After Reche caldwell was our #1 receiver in 2006 we were literally screaming for more offense, more weapons for Brady( Edit: myself included ) It has been a continued theme from 06-2011. Top picks in the draft on offense like Maroney and Chad Jackson, aqcuire top talented offensive weapons like randy Moss, Welker, and Donte Stalworth, draft top rated TE's like gronk and Hern, draft 2 high RB's in ridley and Vareen. Draft 1st, and 2nd rd tackles. What has that offensive team building method produced? Then as our offense has scored over 30 ppg on average in the regular season our defense has dropped off to around the middle of the pack. But, we blame a defense that has become 2nd fiddle to the building up of the offense for our post season failures? Amazing. The defense of the last 4 years was not going to win us a championship. However our offense was talented enough(as we see by the 35 ppg they scored) to win us one....they didn't. When you lose the core foundation of a great defense in Bruschi, Rodney, Vrabel, and Seymour(amongst others) it takes time and effort to re-build. We didn't invest enough of either if you ask me. BB adjusted to the recent rule changes/emphasis on passing and tried to put the best offensive team on the field he could. That offense has scored 15.5 ppg in 2 SB's since the fundamental change in philosophy from the dynasty era defensive lead teams to the 07-11 offensive lead teams. One philosophy lead us to 3 SB's in 4 years while the other philosophy lead us to 2 SB losses in 5 years.... but we blame the defense for the recent results? Huh?   Now BB finally goes back to focusing on drafting highly rated defensive players in the 1st round and  acquiring defensive FA's from all over. I think he has come full circle and i think the offense will become a tad more conservative, like they should have been on the 2nd to last drive in the SB. They will still score a ton of points as they are LOADED on talent, but I think/hope that McD will call a complimentary game plan to help out with field position and TOP, which will without argument increase defensive efficiency. Yes the defense needs to step up, especially since we have now for the 1st time in quite a while invested top draft picks, as well as most of the draft, tons of FA's and a ton of cash into that side of the ball.
Posted by TrueChamp

Two of the best teams in the NFL last year, Green Bay and New England had the 32nd and 31st ranked passing defenses. Now neither of them won the super bowl but guess what? The 29th ranked passing defense did! That stat is obviously overrated. What the defense needs to improve on is getting 3rd down stops and making positive plays at critical times in the game.
Posted by digger0862

Truth be told, the Defense actually did it's job to start the SB getting the Giants off the field. The Offense immediately turned the ball over. Nature of the game, but you wonder if the Pats had been able to sustain that first drive and get into a rhythm, let the Defense rest, if the outcome would have changed. Even in the last quarter, again the Offense couldn't convert or take time off the clock stringing out the Defense. So for all the talk about the D needing to step up, (and I know Gronk being hurt was a factor), it was weaknesses in the Offense in the RB and WR positions that denied the Pats a trophy.  I do think the D will be greatly improved and more in synch, more aggressive. But I hope the addition of a true FB and Shanks indicates that the Pats will have the ability to ground it out in the trenches and move the chains at playoff time.  
Posted by yogi3333

I had one person who will remain nameless, but is able to view the Pats on a regular basis, say that the surprise cut at camp very well c/b McCourt. Whether he simply became to muscular/thick, or is fighting injury, he just doesn't have the same maneuverability as he had his rookie year. Big camp for him so it seems 
Posted by rkarp

Hey Pinhead Babe, whats with all the insults? How old are you, 12?
Posted by slicksteve38

Truth be told, the Defense actually did it's job to start the SB getting the Giants off the field. The Offense immediately turned the ball over. Nature of the game, but you wonder if the Pats had been able to sustain that first drive and get into a rhythm, let the Defense rest, if the outcome would have changed. Even in the last quarter, again the Offense couldn't convert or take time off the clock stringing out the Defense. So for all the talk about the D needing to step up, (and I know Gronk being hurt was a factor), it was weaknesses in the Offense in the RB and WR positions that denied the Pats a trophy.  I do think the D will be greatly improved and more in synch, more aggressive. But I hope the addition of a true FB and Shanks indicates that the Pats will have the ability to ground it out in the trenches and move the chains at playoff time.  
Posted by yogi3333

In Response to Re: Defense Needs To Step Up This Year? : Do you consider a 12 man penalty early negating a turnover and allowing a TD "doing their job"? I would call that mickey mouse defense and by far the absolute worst blunder in the game.
Posted by BabeParilli

In Response to Re: Defense Needs To Step Up This Year? : I don't know having the Giants in a 3rd and 7 in the 4th qtr and forcing and incomplete pass to produce your 1st 3 and out only to be called for an offside to sustain the drive might rival your example.
Posted by jri37

