What Does Dom Capers Bring to the Patriots Party?

Despite many Spygate-enthusiasts belief that Dom Capers was added to the Patriots staff strictly as insurance should the NFL suspend Bill Belichick when the Assistant Golf Pro finally comes clean, the addition of the veteran defensive coach is one that should greatly help the team in the area where they needed it most at the end of the 2007 almost-dream season.

Capers' effect on the Patriots is already being felt from their free agency signings. Fernando Bryant was added to the Pats just today, he's a "chippy" cornerback who was hand-picked in the First-round of the '99 NFL Draft by Capers when he was the Defensive Coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bryant started all 16 games his rookie year for Capers, and was notably unhappy when Capers left the Jags and took his aggressive defensive approach with him. He had an offer on the table from the Broncos as well, but I don't think anyone would be surprised he chose New England since they a) win and b) have his favorite coach on staff.

There was something in the (Detroit) air that night, Fernandoooo

Lewis Sanders is another cornerback that played under Capers while he was the head coach of the Houston Texans. When you look at where Sanders and Bryant are coming from they haven't been on many winning teams. Bryant was in Detroit last year, Sanders was part of the trainwreck known as the Atlanta Falcons. These are characteristics of classic Patriots signees... NFL veterans who want to win and come at a reduced cost. Sure they might be a little long in the tooth but everyone knows Belichick prefers age and experience to youth and flash.

When discussing what kind of coach Capers is and how his defenses play one word comes up continuously... ATTACKING. When he was Defensive Coordinator of the Miami Dolphins in 2006 he had the #5 ranked defense in the NFL which included Defensive Player of the Year Jason Taylor and Pro Bowler Zach Thomas. Despite last years mess of a season for the Dolphins they were still ranked 4th overall in pass yards allowed per game.

The 2007 Patriots defense was considered for much of the season the teams weak link. They ranked near the bottom of the NFL in red zone defense and were torched by the likes of Kyle Boller and A.J. Feeley. However they buttoned up toward the end of the season and in the playoffs, though San Diego was missing two key starters and Philip Rivers only had one good leg, before the 4th quarter meltdown against the Giants that cost them 19-0 and "Greatest Ever" consideration.

Capers was brought in to remedy those problems. Let's remember that he led the expansion Carolina Panthers to a 12-4 record and the NFC Championship game. That was a team of veteran castoffs just like many of the new defensive backs who will be competing to replace Asante Samuel and Randall Gay. If nothing more, he's an experienced coach whose philosophy will help Bill Belichick and Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees craft a championship caliber attacking defense. Afterall, a little more pressure and "Eli's Great Escape" (tm) doesn't happen and the Pats are defending World Champions... or if Richard Seymour isn't held but that's another blog altogether...