If healthy, the 2014 Patriots defense has no weak links

[The Brandon Five]

How in God's name is a defensive back going to improve the pass rush?

American Football Terminology Dictionary by John T. Reed

Coverage sack definitionsack of the quarterback that takes place after about 3 seconds after the snap; caused by inability of the quarterback to find an open receiver because of excellent pass coverage on the receivers

Oh and this:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/1104882-new-pass-defense.html#post3786361

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

How in God's name is a defensive back going to improve the pass rush?

Out secondary will help our pass rush. It will takes Qbs longer to find the open WR...thus..coverage sack

 

[Kontradiction]

I see 3: DT, 3-tech, DE.

DT should be obvious if Wilfork leaves. 3-tech may be alright if Kelly stays healthy and Armstead contributes. Even then, an extra body helps you overload bodies for the interior pass rush, which is never a bad thing. DE because we need a rotation to keep bodies fresh for the playoffs.

 

[The Scrizz]

Ninkovich is ideally a rotational guy

Really? I thought I was through having to read this after last season.

 

[Kontradiction]

They will be able to blitz more with Revis and if Kelly is close to 100% he will help with the up the middle rush. It may not be as bad as you think.

I still think DT is an area of need of an upgrade and they need to get a rotational DE.

Welcome to to the dark side to you as well, Rob. Won't you join us for tea later?

 

[billdog3484]

No weakness? Come on be fair. Up the middle is out weakness assuming wilfork and spikes are gone. Be fair

 

[Kontradiction]

Really? I thought I was through having to read this after last season.

So you were impressed with the one on one match ups he was constantly winning?

 

[RayClay]

Did Wilfork situation change? Got another pass rusher? Safety? Sure that Collins and Hightower will replace Spikes and Hightower? (got to read possibility of Collins struggling, Hightower against the run at MLB, these are unknowns).

There's plenty of time for FA and the draft, but i don't see the impetus of this thread, seems a bit silly.

All teams look great if we assume everybody's healthy and unsigned players will sign.

Also, all we've done is replace a top corner with another. There's still a bit of Kryptonite out there.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Really? I thought I was through having to read this after last season.

I like Ninkovich, there's no doubt that he's good. But a disproportionate number of his sacks of his sacks came when the QB was flushed out of the pocket and more or less into his arms. Plays like this, basically, where the QB was in position to be sacked by Ninkovich largely because of pressure from someone else. He definitely deserves credit for being in position to make those sacks, but there are a lot of teams across the league whose lesser DE is better than him, and both of the Pats' DEs played way too many snaps last year anyway.

I also think that one of the main reasons why Chandler Jones doesn't have more sacks is because on most plays the QB has open space to his right if he feels pressure coming.

 

[Marqui]

Out secondary will help our pass rush. It will takes Qbs longer to find the open WR...thus..coverage sack

Sound like you're not too sure what pass rush is. A coverage sack by definition isn't pass rush because they don't, you know, rush the passer to throw.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Sound like you're not too sure what pass rush is. A coverage sack by definition isn't pass rush because they don't, you know, rush the passer to throw.

They prevent the passer from throwing. Because they tackle him. Pass rush and coverage are symbiotic. Either one, when it's good, makes the other better.

 

[mgteich]

We have no weaknesses if everyone that was injured comes back strong and there are no more injuries.

And if pigs had wings they could fly.

We are still looking through the lens of a 2013 defense severely diminished by injuries, and one that was still very young.

Entering 2014 with the players on the roster (we have to go with the cards we're holding here), the picture is this:

DL: Ninkovich, Kelly, Wilfork and Chandler Jones with Siliga and Chris Jones as depth, and tremendous potential in Armstead

LB: Hightower, Mayo and Collins (depth is needed here)

CB: Dennard, Revis and Arrington in the slot with Logan Ryan as depth

Safety: McCourty and Adrian Wilson with Duron Harmon as depth

Not a rookie in the mix, and speed and smarts at every level. The only real hole here is safety if Wilson can't run, which is quite possible. It looks like Wilfork will depart, which is sad. But, plugging his spot with Siliga, Chris Jones and Armstead is not a terrible place to be with the other three guys on the DL.

The importance of continuity cannot be understated with a defense that looks like this. When you have 13 or 14 guys who have been together as a unit you worry about introducing new guys. In the current picture, the "new guys" are Adrian Wilson and Darrelle Revis, two smart accomplished leaders.

This is a very impressive group from which to approach the draft.

