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The Patriots sit at 2-1 coming off a 38 point offensive display in week one. Yet, Patriots fans have the feeling that all is not well in New England.
Sunday’s victory against the lowly Buffalo Bills felt like a loss. In week three, the Patriots gave up 30 points to a Buffalo Bills team that should be in the Canadian Football League.
After the game, Patriots fans had some questions. Where is the pass rush? Is Bill Belichick’s scheme outdated? Are the personnel good enough? There are a lot of questions for a young defense without a lot of answers. Brady may have to shoulder the load again this year and throw four touchdowns a game for the Patriots to reign supreme in 2010.
The 2010 defense has fallen off significantly since their Super Bowl run in 2007. There are two players on the current defense that started in 2008 — Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo — far and away their best defensive players.
There are problems everywhere. The starting right defensive end is 32-year-old Gerard Warren, who had his most successful season back in 2003 for the Cleveland Browns with 5.5 sacks and 24 tackles. Those numbers aren’t bad if you have an adequate left end to counter with.
Unfortunately, that left end is Ron Brace, who was drafted in 2009 and has recorded 13 tackles and zero sacks since being in the NFL. The lack of a pass rush makes the Pats look like they are playing prevent defense on third downs. The inability to get a pass rush is a problem, but the lackluster secondary is the major concern.
The cornerbacks are Devin McCourty and Darius Butler. McCourty was drafted in the first round 27th overall in 2010 and has real potential. He is very athletic but shows his rookie colors consistently on Sundays by blowing assignments and looking lost
Darius Butler is young, drafted in the second round of 2009., and experiences the same issues that his counterpart is struggling with.
These corners could someday be good, but right now they are young, inexperienced, and simply overmatched against NFL coordinators and veteran receivers.
The safety combination of Patrick Chung and James Sanders is a nightmare. Chung, drafted in the second round of 2009, is the same story as the cornerbacks with less potential. Sanders, a fourth round pick in 2005, has filled in well for the Patriots but certainly doesn’t display starter talent.
The secondary gave up 345 yards passing to Carson Palmer in week one, 220 yards and three touchdowns to Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and 247 yards to career backup Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Bills. Disappointing numbers for a team with the hopes of ending the season in Cowboys Stadium.
All hope shouldn’t be lost for Patriots fans, as the potential is there for the defense to improve as the season goes on. However, it looks as though the Patriots are looking at another season of riding Brady’s arm and Belichick’s mind.
Bangor Daily News