Mike Dussault's New England Patriots Fan Profile

Patriots Defense Only a Pressure Player Away posted on 02/03/2010

Just about anywhere you look these days you'll hear the pundits and bloggers say the Patriots need to improve their pass rush this off season, and as Pats fanatic I have to agree. Sure, the secondary was raked across the coals more than once this year, but I believe one or two players could make the entire Patriots defense look a lot better than they did in 2009.

The Patriots D was split almost evenly in 2009 between a base 3-4 (or 4-3 the first half of the season) and sub-packages. The most common passing down subpackage we saw early on was one with Derrick Burgess, Tully Banta-Cain, Mike Wright, and Jarvis Green as down lineman. Their job was to apply pressure and they were just so-so.

Later we saw a new sub-package that Patriots nation was excited to see, dubbed the Five and Dime. While at first it seemed like this new subpackage, with five linebackers and six defensive backs, was a throwback to the early dynasty days when Coach Belichick was known for innovative defenses designed to confuse opponents. In reality the Five and Dime was more of an attempt to generate pressure because the earlier pass rush subpackages were not generating enough.

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Wilfork Decision a Major One for Belichick posted on 01/27/2010

Today soon-to-be Free Agent Vince Wilfork went on WEEI in Boston and said, in a 320-pund nutshell, that he wants a long term deal or he wants to be free to seek one elsewhere. The Patriots informed their free agents that they would contact them in early February so the fact that Wilfork hasn't been contacted yet should not be a red flag.

However Patriots fans are well versed in situations like these. Bill Belichick always does what is best for the Patriots, and in his 10 seasons with the team the Wilfork situation could be the most intriguing decision Belichick has had to make.

On paper it seems like a long term contract for Wilfork should be a no brainer. Wilfork was originally saddled with a six year deal that many would say he outperformed. He never held out, never made a scene or became a distraction. he was the consummate professional through all six years of his deal.

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2010 New England Patriots Defensive Off-Season Preview posted on 01/21/2010

As we sit here on January 21st it seems like the 2010 NFL season is a lifetime away. There will be many moves made between now and the start of training camp, and probably even more made between training camp and the opener in September, so while it is both foolish and presumptuous to predict what will happen over the next seven months it will make me feel somewhat better seeing what needs to be addressed.

First things first. It is absolutely imperative that Vince Wilfork is re-signed, preferably to a long term deal that keeps him with the Patriots for the next four years. I don't know how you can justify not locking up Wilfork long term. I drink the "In Bill We Trust" Koolaid as much as anyone but here's a guy who is a consumant professional, playing what is the most important position in the 3-4 defense, and is the best player at a position you're already thin at. Wilfork and Mayo should be the foundation for the Hoodie Pats D version 2.0. Wilfork must be retained, even if by the dreaded Franchise tag.

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A Quick Look Back at the 2009 Patriots Regular Season posted on 01/08/2010

As hard as it is to think about anything other than this weekends playoffs game against the Ravens I'd like to take a quick look back on a somewhat lackluster 2009 season.

We knew coming in that Tom Brady's return was the headline for the start of the 2009 and really that was just about the only really great thing that happened all year. If you were there on opening night (like I was) you probably saw the best game of the season. In the moments after Brady pulled off his greatest 4th quarter comeback of his career all seemed right in the world for the Patriots.

We didn't yet realize how much the Pats were truly starting over on defense. We didn't know Adalius Thomas was going to such a non-factor. We didn't know Joey Galloway would soon not even be on the team. We didn't know how hard it would be for this team to win on the road. We even thought Ben Watson was finally ready to break out.

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Rumors of the Patriots Demise Run Rampant posted on 12/09/2009

So you can probably feel the universal glee from all those who cover the NFL and loathe the Patriots that SI's Team of the Decade is struggling right now. As impressive as the 2007 Patriots were it has set an unattainable precedent that will not (and should not) be met again.

And that's fine. We can talk about turnover on the defense... a lack of leadership, pass rush, or pass coverage.. Tom Brady's rust... the lack of a viable third receiving threat. Look, you can pick any excuse you want, and there are plenty of them to choose from. But that's not the Patriot way.

This morning Randy Moss, Adalius Thomas, Derrick Burgess and Gary Guyton were late for an 8am meeting at Gillette due to snowy conditions and Belichick sent them home. It's not like BB wouldn't have done the same thing in the middle of September, but right now, in mid-December, after losing 3 of 4, it was the right chance for Bill to turn the screws on this Patriots team a bit.

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