While still pretty young at a lot of key positions, our defense still does not grade out as well as the offense. Is it Championship caliber yet?
DL - C Obviously, we have one of the best DL in the league in Wilfork. After that the questions abound. Can Wright and Ty Warren bounce back from injuries? Neither are spring chickens and it would be a real suprise if both come back with full productive seasons. Nothing much else too exciting on the DL at this point. Brace hasn't been overly impressive and just some spare parts othewise. Does Stroud have anything left? Sure would be nice to have an effective pass rusher at 1 of the ends.
ILB - B+ Once again, one great player (Mayo) and unproven at the other spot. Can Spikes show some maturity and step up and be a force? Guyton did not step up last year. Fletcher a serviceable backup.
OLB - C- Cunningham is the real wild card. Is he ready to become the pass rusher that this team so desperately needs? Ninkovich, Murrell, Moore...yawn. This appears to be our biggest need area and it would be nice to find another OLB in free agency to pressure the QB.
S - B- Chung stepped up his game in 2010, can he take it to another level? Merriweather made the Pro Bowl although 2010 was not a great season for him. Off field problems in the off season won't help. Not a lot of depth here, especially if Page leaves.
CB - A- McCourty had a monster season. Will he have a sophomore slump? Is he really that good? 2011 will be a critical year for him. Bodden coming back from injury. Much like Warren and Wright, will he be effective on his return? Will age begin to slow him down? If he has a big year, this will help the dire lack of a pass rush. Dowling will be interesting to watch to see how good he will be. Butler still up and down.
All in all, there are an enormous amount of question marks for this group. If the guys coming off injury come back and are effective and if the young guys continue to emerge, then this could be a defense capable of winning a Super Bowl. If not and the Pats still can't rush the passer, then we could be one and done once again in the playoffs.
DL - C Obviously, we have one of the best DL in the league in Wilfork. After that the questions abound. Can Wright and Ty Warren bounce back from injuries? Neither are spring chickens and it would be a real suprise if both come back with full productive seasons. Nothing much else too exciting on the DL at this point. Brace hasn't been overly impressive and just some spare parts othewise. Does Stroud have anything left? Sure would be nice to have an effective pass rusher at 1 of the ends.
ILB - B+ Once again, one great player (Mayo) and unproven at the other spot. Can Spikes show some maturity and step up and be a force? Guyton did not step up last year. Fletcher a serviceable backup.
OLB - C- Cunningham is the real wild card. Is he ready to become the pass rusher that this team so desperately needs? Ninkovich, Murrell, Moore...yawn. This appears to be our biggest need area and it would be nice to find another OLB in free agency to pressure the QB.
S - B- Chung stepped up his game in 2010, can he take it to another level? Merriweather made the Pro Bowl although 2010 was not a great season for him. Off field problems in the off season won't help. Not a lot of depth here, especially if Page leaves.
CB - A- McCourty had a monster season. Will he have a sophomore slump? Is he really that good? 2011 will be a critical year for him. Bodden coming back from injury. Much like Warren and Wright, will he be effective on his return? Will age begin to slow him down? If he has a big year, this will help the dire lack of a pass rush. Dowling will be interesting to watch to see how good he will be. Butler still up and down.
All in all, there are an enormous amount of question marks for this group. If the guys coming off injury come back and are effective and if the young guys continue to emerge, then this could be a defense capable of winning a Super Bowl. If not and the Pats still can't rush the passer, then we could be one and done once again in the playoffs.
