Mike, just got into a debate with a friend about Chandler Jones. He claims that the defense could not play better right now and adding Jones will not make it better. I am on the extreme opposite end of the spectrum, dreaming of what the Hoodie could think up of a Jones-Ayers pass rush off the edge. I think this defense is going to hugely benefit from having a pure pass-rusher like Jones back in the fold and they’ll only get better with him. Which camp do you fall in?

Haha, I’m with you. Look, I don’t think the Patriots are just going to cruise through the next five games and no one will score a touchdown on them. There’s going to be ups and downs, and in the very possible case that the Pats lose in Green Bay there are going to be questions, most likely things like “can they generate enough pass rush?”

Chandler Jones is one of the best players on this defense and at a position where the Pats literally had zero experienced depth coming into the season. That’s what necessitated them going out and getting Ayers, a move I wish they had made in the offseason.

And I think Ayers has been very solid, but Chandler Jones is still the better player with the higher ceiling.

Ultimately having three quality edge players is a good problem to have. It’s a vitally important part of the defense and we can count on Ayers and Ninkovich to be the all-everythings for the next two full months.