The Defense

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Think he got hurt. I'd rather have the young X wideout of course, but he's been a machine most years if you look at his history. So it would be risky but lines up with making sure Stafford has the talent around him then invest your draft capital in that defense.
Yeah looks like he only played in 8 games, suffering a broken collar bone and a hammy strain.
Broke his consecutive 1000 yard season streak.

I guess I still feel like the roster spot needs to be younger rather than having another older, star type veteran receiver.
But I'd certainly take him at the minimum if he's in, and we have a roster spot for him.
 
It’s been pointed out that there were several errors in alignment, of course the offense is trying to put the defense in a bind, but on one occasion, it appeared that the secondary was not paying attention to JSN in the backfield and he ended up wide open for a TD. There might not be anyone to match him physically, but everyone should know where that guy is at all times and it seems like that didn’t happen. So who’s at fault? Who’s responsible to get everyone lined up correctly and the right call made? Is it an error in coaching or of execution? The Patriots weren’t always the most talented team, but they didn’t make mistakes like allowing the best receiver in the league to run free. If this defense is mediocre instead of terrible, they might still be playing.
 
Saw a stat where Brady in NE had a top 10 defense 17-20 seasons.
Thought that was interesting, and decided to check it out. Absolutely true.

In 17-of-20 seasons (with New England) and Tampa, Brady's Defense was Top-10 in Points Allowed.

Just worth noting ...
While the Rams' Defense was poor after Thanksgiving, it was Top-10 in Points Allowed for the season.
 
I think our expectations of our Pass Rush being great was built more on assumptions than facts. Truth is the year before it was average during the season then we got a ton of sacks against the Vikings and Eagles in the playoffs and thought that would carry over into this season which it didn't really. 47 sacks this season and 38 the year before. Pretty good, not great. We have a pretty good pass rush. Turner is probably the best pure pass rusher of the group. We have no one on the edge that's going to win by blowing past the tackle on the outside for a sack. Overall the front group is very good defending the run and not bad rushing the passer just need to add to it. I wouldn't stand pat with this group.
We need to get bigger and more physical at the Corner position and we have 2 first rounds picks to do that because you'll have to spend premium draft capitol to get that kind of player.
Off ball Linebacker is a mess as usual, Landman is okay. His hair on fire approach changed after the extension unfortunately.
4 picks in the first 100 should net some upgrades on Defense which also help the Special Teams. Big fast Secondary tacklers will really help both groups and we have the draft picks to get it done.
 
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We have 4 picks in the top 100. So I hope out of those the defense gets 3 of them. Corner should be there at one of those picks. Same with DL (NT would be nice), ILB, Edge.

Feed the defense. Let's build a unit opponents are terrified to face. Some of the pieces are there, it's time to finish the build.
 
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We have 4 picks in the top 100. So I hope out of those the defense gets 3 of them. Corner should be there at one of those picks. Same with DL (NT would be nice), ILB, Edge.

Feed the defense. Let's build a unit opponents are terrified to face. Some of the pieces are there, it's time to finish the build.
Agree, a very good to dominant defense, with an offense that is 75% of what the offense was this year, gets you a shot at a top 3 seed.

A solid defense with the same caliber offense that we had this year, gets you to the SB.

I address WR or a dynamic TE in the top 100, but they then must focus on the defense on those first 2 days. Then on day 3 add OL depth and special teams depth. And I would try to add an extra 3rd with a small trade back. Maybe two with two trade downs.
 
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We have 4 picks in the top 100. So I hope out of those the defense gets 3 of them. Corner should be there at one of those picks. Same with DL (NT would be nice), ILB, Edge.

Feed the defense. Let's build a unit opponents are terrified to face. Some of the pieces are there, it's time to finish the build.
yeah free agency and higher draft picks need to geared towards defense I'd say after that we need another WR or lineman.
 
too bad there's zero chance we go after jim schwartz....

i'd hire him in a second...

this defense would go from good to downright nasty....

go rams

slo
 
too bad there's zero chance we go after jim schwartz....

i'd hire him in a second...

this defense would go from good to downright nasty....

go rams

slo
We’d have to overhaul the secondary. And maybe we will anyways. But Schwartz is a single high man coverage guy. We don’t have the personnel to run that system right now.
 
