Gang Green Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: USA Today / SB Nation Consensus MMA Rankings for October

Gang Green Nation

Around the AFC East, Week 5: Pats Pulpit

Photo

More photos » by Stephan Savoia - AP

Dave from the always excellent Pats Pulpit fielded a question on his team's depth.

The Pats had an astounding number of injuries in 2008 but still won 11 games. The team clearly had great coaching and depth. With that said, which area of the roster do you consider thinnest? (From John B)


You're right, the number of injuries they sustained in 2008 was insane.  Some would suggest the 11 wins were due to one of the easiest schedules in the NFL, but I've always thought basing ease of schedule in the previous year is a bit ridiculous; too much changes from one year to the next.

In 2008, our biggest shortcoming appeared to be at linebacker.  While Tedy Bruschi is the obvious leader at that position, he's in his last years and is a one or two play guy.  Luckily, we've built up some depth at ILB with Jerod Mayo and Gary GuytonParis Lenon, a recent addition at ILB, will help round out the LB corps and provide some veteran experience.  With the departure of Rodney Harrison, safety would've been a concern but we drafted Patrick Chung.  He won't make an immediate impact, but Tank Williams is back this year after being IR'd in 2008.

My biggest concern at this point is OLB.  Many Patriots fans were convinced we would pick up an OLB in the draft, but that never happened.  Belichick must feel confident with projected starters Adalius Thomas and Pierre Woods while backups Shawn Crable and Vince Redd wait in the wings.  I would've been much happier with a monster pass rusher in the ranks; that was a weakness for the Pats last year and one I'd like to see fixed.


It is all the coaching in New England, mainly head coaching. How many times have we seen key pieces for the Pats either leave or get hurt? How many of these guys have they missed? How many former Patriots actually succeed with a new team? Bill Belichick's system and his leadership allow him to plug just about anybody in. He knows the kind of players he wants for his team and ruthlessly goes out to get them. Short of Tom Brady, Dave really doesn't have to worry about an injury to any player on his team. Head to Pats Pulpit for more AFC East talk, including a prediction on whether the Jets will land Plaxico Burress.

0 recs  |  Comment 2 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

but I’ve always thought basing ease of schedule in the previous year is a bit ridiculous; too much changes from one year to the next.

LOL – we all played the sisters of the poor. Its not ridiculous when it has already come to pass and the teams we played are just pitiful. Think Miami woudl have won 11 games without play the cupcake schedule we all played last year?

Come on Dave – let’s get a little realistic here shall we

I’m also surprised that you said OLB – not DB? Or S? Tank isn’t that great….actually he’s pretty darn mediocre

Everyone has a photographic memory… some just don’t have film

by J2 on Jun 19, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Agree with Dave

on OLB being the biggest worry. The secondary was worse last year, but rookies Wilhite and Wheatly showed promise, and this year veterans Bodden and Springs have been added along with Butler and Chung. Whether it will work out remains to be seen, but at OLB the Patriots will pretty much be going with what didn’t really work last year – minus Mike Vrabel.

by hythlodaeus on Jun 22, 2009 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about the New York Jets.
Start posting about the Jets »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Grr_small
Borrowing from ST to bolster D lost the game
Cuntryclublook1_small
screen passes
Small
Ryan Not Ready For Prime Time ......
Small
Pace, Phins and Week 8
Small
DOGS
Small
Kris Jenkins Official Facebook Fan Page
Phoca_thumb_l_flowers_-_green_small
The Running Game - The Win
Small
Second How Bad Could Our Season Get?
Small
Ask a Silver and Black Dude
Klecko_joe6_small
Who is Kevin O'Connell Anyway?

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Niners Nation
49ers-Titans Wednesday Injury Report and practice transcript
Windy City Gridiron
Poll: Bears/ Cards... Who ya got?
Battle Red Blog
Brian Cushing Named AFC Defensive Player Of The Week

Editor-in-Chief

Gangreen-large_small John B

Staff Writers

Small Russ H

Afcbeast_beast_small Xander Diaz

Nyc_montage_8_small David_Wyatt

Contributing Writer

P1_revis_profile_page_small Civardi