I had one person who will remain nameless, but is able to view the Pats on a regular basis, say that the surprise cut at camp very well c/b McCourt. Whether he simply became to muscular/thick, or is fighting injury, he just doesn't have the same maneuverability as he had his rookie year. Big camp for him so it seems 
Posted by rkarp

I had one person who will remain nameless, but is able to view the Pats on a regular basis, say that the surprise cut at camp very well c/b McCourt. Whether he simply became to muscular/thick, or is fighting injury, he just doesn't have the same maneuverability as he had his rookie year. Big camp for him so it seems 
Posted by rkarp

In Response to Re: Defense Needs To Step Up This Year? : That would be a surprise indeed.  Is he looking worse than last year in OTAs and camp this year?  Or is this based on his performance last year? Posted by prolate0spheroid

I, for one, have no faith in Mcourty as a CB. I am willing to bet my mortgage payment in Vegas that Ras I Downagain will be injured before week 4. Hence the Pats will be faced with the same problems again on D i'm afraid. They lost Anderson (a bit overrated, I agree) Carter is a huge loss, and even if he returns, leg injuries to aging pass rushers aren't promising. I think its going to take Chandler a while to adjust to the NFL...considering he didnt play that much in college either. And from an eyeball test, he is really thin for a DE/OLB. On the flip side, I love the way Hightower plays, and how big he is. He is really solidly built like Spikes but faster. I think if Spikes can pull his head out of his backside, he could be a very good ILB. I, unlike rkarp, do not think Mayo is "prime time". Yes, he makes alot of tackles...but his tackles are 4 to 5 yards behind the defensive line...he doesnt make alot of tackles for loss. Maybe its the scheme, I dont know. I am fearful that this team is relying on Ras I downagain and Chung to stay on the field, and history would indicate that will not be the case.
Posted by slicksteve38

I, for one, have no faith in Mcourty as a CB. I am willing to bet my mortgage payment in Vegas that Ras I Downagain will be injured before week 4. Hence the Pats will be faced with the same problems again on D i'm afraid. They lost Anderson (a bit overrated, I agree) Carter is a huge loss, and even if he returns, leg injuries to aging pass rushers aren't promising. I think its going to take Chandler a while to adjust to the NFL...considering he didnt play that much in college either. And from an eyeball test, he is really thin for a DE/OLB. On the flip side, I love the way Hightower plays, and how big he is. He is really solidly built like Spikes but faster. I think if Spikes can pull his head out of his backside, he could be a very good ILB. I, unlike rkarp, do not think Mayo is "prime time". Yes, he makes alot of tackles...but his tackles are 4 to 5 yards behind the defensive line...he doesnt make alot of tackles for loss. Maybe its the scheme, I dont know. I am fearful that this team is relying on Ras I downagain and Chung to stay on the field, and history would indicate that will not be the case.
Posted by slicksteve38

Yeah, improving the defense is the highest priority.  BB's draft and offseason moves seem to confirm that.  The second highest priority was getting more diversity in the receiving corp.  Hence the acquisition of Lloyd, Gaffney, and Stallworth.  This is pretty consistent with what many of us have been saying since the middle of last season, though there's a vocal minority on this board that thinks the defense plays well, that Brady's attitude is a problem, and that the running game (and offensive philosophy) should be the biggest priority.  So far, BB's moves seem to suggest that he agrees with those who think improving the defense is key. 
Posted by prolate0spheroid

In Response to Re: Defense Needs To Step Up This Year? :      Over the past several years, is there really any doubt that the Achilles heal of this team has been it's pass defense? The question is, has BB adequately addressed the problem? The additions of top draft choices Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower alone should make the "D" better. How much better will depend on whether CB Devin McCourty returns to form, whether CB Ras-I Dowling is finally healthy, whether SS Patrick Chung can stay healthy, and whether CB Sterling Moore continues to improve.      I expect that the Pats will eventually sign DE Andre Carter. LB Bobby Carpenter has the size that BB covets in his LBs, and may prove to be a solid acquisition. DE/DT Jonathan Fanene should provide for the DL what Mike Wright used to, before he suffered that awful career ending head injury. Though Steve Gregory will never be a pro-bowler, he should help upgrade the secondary.      As for the rookies, Jones and Hightower aside, whatever the Pats can get out of the remainder of their 2012 "defensive side of the ball" draft class will be gravy. Both FS Tavon Wilson and DE/OLB Jake Bequette should make the team. But, who knows whether they can play?          There's reason to be optimistic about the "D". The potential for improvement is there. Believe it or not, my biggest concern going into 2012 is the OL...where stalwarts Logan Mankins and Sebastien Vollmer are recovering from serious injuries, and 35 year old Brian Waters appears to still be considering retirement.   
Posted by TexasPat