NFL Draft Info - New England Patriots

In closing the 2009-2010 NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens ripped apart the Patriots defense.  Ray Rice looked like a hall of famer and ran through everything that was thrown at him.  This past season was definitely a transition year for the vaunted Patriots defense, no Bruschi, no Harrison, no Seymour.  It was the first year I could remember saying, “who was that?”  2010-2011 may have a similar feel to it, but the master, Bill Belichick has taken back over the defense, there were some losses, but some good additions.

Defensive Line Losses

Jarvis Green- Signed with Broncos.  Green was primarily a reserve with the Patriots, until last year with the loss of Seymour.  He has always been productive eating up blockers and slowing down the running backs, as well as getting some sacks.  His sack totals have dropped, that may be due to losses on the D Line, or different schemes that made him hold blocks more that get to the QB.  He now joins “Patriots West” and the Denver Broncos.

Defensive Line Additions

Gerrard Warren- Free Agent from Oakland.  Warren has been on some bad teams, the Raiders, Browns, and a couple years with Denver, but has always been productive.  He is older, 31, but knows the 3-4 defense well and at 6-4 325 lbs, he will be able to assist Wilfork in holding the blockers and will break through for some coverage sacks.  He will also add some attitude to the team, similar to Rodney Harrison when he came to the Pats.  Warren has been somewhat of a “hot head” but brings some great energy on the field.

Vince Wilfork- Franchise Tag, then resigned to a long term deal.  This was a no brainer, but almost turned bad.  After the issues with Seymour and the trade to Oakland, the Pats had to come back and sign this massive force in the middle.  He is the most consistent player on the defense, he is still young (28), and has only missed 6 games in his 6 year career.

Derrick Burgess- Resigned.  As long as he can remain on Belichick’s good side and on the field, he should be productive this year.  He averaged double digit sacks with the Raiders a few years back with an aging Warren Sapp along side him, expect him to pile up some sacks with Warren and Wilfork taking up multiple blockers.

Brandon Deaderick- 7^th round pick from Alabama.  Deaderick is a big guy, 6-6, 314, he could be a great reach for the Patriots.  He was a started at Alabama in 2008 when they sky rocketed to #1 in the nation.  He outplayed “MT” Cody in some cases with 36 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and 4 sacks.  He was shot by a car jacker during the 2009 season and struggled to get back on the field.  If he is fully healed, he could be a contributor.

Kade Weston- 7^th round pick from Georgia.  Any time you can get starters from programs like ‘Bama and Georgia in the 7^th round you are doing good.  Another big guy standing 6-5, 315 lbs, and is great in the 3-4 defense having played in the scheme at Georgia.  With great upper body strength, he could have an immediate impact as a reserve lineman.

The Patriots picked a couple undrafted free agents, Dane Fletcher and Kyle Love.  Dane Fletcher was a DE/LB from Montana State.  He is the all time sack leader of the Big Sky conference.  He will be moved to LB, he is fast (4.61 in the 40) and can get to the QB, may be a project, but with the lack of LB depth, he may make the roster.  Love, a 6-1, 315 lb DE, played in the SEC at Mississippi State, a bit undersized, but played with a good defense in college.

Line Backer Losses

Adalius Thomas- Cut- He peaked on Sunday night football when Phillip Rivers threw a “pick six” to Thomas in the second game of the 2007 season.  He had a decent season in 2007, but it seemed that he never really fit into the Pats system as he should have.  2008 and 2009 he had his worst statistical seasons he has even had.  We all know the story about the guys who showed up late for practice during a snow storm and were sent home, he eventually shot himself out of town.  This is no loss at all.

Junior Seau- retired.  I will believe this when the 2010 season is over and he has not played a snap, sorry, but its true, and you know it.

Line Backer Additions

Tyrone McKenzie- Return from injury.  McKenzie was a third round pick from 2009 that was lost to an ACL injury all last season.  This guy is the definition of versatile; he was a stellar weak side LB in the Big 12, then transferred to South Florida and became a solid strong side LB in the Big East.  He was supposed to replace Vrable after he was traded, but the injury prevented that.  Look for him to step into a big role and become a tackling machine that he was in college.

Brandon Spikes- 2^nd round pick, see draft recap.

Linebackers resigned- Tully Banta-Cain, Erik Alexander, and Pierre Woods.

Defensive Backfield Losses

Shawn Springs- Cut- This was a head scratcher for me.  He had a mediocre year and was not making a ton of money, only $2.25 M this year after $4.55 M last year.  He may resign for lower money if there are no other teams that sign him that is if he doesn’t retire.

Leigh Bodden-resigned.  This guy played for some real bad teams, including the 0-16 Detroit Lions, but he did produce when he was there and it earned him a chance to play for a contender.  He earned a contract extension after posting up some great numbers for a secondary that was loaded with question marks.  Another year in the system and with the younger guys getting better, Bodden should have another solid year.

Devin McCourty- See the 2010 draft recap, but again, I stress, this was not a bad pick, he is talented enough to start this year.

Undrafted Free Agents- Ross Ventrone- Safety, Villanova, and his brother is a former special teams player for the Pats (now with Cleveland), so Bill is giving him a shot.  Terrance Johnson, CB, California PA, small school guy, needs to work on his footwork, but if he continues to improve he can add some depth.

Just as the offense was not exciting in free agency, neither was the defense.  They have built a younger defense through the draft the last couple years, and not that Belichick is completely taking over the defense, look for some immediate improvements and player development.  The 2010-2011 defense should be much improved, but they still will have some ups and downs.

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