Milton Williams

[RobertWeathers]

I think his talent is somewhat related to how they use him. IMO he’s a defensive end, not a pass rushing LB. If he was a linebacker I would classify his athleticism as mediocre, because I don’t believe he has the lateral movement or mobility for the position, but as a hand in the dirt defensive end I think he has good athleticism, but again, more as a 4-3 defensive end than a pure edge pass rusher. I do think Vrabel has plans to get the most out of him, and I think he’s one of the reasons they are going with a 3-4 base. I think Barmore/Williams/ and White will be on the field more than the rest of the DL, and White will play a 5 technique when they are in base, which according to Vrabel will be less than 25% of the snaps, but will be able to transition to a 4-3 easily when bringing on Landry, Chaisson, or Swinson. We will find out how accurate this is soon enough, but that’s what o think will happen.

I hear you. I think they misused him last year and the coaching sucked. As a developing player in a new defense that had to have been frustrating.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I hear you. I think they misused him last year and the coaching sucked. As a developing player in a new defense that had to have been frustrating.

I think White was dominant in Game 1 and saw double teams the rest of the year. Hard to produce against consistent double teams, and White is not that good. But straight up 1-on-1, White will excel because he can't be double teamed with Milton and Barmore around. I don't think that is disappointing.

I think Milton will play more DE, and White will be a DT next to Barmore.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think White was dominant in Game 1 and saw double teams the rest of the year. Hard to produce against consistent double teams, and White is not that good. But straight up 1-on-1, White will excel because he can't be double teamed with Milton and Barmore around. I don't think that is disappointing.

I think Milton will play more DE, and White will be a DT next to Barmore.

Milton's strength is inside quickness so if you mean 3-4 DE then I agree. 4-3 DE then that'll be different for him. Not sure how successful he would be in that position.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Milton's strength is inside quickness so if you mean 3-4 DE then I agree. 4-3 DE then that'll be different for him. Not sure how successful he would be in that position.

White's strength is his quickness too. It will be interesting where they play. Nice problem to have as injuries happen.

 

[Real fan 02]

Pats have the best DT's and defense in the division. This is an easy call.

Barmore had no help, but still had a career year in 2023. Williams assisting with Landry off the edge is going help other guys like White and others to have a good year.

And everything Spillane can do at the LB level will help the DL immensely.

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

Looking forward to the '25 edition of our Defense some new players + better coaching + playing to the strengths of our existing players will make our D respected and feared in the conference and entire league.
Is this a top 10 defense??

The potential is there.

Is the coaching change enough to bring all the new signings into a cohesive unit year one?

It’s a good defense with a handful of issues that could prevent this defense from being top tier. But there’s plenty of reason for excitement

 

[State]

I expect a lot of Woodson, a 4th rounder with great potential.

They raved about him at the Senior Bowl. The kid is intelligent, hard working, and won’t be in trouble with the law. Breath of fresh air if you ask me.

And the Pats obviously did their homework.

The defense could be top five if a FS comes to the fore. And another slot corner is missing to back up Marcus Jones who always gets hurt.

 

[Real fan 02]

They raved about him at the Senior Bowl. The kid is intelligent, hard working, and won’t be in trouble with the law. Breath of fresh air if you ask me.

And the Pats obviously did their homework.

The defense could be top five if a FS comes to the fore. And another slot corner is missing to back up Marcus Jones who always gets hurt.

The front 7 will help the safety position immensely. Peppers and Dugger will be up closer to the line where they can punish RBs and TEs roaming. I like Woodson and the opportunity is his for the taking. Hawkins who i wasn't really high on had a great offseason and mini camp so he's the proverbial starting FS entering camp.

 

[Real fan 02]

The potential is there.

Is the coaching change enough to bring all the new signings into a cohesive unit year one?

It’s a good defense with a handful of issues that could prevent this defense from being top tier. But there’s plenty of reason for excitement

Everyone is starting fresh together coaching staff and players alike. So the curve isn't anything like last season. The coaching is a huge reason success is likely for the defense. We have players at every level of the defense that are impactful.

 

[Real fan 02]

Milton's strength is inside quickness so if you mean 3-4 DE then I agree. 4-3 DE then that'll be different for him. Not sure how successful he would be in that position.

