new run defence

Wozzy said:

It's basically the same DT's from last year with Beau Allen swapped for Danny Shelton.

They needed another NT from the midpoint of last season on when they encountered better O-Lines and teams with great TE groups.

They could sign another vet run stuffing DT, a bunch are usually sitting out there until midseason. Or they could potentially use Onwenu as a two way player at Nose Tackle/Guard and be fine, assuming health and competency.

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I don't expect much of Allen. Was more of a rotational player or backup at his former teams, right? Hopefully either Onwenu or another vet could help here.
We also could need a better run stopper at DE than Wise or Simon. I like them esp their motors, but not against the run.

PatsBoy12 said:

Agreed. Teams could essentially just do what the Ravens and Titans did to the team last season.

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I dont think bb will go into the season with just these players.

patsfanfromoversea said:

I don't expect much of Allen. Was more of a rotational player or backup at his former teams, right? Hopefully either Onwenu or another vet could help here.
We also could need a better run stopper at DE than Wise or Simon. I like them esp their motors, but not against the run.

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Beau Allen is a lot like Damiere Byrd on offense, a value vet, a rising young player whose previous team couldn't afford him due to circumstances.

The Bucs had the #1 run defense in the NFL last year and Allen is a very good athlete. He might even be an upgrade to Shelton by providing a little more juice in pass rush.

reflexblue said:

I dont think bb will go into the season with just these players.

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I agree with this also, provided he can find the bodies. Really good to great interior guys on the DL are not always easy to come by and implement.

Wozzy said:

Beau Allen is a lot like Damiere Byrd on offense, a value vet, a rising young player whose previous team couldn't afford due to circumstances.

The Bucs had the #1 run defense in the NFL last year and Allen is a very good athlete. He might even be an upgrade to Shelton by providing a little more juice in pass rush.

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I know but he didn't see a lot of snaps last season. 179 from Allen on defense. Shelton had 492. I know that he had Vita Vea at his Position who saw a lot of snaps. I agree though that he might be an upgrade to DS in pass rush.

Wozzy said:

Beau Allen is a lot like Damiere Byrd on offense, a value vet, a rising young player whose previous team couldn't afford due to circumstances.

The Bucs had the #1 run defense in the NFL last year and Allen is a very good athlete. He might even be an upgrade to Shelton by providing a little more juice in pass rush.

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Fat Thor, a rising young player? Yeah right...the only thing rising out of him is his waist size...

captain stone said:

Fat Thor, a rising young player? Yeah right...the only thing rising out of him is his waist size...

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I've never seen a skinny nose tackle. He's a good replacement for Shelton assuming health.

patsfanfromoversea said:

I know but he didn't see a lot of snaps last season. 179 from Allen on defense. Shelton had 492. I know that he had Vita Vea at his Position who saw a lot of snaps. I agree though that he might be an upgrade to DS in pass rush.

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Pretty much describes Mike Vrabel or Lawrence Guy before they became Patriots.

I hope I am wrong...I just feel like Allen is not the answer to run defense. Not sure how productive he has been and did I read he lost weight? I hope not...I want to see 350 on that scale. I’d much prefer an NT that can handle 2 offensive linemen on occasion instead of run defense by committee...which ‘seems’ like it hasn’t been very effective in recent years. I hope Onwenu wants to play NT.

Zuma said:

I hope I am wrong...I just feel like Allen is the answer to run defense. Not sure how productive he has been and did I read he lost weight? I hope not...I want to see 350 on that scale. I’d much prefer an NT that can handle 2 offensive linemen on occasion instead of run defense by committee...which ‘seems’ like it hasn’t been very effective in recent years. I hope Onwenu wants to play NT.

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Allen is strong and a really good athlete for his size. He has played a lot of special teams and as a backup because he was a late round pick. He was a good value signing but ideally you need two NT's healthy to be a good run stopping and goal line defense. If Onwenu can give them a few snaps a game at DT that's all they need.

Wozzy said:

If Onwenu can give them a few snaps a game at DT that's all they need.

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Maybe in short yardage / goal line situations.

Kasmir said:

Maybe in short yardage / goal line situations.

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Agreed, that amounts to 5-10 snaps a game.

If he does the same job on offense (short yardage/goal line) as the 6th lineman he'll have a career in NE.

My sleeper is Bill Murray, depending on what is playing weight is. He's listed as 6-4 with weights running from 265 to 300. Ran a 4.93s 40, vertical jump of 32.5" and a broad jump of 9'4". Also pressed 225lbs 30 times. Those are all good numbers for a DL, and he was as you would expect super productive at W&M. But with the weight variability, not clear what his position will be...

Kasmir said:

My sleeper is Bill Murray, depending on what is playing weight is. He's listed as 6-4 with weights running from 265 to 300. Ran a 4.93s 40, vertical jump of 32.5" and a broad jump of 9'4". Also pressed 225lbs 30 times. Those are all good numbers for a DL, and he was as you would expect super productive at W&M. But with the weight variability, not clear what his position will be...

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He would've been a classic 3-4 DE (Ty Warren, Jarvis Green, Bobby Hamilton) from the First Dynasty, but I just don't see the fit here now...

How could you forget the great

So...... Chase W. is the answer?
Maybe my 2019 impression of this fan favorite is off the mark.
I remember a situational try-hard with little to show in the stats department who faded down the stretch (like Collins)
In my starting 22, I have Wino as the Pats’ #2 question mark behind StudHam.
The decks have been cleared for this guy..... fingers crossed

farn said:

Stop the pass first in 2020. Get a solid DB and get LBs that cover ground. Hope your fatties in front hold up.

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Did they hold up last season?

Patriots had the #1 defense in the NFL last season... the notion they weren't very good is glue sniffing foolishness.

For all the rushing yards they gave up to Derrick Henry in the playoffs, the defense still only allowed 14 points... they don't tally wins and losses with rushing yards.

If the Patriots offense didn't blow in 2019 they go much farther in the playoffs.

Wozzy said:

Patriots had the #1 defense in the NFL last season... the notion they weren't very good is glue sniffing foolishness.

For all the rushing yards they gave up to Derrick Henry in the playoffs, the defense still only allowed 14 points... they don't tally wins and losses with rushing yards.

If the Patriots offense didn't blow in 2019 they go much farther in the playoffs.

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@Wozzy...It’s always soothing to witness individuals who provide context to their opinions/posts. Very much appreciated..

Kasmir said:

Maybe in short yardage / goal line situations.

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In any ordinary year with a full offseason and preseason program this would already be a low probability situation. Given how little input coaches have had in this year's offseason program I would be absolutely shocked if Onwenu could contribute in a new position.

Don't get me wrong it would be wonderful for him to succeed but I feel like a lot of people here are underestimating how the lack of rookie camp, OTAs and mini camp will impact younger players.

There will be much more uncertainty than usual.. it could very well end up being the first year in a while where no UDFA is going to make the roster.