SOME increased production from the following:

Wilfork or replacement
Kelly
Mayo
Talib
Dennard
Arrington

The only significant UFA is Talib.

And no, the above suggestion does not preclude replacing Gregory, Wilson, Wilson with other safeties with equal cap hits.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Coming along well as long as the injuries aren't as catastrophic this coming season.

 

[mayoclinic]

Sure, but don't expect everyone to be healthy. Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL. What if Chandler Jones, Devin McCourty or Aqib Talib (if re-signed) goes down for the season? God forbid anything like that will happen, but statistically, there are going to be significant losses.

The Pats need to invest in better defensive depth (especially at DE) and pace players better.

 

[varjao]

We have the personnel in place, we are in a far better situation than 2010/11 for instance. What we don't have is a good defensive scheme. In spite of the numbers, I didn't feel that this was a top 10 defense last season and so far I don't have any fact to change my mind.

I know we have been devastated by injuries last season and it wasn't fair even at the eyes of other fan bases who think BB is Satan's child.

Anyway, I see a lot of people counting on a healthy defense for next season, let me tell you something. There will be injuries again. We have no picks to revamp the whole defense nor money to bring FA's, unless those end of career veterans trying a last shot and of course due to mileage they are always prone to injuries. Add to the equation Talib and Dennard, a lot of guys coming from IR...we may hope for better luck, but the natural course of things suggest that there is no such thing as a healthy defense for this current roster.

In order for this defense to improve in terms health and performance I'm afraid Wilfork should be cut and his money reinvested bringing 2 FA's under the radar at their 28's, add 2 rookies between 1st and 4th round and then we may have better luck with this mix.

 

[mgteich]

I'm not suggesting leaving cap money on the table or not using draft choices.

I am simply suggesting that the first priority is to bring back what we had since all units were so good. I noted that there was a need for upgrade (at no cost) at safety.

I expect that we will draft a couple of defensive players (CB, DE and SS come to mind). We'll likely bring in a couple of mid-level players, hopefully one at DE.

I'm all for additional depth.

Sure, but don't expect everyone to be healthy. Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL. What if Chandler Jones, Devin McCourty or Aqib Talib (if re-signed) goes down for the season? God forbid anything like that will happen, but statistically, there are going to be significant losses.

The Pats need to invest in better defensive depth (especially at DE) and pace players better.

 

[patriot1136]

I really like our defense but yes I agree that depth is an issue since injuries are always a given. Hopefully we get lucky and they arent as bad as last year. I think we absolutely need to re sign Talib and draft Wilfork's future replacement. I like Gregory and A. Wilson but we need to upgrade that position too.

 

[Kontradiction]

We have the personnel in place, we are in a far better situation than 2010/11 for instance. What we don't have is a good defensive scheme. In spite of the numbers, I didn't feel that this was a top 10 defense last season and so far I don't have any fact to change my mind.

I know we have been devastated by injuries last season and it wasn't fair even at the eyes of other fan bases who think BB is Satan's child.

Anyway, I see a lot of people counting on a healthy defense for next season, let me tell you something. There will be injuries again. We have no picks to revamp the whole defense nor money to bring FA's, unless those end of career veterans trying a last shot and of course due to mileage they are always prone to injuries. Add to the equation Talib and Dennard, a lot of guys coming from IR...we may hope for better luck, but the natural course of things suggest that there is no such thing as a healthy defense for this current roster.

In order for this defense to improve in terms health and performance I'm afraid Wilfork should be cut and his money reinvested bringing 2 FA's under the radar at their 28's, add 2 rookies between 1st and 4th round and them we may have better luck with this mix.

The scheme is built around the players we have. If athletic LB's that can cover in space are drafted along with building up the DL, we will more than likely see a more attacking, downhill style of defense being played. I said it before, and I'll say it again: I can't remember one time since BB has been here that the defense one gapped as much as they did this past season. Naturally, that increased when Wilfork went down. But even when Siliga started stepping up, the D was still one gapping quite a bit. This draft will tell you where the coaching staff on that side of the ball plans to go with the scheme. If they build up the depth at DE and DT and draft another athletic LB, we'll see a scheme that's more aggressive.

 

[mayoclinic]

The scheme is built around the players we have. If athletic LB's that can cover in space are drafted along with building up the DL, we will more than likely see a more attacking, downhill style of defense being played. I said it before, and I'll say it again: I can't remember one time since BB has been here that the defense one gapped as much as they did this past season. Naturally, that increased when Wilfork went down. But even when Siliga started stepping up, the D was still one gapping quite a bit. This draft will tell you where the coaching staff on that side of the ball plans to go with the scheme. If they build up the depth at DE and DT and draft another athletic LB, we'll see a scheme that's more aggressive.