Correct, interior pressure is how you directly disrupt the timing of the snap. Brady used to despise teams with great interior rushers.. Ravens, Broncos for example gave us problems in championship games. Of course you want edge rushers.. but those guys can be negated and schemed for.. interior pressure makes it hard for the QB to step into his throws and it obstructs the view for the QB. We have 3 interior disruptive players... well 4 really.. Williams, white, Barmore and farmer..

 

[Huckleberry1]

I hear you. I think they misused him last year and the coaching sucked. As a developing player in a new defense that had to have been frustrating.

Am I mistaken in that they were using him as an OLB/Edge?

 

[Real fan 02]

I think White was dominant in Game 1 and saw double teams the rest of the year. Hard to produce against consistent double teams, and White is not that good. But straight up 1-on-1, White will excel because he can't be double teamed with Milton and Barmore around. I don't think that is disappointing.

I think Milton will play more DE, and White will be a DT next to Barmore.

Williams played interior D. lineman in Philly where he thrived. I believe that's where he will line up here. White is a guy that could potentially line up at end but is probably better suited inside. But who knows?. Whatever Vrabel and Williams feels best for them to wreak havoc.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Am I mistaken in that they were using him as an OLB/Edge?

He was in coverage way too much

 

[TheRainMaker]

I am not sold on White.

...just like Uche was nothing without Judon.

We've spoken about White before. This year he doesn't have excuses. He's got an experienced HC and players along the front 7 that will allow him to get favorable matchups. I'm setting the bar very low, but he should get at least 8 sacks this year.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Barmore had much more help, and a far better coach than White did last year.
Let's not let facts get in the way.

Barmore didn't have Christian Gonzalez in 2023. The rest of the front 7 assisted on 4.5 more sacks than in 2024. Not a big difference. And there wasn't one guy on the team that demanded attention after Barmore.

White had Barmore in 2023 with BB and the 2nd highest snap count along the DL, yet was invisible.

Christian Gonzalez in 2024 still managed to have an All Pro season despite a terrible HC and no pass rush in a passing league.

White is getting babied a little too much around here. It's a put up or shut up year for him.

 

[Huckleberry1]

He was in coverage way too much

That’s what I thought. He’s actually bigger than Dedrick Wise was, at 6’5 285, so using him as a linebacker was idiotic. He should be used either as a pass rushing end in a 4-3, or a 5 in a 3-4.

 

[TheRainMaker]

He was in coverage way too much

That’s what I thought. He’s actually bigger than Dedrick Wise was, at 6’5 285, so using him as a linebacker was idiotic. He should be used either as a pass rushing end in a 4-3, or a 5 in a 3-4.

White had the 2nd most snaps on the front 7 last year. I'm trying to find any stats that point to him being in coverage, but haven't found anything so far. The only numbers I could find was this article pointing out he's had 427 pass rush snaps according to PFF. His total snaps were 829 according to Football Reference. That's 51% percent of his snaps rushing the passer. With that, I'd like to see how many snaps against the run which could give us a good idea how many times he was in coverage.

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[Real fan 02]

Barmore didn't have Christian Gonzalez in 2023. The rest of the front 7 assisted on 4.5 more sacks than in 2024. Not a big difference. And there wasn't one guy on the team that demanded attention after Barmore.

White had Barmore in 2023 with BB and the 2nd highest snap count along the DL, yet was invisible.

Christian Gonzalez in 2024 still managed to have an All Pro season despite a terrible HC and no pass rush in a passing league.

White is getting babied a little too much around here. It's a put up or shut up year for him.

Very good points. White was seeing double teams last season and the guys around him couldn't make plays to get teams out that blocking scheme.

White will see more favorable matchups due to having studs around him. If he can't put up the production or the impact then he's just a guy at that point.

 

[n1997y]

Very good points. White was seeing double teams last season and the guys around him couldn't make plays to get teams out that blocking scheme.

White will see more favorable matchups due to having studs around him. If he can't put up the production or the impact then he's just a guy at that point.

If White was getting double teamed last year it’s clearly an indication that opponents see him as more than just a guy. They wouldn’t waste their OL double teaming a JAG.

 

[Real fan 02]

If White was getting double teamed last year it’s clearly an indication that opponents see him as more than just a guy. They wouldn’t waste their OL double teaming a JAG.

Re-read my post again.