Are The Pats Deeper This Year ?

[PATRIOTS-80]

Willie had 6 sacks last season. If Tully can have 6 sacks (which I think he can) thereby matching Willie's production from last year, then Tully will have stepped up.

Seau can come in on run downs, and Vrabel can move out on nickel formations to utilizie his pass-rushing abilities.

As far as WR situation, last year 15% of Brady's completions went to TE. Compare that to 2003 when we beat the Panthers -- that year 21% of his completions went to TEs. (We also had Larry Centers in 2003 if memory serves.)

This is the 2003 WR production:

Deion Branch 57 803 14.1 66 3 0 0
David Givens 34 510 15.0 57 6 0 0
Troy Brown 40 472 11.8 82 4 0 0

BOTTOMLINE: the 2006 Patriots are a lot closer to the 2003 Patriots than the 2005 version.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Willie had 6 sacks last season. If Tully can have 6 sacks (which I think he can) thereby matching Willie's production from last year, then Tully will have stepped up.

Seau can come in on run downs, and Vrabel can move out on nickel formations to utilizie his pass-rushing abilities.

As far as WR situation, last year 15% of Brady's completions went to TE. Compare that to 2003 when we beat the Panthers -- that year 21% of his completions went to TEs. (We also had Larry Centers in 2003 if memory serves.)

This is the 2003 WR production:

Deion Branch 57 803 14.1 66 3 0 0
David Givens 34 510 15.0 57 6 0 0
Troy Brown 40 472 11.8 82 4 0 0

BOTTOMLINE: the 2006 Patriots are a lot closer to the 2003 Patriots than the 2005 version.

Sacks can be a misleading statistic. McGinest meant a whole lot more to this team than six sacks. His contributions in all facets of the defense cannot be overstated. Remember how he figured out Peyton's snap count and stuck James for a loss on the goal line?

How many times has McGinest sniffed out a screen and either batted down the pass or slammed the RB for a loss the moment he catches the ball? What about his role as a leader on the team and his years of experience reading offensive formations and shifts?

I am as hopeful as you that TBC pans out and I have stated many times since the end of last season that I forsee this year as the year that TBC breaks out and becomes a starting LB.

That being said, as of right now, he is no where near an equal replacement for Willie McGinest. Getting 6 sacks this year isn't going to change that on its own.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Sacks can be a misleading statistic. McGinest meant a whole lot more to this team than six sacks. His contributions in all facets of the defense cannot be overstated. Remember how he figured out Peyton's snap count and stuck James for a loss on the goal line?

How many times has McGinest sniffed out a screen and either batted down the pass or slammed the RB for a loss the moment he catches the ball? What about his role as a leader on the team and his years of experience reading offensive formations and shifts?

I am as hopeful as you that TBC pans out and I have stated many times since the end of last season that I forsee this year as the year that TBC breaks out and becomes a starting LB.

That being said, as of right now, he is no where near an equal replacement for Willie McGinest. Getting 6 sacks this year isn't going to change that on its own.

I said if he match Willie's production of sacks....

All the things you said is true .... but my opinion is that TBC only needs to replace Willie as good as Asante Samuel replaced Ty Law.

Nobody is going to argue with you that Asante Samuel is greater or equal to Law's career ... but NONETHELESS Samuel "stepped up" which is my quote on what I think TBC will do.

"...then Tully will have stepped up."

Semantics perhaps... but that is what I think.

I still think that "the 2006 Patriots are a lot closer to the 2003 Patriots than the 2005 version."