< Back to Front Page Text size – +

Patriots DL snapshot

Email|Link|Comments (6) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff July 23, 2008 08:00 AM

Richard Seymour (93), Vince Wilfork (75), and Ty Warren (94) return up front. (Jim Davis / Globe Staff)

Tenth and final entry in a series of position snapshots leading into Patriots training camp, focusing on the defensive line:

STRENGTH	Talent. A strong case can be made that the combination of nose tackle Vince Wilfork and ends Ty Warren and Richard Seymour is the best 3-man line in the NFL. Also, Jarvis Green would be a starter for many NFL clubs.
WEAKNESS	Health. Richard Seymour has played through arm and knee ailments the last two seasons, although he said he’s been back to full strength this offseason.
TOP QUESTIONS	Will a healthier Seymour return to his dominating ways? After the top four linemen, is there enough quality depth?
INSTANT ANALYSIS	Unlike linemen for other NFL teams who might shoot a gap at the snap, Patriots linemen generally must first diagnose the play – protecting two gaps if it’s a run -- before rushing the passer. It will be interesting to watch if the Patriots unleash their linemen a bit more this year, incorporating more slanting and stunting up front. Regardless, with such talented, versatile, physical players up front, the options are plentiful. After the top four linemen, fourth-year nose tackle/end Mike Wright and third-year end Le Kevin Smith give the Patriots some cushion. Wright, who battled through injuries in 2007, is looking to recapture the form of his first two seasons.
FUTURE	Vince Wilfork’s contract expires after the 2009 season, and is likely a top priority for the team to address within the next calendar year. Seymour, Green and Smith also have deals that end in 2009, while Warren is signed through 2013. Wright is scheduled for unrestricted free agency after the 2008 season.

< Back to Front Page

6 comments so far...

Camp is almost here....lets go. Sign Mayo, and lets get this started. Looking forward to updates from you mike.

DL will be ok, baring injuries. They will definitely be the strength of the defense.

Posted by ProvMan July 23, 08 09:25 AM

Mike, do you think the recent 5 year $43M extension of Luis Castillo by the Chargers will be the baseline for a Wilfork extension? Wilfork is a far superior player. Does the fact that Wilfork plays Tackle and Castillo plays End hurt Wilfork? Also, if it comes down to it, whose signing do you prioritize? A behemoth DT, Wilfork, the foundation of a 3-4 defense? Or a future hall-of-fame DE, Seymour, who will only be 30 years old in 2009 (but 9 seasons of wear and tear)?
Great job on the position snapshots. I hope you will have a coaching snapshot too. Looking forward to your training camp coverage.

Posted by Sandeep M July 23, 08 09:40 AM

It's been a few years since Seymour's done anything. He should be more worried about making the pro bowl than the hall of fame.

Posted by Gick July 23, 08 01:11 PM

Wait wait...I am a huge Pats fan, but Wilfork is a "far superior player to Luis Castillo"? And you base this on what exactly? (other than being a homer).
Castillo.....A. plays a different position......B. Plays a different style of DL......C. plays in a different system. Do you know why the Chargers have what is considered by many to be one of the best young secondaries in the league? Part of it is because the DL of the Chargers gets alot of pressure on the QB, forcing him to throw a second or two before the routes develop, hence Cromartie jumps the route and picks the ball. I think Wilfork is a great player, but to say he is far superior is like saying Randy Moss is a far superior player to LT....they play entirely different roles and cannot be compared. Wilfork is amazingly strong and HUGE....Castillo is quick and agile....who says one is better than the other?

Posted by steve July 23, 08 03:48 PM

Vince Wilfork rules!! And is worth every penny of whatever it takes to keep him a Patriot until he hangs up the cleats. The man is a pure mountain of football talent, no one can deny his impact.

Posted by David July 24, 08 01:21 AM

I'm sick of hearing about how Seymour does so many things that "don't show up on the stat sheet". I think last year he didn't do much of anything. If he dominates, this defense returns to form.

Posted by Classless Concepts July 24, 08 02:43 AM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

You must be logged in to submit a comment.

This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.

Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

see all globe blogs