Picked-up pieces from 1st-quarter review – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

Well, if there was one small silver lining defensively, it was Siliga yesterday. Granted the Browns rushing offense isn’t exactly a fearsome one, but any port in a storm, you know?

Otherwise, I think it’s official that the Pats are just an average defense now. Talib seems up and down is kind of his thing and it seems like he saves his good games for the good opponents. He’ll need to be lights-out in the playoffs.

The pass rush is just too inconsistent. I like Ninkovich and Chandler as the three-down defensive ends, but they’ll need to address their sub-packages this offseason. I’d even like to see Michael Buchanan get another shot. Andre Carter doesn’t have much left in the tank.