The Patriot Plan: New England’s Defensive Offseason Needs

March 16, 2010   ·   Mike Gleason   ·   Jump to comments

With the season long gone, free agency in full swing, and the draft coming up quickly, it makes sense to examine the needs of the Patriots.
Last year's defensive unit was defined—fairly or unfairly—by some notable failures: the late-game collapses against the Colts, Broncos, and Texans, and the no-show against the Saints.
It's easy to forget that—statistically, at least—this unit was decent. It scored in the middle of the pack in terms of rushing, passing, and scoring defense. Indeed, the public perception of this defense as poor is probably a product of the offense's disappearance in certain games.
Still, this doesn't mean improvement is unnecessary—quite the opposite. Unless the offense regains its 2007 form—which is unlikely—it is the defense that must improve to make the Pats a contender once again.
 
 
Defensive line
 
The high point of the Patriots' offseason thus far has been the ret...

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