So now that you've seen the defense for a half season...

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Seymour trade in the short term? Terrible
Seymour trade in the long term? Great! With the NFL possibly implementing a rookie pay scale in 2011, the Pats might get a top 5 talent (assuming the Raiders are still the Raiders) and pay him a reasonable salary.

How do I feel about this defense? Although I've been one of the harshest critics on this defense since 2005, they're playing surprisingly well this season despite what they have. Specifically, I think they have a couple guys playing out of position. A few guys that come to mind are Ty Warren (should not be playing as a 4-3 end), Gary Guyton (is better as a 4-3 blitzing OLB or coverage LB) and Pierre Woods (is a special teamer at best, doesn't fit in with any defense).

On the other hand, maybe someone can help me out with the stats, but I have not seen the Pats get beat deep to often this season. I really like Butler as he has already taken over as a starter on this defense. Brandon McGowan was a solid pickup as he is another hard hitter. Chung is making strides and I like the way the Pats are using him right now as a in the box blitzer.

However, as I've been preaching over the last 4 years, this defense desperately needs a consistent pass rusher. I liked the Burgess trade but when I found out what they gave up for him, I wouldn't have made that trade. In fact, for a guy that has had trouble staying on the field and over 30 years old should not warrant anything higher than a 4th round pick. It's pretty clear that Burgess does not fit in with this defense and will probably be allowed to walk in 2010.

I'm not sure where New England's defense is heading after this season, but I think there are big decisions to made in the off-season. Do they make the switch to a 4-3 or do they continue to look for guys that can play in a 3-4? What do they do with Adalius Thomas? Will Wilfork get re-signed? With that said, the decision with Wilfork will most likely dictate whether the Pats run a 3-4 or not.

 

[mayoclinic]

The defense has not given up more than 17 points in regulation in any game. Color me impressed.

I agree. The defense has been impressive, especially against the Ravens and Falcons.

However, 4 of the 8 teams we have played are averaging 20 PPG or less and rank in the bottom 12 in points scored (#21 Denver 20 PPG, #23 Tenn 18.5 PPG, #25 TB 16.8 PPG and #28 Buffalo 15.4 PPG). The best offense we have faced so far is Baltimore average 25.8 PPG (#9, though they were admittedly #2 or 3 when we faced them), followed by Atlanta at 25.2 PPG (#11), Miami at 24.2 PPG (#13) and the Jets at 22.1 PPG (#18).

In contrast, our next 3 games include #1 NO (37 PPG) and #5 Indy (27.1 PPG). We'll know a bit more about our defense after those games. Of our other remaining games, Houston seems the biggest offense threat. #13 Miami, #18 Jets, #22 Jacksonville, #23 Carolina and #28 Buffalo shouldn't pose enormous challenges to our defense, but how we do against Indy and NO will be a barometer as to whether our defense is truly playoff caliber. Hold both teams under 20 PPG and I think we have a serious contender.

 

[ivanvamp]

How do you now feel about the Seymour trade? Personally, I think it was a great long term investment that hasn't even really hurt the Pats much right now. Pats D is top 5 in points allowed (last time I checked), and the D in general has played well enough to keep the team in every single game. I guess we'll know even more after playing Indy and NO, but as of now how do you feel about the trade?

Indy and New Orleans probably can score a lot of points on anyone, so it wouldn't surprise me if both teams put up 24-31 points on the Pats. But what I like is this - this is the game-by-game listing of points the D has given up:

17
16
10
14
20
0
7
17

Total: 101
Avg: 12.6 per game

Yds per game: 291.8 (#7)
Opp pass rating: 75.0 (#7)
Takeaways: 15 (#6)

So we have the #7 defense in terms of yards allowed, and opponents' passing efficiency, #6 in terms of takeaways, and they give up less than 13 points per game.

So, yeah, I think they're pretty good. Room for improvement still, but they're pretty good.

 

[wilfork is beastin']

Assuming Wilfork is re-signed and they stick with the 3-4, the 2010 draft class hasa lot of great 3-4 OLBs

 

[Marqui]

Assuming Wilfork is re-signed and they stick with the 3-4, the 2010 draft class hasa lot of great 3-4 OLBs

Thats what I find interesting. If BB uses the 4 first day picks right , Pats could potentially have a young elite defense for a good while.

 

[mayoclinic]

Thats what I find interesting. If BB uses the 4 first day picks right , Pats could potentially have a young elite defense for a good while.

Exactly. What would make this defense an elite one would be a couple of athletic young pass rushers who can put pressure on opposing QBs. With Greg Hardy, Derrick Morgan, Everson Griffen, Carlos Dunlap, Jason Pierre-Paul, Sergio Kindle, Jerry Hughes, Jeremy Beal, Rolando McClain and Eric Norwood all possibly coming out there will be at least 2 quality guys available within our first 4 picks. Plus Ricky Sapp, Greg Romeus, Brandon Spikes and Sean Weatherspoon. There are just too many quality guys - not all will be available, but some will definitely fall into our range.

 

[WhiZa]

Thats what I find interesting. If BB uses the 4 first day picks right , Pats could potentially have a young elite defense for a good while.

we have 4 first round picks? I can't keep track of the draft days anymore.

 

[BradyFTW!]

we have 4 first round picks? I can't keep track of the draft days anymore.

1st day = rounds 1-3

 

[maverick4]

I felt fine about the Seymour trade then, and I still do now.

The team has enough talented players to replace Seymour this season.

This defense is good enough to win a championship. Key young players are developing and will be forces come January.

 

[ausbacker]

I'm fine with it. It has hurt us short term as Seymour is a precocious talent and being brutally honest, this current defense has performed better than what I expected it too. They've kept us in every game and given us the opportunity to win.

The Patriots need to stock up at getting some quality young pass rushers, linemen and wideouts in the next few seasons IMO. The possibilities are scary with the building blocks we have at the moment.

 

[carolinatony]

The defense has been fine; its the O that's still not up to par. IF it gets going the defense will be fine.

 

[rbh24]

Like I said in another thread thanks for the top 10 pick Oakland.

 

[jays52]

He was lined up there most of the game because the Fins have a tendency for left side run plays.

Towards that point, who enables them to run to the left side?

They have their best player going against the five tech, let's put our best player at five tech. Our player wins. Love BB.

 

[scout]

With Broncos lost to Pittsburgh last night, the Patriots now have the second lowest points allowed of all the teams. The one who is ahead of them are the Colts. When the Patriots beat them by 8 points, they will have the lowest points allowed of any NFL team*
* unless the Colts put up lots of points on the Pats while someone else pitches a shutout.

 

[rayyu882]

Personally I am very happy with the defends now, and love the Seymour trade more and more. However, the week 5 lost to the Broncos is the game that I think we can use a guy like Seymour.

 

[Marqui]

Personally I am very happy with the defends now, and love the Seymour trade more and more. However, the week 5 lost to the Broncos is the game that I think we can use a guy like Seymour.

I know what you mean, but that loss was all on the offense. You have to be able to score at least a FG in 2 full quarters.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Forget about the Seymour trade for a moment.

Give this Defense credit for being a strength when everyone - myself included - assumed they'd be an area of the team's weakness.

They earned that distinction on their own, without Seymour.

 

[wilfork is beastin']

the defense has had more clutch stops and big plays in the first half this year than it did all last season.

 

[Deus Irae]

the defense has had more clutch stops and big plays in the first half this year than it did all last season.

Well, that argument certainly seems less convincing than it might have been before this Colts game.

 

[Marqui]

Now I feel stupid for making this thread.