Milton Williams

[Real fan 02]

As it's been discussed.. we have a far better front 7 then likely we've had since 2019.

Williams, Barmore, White, Farmer, Tonga

All have the abilities to disrupt by creating pressure up the middle. While edge rushers are nice to have.. those guys can be negated. Teams that have the abilities to create havoc up the middle pose problems for any offense. It affects the timing of the snap, the way the OC calls run plays and the entire offense is sped up. I feel we will be one of the better defensive fronts that can be disruptive up the middle. Having a Interior rush helps the edge guys and hampers offenses.

How do you feel we will fare as a defensive front this season?

 

[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.

Last season.. without judon or Barmore.. no one else was able you create pressure.. white had 6 of the teams 28 sacks. Landry himself had 9 sacks last season. White will have all the benefits of great coaches, studs around him.. he will see one on one blocks.. I fully expect him to use his agility, athletic abilities and quickness to get pressure on the QB. I think white could morph his game adding some pass rush potential on the edge as well as interior. Farmer, Barmore and Williams all are excellent interior guys and will make life easier for white. I love whites game, and his attitude. It's time to ball out and produce.

 

[Clonamery]

@mgteich is that you?

Couldn't continue to discuss the defensive front under the Milton Williams thread? Making the redundant, redundant, serves no purpose except redundancy.

 

[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.

 

[Real fan 02]

@mgteich is that you?

Couldn't continue to discuss the defensive front under the Milton Williams thread? Making the redundant, redundant, serves no purpose except redundancy.

No... it's me.

 

[Clonamery]

No... it's me.

Well, people always say you have good recognition skills.

 

[Huckleberry1]

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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Pro Football Focus (PFF) is one of the best NFL analytical outfits in the business. Whether opining about the Patriots or any other NFL team, they are always in

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It seemed to me like he was usually playing from a stand up position, not with his hand in the dirt in a 3 point stance. I could be wrong because I didn’t watch them as closely last season as usual, but that was what I took away from it. He was playing on the end of the line, but as more of a LB/Edge pass rusher than a true defensive end.

 

[Real fan 02]

Well, people always say you have good recognition skills.

I recognize you recognized that..

 

[Clonamery]

I recognize you recognized that..

There you go. Damn good for a Monday.

 

[Tunescribe]

My first thought re. the headline was try a fiber supplement. But posting that would be OT.

 

[TheRainMaker]

It seemed to me like he was usually playing from a stand up position, not with his hand in the dirt in a 3 point stance. I could be wrong because I didn’t watch them as closely last season as usual, but that was what I took away from it. He was playing on the end of the line, but as more of a LB/Edge pass rusher than a true defensive end.

That's what I noticed as well. I don't think I've ever seen him with his hand in the dirt.

 

[Huckleberry1]

That's what I noticed as well. I don't think I've ever seen him with his hand in the dirt.

I think we are going to see him as a true defensive lineman this season, and he will be in a 3 point stance most of the time.

 

[ScottishPatriot]

We’ve certainly strengthened the D enormously with starting-calibre talent.

I’d just like to see a little more depth at two or three of the positions before we start screaming, ‘top 10!’.

Few examples:

NT: I like the Tonga addition as a big, run-stuffing body, and I understand it’s a position with a v limited job description. However, I think we’d be kidding ourselves if we said Tonga and Roy are the ideal pedigree as our only two real options there.

Safety: Again, we made a nice depth addition for 2025 with Epps. We may not extend him, but even if we do, between Epps, Peppers and Dugger, none of our main contenders for the safety positions will be aged under 30 going into 2026. I don’t consider Hawkins more than a depth piece, and I expect Woodson - a nice pick - to mostly compete for the nickel role.

I know we’re generally a lot deeper in the front 7. In particular, I like the Swinson pick and think he’ll develop into an effective edge. Still, I’d just like one more linebacker for depth, especially on the inside.

I know it’s about more than just personnel, and I do believe the scheme will be much improved this year. I just think top 10’s a little premature. Top 15, though? I expect so.

 

[RobertWeathers]

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.

PFF makes unexpected pick for Patriots' most underrated player this season

Pro Football Focus (PFF) is one of the best NFL analytical outfits in the business. Whether opining about the Patriots or any other NFL team, they are always in

musketfire.com

New England Patriots 2024 Snap Counts | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the New England Patriots 2024 Snap Counts and more on Pro-Football-Reference.com

www.pro-football-reference.com

He was also in coverage 13 times at a minimum last year. That is 13 times too many as a DE. Willie did that every now and then but not often.

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Checkout the latest stats for Keion White. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[Ring 6]

That's what I noticed as well. I don't think I've ever seen him with his hand in the dirt.

He definitely has played with his hand in the dirt.

 

[Huckleberry1]

He was also in coverage 13 times at a minimum last year. That is 13 times too many as a DE. Willie did that every now and then but not often.

Keion White Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Checkout the latest stats for Keion White. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

And Wille was a better athlete, and almost 20 lbs lighter than White.

 

[imahobgoblin]

It is an interesting matchup against BUF defensively. The DL will likely be better than BUF’s OL, and will pressure Allen into throwing bad balls or trying to be the hero and running around. Their RBs are fine. Their WRs are decent but not scary and not much deep speed. Gonzo and Davis will be able to lock those guys down. Kincaid is a solid receiving TE, hopefully Spillane/Ellis/Dugger can hold him down.

The Jets just have… Justin Fields… and Miami has Tua hanging onto his career by a thread and a slowing-down Tyreek. The division isn’t really very scary from a defensive perspective.

This is a homer post. We are a 4-13 team until we prove we are not. Our d-line has never played a single snap together, nor run the Vrabel system, but we are already better than Buffalo's o-line? Just stop it. The prayer, and that's all it is, is that we can be within 10 points against Buffalo. Fine on the Jets. Miami can be tough. We have to play then in FL heat. Hill just ran a 10.10 100 and you ignore Jaylen Waddle as if he is nothing. Miami is in decline, but its dumb to write then off like you do.

 

[n1997y]

This is a homer post. We are a 4-13 team until we prove we are not. Our d-line has never played a single snap together, nor run the Vrabel system, but we are already better than Buffalo's o-line? Just stop it. The prayer, and that's all it is, is that we can be within 10 points against Buffalo. Fine on the Jets. Miami can be tough. We have to play then in FL heat. Hill just ran a 10.10 100 and you ignore Jaylen Waddle as if he is nothing. Miami is in decline, but its dumb to write then off like you do.

No. It’s a new season. We are an 0-0 team until we prove otherwise.

We have totally revamped the coaching staff, turned over most of the roster by adding some very talented players, and started installing new schemes on both sides of the ball. A number of the players have played together in the past, while playing for coaches on the new coaching staff. I think we can assume the coaches have a good idea of how well they’ll play together and how well they’ll do with the new schemes, or those coaches would not be betting their jobs on bringing those players that they already know in here to be the cornerstones of the rebuild. Based on all that it’s asinine to suggest that the 2025 Patriots should be tagged with last year’s record, compiled by different players under an epically bad coaching staff.

Take your own advice. Just stop it.

 

[RobertWeathers]

And Wille was a better athlete, and almost 20 lbs lighter than White.

Yep. Willie was incredibly unique. Also was an OLB in a 3-4 with his hand in the dirt often

 

[Clonamery]

Yep. Willie was incredibly unique. Also was an OLB in a 3-4 with his hand in the dirt often

Elefante.