Slow Day - Is Our Defense Better Or Worse Than Our Playoff Team?

[mgteich]

OUT: Francois, Butler, Bademosi
IN: HIGHTOWER, Shelton, Clayborn, McCourty

I expect to add a couple of defensive backs in the draft or free agency to compete with C Jones and Richards.

In any case, I'd say that we are better.

 

[catent]

Can't neglect to mention that Rivers, Hightower, J. Jones, and Valentine will (hopefully) be returning to health. That right there is a lot of proven talent, save for Rivers (who seemingly has a lot of potential).

 

[mgteich]

Can't neglect to mention that Rivers, Hightower, J. Jones, and Valentine will (hopefully) be returning to health. That right there is a lot of proven talent, save for Rivers (who seemingly has a lot of potential).

I did edit and add Hightower. J Jones played in the playoffs, I believe.

With regard to the others, they are unproven, similar to this year's draft choices, UDFAs, and future additions (Valentine, Rivers, Langi and C Jones). Of course, we also have hope of production from our Practice Squad players.

I'm fine on the defense. However, we do need to add a LB. As of now, much depends on the health of Hightower and Van Noy, and NOT because they are our starters. It is more because of qual;its of the backups.

 

[catent]

I disagree with the notion that Valentine is unproven. He's not proven himself consistently over time, but given his body of work in his rookie season I feel comfortable saying he's proven he can contribute in a positive way.

As for J. Jones, he was injured in the divisional round if I remember correctly, meaning he missed a majority of the playoffs.

 

[maust]

Miss Vito, can you tell us TEN days into FA if our defense is better or worse than last year?

 

[supafly]

Miss Vito, can you tell us TEN days into FA if our defense is better or worse than last year?

True, but how many more signings do you foresee, particularly those who may be worth a damn? The majority of signings have likely occurred, particularly with such little cap space. That’s not meaning to suggest that another key player couldn’t be added via draft day trade or something, but I don’t think many of us are expecting much to happen aside from the draft.

 

[supafly]

I think it’s probably a better defense than last year, and that the draft will solidify that belief.

 

[Froob]

I think we’re better, think people overrate Butler a bit. JMac might be just as good. But one bust signing or two and things could go south quickly.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

Well the secondary still remains a wait and see. I still have to see more of Rowe on a consistent basis. Team could use another linebacker slash pass rusher.

A lot of people are hoping Shelton will be the college player he was but he was dissapointing for the browns. Let's hope it was because of the scheme.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

I think we’re better, think people overrate Butler a bit. JMac might be just as good. But one bust signing or two and things could go south quickly.

Well Idk about that. We could have used butler in the super bowl. Still don't like how butler's career ended here. Let the guy play. DMac's brother was part of a secondary that gave up plays and he was one of the main culprits.

 

[maust]

True, but how many more signings do you foresee, particularly those who may be worth a damn? The majority of signings have likely occurred, particularly with such little cap space. That’s not meaning to suggest that another key player couldn’t be added via draft day trade or something, but I don’t think many of us are expecting much to happen aside from the draft.

Restructures, the draft, the post draft cuts, players returning from IR, any potential trades and potential signings all have yet to happen. Not to mention the 'team' (that doesn't even exist as such yet) hasn't so much as begun OTA's never mind the one we see in September usually has only a superficial resemblance to the one we will see in January makes any attempt at real evaluation pointless.

 

[supafly]

Restructures, the draft, the post draft cuts, players returning from IR, any potential trades and potential signings all have yet to happen. Not to mention the 'team' (that doesn't even exist as such yet) hasn't so much as begun OTA's never mind the one we see in September usually has only a superficial resemblance to the one we will see in January makes any attempt at real evaluation pointless.

I get your point, but the exercise is asking us to determine how the team looks at the moment. Obviously, it will look much different after the draft.

As far as more signings that are going to be anything more than the usual rounding of the 90 man roster, we may view that area differently.

 

[supafly]

Well Idk about that. We could have used butler in the super bowl. Still don't like how butler's career ended here. Let the guy play. DMac's brother was part of a secondary that gave up plays and he was one of the main culprits.

Jason McCourty has been wildly overrated by many on this forum, but he did seem to have a decent year last season, so who knows?

Whether or not he’s as good as Butler would likely depend on your assessment of how much Butler slipped last year, and whether Jason can continue an upward trend in play.

 

[BlueThunder]

This coming years Defense HAS to be better than the one that lost in the SB last season......

 

[mgteich]

I think we’re better, think people overrate Butler a bit. JMac might be just as good. But one bust signing or two and things could go south quickly.

I think Hightower and McCourty more than outweigh the loss of Butler. The rest is gravy.

 

[patriot1136]

If healthy, I feel the defense is better, but thats just my opinion. We need consistency and sustained health.
We really need Hightower healthy in the playoffs, as well as Rowe and Valentine I think. It would be great to see J. Jones and Rivers fully healthy and contributing.
Not sure what to expect from Cy Jones.

 

[Doctor DDS]

The Pats 2017 defense had taken a ton of heat this off season due to that terrible performance in the Super Bowl. But the reality was that they were no worse than middle of the pack last year (great in points, poor in yards) and there is no reason to think they should be any worse than middle of the pack in 2018. (always difficult to evaluate how good a defense is when the offense is so dominant) The offense has carried the team for years and will continue to do so if the Pats are to be successful in 2018. Besides the Broncos a few years back every single good defense has struggled badly at times in the playoffs (2014 Patriots, 2016 Giants, 2017 Vikings and Eagles....) due to the rules making it extremely difficult to hold offenses down. The defense last year dominated the Titans and were solid against a Jags team that had just scored 45 against the Steelers. It is not easy to shut teams down in today's NFL.

2018 defense needs a healthy Hightower and has to hope that the safeties do not "get old" all of a sudden. DL has improved and will hopefully be able to generate consistent pressure and help create turnovers which was definite weakness last year. I expect the defense to give up more yards than people will like but will be plenty good enough for the Pats to compete for another Championship.

 

[mgteich]

But the reality was that they were no worse than middle of the pack last year (great in points, poor in yards) and there is no reason to think they should be any worse than middle of the pack in 2018. .

I tend to believe that the goal is to keep the opponents from scoring points.

When a team is one the top scoring offenses, one would expect the defense to allow more points in garbage time. This team does not, and continues to be in the top group in points allowed.

IMHO, the key to 2018's defense is the health of the linebackers: Hightower, Van Noy, and Rivers. That is why folks want an additional stud who can contribute in 2018, if called upon.

 

[maineman209]

True, but how many more signings do you foresee, particularly those who may be worth a damn? The majority of signings have likely occurred, particularly with such little cap space. That’s not meaning to suggest that another key player couldn’t be added via draft day trade or something, but I don’t think many of us are expecting much to happen aside from the draft.

At this point, a merely competent LB with NFL experience could be a "key player". There aren't really enough bodies on the roster at LB at the moment, and not nearly enough NFL experience.

 

[mgteich]

At this point, a merely competent LB with NFL experience could be a "key player". There aren't really enough bodies on the roster at LB at the moment, and not nearly enough NFL experience.

Yes, we need camp competition and a stud for the future.

LB (5) - Hightower, Van Noy, Flowers, Rivers, Roberts, Langi, Grisby