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Archives for July 22, 2015

Mike, if we see emergence from the newly drafted and acquired DEs, could you see a scenario where Chandler Jones might get traded? After seeing what pass rushers are getting paid, I’m not sure he’s a Patriot after the 2016 season anyway.

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Yeah, I wouldn’t rule it out. Signing Sheard gave them a viable third defensive end so you have to consider his presence means something when it comes to Ninkovich and Chandler, even if it’s just reducing their ridiculous snap totals. But I wouldn’t count on any of the rookies to immediately step in and make Chandler expendable.

The sexy thing Patriot fans would undoubtedly want would be a cornerback in return, but projecting a trade is so hard to do. Though I’m sure there would be plenty of teams interested in Chandler.

As for 2016 I think it feeds back into linebackers being more valuable than defensive linemen and ends in Belichick’s system. Going back to the 3-4 when the defensive line was just there to eat space so the linebackers could make the plays. That 3-4 defense isn’t really relevant to their game-to-game scheme now, but I think the philosophy largely remains. So yeah, Hightower and Collins are priorities in my eyes over Chandler.

Adding 3 or 4 defensive ends this offseason was necessary given the lack of depth and it’s not crazy to read the tea leaves and think Ninkovich could start slowing down and Chandler could depart. The draft is about a year or two down the line more than it is about this year.

I don’t think it’s crazy to think trading Chandler for a good corner would make the defense better, but if I had to bet, it would be on Chandler playing this last year out.

i’m probably in the minority, but I think the secondary and the backfield will be JUST FINE. fletcher – ryan – butler will be competent, cadet will create mismatches, white will be solid, and grey will be his usual scruffy self. i’m only really worried about the interior D line. I really like Siliga, but I wish there was someone better than branch there as well. i hate getting all run over like 2013 sans wilfork,

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No two positions have been less loved by Belichick than CB and RB over the years. At corner you had offensive guys like Troy Brown and Julian Edelman filling in, or undrafted guys like Randall Gay and Malcolm Butler playing major roles in Super Bowl victories. I know it was a lot more exciting when we had two of the best in the business back there last year, but that was far from the norm.

At running back you had Danny Woodhead come in from the Jets practice squad and immediately become a big piece, or castoffs like Sammy Morris become significant players in very good offenses. Ridley and Vereen were basically drafted, given a year to acclimate then played major roles for three seasons before being let walk. 

I’m really not concerned at all about the running backs. More curious to see who seizes the opportunity because there are two big roles open heading into camp.

At corner, there’s a ton of talent around them, including up front and on the back end with McCourty. There will be some bad moments for sure and I’m curious how they match up with bigger receivers like Decker and Marshall with the Jets, but we know they’ll be a well-prepared group that won’t be easily rattled.

Everyone gets nervous after seeing the defense get torched for a ton of yards and big plays in recent years, but the talent level up front is so much better now than it was then. Really if the front seven stays healthy this year I could see the pass defense begin statistically better than last year, even without the big names at corner.