{"id":55656,"date":"2024-09-04T09:00:31","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T13:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=55656"},"modified":"2024-09-04T10:48:39","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T14:48:39","slug":"morse-2024-patriots-season-preview-part-2-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/09\/04\/morse-2024-patriots-season-preview-part-2-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: 2024 Patriots Season Preview Part 2 \u2013 Defense"},"content":{"rendered":"

This the 2nd of 3 Season Preview posts.\u00a0 We will concentrate on the Defense and Special Teams.\u00a0 Tomorrow I will complete the Preview with the Coaches and Season Projection.\u00a0 Look for a preview of their Opponent the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Defense<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Defensive Line <\/strong><\/p>\n

The injury to Christian Barmore is a huge blow to the Defense.\u00a0 However, he was added to the IR with a designation to return.\u00a0 That indicates to me the Patriots feel he could possibly be back at some point this season.\u00a0 Davon Godchaux went about his business of seeking a new contract the right way and showed up every day.\u00a0 He was awarded with a contract extension.\u00a0 He is the lynchpin of the defense and the only player capable of playing the Nose Tackle position.\u00a0 I believe they are a little thin here and would like to see a Nose Tackle signed to the Practice Squad.\u00a0 It\u2019s unreasonable to expect Godchaux to take the beating he does at the nose and last all season.\u00a0 He has played in 17 games in each of the last three season since joining the Pats and started all but one game.\u00a0 That is a remarkable streak.\u00a0 Deatrich Wise is a wily old veteran that may be coming to the end of the line.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t offer much in the pass rush and his production has slowed down.\u00a0 Wise is a leader on the team.<\/p>\n

Daniel Ekuale is an undersized DT that relies on his quickness and guile. \u00a0On the pass rush, he can put pressure on the QB.\u00a0 Jeremiah Pharms had a very good camp, especially against the Eagles in the joint practice.\u00a0 I feel good about him, and he could be the possible 3rd<\/sup> starter on the line.\u00a0 They picked up Eric Johnson from the Colts at the cutdown and everything I have read about him is they got a steal.\u00a0 He has the size at 6\u20195\u201d and 300 pounds to be a very good DL.\u00a0 He likes to shoot the gaps with his 4.87 speed and cause havoc in the backfield.\u00a0 The former 5th<\/sup> round pick by the Colts needs to play with a lower pad level in order to not be blown off the line.\u00a0\u00a0 Trysten Hill made the 53-man roster originally but was waived to make room for Johnson.\u00a0 The former 2nd<\/sup> round pick has never lived up to his high draft position.\u00a0 He was signed to the Practice Squad and adds depth to the position.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\"Josh<\/p>\n

(PHOTO: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Edge <\/strong><\/p>\n

The trade of Matthew Judon did not make the Patriots better, but it was time for Judon to go, as his contract antics became a distraction for the team.\u00a0 He embarrassed his 1st<\/sup> year head Coach Jerod Mayo, and he was not going to get the contract that he thought he was worth.\u00a0 Interesting that he did not get a contract extension from Atlanta.\u00a0 He is playing on the revised contract he signed last year.\u00a0 Is he underpaid? Yes, but he pulled this same crap last year and the Patriots moved money from this year into last year.\u00a0 He is 32 years old and missed all but 4 games last year.\u00a0 I will miss the affable and colorful Judon. In his stead Anfernee Jennings plaid very well.\u00a0 The Patriots decided to go with Jennings who was signed to a contract extension this year.<\/p>\n

