Excited about our D yet?

[patsfan-1982]

im Excited to see what jones Hightower and Dennard become in year two I think the defense as a whole is riding on them, am not looking for a whole lot out of the rookies this year I think Jamie Collins could become what AD was with the ravens a pass rusher that could also line up at safety

 

[State]

I can't think of a LB prospect with the potential to be an elite coverage player, run stopper and pass rusher in the last 10 years. Jamie Collins is going to have everyone scratching their heads in two to three years wondering how we drafted him in the 2nd round. He might be our new Willie McGinest.

I can see how you'd say that, given Jamie's "fast-twitch" phenom numbers. But let's look at the kid's personality. He seems low-key, quiet, almost melancholic.

McGinest was the undisputed star on the USC defense. His number 55 became the touchstone, or was it Junior Seau who established it? I don't know, for the leader on the defense.

And now Ochmed says Jamie Collins "sulked" in the chaotic circumstances of his team's implosion.

And don't forget that conference ain't the SEC. Heck, it's not even the Pac-12 or Big Ten.

Let's not get excited by the numbers until we learn more about the young man. He'll take some time to develop. Expecting him to step in as the next Willie McGinest, the sixth guy taken in his draft, isn't fair IMHO.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

I'm most excited to see what Talib and Dennard can do with a year under their belts. I look forward to seeing marked improvement out of Jones and Hightower as they head into year two.

I really would like to see Abraham brought in to play DE for us to alleviate the pressure placed upon Collins and Buchanan to produce right away. My concern is they won't be able to do so.

I am excited to see what Armstead can do in the NFL.

 

[State]

I'm most excited at the prospect at starting two CBs like Talib Aqib and Ras-I Dowling, the biggest, baddest duo we've ever had here in New England. I'm hopeful Dowling puts it together and is lucky enough to stay healthy. Don't count him out.

I think Hightower and Jones will both make big year two improvements, though I'm not expecting that of Tavon Wilson, who will be relegated to nickel packages and special teams much as was at the end of the season last year.

I'm very interested in Armond Armstead, the USC guy who has come down from Canada. Actually, there are two. A guy from Brockton who could spell Ninkovich. Jason Vega. I look for him to be a wonderful feel-good story.

The whole apparatus hinges on the big man, though. Vince. If he were to get injured, we'd be screwed. I don't see anyone coming in and spelling him long term.

I think this defense is starting to get long in the tooth in the middle of the defensive line. We've taken a pass the past two years with good players available in the draft. I though Jesse Williams from Alabama would have been a good choice for us at pick 91. But the secondary and linebacker corps looks to be improved and very strong, respectively.

 

[EwanSellars]

im very excited for what we have in store we have great depth at every position and i think if we add abraham too help mentor jones, collins, buchanan, vega etc this unit could compete for top defense in the nfl i love the depth at cb and i really like the way the safety position is shaping up having 3 young safeties to be mentored by a wilson and not to mention mccourty who i think could become elite at fs add in collins also boosting the lb corps by adding more speed and coverage ability and our two DT signings im extremely excited im expecting a lot of big things from this d and i dont think ill be dissapointed

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Not really excited but more intrigued with the new additions and whether they will be factors or not mean a difference

No one knows whether the defense will be similar,worse or better than the past few years,I don't think they can be worse?....can they?


I am excited for training camp in 2 months,but until then I am in the meh,boring time of the year phase for pigskin predictions and the crystal ball analysis that the media punches out without any team or players taking a snap yet.

 

[Brady2Moss]

Excited to see the year 2 jumps from Dennard, Jones, and Hightower most of all. Plus some continuity in the secondary. I think the new draftees on D will make small impacts but the guys from last year are the key to this season.

 

[Joey007]

Although I'm no longer going to jump to conclusions when it comes to our defense, I really like the mix of players this year. Young guys who look ready to make big leaps in Jones, Hightower, Dennard, Spikes, McCourty. Vets who can become real big lockeroom leaders (Adrian Wilson, and potentially Abraham if he does sign.)

