Pats D will surprise

[gomoss]

IMHO, this year's Pats D will return them to the outsmarting, outhitting unit that won them those first SB's in the 2000's.
And the reasons simply will be:
Chung alongside Mayweather; Thomas next to Mayo; and that front four that just added Brace- giving them legit 3-4 and 4-3 looks;
and into that mix, what could be the most solid CB rotation they've ever had.
Play the wildcard Crable, who could easily rack up 5 or 6 quick sacks in the first few games before teams start being forced to scheme for this kid.
When coaches in the NFL say you got a very quick first step and big wing span, that translates into getting into the QB.

Just my take as Camp approaches. As for Chung, this guy is as real as Mayo going into rookie campaign, just watch!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chung eager to leave his mark on Patriot foes - AFC East - ESPN

[Blackmallard]

Play the wildcard Crable, who could easily rack up 5 or 6 quick sacks in the first few games before teams start being forced to scheme for this kid.

He won't get 5 sacks all season.

[TexecutedInTampa]

IMHO, this year's Pats D will return them to the outsmarting, outhitting unit that won them those first SB's in the 2000's.
And the reasons simply will be:
Chung alongside Mayweather; Thomas next to Mayo; and that front four that just added Brace- giving them legit 3-4 and 4-3 looks;
and into that mix, what could be the most solid CB rotation they've ever had.
Play the wildcard Crable, who could easily rack up 5 or 6 quick sacks in the first few games before teams start being forced to scheme for this kid.
When coaches in the NFL say you got a very quick first step and big wing span, that translates into getting into the QB.

Just my take as Camp approaches. As for Chung, this guy is as real as Mayo going into rookie campaign, just watch!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chung eager to leave his mark on Patriot foes - AFC East - ESPN

It will be better than it was in 2008, I am pretty sure of that. (Low bar indeed.)

Beyond that, who knows?

If Brady gets his sea-legs early on, and the offense is anything close to 2007...and the defense can be REPRESENTATIVE.....the Pats will make some noise this year.

[gomoss]

He won't get 5 sacks all season.

I don't know why I said that many, but the point is that if Crable is as quick off the corner as the coaches and players say he is, then he'll get some nice opportunities early on in the season. To tell you the truth, I think Adalius Thomas won't get as much attention either, based on toothless pass rush Pats have trotted out there in recent seasons.
I do think Crable, Chung, Meriweather, Thomas and especially Mayo will get more blitz packages to get those sacks BB wants to see this year.
If Chung and Meriweather can produce on the field together, you throw in Springs off the corner, and Thomas and hopefully Crable, I am expecting some legit heat to the QB.

[TexecutedInTampa]

I don't know why I said that many, but the point is that if Crable is as quick off the corner as the coaches and players say he is, then he'll get some nice opportunities early on in the season. To tell you the truth, I think Adalius Thomas won't get as much attention either, based on toothless pass rush Pats have trotted out there in recent seasons.
I do think Crable, Chung, Meriweather, Thomas and especially Mayo will get more blitz packages to get those sacks BB wants to see this year.
If Chung and Meriweather can produce on the field together, you throw in Springs off the corner, and Thomas and hopefully Crable, I am expecting some legit heat to the QB.

Sounds good, but I don't see Chung starting this year....he'll be on the 45 man roster no doubt, but if he becomes a starter in 2009....well, we'll be happy

OTOH, he could be a Mayo (in our dreams) taking 90% of the D snaps....I just don't think so at this point.

[gomoss]

just saw a short interview with Ben Watson and when pressed to pick out a rookie on D that looked good he mentioned Chung. I really like the way this kid shows up at the point of attack. That's all I meant in the Mayo comparison. I noticed it in Mayo highlights at Tenn.. You see the guys head surveying the play and he just naturally move to the point of attack.
read and react. Chung has that similar mindset, let's hope. he's a thinker and a hitter which is the best combo. I'm basically still pissed they gave away Vrabel. man, that was painful. add Vrabel, to the new infusion on D and many of us would be significantly more upbeat on a D that clearly was costing the Pats games over the last two seasons.
well "game" in the singular, that is, in '07.
OHHHH! they almost won that damn SB!!!!!!!!

PS, Can't wait to see this kid Bulter out there. major talent and ball skills. countdown to this season, wow.

Sounds good, but I don't see Chung starting this year....he'll be on the 45 man roster no doubt, but if he becomes a starter in 2009....well, we'll be happy

OTOH, he could be a Mayo (in our dreams) taking 90% of the D snaps....I just don't think so at this point.

[TexecutedInTampa]

Well, you saw Butler signed today...

As for Vrabel....I don't believe NE gave him away. I think Pioli DEMANDED him in the Cassell deal. BB went along with it, it was not a big risk for NE...

[gomoss]

Well, you saw Butler signed today...

As for Vrabel....I don't believe NE gave him away. I think Pioli DEMANDED him in the Cassell deal. BB went along with it, it was not a big risk for NE...

man, you are exactly right about Pioli. I never thought about that but the whole time was looking at it from a "BB getting his way" POV, but I think you nailed it. I personally am looking forward to watching the Chiefs try to turn it around with this Patriots Way of doing things. very interesting.
I do think that if you count Bruschi to give a solid season, less snaps played a given, and you factor in a healthy Thomas with a lot more focus as a defensive weapon and Mayo actually improving and also given more blitz packages that would've have gone to Vrabel,
and!
seeing if this kid Crable is the physical specimen that we've all been hearing, quick first step, length etc.,
and, clearly,
a very deep secondary with Chung and Butler potential playmakers and the CB corp very solid,....
well, the front five is going to outperform them all so I have to believe this year will be best performance since pre Colvin injury in '07,
which might have cost them the damn SB.
whew.
oh yeah and Seau is improving his surfing as we speak!

[TexecutedInTampa]

What I first saw on a Friday night was "Vrabel to Chiefs for a 7th round pick". I thought WTF?

The next day, it was "Cassell to Chiefs for the 2nd round pick". Ah, now I get it!

Pioli wanted them both, and why not? KC needs players, they are rebuilding.

That Chiefs pick became Patrick Chung and I'm hoping he takes Rodney's place!