Giving up offense, to gain some defense.
January 20th, 2013 Patriots fans witnessed what would be their team's final game of the 2012 season, one game shy of returning back to the Super Bowl. In defeat however, the future looked promising. The offense found a gem in the running game, the offensive line improved, the defense showed some great improvements. All that needed to be done was to resign some key players, have a good draft, and prepare for the upcoming season.
Unfortunately, it was never this simple. The Patriots lost Wes Welker, Danny Woodhead, Brandon Lloyd, and lost Aaron Hernandez after he was sought in connection to the Odin Lloyd murder. And all the while that's going on, Rob Gronkowski was busy having more surgeries on his arm, and back. It wasn't all bad for New England though, the Patriots drafted Aaron Dobson out of Marshall, as well as signing Danny Amendola, Leon Washington, and the 6'4 possession receiver in Michale Jenkins.
While the offense seems scattered, the defense quietly improved. Defensive tackle's Tommy Kelly and Armond Armstead to help out Vince Wilfork on the defensive line, and Adrian Wilson to help out the secondary. And the Patriots resigned Aqib Talib to a one year deal to even more solidify the pass defense. And they also drafted Jamie Collins out of Southern Mississippi. Collins had a great career at Southern Miss. and could become a great linebacker for the Patriots thanks to his great size and athletic ability. Tommy Kelly does have a few personality problems, but he does have some talent. Along with Armond Armstead, a player who missed out on the NFL draft because of medical problems. He was picked up by the CFL's Toronto Argonauts and recorded 6 sacks, gained all-star recognition and won the Grey Cup. Adrian Wilson can help greatly now that Devin McCourty can play the safety position pretty solidly. The started DB's, Aqib Talib, Alfonzo Dennard*, and playing slot corner, Kyle Arrington.
*Dennard will most likely be suspended to start the season following off the field issues.
After seeing all of this. It almost seems as though the Patriots horrible off-season for the offense has become a great off-season for the defense. The big problem has been a pass rush, or lack thereof. Now with Kelly, Jones, Ninkovich, Armstead, and Wilfork, (along with others) the Patriots defensive line seems to have really improved this off-season. With the improvement of the line, the Patriots back seven should relax a bit more and make it more difficult for teams to pass all over them like in seasons pass.
In closing, it's been a crazy off-season for the Patriots. And while other teams have taken the spotlight like the Seahawks, Broncos, and 49ers. And the news and media has covered all the woes of New England so far, the Patriots have quietly improved and if there is one thing I've learned over the year. It is to never doubt Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
While the offense seems scattered, the defense quietly improved. Defensive tackle's Tommy Kelly and Armond Armstead to help out Vince Wilfork on the defensive line, and Adrian Wilson to help out the secondary. And the Patriots resigned Aqib Talib to a one year deal to even more solidify the pass defense. And they also drafted Jamie Collins out of Southern Mississippi. Collins had a great career at Southern Miss. and could become a great linebacker for the Patriots thanks to his great size and athletic ability. Tommy Kelly does have a few personality problems, but he does have some talent. Along with Armond Armstead, a player who missed out on the NFL draft because of medical problems. He was picked up by the CFL's Toronto Argonauts and recorded 6 sacks, gained all-star recognition and won the Grey Cup. Adrian Wilson can help greatly now that Devin McCourty can play the safety position pretty solidly. The started DB's, Aqib Talib, Alfonzo Dennard*, and playing slot corner, Kyle Arrington.
*Dennard will most likely be suspended to start the season following off the field issues.
After seeing all of this. It almost seems as though the Patriots horrible off-season for the offense has become a great off-season for the defense. The big problem has been a pass rush, or lack thereof. Now with Kelly, Jones, Ninkovich, Armstead, and Wilfork, (along with others) the Patriots defensive line seems to have really improved this off-season. With the improvement of the line, the Patriots back seven should relax a bit more and make it more difficult for teams to pass all over them like in seasons pass.
In closing, it's been a crazy off-season for the Patriots. And while other teams have taken the spotlight like the Seahawks, Broncos, and 49ers. And the news and media has covered all the woes of New England so far, the Patriots have quietly improved and if there is one thing I've learned over the year. It is to never doubt Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
