Stat check

Terrible defensive stats... The teams front seven is solid. the defensive backs are the issue. If you can't put pressure on the QB than you will have a problem getting off the feild on third down and your turnover ratio. It appears the coaching staff has little to no confidence in the DB's. Championships are won with D and we best find some speed at outside LB to replace Vrabel and Bruschi, along with legitimate DB's, or we will slowly lose are grip on the AFC east and the conference.

If the front seven were solid they would be putting much more pressure on QB's. The D-Line is vastly overrated when it comes to overall play. They can stop the run but thats it, they can't apply pressure hardly at all against a reasonable O line.

Then add a weak secondary into the picture and it's got 3rd down problems written all over it. They used to be bend but don't break, but they are just broken, 29th in red zone D says it all.

I have to agree with Steve here. Our defensive line is incredibly powerful but they lack the speed and any kind of agility that you really need to stop runs for a loss, put pressure on the QB. However, that is what the 3-4 does to you.

Losing Adalius Thomas has essentially killed any aspect of speed we could apply to a traditional pass rush. They will have to blitz safties now.

Speaking of guys who have fallen off, does Vrabel exist this year? He must be training with Bruschi.