The wild card on Defense is Keon White.\u00a0 He has all kinds of ability, and I expect to see a big bump in his play in year 2.\u00a0 Is he an Edge player or an undersized DE?\u00a0 On pass rushing downs he will be kicked in to DT where he wreaks havoc.\u00a0 Oshanae Ximines was a star of camp.\u00a0 The Free Agent signee was very good on the pass rush.\u00a0 Josh Uche gambled on himself signing a 1-year contract for less money than other teams were offering.\u00a0 He must feel good about his position with this team, he has been nicked up this preseason and didn\u2019t get the reps.\u00a0 When playing opposite Judon he was able to get pressure and sacks.\u00a0 Once Judon was gone teams could concentrate on him and neutralize his pass rush abilities.\u00a0 The Patriots signed DE Brevin Allen to the Practice Squad.\u00a0 He played two games for the Chargers last season.\u00a0 In 2022 he was the Big South Defensive Player of the year with 11 sacks.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Anfernee<\/p>\n

(PHOTO: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Linebackers <\/strong><\/p>\n

JaWhuan Bentley is what he is, a thumper and an old school downhill linebacker.\u00a0 One of the team Captains, he is a run stuffer.\u00a0 Because of that run first mentality he lacks coverage skills, especially on early downs.\u00a0 Jahlani Tavai played 70% of the defensive snaps and 70% of the Special Teams snaps last season, the only player in the league to do that.\u00a0 He was rewarded with a three-year contract extension.\u00a0 Raekwon McMillan has had injury issues with the Patriots missing the 2021 and 2023 seasons with a torn ACL and partially torn Achilles.\u00a0 The Patriots showed so much faith in him they re-signed him despite coming off the injuries.\u00a0 He is healthy now and he has returned to form having played an excellent preseason.\u00a0 \u00a0Christian Ellis was a late season addition last year and excels on Special Teams.\u00a0 He also showed some pass rush and coverage ability in the preseason games.<\/p>\n

The Patriots claimed Curtis Jacobs off waivers at the cutdown.\u00a0 You know the Patriots got a good player when you read about the Kansas City Chiefs bemoaning the loss of Jacobs.\u00a0 He was a 4-year starter at Penn State and has great 4.58 speed. \u00a0At the very least he will be a good Special Teams player.\u00a0 Sione Takitaki is on PUP and should be able to help at some point in the season.\u00a0 He was a good offseason Free Agent acquisition.\u00a0 A smaller LB at 6\u20191\u201d 241 pounds, he was expected to be in a rotation of linebackers and play Special Teams. Takitaki had a knee scope later in the offseason and since the extent is unknown, his timetable is unknown, according to ESPN\u2019s Mike Reiss.\u00a0 \u00a0Joe Gilles-Harris was resigned to the Practice Squad after being release a 6 days earlier.\u00a0 \u00a0Also added to the Practice Squad were Ochuan Mathis and Yvandy Rigby.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Christian<\/p>\n

(PHOTO: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Cornerbacks <\/strong><\/p>\n

Another area of strength of the Defense.\u00a0 Second year player Christian Gonzalez was lost after just 4 games.\u00a0 However, in those first few games we got a glimpse of what could be a lock down cornerback.\u00a0 Gonzalez was awarded the Defensive Rookie of the Month for his play the 1st<\/sup> 4 weeks.\u00a0 This preseason Gonzalez didn\u2019t play up to expectations.\u00a0 He did get better as the preseason went along, so perhaps, he was just ramping up for the season.\u00a0 Jon Jones also returned from injury.\u00a0 The 30-year-old is the veteran leader of the secondary and can play Safety as well.\u00a0 Marcus Jones is another returnee from injury and will man the slot corner.\u00a0 He will probably return to his Punt Return duties as he was a former All-Pro player at that the position.<\/p>\n

Backups are veteran Marco Wilson, a 4- year vet and former starter for Arizona.\u00a0 Alex Austin was signed last November as injuries took their toll on the secondary.\u00a0 He played very well for a former 7th<\/sup> round selection of Buffalo in the 2023 draft.\u00a0 They both add depth at the CB position.\u00a0 The Patriots kept 6th<\/sup> round pick Marcellas Dial over Isaiah Bolden.\u00a0 As I stated earlier, the Front Office kept their draft choices over those made by Bill Belichick.\u00a0 Dial was flat out awful this preseason at corner. The only value I perceive in him is as a player on Special Teams.\u00a0 He can\u2019t play DB in this league.\u00a0 Are we keeping more Special Teams only players?\u00a0 I must add that the Patriots Special Teams were ranked #1 this pre-season.\u00a0 Credit 1st<\/sup> year Special Teams coach Jeremy Springer. \u00a0Isaiah Bolden passed through waivers and signed with the Practice Squad.\u00a0\u00a0 Bolden missed all of his rookie 2023 season after a collision with a teammate that left him immobile.\u00a0 The 7th round pick played at Jackson State and was the only player drafted from an Historically Black College and University in 2023.<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

