Panicking About Patriots Pass Rush?
It’s seems hard to believe it was only a few short years ago when the buzz words that surrounded the Patriots defense were “old and slow”. In a mere two seasons it’s been transformed into a single lazy phrase “where’s the pass rush going to come from?”.
Just about anywhere you look at an NFL season preview the number one issue mentioned for the Patriots will be finding someone to get after the quarterback. That’s why most mock drafts had the Pats taking Brandon Graham or Jerry Hughes. I’ll admit I was one person banging the Hughes drum myself.
But lately what all the “pundits” are really saying is that the Patriots don’t have Demarcus Ware or Jerome Harrison or Shaune Merriman (barf) and thus will be unable to generate pressure on the QB.
First let’s address something once and for all, and I’d like everyone to write this down. Read it. Think about it. Read it again.
The Patriots do not run a 1-gap attacking defense like the Jets and Steelers.
Yes they are both 3-4 base defenses, but that is where the similarities end. So it’s time to put pipe dreams of drafting players like Hughes and Graham to rest. They do not fit in New England and are not the kind of players that Bill Belichick is looking for.
For better or worse, the Patriots look for versatile players, who are smart, always in position and play tough.
As the young secondary improves, it will also help give pass rushers extra seconds to get to the QB. I am a firm believer in allowing young players time to develop and I believe the Patriots have many young options who will have ample opportunity to shine.
Does the Pass Rush in 2010 need to be better that it was in 2009? Absolutely. But just because they did not acquire a one-trick pony pass rusher doesn’t mean much. Pressuring the quarterback is rarely as easy as just adding one player and you’re all set. It’s a function of team defense, something that the Patriots are excellent at.
The Patriots Remaining Void Schedule
Courtesy of Mike Reiss:
Saturday, May 22
Wes Welker media interviews at his football camp for kids (2:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, May 26
11 a.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Player interviews with media
Thursday, May 27
12 p.m.-1:45 p.m. – Community MVP Awards presented
(Includes Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Kevin Faulk media availability)
Wednesday, June 2
11 a.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Player interviews with media
Monday, June 7
11 a.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Player interviews with media
Thursday, June 10
11 a.m. – Practice
12:30 p.m. – Player interviews with media
June 15- June 17
Mandatory minicamp
Late July (official date TBA)
Start of training camp (first public access)
Benefits & risks of scrimmage
Belichick rocks with Dimitroff
Pats shuffled more on the O-line
What Patriots Game to Go To…
Today, as a Patriots Season Ticket Waitlist Member, ticket packages for the 2010 season went on sale. In the past I usually splurged and bought tickets now but after four seasons of tracking down tickets to Pats game I’m playing it patiently.
It’s a tough call figuring out what game to go to this year. It should be an exciting regular season, I far prefer tough schedules like 2010s (and 2007s) to cake walks like 2008. Here are the top five home and away games this season that I think would be the best to attend as a fan.
Home Games
- Colts (11/21)- finally Peyton and pals come back to Foxboro for the first time since 2005. Remember when it seemed like every game was played in Foxboro? Well now it’s been five seasons all in Indy, in which the Pats have gone 1-5, including such memorable games as the 2006 AFCCG meltdown and the 2009 4th-and-2 stomach punch. Let’s hope the move back to Foxboro brings back some of the Pats mojo.
- Jets (12/6) – Who knows if the Jets will be 11-0 like they’re expecting to be at this point or in full on disintegration mode. But one thing is for sure, this year’s Jets/Pats games should be legit. Maybe the Jets win the first game, but in December, in Foxboro, your money has to be on the Pats.
- Ravens (10/17) – I’m not really big on the “revenge game” baloney. Teams change too much from year to year, but I do look at the Ravens as one of the top 5 teams in the NFL, and they should provide a great test. And it wouldn’t hurt to redeem ourselves a little bit from the playoff debacle.
- Packers (12/19) – NFL writer/doofus Peter King has the Packers as his best team right now, and if their defense is better they should definitely be a tough matchup for the Pats. This one will be a great tune-up (hopefully) prior to a playoff run.
- Dolphins (½) – The new scheduling system has all the 16th games being played inter-division, so if all goes according the plan this game could have huge playoff implications. Let’s just say I’m happy to see the Phins have to play in Foxboro in January.
Away Games
- Jets (9/19) – The Jets could very well be coming off a loss to the Ravens and have the weight of the New York media shitstorm coming down on them. Either way the Jets will be ready for the Pats, it will be in their new stadium, and the Pats will be looking to make a statement. This could be the game of the year.
- Chargers (10/24) – As someone who was in San Diego for the 2008 beatdown of the Cassel Pats it’s safe to say San Diego never has a problem getting up for the Pats. Looking at the Chargers schedule it’s very possible they could be undefeated. As always it should be a good game, with Rivers looking to beat Brady for the first time in his career.
- Steelers (11/14) – Big Ben will be back for this one, but Brady has always had a knack for beating the Steelers. As we’re well aware these are always physical battles that will take a toll on both sides.
- Dolphins (10/4) – Pats blew one in Miami last year, one of the more shocking losses of 2009. The Phins always play tough at home (not including 2007 of course). This ends a 3 game inter-division stretch, Pats could have a stranglehold on the AFC East by their bye so they better come out of the gate flying.
- Lions (Turkey Day) – I only put this one on here because it’s the early game on Thanksgiving. Personally I can’t wait to see the new throwback uniforms and hopefully an old fashioned beatdown of the Lions.
