Who Else Do We NEED On Defense?

[Nunchucks]

It is always a struggle when I list Francis as a lock. Perhaps the analysis of many is incorrect.

I would agree that all your listed players are "locks" to make the team.

 

[Kontradiction]

I am not comfortable with the backup DT position at all. Beyond Kelly and Wilfork, the Patriots have nothing of note. This is very bad, and unusual. The Patriots have almost always had stout bodies in the middle to back up the starters. Now, they got nothing it it is very bad.

Maybe Armstead? But, we haven't seen anything out of him.

I would say that it's a toss up between DT and CB as far as depth goes. One injury to either of those positions and the Patriots are extremely thin when it comes to having a quality back up.

 

[Nunchucks]

I would say that it's a toss up between DT and CB as far as depth goes. One injury to either of those positions and the Patriots are extremely thin when it comes to having a quality back up.

I would just note that at least the Patriots drafted Logan Ryan in the 3rd round to play CB. He may be a rookie, but he should at least give us a little bit of hope. The DT position is just missing

 

[Deus Irae]

It depends on what you mean by "NEED"... The team needs (or "could really use", depending on how you're taking "NEED") a

Pass rush specialist
Starting LDE
Starting caliber CB
Starting caliber S
DT depth
Cover LB (unless you're happy with Fletcher, because Collins doesn't seem capable as of yet)

 

[RayClay]

This is what I have; I really don’t want to cut Cole, but given the investments we have in Bequette and Wilson, along with the potential in a player like Buchanan I feel like we need to keep them over a journeyman CB/ST player who’s unlikely to latch on elsewhere so I feel he could be brought back in the season.

If Armstead comes off PUP I see Cunningham, or Francis getting the cut.

DE (6) Jones, Ninkovich, Benard, Francis, Buchanan, Bequette
DT (4) Wilfork, Kelly, Forston, Cunningham
ILB(3) Spikes, Fletcher, Beauharnais
OLB(3) Mayo, Hightower, Collins
CB (5) Talib, Dennard, Arrington, Dowling, Ryan
SS (3) Wilson, Gregory, Wilson
FS (2) McCourty, Harmon

Bequette has shown nothing that I'm aware of. At this point he has the potential to be Cunningham, if he gets injured so we actually have an excuse for him doing nothing.

I don't think draft picks pay dividends, so I don't know what this investment is.

 

[RayClay]

I would say that it's a toss up between DT and CB as far as depth goes. One injury to either of those positions and the Patriots are extremely thin when it comes to having a quality back up.

Anything attractive off the wire there.

 

[Brady6]

This is a nice listing. I think you'd have to be pretty close, aside from give/take on a player. Like you said, we'd have to get it down to 25 at a minimum so either Cunningham/Francis would likely be the one to go.

Tough cuts for Cole, Ebner, one of Cunnigham/Francis, and possibly even Bequette...

I wish I saw more out of Bequette; I'd say cut him if he wasn't a top 100 draft pick last season, I just hate to think of us giving up on that type of investment so soon.

Depth is a nice thing to have, but it makes it tough for fans to mock because I personally want to keep everyone :idontgetit:

 

[Brady6]

Bequette has shown nothing that I'm aware of. At this point he has the potential to be Cunningham, if he gets injured so we actually have an excuse for him doing nothing.

I don't think draft picks pay dividends, so I don't know what this investment is.

RC I agree with your assessment of Bequette, his play has been unimpressive and that's putting it nicely. I'm just holding out hope that he turns out to be worthy of a top 100 draft pick just 1 year ago.

 

[Nunchucks]

Seems that Buchanan has indeed pushed past Bequette

 

[captain stone]

Sheldon Brown at backup/possible starting CB;

a SS of the future;

and John Abraham would've looked good here, because Zero of our backup DEs showed a damn thing tonight.

 

[mgteich]

We shouldn't have fewer locks as the preseason unfolds. However, T Wilson is awful. We're down to 20 locks.

The 21 players below will likely get almost all the reps. There are many developmental players here, so we NEED not use the last roster spots for developmental players. We also have added some solid special teamers (for example, Fletcher is back).

We all have our favorites. I don't think that any of them are a must-have.

I suspect that what we need is simply additional depth in every unit: DE, DT, LB/ST and DB, likely one player for each. I would be fine with the players now on the team winning these spots. I would also be fine with late free agent additions making the team (DT seems most likely).

21 MAN DEFENSE
DE (4) Jones, Ninkovich, Francis, Benard
DT (3) Wilfork, Kelly, Forston
ILB(2) Spikes, Fletcher
OLB(3) Mayo, Hightower, Collins
CB (4) Talib, Dennard, Arrington, Ryan
SS (2) Wilson, Wilson
FS (3) McCourty, Gregory, Harmon

 

[Henroc]

who else do we need on defense? no one. dennard and mccourty will be on the field week 1 and we'll be even better then.