First off, I hope you enjoyed the previous Red Sox post. The post was written by my buddy Joe, and he will continue to contribute on Red Sox posts and should handle the majority of all things Bruins.
Onto the Patriots.
Defensive Line:
-Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork are the two stalwarts on the d-line. Each player is proven and each excel specifically against the run. Bottom line, we know what we're getting with those two.
-Jarvis Green and Derrick Burgess appear to the two in line to take over Seymour's vacant defensive end spot. Green primarily has spent the majority of his career as a third down/situational rotating player behind Warren and Seymour. He however, has been durable over the course of his career and could play more often. Burgess, on the other hand, is a seasoned veteran and has been starting at d-end for the majority of his career. He is a prolific sack-artist (although like most Oakland Raiders, got sucked into the black hole over recent years. One of the two appears to be poised to take over first and second down duties, with the other rotating in a third down passing situations.
-Rookie big-body defensive tackles Ron Brace and Myron Pryor's usage this season will likely be dependent on the defensive set the Patriots use. In a 4-3 set, one of the two would line up next to Vince Wilfork. However, in 3-4 sets there is no spot but to back up big Vince. Brace is the second round pick and the potential better prospect, but it appears that late round pick Pryor is higher on the team's depth chart.
-The versatile Mike Wright will find himself on the inside and outside of the d-line. He has lined up everywhere on the line during his tenure here, and his ability to move around is a luxury the Patriots have with their lack of depth.
Linebackers:
-Like Warren and Wilfork the only two shore things in this group are second year MLB Jerod Mayo and veteran OLB Adalius Thomas. Mayo and Thomas should be on the field at all times leading the linebacking core.
-Manning the outside opposite Thomas will be a combination of many. Pierre Thomas, Tully Banta-Cain (TBC), and some Derrick Burgess. The bulkier Thomas appears better suited against the run, while TBC is a good pass rusher and better used in situational purposes when he can go after the QB. Burgess, depending on how he is used on the d-line, could see time with his hand up rushing the passer but with Seymour gone, that plan could easily be scrapped.
-Gary Guyton, the undrafted FA out of Georgia Tech last year, was a solid contributor when subbing in last year. With Bruschi now retired, Guyton finds himself starting next to Mayo in the 3-4 set. It should be interesting to see how he fairs against the run, but we know he is a capable covering backer. He could also kick to the outside in a 4-3 set where Mayo is taking the middle.
-MLB Eric Alexander and recently signed OLB Rob Ninkovich will be used primarily on special teams.
These two units appear to be lacking depth as a whole. Throwing different looks at offenses with different defensive sets will allow the team to keep players fresher hopefully. However, if any of the big names go down (Warren, Wilfork, Mayo, or Thomas) go down, then the team will be faced with a glaring weakness.
MORE:
In a surprising move today, the Pats released off-season acquisition WR Greg Lewis. Lewis marks yet another player we traded for (Alex Smith) and then decided to get rid of. Sam Aiken did have a good preseason and is a solid contributor on special teams, and will take on backup WR duties. Not to be lost is Julian Edelman, who also probably helped make Lewis expandable too. WR Terrance Nunn, on the team's practice squad, flashed some talent during preseason too. Replacing Lewis on the roster is first year player Bret Lockett out of UCLA. The former UCLA Bruin, claimed off of waivers from the Browns, will be a special teamer.
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