For all that the O-Line depresses me, the media has me duped into thinking the D-Line is the greatest in all of football. Think about it, every time they talk about how weak the secondary is, they point to the front seven and how the big three up front really put pressure on the QB. Well, if they were that good they wouldn’t be the anchor that gave up so many points last season.
DE – Richard Seymour (93) – Seymour bounced back somewhat last year ending the season with eight sacks. Part of the issue was that Ty Warren was hurt a lot of last season so teams were able to put additional blockers on Seymour and Wilfork. With Seymour playing for a contract this year look for him to put up huge numbers and get signed to a ludacris contract in the offseason, not with New England. Old reliable Jarvis Green (97) and Mike Wright (99) will serve as the back ups to the end positions.
DT – Vince Wilfork (75) – After sitting out “voluntary” mini camps in the spring, Vince showed good faith by not holding out in actual camp. He’s said all along that if he’s required to be somewhere, he signed a contract and will honor that commitment. Like Seymour he’s playing for his next contract but it looks like the Pats really want to bring him back. However, if negotiations breakdown they think they have the next nose tackle in rookie Ron Brace (92) the defensive tackle from Boston College they selected in the second round. The team also has LeKevin Smith (90) a fifth year guy out of Nebraska (projects more as an end) and Titus Adams (62) a second year man also from Nebraska. Wright can also back up NT in a pinch.
DE – Ty Warren (94) – Warren is signed long term so unlike his counterparts on the defensive line, he doesn’t have to worry about that stuff. All he has to worry about is staying healthy and on the field. Hopefully the injuries are behind him and he returns to form. He had double groin (ouch) surgery in the offseason and after starting the preseason on the PUP, he’s been back at practice and making strides. Darryl Richard (69) the rookie form GA Tech and Steve Williams (76) will try and push Wright and Green for those two back up spots.
Newly acquired Derrick Burgess projects more as an outside linebacker in the Willie McGinest mold in this defensive scheme so we’ll get to hom tomorrow. Interesting that the Pats brought in former Dolphin Vonnie Holliday yesterday. Perhaps the Patriots aren’t as excited as the media is regarding their front three.
Tomorrow linebackers and Thursday the preseason starts with a look at the DB’s (not douchebags, defensive backs).
