Is this the best linebacking corps we’ve had?

[BelichicksHoodie]

Watching the game today I couldn’t help but feel like we were all witnessing something we haven’t seen before. The 2000s lead by Bruschi were really good but our current group top to bottom seems better than that. I was thinking maybe the 2007 team with Adalius Thomas could make a case but we had some guys nearing the ends of their careers there as well.

This season we have all our players in our prime and we go 6-7 deep. We’re on a record breaking pace as a defense and every single one of these guys are making plays all over the field.

Curious to see what everyone else thinks.

 

[Patstastic]

No. 01-04. But it's still a darn good group.

 

[turkeyneck]

Tippett, Blackmon, Nelson, McGrew.

Current crew is next best but Tippett is the difference maker.

 

[condon84]

I think so.

We've never had anyone as athletically gifted as Collins. Collins this year has played better LBer than any other LB has played for BB as a Patriots HC. That guy is playing out ofAnd I would also take Hightower over Bruschi. KVN has not reached Vrabel status because Vrabel did it for a long time, but KVN's playmaking ability is right up there with Vrabel.

The one advantage the earlier LBer crew had was Phifer's coverage.

On top of the very important fact that this crew of LBs do not get protected by the DL that those earlier versions of LBs got the luxury off. There are no Seymours or Wilforks in front that offenses have to gear up for.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Honestly half the pats defense should be probowlers not that is matters... They're among leaders in sacks and ints. They're pretty darn good... It will all be judged with the chiefs game

 

[NYCPATS4LIFE]

Hightower looks fast with the lost weight. Flying to the football.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Juwaun Bentley looks good too, really his first year. Ask this question at the end of the year and we'll have a better idea then.

 

[maust]

We've never had anyone as athletically gifted as Collins.

It's somewhat apples to oranges but Andre Tippett was easily that athletically gifted.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

thank u Shiano for not taking the job

 

[RobertWeathers]

Tippett, Blackmon, Nelson, McGrew.

Current crew is next best but Tippett is the difference maker.

....and Johnny Rembert as a very good reserve on those teams and eventual 2 time Pro Bowler IIRC

Speaking of which, Larry McGrew never got his due here. He was tall as hell and very rangy. Made some big plays here RIP.

 

[farn]

Wasn’t watching in the Tippett days. Was watching 01-04 and they were fantastic. Different game back then, but those guys were very smart. Knew the game, knew the situations. They were excellent at getting the big play.

Having said that, I’m voting « yes ». These guys are the best. It’s not a knock on any other group. It’s simply that HT-Collins-KVN have been lighting it up and changing field position. They’ve been flying to the ball and taking it away. Add Bentley, who I think is going to be VG.

Maybe the extraordinary secondary helps here. Maybe the LBs can do more, based on the backfield... still, love this group.

 

[JayNM]

While I love what the Defense has brought so far, let's wait until we face a real NFL Offense to anoint them to the HOF of defenses.

 

[Uptown]

 

[Patjew]

It's somewhat apples to oranges but Andre Tippett was easily that athletically gifted.

Some would say he was one of the top two Jewish Patriots of all time.

 

[sambam94]

Honestly half the pats defense should be probowlers not that is matters... They're among leaders in sacks and ints. They're pretty darn good... It will all be judged with the chiefs game

it will be judged against Eagles, Ravens, Hou as well.

 

[Soliel]

I’m unsure if they are the best we’ve seen because I don’t have enough games to look at to make that claim. That said, I believe they could become the best defense of all time or at least salary cap era best

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Its an awesome group but In 04 we had mike vrabel, willie mcginnest, ted Johnson, tedy bruschi, rosey colvin, roman phifer, banta cain. That’s just insane

 

[mosi]

It's somewhat apples to oranges but Andre Tippett was easily that athletically gifted.

Yeah, Tippett was easily the 2nd best Linebacker of his generation (LT being #1). He was an absolute stud. Think of how good Collins looks and double it. That was Tippett.

 

[Family]

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but where does the secondary rank?

The defense is sick.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Some would say he was one of the top two Jewish Patriots of all time.

Yep. He converted. Wifey is from Framingham