We have 4 picks in the top 100. So I hope out of those the defense gets 3 of them. Corner should be there at one of those picks. Same with DL (NT would be nice), ILB, Edge.

Feed the defense. Let's build a unit opponents are terrified to face. Some of the pieces are there, it's time to finish the build.
I’d like to see new CB1/CB2/WR2/ILB2/OC starters added through the Draft/FA/Trade. With CB1 being the highest priority. Note: DAdams still has a prominent role as possession/red zone weapon just at a reduced volume.
 
I'd like to see the first 2 picks being the best players at WR and CB. Then Edge and DT. After these 4... I'd spend more picks on the secondary, D-line and O-line depth, LB and finally special teams.
 
I'd like to see the first 2 picks being the best players at WR and CB. Then Edge and DT. After these 4... I'd spend more picks on the secondary, D-line and O-line depth, LB and finally special teams.
This and a big, nasty player with a bad attitude type of center, to be the leader on the O line.
Someone who doesn't need "help" when he's overmatched, like Shelton.
Then Shelton could be one of the depth guys.
 
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Thought that was interesting, and decided to check it out. Absolutely true.

In 17-of-20 seasons (with New England) and Tampa, Brady's Defense was Top-10 in Points Allowed.

Just worth noting ...
While the Rams' Defense was poor after Thanksgiving, it was Top-10 in Points Allowed for the season.

That is interesting. Did you come across their record in those 3 seasons?
 
Thought that was interesting, and decided to check it out. Absolutely true.

In 17-of-20 seasons (with New England) and Tampa, Brady's Defense was Top-10 in Points Allowed.

Just worth noting ...
While the Rams' Defense was poor after Thanksgiving, it was Top-10 in Points Allowed for the season.
Well... when you're playing the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins for 20 years... your defense is gonna look good. But Bellicheat was a good defensive coach with some good players in that system like nose tackle Vince Wolfork, Richard Seymour, Darell Revis, etc.
 
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That is interesting. Did you come across their record in those 3 seasons?
Did not but Pro Football Reference is a good source and easy to navigate.

If you were to type 2001 New England Patriots in your browser, P-F-R would be one of the first to come-up.

The page would have the team record, and offense / defense rankings at the top. Right next to it would be a tab for Next Season. You could fly through it. Don't forget that there is one year where Brady was out.
 
Well... when you're playing the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins for 20 years... your defense is gonna look good. But Bellicheat was a good defensive coach with some good players in that system like nose tackle Vince Wolfork, Richard Seymour, Darell Revis, etc.
Belicheat is a slimeball but still he's probably the greatest DC in league history. He's got big wins in big games under his belt over some epic and historical offenses. I think the Parcells approach as a whole, which favors power on the front end and sound coverage on the back, tends to do very well in the playoffs.

Seahawks should win because the Patriots have the inexperienced QB and the lesser offense. But if the Patriots defense dumbs the game down in that old Parcells manner where it turns into an ugly scrum it could go the other way.

I can't bring myself to root for either team. Hate both of them too much. But I would prefer the Seahawks lose. I don't want to see those fuckers hoisting trophies.
 
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I think the off-season additions should be balanced between offense and defense. More importantly the focus should be on quality over quantity.

Ex:
One big FA over several role guys.
Turn 11 picks into 7 picks.

Rams need more elite(ish) players. We have plenty of solid starter and next-man-up types.

CB, WR, TE, RB, EDGE, S, LB
Can’t address all but cover corner and offensive weapon should be priority 1
 
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Based on our available money under the 2026 cap and how our allotment of draft picks stack up by round, I'd say we can address almost everything. How we pick early......or what positions we pick early......will determine which position should have that 'stud' and at what positions we throw our money will also determine which positions will have high quality. I could see 4 slots getting premier players and the other 3 quality players.

Since that 2022 debacle when we thought we were gonna 'run it back', they've recovered and given us some great play. 32-19 is trending towards elite again. In the postseason, 0-1, 1-1, 2-1 is trending towards the next level each season. Now we need to throw a 14-3, 3-0 run at the league.
 
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