 

[The Scrizz]

I like Ninkovich, there's no doubt that he's good. But a disproportionate number of his sacks of his sacks came when the QB was flushed out of the pocket and more or less into his arms. Plays like this, basically, where the QB was in position to be sacked by Ninkovich largely because of pressure from someone else. He definitely deserves credit for being in position to make those sacks, but there are a lot of teams across the league whose lesser DE is better than him, and both of the Pats' DEs played way too many snaps last year anyway.

I also think that one of the main reasons why Chandler Jones doesn't have more sacks is because on most plays the QB has open space to his right if he feels pressure coming.

They definitely need another DE to spell Ninkovich and Jones but the guy makes plays. Maybe he gets those sacks because he's where he should be? He forces fumbles he recovers fumbles. I could go back and find the thousand quotes giving Nink respect but I value my time too greatly and am too pleased with the secondary.

IMO Jones needs an inside move. It's too easy for the tackles to get away with holding him when he goes for the outside so often. I blame the DT's for the QB's managing to get to the right more than Nink but that's just me.

 

[Kontradiction]

They prevent the passer from throwing. Because they tackle him. Pass rush and coverage are symbiotic. Either one, when it's good, makes the other better.

Now imagine when both are good...

 

[The Scrizz]

We have no weaknesses if everyone that was injured comes back strong and there are no more injuries.

And if pigs had wings they could fly.

This is a much used saying, but I think that even with wings the pig doesn't seem to be particularly built for aeronautics. DT is the obvious biggest concern.

Mayo returning and Jamie Collins continuing into his progression to beast mode are going to have a huge affect on the D.

We need the trenches built now. DT, Guard/Center.

 

[Marqui]

They prevent the passer from throwing. Because they tackle him.

Yes, that improves the overall pass defense. It doesn't help the pass rush at all.

This is irrelevant though, I think we can all agree that having better pass rushers is better than not having better pass rushers.

 

[AzPatsFan]

the team was 30th in the league against the run. adding a 32 year old wilfork, kelly and mayo will help but will not solve this. they will be better in this area but it needs work

We need to re-sign the Thumper. With two good legs he will ensure that teams can't run on us consistently, especially now that they can no longer Pass.

Brandon Spikes* may not be a coverage guru, but the Pats no longer need him to even try. Let him do his Speciality, that he is a league leader in doing. That is ... Stuff the Run!:singing:



* Sentiments from the Spikes fan club.

 

[PlainOldEd]

We need to re-sign the Thumper. With two good legs he will ensure that teams can't run on us consistently, especially now that they can no longer Pass.

Brandon Spikes* may not be a coverage guru, but the Pats no longer need him to even try. Let him do his Speciality, that he is a league leader in doing. That is ... Stuff the Run!:singing:



* Sentiments from the Spikes fan club.

He signed with the Bills.

 

[mgteich]

I think that most are on board with regard to needs in the trenches. The questions are priorities and source.

OFFENSIVE LINE
I think that we will definitely add two offensive linemen to replace Wendell and Svitek, and likely draft another as a future starter.

DEFENSIVE FRONT SEVEN
We need a rotational DE more than anything at the moment. Jones and Ninko just can't play over 90% of the reps. Bequette is the incumbent.

I agree that we need to build at DT. The open question is how much will come from the kids: Jones, Siliga, Armstead, Vellano, and Forston. I don't expect Wilfork to be here. Kelly has a year or two. I am fine with adding another kid. However, unless he is a top pick, I'm not sure that he will be a better prospect that what we have. Obviously, we could sign a veteran DT.

And we definitely need depth at linebacker. We only have Mayo, Hightower and Collins. If we had a 3rd top DE, Ninko could be a backup LB, as he was in 2012.

This is a much used saying, but I think that even with wings the pig doesn't seem to be particularly built for aeronautics. DT is the obvious biggest concern.

Mayo returning and Jamie Collins continuing into his progression to beast mode are going to have a huge affect on the D.

We need the trenches built now. DT, Guard/Center.

 

[patsfan13]

Currently we need work at LB and at De, DT may be a distant 3rd.

We won't carry more than 8DL even if using a 4-3.

So for the 4 DT we are looking at Chris Jones, Kelly (if healthy), Armstead (if healthy) & Silinga a space eater. The need for a DT will hinge on the health of Kelly and Armstead IMO and of course whether VW changes his mind and restructures.

At DE we are looking at Chandler Jones and Ninko, they both played way too many snaps last year. They will be far more effective by the time we get to the playoffs if they aren't playing every snap. Is Buchanan part of the solution? If not we need 2 DE's perhaps one in the draft but also a vet who also has the ability to tush the passer. If the Coaches Buchanan is part of the solution perhaps only a draft pick.

With the moves this week + players returning from injury we have the ingredients for an elite defense.

Currently