(PHOTO: Jan 1, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a> safety Kyle Dugger (23) runs for a touchdown after intercepting the ball during the second half of agame against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Safeties<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kyle Dugger signed a big contract extension.\u00a0 The perfect example of draft, develop and sign philosophy of the \u201cPacker Way\u201d.\u00a0 \u00a0Dugger would not have received that offer from the Belichick regime.\u00a0 Last season Dugger was asked to play Free Safety.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t have the coverage skills to play there, and he was burned way too often.\u00a0 Dugger won\u2019t play the Free Safety position often because Jaylinn Hawkins played himself into that position.\u00a0 In 2022 the 5th<\/sup> year player started 16 games at Free Safety for Atlanta.\u00a0 He finished that season with 84 tackles.\u00a0 Jabrill Peppers was also given an extension.\u00a0 Well-deserved for the 4th<\/sup> rated Safety by Pro Football Focus.\u00a0 Dugger and Peppers will be free to cause havoc as the roving LB\/SS in nickel and dime packages.\u00a0 Both players have strong run stopping capabilities.\u00a0 The surprise of camp was the rise of UnDrafted Free Agent Dell Pettus. He improved each week and plays with a big chip on his shoulder because he was passed over by all the NFL teams.\u00a0 \u00a0Safety AJ Thomas, the UFL Birmingham Stallions All-Star was signed to the Practice Squad.<\/p>\n

Special Teams \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Special Teams were the worst in the league last season. \u00a0<\/strong>I couldn\u2019t understand why Cam Achord wasn\u2019t fired mid-season.\u00a0 <\/strong>They moved up in the draft to take Kicker Chad Ryland in the 4th<\/sup> round after Jake Moody was taken by San Francisco.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>Ryland was the worst kicker in the league. \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>He lost the job to veteran Joey Slye.\u00a0 Rookie Punter Bryce Baringer was leading the league in punting the first few weeks of the season.\u00a0 He was consistently dropping punts inside the 20, many of which were inside the 10-yard line pinning opponents in their own zone.\u00a0 However, as the season went on, Baringer wore down and regressed. \u00a0He finished 19th<\/sup> in yards per punt, 24th<\/sup> in Net Yardage, 12th<\/sup> in Percentage of Punts inside 20.\u00a0 He has a big leg and if he doesn\u2019t have to punt so often, he should be better.\u00a0 Brendan Schooler takes over the mantel of Special Teams ace from the retired Matthew Slater.\u00a0 Schooler is a player that must be accounted for by opponents. \u00a0\u00a0It was announced last week that Schooler was selected as the Ron Burton Community Service Award winner.\u00a0 Joe Cardona returns as the Long Snapper.\u00a0 The team did bring in Tucker Addington who replaced Cardona when he was injured. Cardona\u2019s snaps have not been as crisp as they were in previous years.\u00a0 He signed a 4-year extension in 2023. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This the 2nd of 3 Season Preview posts.\u00a0 We will concentrate on the Defense and Special Teams.\u00a0 Tomorrow I will complete the Preview with the Coaches and Season Projection.\u00a0 Look for a preview of their Opponent the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":54205,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-commentary","category-patriots-news"],"yoast_head":"\nMORSE: 2024 Patriots Season Preview Part 2 \u2013 Defense<\/title>\n<meta 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My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob \u201cHarpo\u201d Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. 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