Nicely said. I agree that whether/whom we target on defense in this year's draft will have a lot to say about in what direction the defense is moving. 2 years ago we flirted with guys like Bobby Wagner and Lavonte David and ended up drafting a guy who wasn't a pure fit in Chandler Jones, but ultimately stopped short of a major re-emphasis. I sort of feel like BB has been tiptoeing in that general direction - the drafting of Jones, the move away from more of a 3-4 base to more of a hybrid, the drafting of Jamie Collins, the use of more one gapping. I always expect our defense to be "multiple" and expect a fair amount of 2-gapping, but drafting more speed/athleticism and attacking capability in the front 7 would certainly signal more of a shift.

 

[BradyManny]

If the Seahawks have taught us anything, it's that no one is ever going to say "hey, that defense has too many good defenders, what a waste."

I used to think giving Brady weapons was top priority and the easiest way to put this team over the top.

And if we could do that, sure. Turns out to be easier said than done. There's no one way to build this team, and with Brady & Belichick, we're always in the hunt.

But I feel now that Brady with a bunch of scrubs is still good enough to win you the SB if you have a decent defense. Whereas surround Brady with the greatest weapons available and give him a leaky defense incapable of getting him the ball back, you're no sure thing for a title either.

In short, thanks to Brady, and to Gronk, there's a much greater margin for error on offense, but having a bad defense is almost a nonstarter for winning a title (almost, we were one Welker catch away from doing it.)

The OL was pretty bad at times this year, and the weapons Brady was throwing to at its most depleted almost laughable, but it was enough to win with. Defensively, when Talib got injured in the AFCCG, despite the talent that remained, it was not enough to ever stop Peyton and get the ball back to Brady.

This team has only so many resources, and only so many places to spend it. Given what I know about free agency and what little I know about the draft, it feels like we're better off worrying about putting as much talent as possible into this defense.

There is a constant in almost all of Brady's playoff loses, and that is the game being shrunk and the offense not having enough possessions. Enough of that. Fans will blame Brady & the O, but its short sighted - we must realize that a couple forced punts or turnovers and the resulting two or three more possessions (which is what we're under average in all these games) is the difference between a W and an L.

Go get a bunch of athletes on the defensive side of the ball, more than you think you'll ever need, and worry about playing time later. Come January/February, we'll be happy.

 

[mayoclinic]

Go get a bunch of athletes on the defensive side of the ball, more than you think you'll ever need, and worry about playing time later. Come January/February, we'll be happy.

:woot::cheer2::hug:igsfly:

 

[AzPatsFan]

I am a believer in Defense, But I'm going to commit heresy here.

This Defense is very young. It was the best Belichick has fielded since he had to tear the Super Bowl winning D apart, some 5 years ago. It was very good, even without Wilfork, Kelly, Spikes, Collins, Talib, & Dennard missing for significant portions of the season and even more raw then it is today, a season of experience later.

Inspecting the quality and depth of this Draft class, it is heavily biased toward Receivers and OTs, with a respectable cadre of TE candidates too.

BB says it does you no good to force picks, just to try to get specific positions. You just end up drafting the same position, NEXT year too.

I will go out on a limb. and predict BB will load up with Offensive Players this year. He may take a TE and a couple of Offensive Linemen, and even perhaps another WR in his first four picks.:snob:

There are still the remaining 3rd day picks to try to strengthen the secondary depth.

Unlike the last few years, the secondary starters are now OK, it is merely the depth that may need attention, providing Talib can be resigned. That should actually not be too hard, He made almost $6 million this past year. I could see a four year deal for 32 miilion with a first year Cap hit of today's $6 million or less. Simply cutting Sapoaga provides the room.

Another heresy is to say that the current Defensive weakness is stopping the run. So you should sign a really great anti-run LB, even if he can only play 2 downs. The depth at LB unlike before, is now sufficient to platoon such a player. Don't forget the example of having a Ted Johnson during the SB years.

 

[patsfan13]

I am feeling that the D will be better by virtue of so many young'uns getting experience this year.

Contrary to many I think we are pretty set @ DT, clearly VW and Kelley's status are big issues but Jones and Siliga have emerged as useful players and I expect (hope) Armistead returns to play this year, IMO if healthy he will be a major factor especially providing a push up the middle.

DE is another matter I would like the see the team have the depth flexibility to Move Chandler Jones inside in passing situations (with Armistead/C Jones). Is Buchanan a year plus away from his injury ready to assume a role in the rotation? Definitely a draft pick needs to be spent here, maybe 2, the Bequette era is over IMO.

LB is in pretty good shape, Fletcher should be signed, How does Mayo come back from his injury? Hightower, needs to be inside and Collins will be a star next year. I expect to see a Draft pick@ LB.


Secondary Happy with the CB position if Talib is signed. We need a SS. A draft pick is needed here We have FS covered not happy with the SS position, biggest need on the team IMO.

3 of the first 4 picks need to be on D (the other a TE who can 'replace' the Hernandez role or play the Gronk role when he is injured.