Something I've noticed comparing our recent D with the early 2000's D

[Joey007]

It can definitely be said that one of the things that made the defenses of the early 2000's so successful was how well they played together.

Outside of Law and Seymour, there weren't superstar, perennial pro bowl players scattered across the defense. Rather, it was a ton of very good, selfless players who all formed to play well together as a collective group.

Vrabel, Bruschi, Seymour, Law, Harrison, Willie. The list goes on. None of these guys were outsiders in the lockeroom. Even guys like Rodney who were initially, would buy in to the culture very quickly.

Now, compare them to these guys in recent years. Easley was certainly an oddball who seemed to not care about the team nor about winning. Collins also was similar to this. While less extreme, it's telling that he didn't care about getting shipped to the worst team in football. $ was obviously a way higher priority than winning to him. Chandler I believe did care about winning, and was loved in the locker room, but he was still a bit of an individual, and never seemed to show any leadership. It's now fair to wonder if Sheard is going the direction of Collins as well.

What I'm getting from all of this is that there is no doubt that Bill has been hitting on getting defensive guys in the draft with legit NFL talent. The problem is appearing to be that he's drafted players whose hearts are not as into it as they need to be. He's drafted a lot of personalities that are a bit of lockeroom outsiders. Of course money will be a priority to these guys. But if they aren't there to win, they shouldn't be in New England.

You're goal is to build a team, not collect talent. Collins, Jones, and Easley all had talent that went through the roof. But they were not helping build this into a team defense in the long run. It's not saying we're better off without them. We all know that this defense has a lot of problems right now.

I feel that Bill understands that the only thing that will keep this defense from completely quitting is to cut bait with those who aren't there to win. Simple as that. With this offense, we can win it all with a middling defense. But no offense can overcome winning with a defense who quits. These moves have been drastic, but they may have been the only options that Bill had.

 

[Nikolai]

I see what you're getting at here. As for the talent these guys have, it's there, but whether or not these guys are living up to it is another matter.

We'll see about Collins, but while Jones has pretty much picked up where he left off, Easley is still in the ether out there in Los Angeles.

 

[PatsFan92]

Difference between then and now was that the defense from 2000-2007 used to absolutely punish and intimidate receivers. Receivers used to be scared from going over the middle because they knew they was going to get drilled into oblivion. That defence was great at playing that brand of defence and I know Bill loved that defence. The defence from the early 00s is much better than the current defense that its not even comparable. That defence held P.Manning and his record breaking offense to a mere three points in the playoffs and that was Manning in his prime don't forget. One of the greatest defences of all time.

 

[Nunchucks]

Those teams were very talented. Hall of fame corner, hall of fame safety and a lb core that was amazing....and defensive linemen that were awesome

 

[anditsgood]

Difference between then and now was that the defense from 2000-2007 used to absolutely punish and intimidate receivers. Receivers used to be scared from going over the middle because they knew they was going to get drilled into oblivion. That defence was great at playing that brand of defence and I know Bill loved that defence. The defence from the early 00s is much better than the current defense that its not even comparable. That defence held P.Manning and his record breaking offense to a mere three points in the playoffs and that was Manning in his prime don't forget. One of the greatest defences of all time.

but you cannot play defense like that with today's rules

 

[Joey007]

but you cannot play defense like that with today's rules

That's very true. It's not even just the style that they played, though. Its how they went out and played team defense, holding each and everyone accountable.

Even though they've been losing, the Vikings defense is a prime example of this today.

 

[NG Pats Fan]

but you cannot play defense like that with today's rules

Except Seattle does it.

 

[NG Pats Fan]

Early 2000s defense talent >>>>>>>> 2016 defensive talent

I get your point, but don't say the early 2000s d didn't have superstars. Rodney Harrison and Ty Law are hall of fame caliber players, our linebacker core was loaded with pro bowlers and our defensive line was very good.

 

[deroc5050]

The 2001 defense wasn't overloaded with talent but they played tough. They played smash mouth football. The 03 and 04 teams were so good that when you went down the field and took the lead.. the game was over. After Ty Law left I felt like are D declined and there was a point when we were giving up huge plays in the secondary.. every game giving up 50 yard bombs. It was the year we got a Ravens Defensive Back
Duane Starks... he was Ty Laws replacement and he sucked. We never really had a dominate defense since.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

parcells was responsible for bringing in a lot of talent on that D from the early years.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

Belichick tends to pay big money for linebackers and rent pass rushers Linemen and corners. He also pays pretty good money to his middle of the road performing safeties - just ask James Sanders.

 

[Ring 6]

Except Seattle does it.

No they don't

 

[Ring 6]

parcells was responsible for bringing in a lot of talent on that D from the early years.

No he wasn't

 

[NG Pats Fan]

No they don't

Yes they do. Look what they did to gronkowski

 

[NG Pats Fan]

No he wasn't

Yes he was. He brought in bruschi, McGinist, Law, Milloy, Johnson

Bruschi Law and Milloy alone were integral parts of our 01 and 03 championships.

 

[luuked]

Except Seattle does it.

Now you are just trolling. Watch how the Pats manhandled the Colts and absolutely ****ing destroyed some of their offensive players and compare this to what Seattle does. It is not even close.

 

[luuked]

Yes they do. Look what they did to gronkowski

Not sure what the hell you are talking about. Butler manhandled Prosise at least as much on that hit in the second quarter as Thomas did with Gronk.

But then again the way you sound you might be one of those people that seriously believe TJ Ward is actually a good safety.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Yes he was. He brought in bruschi, McGinist, Law, Milloy, Johnson

Bruschi Law and Milloy alone were integral parts of our 01 and 03 championships.

Andy doesn't like parcells

 

[PF_SU]

Now you are just trolling. Watch how the Pats manhandled the Colts and absolutely ****ing destroyed some of their offensive players and compare this to what Seattle does. It is not even close.

Stuff like that is an automatic 15 nowadays:

 

[Pats2000]

Difference between then and now was that the defense from 2000-2007 used to absolutely punish and intimidate receivers. Receivers used to be scared from going over the middle because they knew they was going to get drilled into oblivion. That defence was great at playing that brand of defence and I know Bill loved that defence. The defence from the early 00s is much better than the current defense that its not even comparable. That defence held P.Manning and his record breaking offense to a mere three points in the playoffs and that was Manning in his prime don't forget. One of the greatest defences of all time.

Now the defense can't even look at a receiver without drawing a huge flag. ..