The state of the Pats defense, and the possible future.

by Jack'sAxe on Nov 1, 2011 6:08 PM EDT

I'd like to bring up an important note for people on here about the defense.

As you all know, I am the type of guy to look at things from different perspectives. I could not help but notice how much BB get bashed for building the defense we have now. Hell, I don't blame any of you. Everyone gets frustrated at our defense giving up yards (although I could care less about yards, I just want them to improve on 3rd downs). Who can we blame but BB because he pretty much runs everything?

I'm not going to blame anyone. I am also not going to call his drafting habits for defensive players bad. Wait what?

Since everyone likes to look at yards as a measure for the defense, I want to first point out that in 2001, we were, according to nfl.com, ranked 24th in defense. 2002, 23rd in defense. 2003? 7th. It took roughly 2-3 years for the defense to develop as a unit (in 2001 they were a 4-3 defense too I believe), with our rookie Ty Warren there too.

What I want to say is, is that BB doesn't draft skilled players off the bat. He doesn't look at the combine numbers, and see what athlete looks freakish. I think first, he looks at team guys who can do a bit of everything, and has them develop. You know how our 03, and 04 defense were our best defenses arguably in the decade. Look who we had.... Seymour, Wilfork (as a rookie in 04), Harrison, Bruschi, Ted Johnson, who else? I am talking about leaders of course.

Last year our defense was extremely young. I want to say the second youngest defense in the league. This year? a year of experience. Not so much has changed. McCourty is having a sophmore slump, and thats pretty much it. I can count the offseason guys: Haynes (sidelined with an injury I guess), Ocho (disappointing so far), really those are the only two guys. Now, to what I am getting on with this.

I have said earlier here that BB looks at team guys, and develops them. Comparingly to our 03 and 04 seasons, we have Mayo (future Ted Johnson?), Spikes (future Bruschi?), Chung (future Harrison?). DOn't have one for Seymour, but if he gets a DE next draft that looks similar of a Seymour. I don't know, or maybe Deadrick comes up. Who knows.

Anyways, what BB is doing is developing those guys into experienced, and talented leaders. THATS how a great defense is built. Look at Pitt, Ravens, Texans. The top 3 defenses currently in the NFL. Look at those defenses, and tell me that they don't have great, tough leaders. If your looking for a great BB defense, you won't find it this year. In the future, when our starting players develop into playmakers who are tough and experienced and are full fledged leaders, it will be heaven.

Poll

Is BB most likely taking the safe way in developing the defense? Is it possible that our defense will actually be above average when our main guys (Mayo, Spikes, Chung, etc.) develop into solid, tough leaders in the near future(2-3 years)?

Yes: Yes

25 votes

No: No

18 votes

Yes: No

10 votes

No: Yes

7 votes

60 votes | Poll has closed

The views expressed in these FanPosts are not necessarily those of the writers or SBNation.

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Comments

I don't know about BB taking the safe route

Bringing in a number of free agents as well as trying to fit existing defensive players into a new defensive scheme – all in a lockout year without OTAs or coaching contact in the offseason – is pretty darn bold if you ask me.

But, I am optimistic that the young players on D will develop into those solid, tough leaders that you talked about.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 1, 2011 8:54 PM EDT reply actions

interesting viewpoint....

perhaps maybe by taking all of those players in the offseasons means that there would be better chances that he would have a starter that WAS ready, and by incorporating a new scheme, he was playing it safe because he wanted Albert in…. idk.

I think it was a bold offseason this year, but I don’t know if he’ll continue to be bold in the future, but that remains to be seen. By safe route I mean that he’ll get team first guys who have all around talent, and let them develop. Whereas you can get very talented guys that are leaders but they are usually higher picks (Mayo has both, and he was a high pick). In the area that we usually pick, I think BB just wants the team first guys who have potential.

If you get what I mean…. but you did bring up an interesting point of this offseason.

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Nov 1, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

*last

by Jack'sAxe on Nov 1, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Talking specifically about the future of this defense

I think a solid safety next to Chung would do wonders. Not necessarily because it’s the largest weak area, but just because of the scheme that offenses have been using against us thus far this year. I think Mark Barron, SS out of Alabama, could be a potential second round pick for the Pats. He’s physical in coverage, and a real force stopping the run (At least in college, that is.) That may be many months from now and by no means is this season over, but it’s never too early to start looking at future Patriots.

It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

by BigRussNovak on Nov 2, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

Nope its not.

I personally don’t look at draftees until later in the season, but its not too late.

by Jack'sAxe on Nov 2, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Our offense is built to win now.

We have enough pieces with what we have and Brady,Branch,Welker,O-Line,ect.. are in their primes(and then some) and developing young inexperienced player projects into this conglomerate of greatness isn’t in the cards for us. Sounds like when the Pistons passed on Dwayne Wade and Carmello Anthony for Darko Milic. Although Milic is finally starting, but Ideally isnt that what all teams are trying to do? Build the future while maintaining the present? Im just saying we need to win it all this year with *this; defense and I have been supporting this defense and optimistic before every game and unfortunately they haven’t backed me up once this year. We need our pass rush to pick up and our dairy to play just decent and we will be fine on defense. This game will say alot about how our team after a mentally challenged performance last weekend.

US 34-17

by Yardpenalty.com on Nov 6, 2011 9:17 AM EST reply actions

Every team tries to build for the future while maintaining the present

but BB does it best. Our offense and defense is enough to take us to the playoffs. We would like the defense to step up now, but it all depends on how well our key players (who I have named) to develop into tough, solid leaders. I know you mean to build for the now, while building for the future, but you can’t have it both ways, especially when you pick lower than most teams in the league.

BB has chosen to build our defense for the future, because in the future, Brady will likely be retired or traded, with Mallet starting in the wings. Its not easy getting players to start for the “now,” and make a difference right away, so building safely and getting team players who have great fundamentals (Mayo: smart, very good tackling; Spikes: Smart, very good tackling, tough; Chung: smart, great tackler) is essentially building a great future for the defense.

In the future for the offense, we got: Mallet at QB, BJGE Vereen Ridley, Price Welker, Solder Cannon Mankins, Herndo and Gronk. And I’m just naming younger guys, and not some of the older guys who could stay as well.

by Jack'sAxe on Nov 6, 2011 11:05 AM EST up reply actions