What Decisions Are There On The Defensive Front?

[mgteich]

Vrabel could still bring someone in after the final cuts or by trade. It's early, but for now, these 14 seem to be heavy favorites.

DT: Barmore, Williams, Tonga, Farmer, Pharms
EDGE: White, Landry, Chaisson, Swinson, Jennings
ILB: Spillane, Ellis, Tavai, Gibbens

I suppose Jennings is the least likely. Mapu is waiting for an injury.

 

[Triumph]

White is a monster @ 6 - 5 290 and is having a solid camp.

 

[PatsFan2]

White is a monster @ 6 - 5 290 and is having a solid camp.

Landry and Chaisson are going to be our New Judon's.

 

[Triumph]

Vrabel could still bring someone in after the final cuts or by trade. It's early, but for now, these 14 seem to be heavy favorites.

DT: Barmore, Williams, Tonga, Farmer, Pharms
EDGE: White, Landry, Chaisson, Swinson, Jennings
ILB: Spillane, Ellis, Tavai, Gibbens

I suppose Jennings is the least likely. Mapu is waiting for an injury.

Do you mean that Jennings is a lock.

 

[State]

White is a monster @ 6 - 5 290 and is having a solid camp.

Going to have a break out year. He’s got the tools.

 

[mgteich]

Do you mean that Jennings is a lock.

Jennings isn't a lock. I believe I indicated that he was the most likely player on the current squad to take the 14th defensive front roster spot.

 

[Triumph]

Jennings isn't a lock. I believe I indicated that he was the most likely player on the current squad to take the 14th defensive front roster spot.

"These 14 seem to be heavy favorites" was a curve ball.

I disagree on Jennings leaving. Jennings started 16 games last season and maybe he is not a Beast, but he is a solid player.

2.5 sacks, 43 solo, 7 tckl4loss and 9 QB hits. His TFL were double with Barmore around.

 

[Triumph]

Going to have a break out year. He’s got the tools.

He has an attitude too.

Great pick by BB.

 

[Triumph]

Landry and Chaisson are going to be our New Judon's.

Pats need the defense to be killer until the NE offense catches up.

The first few weeks of the season defenses can wreak havoc because offenses are still getting into the groove. See the Bengals last season.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Their interior DL defenders are weak vs. the run besides Tonga who's not good enough to play a ton. Their ILBs (and SSs) are weak in coverage. Chaisson is the only guy who consistently wins off the edge in pressure but same with Tonga - not complete enough player to play high snap count right now.

Landry turning back the clock and White breaking out to actually be a good player instead of making some good plays but being otherwise horrible and undisciplined will go a long way here. Their issue right now isn't overall talent level, it's just that they have extreme weaknesses on paper. Their EDGE defenders project to play the run well but poor pass rush. Their interior guys rush well but weak vs. run. Their LBs/SSs are strong vs. run but can't cover. It's a whole collection of strength vs. weakness, so it's about finding the right combos that compliment well.

IMO, they're going to look totally inept when they play good offenses that gameplan well because the weaknesses are so extreme. But it will be like the late BB defenses where they look good overall and even great when playing bad offenses before getting exposed vs. good ones. And we play mostly bad offenses so the defense will overall be fine this year.

 

[rkarp1]

Vrabel could still bring someone in after the final cuts or by trade. It's early, but for now, these 14 seem to be heavy favorites.

DT: Barmore, Williams, Tonga, Farmer, Pharms
EDGE: White, Landry, Chaisson, Swinson, Jennings
ILB: Spillane, Ellis, Tavai, Gibbens

I suppose Jennings is the least likely. Mapu is waiting for an injury.

I like your group and believe they all make the roster
Tavai Maybe misses some time early. Swinson maybe to the PS
I liked what little we saw of Roy last year...

 

[PatsFan2]

Pats need the defense to be killer until the NE offense catches up.

The first few weeks of the season defenses can wreak havoc because offenses are still getting into the groove. See the Bengals last season.

Our Offense might not be too far behind IF Kyle Williams gets' it. Diggs and Williams with Pop Douglas in the Slot should be Lethal. I didn't even mention Henry @ TE or our Pass catching RB's. I think our Offense can pull its weight if a few players arrive.

