Patriots Player Previews: #99 Mike Wright

by Greg Knopping on Jun 25, 2011 3:19 PM EDT in Patriots Player Profiles

Leading up to the start of the Patriots season, we will be previewing one or two Patriots players per day (counting down from #99), taking a look at their 2010 seasons and projecting what each player might bring to the table in 2011. Feel free to leave your own predictions in the comments section!

Name: Mike Wright

Position: RDE/DT

Age/HT/WT: 29 / 6'4" / 295 lbs

Years Pro: 7

College: Cincinnati

2010 Season: Despite playing in just 10 games due to a scary head/neck injury suffered in week 11 against the Colts, Patriots defensive end Mike Wright managed to lead the team in sacks with 5.5. Wright also picked up 14 tackles while starting five games. Early in the season, Wright was featured mainly as the team's right end. However, he saw the majority of his playing time as a defensive tackle in sub-packages.

2011 Projected Role: Next year, Wright will compete with the likes of Ty Warren, Marcus Stroud, Ron Brace, Myron Pryor, Brandon Deaderick, and others along the defensive line. Wright's best skill is as a pass rusher as a defensive tackle in sub-packages. However, Wright has also shown the ability to hold down the fort as a right defensive end in the Patriots base 3-4. In fact, I would argue that he has been underrated in this facet of the game at times in the past. In 2011, I expect Wright to be in the pre-described hybrid DT/DE role that he was in last season. I think he will split starts with Brandon Deaderick, Ron Brace, and potentially Marcus Stroud, and he will also be one of the team's top interior pass rushers.

2011 Projected Stats: 15 games played, 6 games started, 31 tackles, 4.5 sacks

Bottom Line: Spot starter at RDE, top interior pass rusher in sub-packages.

Poll

Who will start at right defensive end for the Patriots in 2011?

Mike Wright

73 votes

Ron Brace

84 votes

Brandon Deaderick

17 votes

Marcus Stroud

66 votes

Ty Warren (switch from LE)

66 votes

Platoon

76 votes

Other (Please specify)

4 votes

386 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I don't buy Ty Warren moving to RDE

After Seymour left they kept him at LDE, though we probably didn’t have a better option during the 2009 season. But going into 2010 they kept him at LDE and plugged in Gerard Warren at RDE throughout training camp before Ty got injured and they moved Gerard to LDE and Wright got promoted to starting RDE.

We won’t know until it happens but they have always viewed him as a LDE and might choose to keep him there the same way they view Matt Light as purely a LT. I think Wright gets the RDE job, but Marcus Stroud may also get a shot there in camp.

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Jun 25, 2011 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Brace and Warren are the two most likely DEs

Now, if Warren’s been able to gain a little speed (apparently he’s slimmed down a bit, but we’ll see come August), he’s a much better fit at RE than Brace, or rather a Warren RE/Brace LE tandem is better than Brace RE/Warren LE.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Jun 25, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

With Wilfork as the wildcard who can play any of the positions

If a team is particularly dangerous at running it through LT/LG, Wilfork will probably find himself at RE again.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Jun 25, 2011 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I vote Deadrick because

he showed very nice promise in the vikings game, and other games he subbed in before being injured. He seems to push the pocket well, and I believe he will be the best all around DE we have on the roster at RE.

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 Jun 25, 2011 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

I feel like it will be a platoon based on game planning. The Patriots love to mix and match up against opponents. Keeping them off guard. So it will be interesting to see them do that.

by Patriots12 on Jun 25, 2011 6:38 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly

That’s what makes it so hard to predict.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jun 25, 2011 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions

It will be interesting to see.

by Patriots12 on Jun 25, 2011 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope for a platoon approach. It allows all of them to learn the positons. It provides much better insurance against injuries when they happen. It allows for the best match up on any given series to be chosen by the coaches knowing that several of these guys are prepared to play at a moments notice.

by WinningisEverything on Jun 27, 2011 3:11 PM EDT reply actions