What I really like is, unlike last year, we're not depending on rookies to make the bill on the defense. The problem with having 3-4 rookies being a big part of the defense like last year is, rookie seasons are generally like roller-coasters, they're very up and down. This year, however, we have guys who can potentially have big contributions in Collins, Ryan, and Buchannon, but yet we probably won't have to immediately plug in any of them into starting roles in the defense. Guys like Hightower, Jones, and especially Wilson I think really got forced into action a little too much at times.

So while I'm not necessarily estatic about the D, I'm very optimistic about it's good mix of players.

 

[belichick010405]

I'm most excited at the prospect at starting two CBs like Talib Aqib and Ras-I Dowling, the biggest, baddest duo we've ever had here in New England. I'm hopeful Dowling puts it together and is lucky enough to stay healthy. Don't count him out.

I think Hightower and Jones will both make big year two improvements, though I'm not expecting that of Tavon Wilson, who will be relegated to nickel packages and special teams much as was at the end of the season last year.

I'm very interested in Armond Armstead, the USC guy who has come down from Canada. Actually, there are two. A guy from Brockton who could spell Ninkovich. Jason Vega. I look for him to be a wonderful feel-good story.

The whole apparatus hinges on the big man, though. Vince. If he were to get injured, we'd be screwed. I don't see anyone coming in and spelling him long term.

I think this defense is starting to get long in the tooth in the middle of the defensive line. We've taken a pass the past two years with good players available in the draft. I though Jesse Williams from Alabama would have been a good choice for us at pick 91. But the secondary and linebacker corps looks to be improved and very strong, respectively.

State - Haynes and Clayborn, in my view, were the best pairing of cornerbacks that the Pats have ever had followed by Law and his counterpart.

With that said - you have to like the possibility of Talib and Dennard being equally stout.

 

[MUFC7]

The reasons why I'm excited about this D.

1. The expected sophomore jump from Hightower and espically Jones. Jones was a stud until he got injured. A whole off season with professional coaching will be great for them to have. Hightower has all the tools to be a great LB. His versatility will be hopefully more used this season.

2. Talib is in a contract year. He bet on himself this off season will want to prove everyone that he is worthy of elite CB money. Last year he showed how this D lacked a CB that really can play man coverage. Just look at the Baltimore game. Boldin was in his pocket until he got injured.

3. Improved safety play. Both Wilson should make an impact this season the safety play. McCourty played this position terrific last season. I don't expect a major impact from Harmon. I'd be positively suprised but I simply don't think he can beat out anyone from McCourty/Wilson's and even Gregory who should see less time on the field this season.

4. Off season pick ups. Kelly and Armstead were both brilliant pick ups. Armstead is a very versatile defender and it is yet to be seen where he will be used but there are reports of him looking great so far in the trainings. Kelly always had talent and hopefully in this circumstances he will perform better than at the circus called Raiders. I still hope they add Abraham to this mix. Abraham would be great for all those DEs on the roster to learn from and Jones opposite to Abraham could cause all kind of problems.

5. Finally a healthy cornerback rotation. Dennard, Ryan, Talib, Ras-I, McCourty, Arrington sounds good to me. Even though many have written Dowling off I still believe he has a chance. Sure his first 2 years were very frustrating but when he was on the field he looked like a very good CB. Dennard was probably the best value pick of last years draft. I hope he doesn't have a sophomore slump like McCourty did. McCourty also showed that he is still a very good CB. Not the elite CB we hoped after his amazing rookie season but still very good. Arrington is a elite slot CB. Put him on the outside and he will get burned but as a slot CB he is great.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Excited to see Collins/Buchanan out there this year. Plus a full year of talib

 

[kudzif]

Ultimate Jamie Collins Highlights (NFL Draft 2013 - 52nd Pick // New England Patriots) - YouTube


Stiff hips?? He's a freakin de/olb not a cb. Stiff hips means you can't turn and run. Watch this video. The 3rd and 4th plays starting at 40 seconds. Side-steps a blocker and turns back in to stop the draw. Has qb on read option and when the ball is pitched to the rb he turns and tracks the rb down. I like Bedard. But, he's a better writer than talent scout.

Stiff hips means you can't bend and dip well which you have to do rushing from the outside. If you are straight up tackles will knock you back .

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I think we should all be excited to see this group play to some extent. I know we have no idea how they will perform. But the potential is there. And that's enough to get me excited. Plus seeing those rookies last year in their 2nd year