 

[rkarp1]

Their interior DL defenders are weak vs. the run besides Tonga who's not good enough to play a ton. Their ILBs (and SSs) are weak in coverage. Chaisson is the only guy who consistently wins off the edge in pressure but same with Tonga - not complete enough player to play high snap count right now.

Landry turning back the clock and White breaking out to actually be a good player instead of making some good plays but being otherwise horrible and undisciplined will go a long way here. Their issue right now isn't overall talent level, it's just that they have extreme weaknesses on paper. Their EDGE defenders project to play the run well but poor pass rush. Their interior guys rush well but weak vs. run. Their LBs/SSs are strong vs. run but can't cover. It's a whole collection of strength vs. weakness, so it's about finding the right combos that compliment well.

IMO, they're going to look totally inept when they play good offenses that gameplan well because the weaknesses are so extreme. But it will be like the late BB defenses where they look good overall and even great when playing bad offenses before getting exposed vs. good ones. And we play mostly bad offenses so the defense will overall be fine this year.

if they can get QB pressure everyone on D will look good.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

if they can get QB pressure everyone on D will look good.

I think they'll consistently get pressure up the middle but that will force the QBs into quicker throws to backs, TEs, and slots which are the weaker parts of our coverage. Good QBs and smart-game planning coaches will attack that and neutralize our strength of the interior rush and outside coverage by throwing quick and inside. We're not really built to defend that well.

 

[Water Boy]

The word is that Milton Williams has looked pretty weak against the run thus far. We might see more of Tonga than we anticipated. Run defense is my biggest concern. Having strong edge defenders is critical. Jennings needs to be in the mix.

My other big concern is Spillane wearing number 14. Terrible look for a safety much less a middle linebacker.

 

[rkarp1]

honestly, of the returning players from last years team, I thought Ellis the worst defensive player of the bunch, ST play excluded

 

[mgteich]

I like your group and believe they all make the roster
Tavai Maybe misses some time early. Swinson maybe to the PS
I liked what little we saw of Roy last year...

I would be disappointed if Swinson doesn't make the 53, but it certainly could happen, especially if they want an additional DL such as Roy.

 

[signbabybrady]

Everyone will benefit I when Milton, Barmore, and White start tearing it up!!!

I think it might even unlock Chaisson. As a former first rounder he's got the tools and now he's got guys that need to be accounted for and he will benefit from it.

I didn't think much about Chaisson most of the off-season. I just thought it's someone worth a try but the first week of camp has me thinking we might be onto something. Still a long way to go but he's definitely peaked my interest.

I'm a little nervous about our LBs but same as Chaisson I think they'll benefit from White, Barmore, and Milt too. Spillane is probably our best LB and it looks like Ellis is ready to pick up where he left off last year. Add Landry and hopefully we get Tavai back and it's an ok group but not quite what we were used to with Bru's or Hightower's LB groups so the DL will really need to be great.

 

[Real fan 02]

Everyone will benefit I when Milton, Barmore, and White start tearing it up!!!

I think it might even unlock Chaisson. As a former first rounder he's got the tools and now he's got guys that need to be accounted for and he will benefit from it.

I didn't think much about Chaisson most of the off-season. I just thought it's someone worth a try but the first week of camp has me thinking we might be onto something. Still a long way to go but he's definitely peaked my interest.

I'm a little nervous about our LBs but same as Chaisson I think they'll benefit from White, Barmore, and Milt too. Spillane is probably our best LB and it looks like Ellis is ready to pick up where he left off last year. Add Landry and hopefully we get Tavai back and it's an ok group but not quite what we were used to with Bru's or Hightower's LB groups so the DL will really need to be great.

Agreed also Swinson will be in the mix along with Gibbens. Given how bad the LB depth was last season. It's night and day difference this season. I'd like Tavai to be part of the mix as well going forward he's a veteran who's been here and had played at a high level. Chaisson as it's reported has been excellent on the edge all camp. We just have so many guys now that OCs have to account for.

 

[Real fan 02]

I would be disappointed if Swinson doesn't make the 53, but it certainly could happen, especially if they want an additional DL such as Roy.

He will. Swinson has been in the rotation just like Woodson and farmer they all have been said to been having solid camps. They are rookies so typically rookies have to earn thier reps.