Part Two: DEFENSE

Defensive Line (14):

Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, Mike Wright, Ron Brace, Marcus Stroud, Gerard Warren (FA), Myron Pryor, Brandon Deaderick, Kyle Love, Darryl Richard, Eric Moore, Landon Cohen, Marlon Favorite, Kade Weston

I lumped the entire defensive line into one group since they all tend to move around.  I know, I sound like a homer, but it’s a solid group.  The top end talent isn’t there (yet), but there’s a lot of youth and depth.  You have one of the top NT’s in the league (Vince), a borderline Pro-Bowler in Ty Warren at one end, and I believe it will be Ron Brace at the other end.  When he’s been on the field he’s be a solid contributor and I think it’s his time.  The top two reserves will be Mike Wright who was great last year in sub-packages and the typical Belichick signing, Marcus Stroud.  I’m not sure how much he has left, but they’ll get everything he has.  The rest of the group is youth and bulk up front and due to injuries last year they have a little bit of experience as well.  We saw Brandon Deaderick, Eric Moore, and Myron Pryor all start a game last year and Kyle Love and Landon Cohen each saw time at the end of the year.  It should be a competitive training camp and I think you’ll see some improvement from last year.

Free Agency Targets:  Bill always grabs a veteran or two for camp and I think they make an offer to Gerard Warren. 

Outside Linebacker (6):

Jermaine Cunningham, Tully Banta-Cain, Rob Ninkovich, Marques Murrell, Tracy White (FA), Markell Carter

This group is an absolute mess.  Everyone thought that they would draft a few pass rushers in the first couple of rounds and instead they focused on the offensive side of the ball.  They didn’t take Markell Carter (not to be confused with Lawrence Taylor) until the 6^th round which is usually late to find an impact player.  He’s also making the transition from DE to OLB which isn’t for everyone.  Bill must think that Cunningham will take the leap in the second year and that Tully and Ninkovich can hold down the other side.  I have my doubts.  There is no reason to think that this group will be good enough to put consistent pressure on the QB.  It feels like another year with the defensive backs being thrown to the wolves.

Free Agency Targets: ANYONE THAT HAS A PULSE AND CAN GET TO THE F*****G QUARTBERBACK!

Inside Linebacker (4):

Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Gary Guyton, Dane Fletcher

This is certainly the strength of the defense.  You have four young players who understand their roles in the defense and are sure tacklers which is what you want from your inside backers.  I read this week that Spikes didn’t miss a single tackle last year in 52 attempts and Mayo missed only 3 tackles in 145 attempts.  That’s great production.  Also, Guyton and Fletcher have proven to be solid backups.  Bill has done a remarkable job replacing Bruschi and Ted Johnson. 

Free Agency Targets:  None

Cornerback (7):

Leigh Bodden, Devin McCourty, Kyle Arrington, Ras-I Dowling, Darius Butler, Jonathan Wilhite, Malcolm Williams

I can’t tell if the problem is the cornerbacks or the fact that they have to cover for 15 seconds at a time.  With all the high draft picks at the cornerback position one would think that the problem isn’t the pass rush.  I think they’re finally done drafting them though.  Obviously you start Bodden with McCourty (very solid) and I think Arrington kicks down to the slot or Wilhite is your slot guy.  It’s put up or shut up time for Darius Butler.  He had a great opportunity to play last year and he was awful.  He needs to step up or he’ll be gone in training camp.  Dowling out of Virginia should be a key contributor in his first year.  He’s big (6’2), fast (4.4), strong (19 reps) and isn’t afraid to get involved in the run game.  He’ll certainly be a special teamer and I think their dime back to start the season.  It’s another solid pick. 

Free Agency Targets:  None.

Safety (9):

Patrick Chung, James Sanders, Brandon Meriweather, Jarrad Page (FA), Brandon McGowan (FA), Sergio Brown, Bret Lockett, Josh Barrett, Ross Ventrone

This is another spot where Bill didn’t feel the need to draft a player which should tell you something.  I think Patrick Chung is the real deal and will be a Rodney Harrison-type safety.  He’s comfortable near the line of scrimmage and doesn’t shy away from contact.  The other starter, James Sanders, is a steady contributor and a good pairing with Chung.  Then there’s the issue of Brandon Meriweather.  He had some trouble with the law this offseason, he released a rap song, and he’s continued to waste his talent.  If the Patriots were able to move him I’m guessing they would.  He was plenty of talent, but he has a peanut for a brain.  He’s consistently beat due to poor decision making and he’s unreliable as the last line of defense.  The younger guys in the group (Brown, Lockett and Barrett) will have a chance in training camp to earn some time.  Sergio Brown earned some playing time last year and should have a leg up on the competition.

Free Agency Targets: I think they’ll offer Page and McGowan contracts.