I'm getting very excited about the defense

[Ring 6]

Wow, talk about rebuilding. We are getting ready to field almost an entire defense of young players brought together in a 2-3 year period. DL full of veterans with almost totally rebuild back 8. Pryor and Brace the youngsters added to the vet DL.

LBs
Mayo
Guyton
Spikes
Cunningham
Crable
McKenzie
along with TBC, Woods

DBs
Meriwhether
Chung
Butler
McCourty
along with Bodden, Wilhite, Wheately, McGowan, Sanders

Thats 11 players drafted in the first 3 rounds in the last 3 years.
This has the potential to become a dominant defense for a long time.
BBs drafting legacy is going to really hinge on what he does with this D now.

 

[TriplecHamp]

I fully expect a top 5 defense sometime within the next 3 years.

 

[mgteich]

Agreed
I would add Ninkovich to your list

Wow, talk about rebuilding. We are getting ready to field almost an entire defense of young players brought together in a 2-3 year period. DL full of veterans with almost totally rebuild back 8. Pryor and Brace the youngsters added to the vet DL.

LBs
Mayo
Guyton
Spikes
Cunningham
Crable
McKenzie
along with TBC, Woods

DBs
Meriwhether
Chung
Butler
McCourty
along with Bodden, Wilhite, Wheately, McGowan, Sanders

Thats 11 players drafted in the first 3 rounds in the last 3 years.
This has the potential to become a dominant defense for a long time.
BBs drafting legacy is going to really hinge on what he does with this D now.

 

[ausbacker]

I think a lot hinges on what Pryor/Wright or the veteran/draft pick can offer on the defensive line with Warren and Wilfork. That third spot is critical to the success of the defense in my opinion.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Definitely I'm liking what he has done.

We can go large in a 4-3

We can play the run or pass out of our 3-4 with interchangeable LB'ers.

We added to our nickle and big nickel and now we also have a great dime (Big Dime).

that is some very serious versatility.

Though it all he threw a bone to Brady with the Gronkowski pick.

 

[Shockt327]

A-men.

They are stacking up an impressive group of talent. I really love that Brandon Spikes pick. If you look at what they'll field in a Nickel package, it's pretty solid.

 

[patsfan55]

Still need another olb, kinda wish we had picked up Jason Taylor for two years now. Do we move Guyton or McKenzie outside?

ILB depth:
Mayo-Spikes-Guyton-McKenzie

OLB depth:
TBC-Ninkovich-Cunningham-Woods

I feel great about the inside guys, but still not extremely happy with the outside guys, would LOVE to add Austen Lane to that mix...would make me feel much, much better.

 

[Ring 6]

Still need another olb, kinda wish we had picked up Jason Taylor for two years now. Do we move Guyton or McKenzie outside?

ILB depth:
Mayo-Spikes-Guyton-McKenzie

OLB depth:
TBC-Ninkovich-Cunningham-Woods

I feel great about the inside guys, but still not extremely happy with the outside guys, would LOVE to add Austen Lane to that mix...would make me feel much, much better.

You left out Crable. Yeah, I know why, but if he can stay healthy he is part of that group, and yes, it would seem likely that either McKenzie or Guyton will get a chance to earn some pt outside.

The only worry I have right now is how we stack up the DL in sub packages. Im fine with the base, no matter how the OLB spot works out, but I still have concerns in the sub.
Looks to me like someone out of Warren, Pryor and Lewis has to emerge as the inside guy next the Wright. I am hoping that Warren is finally 100% and takes over this role. TBC is fine as one of the DEs so now we need someone out of Cunningham, Crable, Ninkovich, Woods(wont be him) to take over the other side. And I'm fine with the other 7 we will put out their in nickel and dime.

 

[Fencer]

All that, and OLB and RDE still look like holes.

It takes a LOT of players to make up a football team ...

 

[Ring 6]

All that, and OLB and RDE still look like holes.

It takes a LOT of players to make up a football team ...

I dont see Wright, Lewis and Pryor as a hole at RDE.
They aren't Seymour, but we dont need 11 allpros.

 

[Disco Volante]

I fully expect a top 5 defense sometime within the next 3 years.

They statistically had one last season.

 

[rohini_dix]

Adding Everson Griffen or Ricky Sapp as an OLB in the 4th round can help the pass rush. In addition if we can either get a Correy Wootton/Austen Lane as DE it can help in the pass rush.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Taking Spikes is going to take a lot of pressure off of Mayo. In fact, this year's draft is way better than last years. Not only are they taking players of need, but taking them at the right time. However, after hearing reports about Spikes, I was shocked he went in the 2nd round.

I want the Pats to focus on RB (Joe McKnight), OG, and DL/OLB tomorrow.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

They statistically had one last season.

They were ranked 11th overall.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

With all these new, young players it's very clear IMO why Belichick will be running the defensive team meeting. Patricia can wait a year or two, Belichick needs to be the one delivering the message and the lessons right now.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

They statistically had one last season.

Not true. We were 11th in total D last year per NFL.com

Frankly, it's hard to believe we were that high.

 

[scout]

Anyone hearing Howard Cosell's voice back in the 70's MNF talking about the Patriots's 4 number one picks in the secondary.
Look what BB is doing: Butler, McCourty,Chung, and Merriweather. Notice something else, they all can hit hard.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

They were ranked 11th overall.

5th in points allowed, it depends on the stat you use.

 

[jefmblrd]

I agree with the earlier post about including Ninkovich in the OLB mix. Mark my words- the guy is going to be a player.

 

[Marqui]

I would like another pass rusher to pair with Cunningham. My favorites left are Corey Wooton, Greg Hardy, and Austen Lane. I think Bill wants to wait till next years draft to take a true elite 3-4 DE prospect in the first round (Cameron Heyward) to replace Seymour. Although I wouldn't be surprised if he takes a late round flyer this year on someone like Clifton Geathers or Kade Weston.