Well Mike Reiss predicted there would be a move at OLB and fast after the Pats let go of Vince Redd. Shawn Crabel is still MIA and Tully Banta-Cain's missing time with an undisclosed injury. So the Pats finally got Derrick Burgess from the Raiders for a 3rd rounder in 2010 and a 5th rounder in 2011. Pretty solid deal for both teams. If Burgess can stay healthy he should be able to improve the pass rush immediately. Pierre Woods should still be an early down run stopper with Burgess bringing the heat in the sub-packages. Surely Bill Belichick will use Burgess smartly, keeping him healthy and productive. Below a video from his dominant 2005 season.

Continue reading "Derrick Burgess Becomes a Patriot"

Lost in the hype of Tom Brady's return and Julian Edelman's Welker-like performance was the fact that the Patriots played the 4-3 defense almost exclusively against the Eagles. All off-season the biggest question has been who would fill Mike Vrabel's OLB spot in Bill Belichick's vaunted 3-4 defense, but with a deep group of talented defensive lineman, including rookie Myron Pryor who started and looked excellent, and other veterans experienced in the 4-3 defense like Derrick Burgess, Paris Lenon and Rob Ninkovich, the Patriots look like they may be considering a schematic change.

Bill Belichick is always one to zig when you think he'll zag. The 3-4 defense has become a hot trend in the NFL, and demand for players who fit the scheme has increased. Fans have reported from training camp that the Patriots have been using the 4-3 exclusively, so this might not just be a temporary thing.

Continue reading "New England Patriots: 4-3 or Not 4-3, That Is the Question..."