Hour Before Kickoff

You’ve heard the number over and over. Currently there are 19 defensive linemen on the Patriots roster. You could add another three or five to that number if you include the “hybrid” OLB/DE players on the roster.

That would make up to 24 players that could play on the D-line. That’s two deep if you field an all linemen defense. Or six deep for a four man D-line rotation. Or eight deep for a three D-line rotation.

Somehow the coaches have to cut the number down to the best eight to 10 players.

Who says coaches have an easy job?

With so much clamor for a pass rusher or two, how New England gets pressure is of particular interest. They passed on using the NFL Draft as part of the solution and instead went after veterans with inconsistent production, hoping to get the best out of them.

The best case scenarios would be outstanding. Mark Anderson had 12 sacks in his rookie season. Three times Andre Carter had double digit sacks. Shawn Ellis, with two double digit sack seasons, has been reliable and consistent over an 11-year career. Albert Haynesworth was at his happiest when he played aggressively with Tennessee in 2007 and 2008.

Improving the pass rush with three 30 and older veterans and one 28-year-old is risky, but less of a gamble than an unproven rookie.

Turning to the experienced quartet may be best for the Pats, but it’s a little disappointing because it practically shelves the youth movement (New England drafted six defensive linemen in 2009 and 2010 combined).

Players like Myron Pryor, Ron Brace, and Brandon Deaderick showed signs they can play in the NFL. And because they are young, there is still a lot of potential yet to be untapped. They could develop into solid players for a long time.

But with the veteran additions, New England is going for a quicker fix. As owners of the worst third down defense last year, the Patriot coaches don’t want to waste time waiting to get better.

Trading for Haynesworth is the best example of New England’s urgency. Trading for a player that’s been a dog for seven of his nine years in the league and obvious character questions shows how desperate head coach Bill Belichick is to improve the defensive line play.

Can’t blame Belichick, though. In the last three playoff games the defense was bullied, allowing 446 total rushing yards and better than 50 percent on third downs. That’s a problem for the front seven. And it starts with the defensive line.

We’ll see if experience is better than energy. The D-line sifting progresses to stage two as many players competing for playing time get game action for the first time tonight.

Be sure to get a good look now. By the season opener, we will only see about half of them.

A few things I’m looking for:

What a Rush – The defense had four sacks last week, but two were coverage sacks. Can the front seven get to the quarterback before getting secondary help?

One Night Promotion – QB Ryan Mallett gets a shot supplant Brian Hoyer as the second string passer. Hoyer might not get off the bench as coaches take another look at Mallett.

Trade Debut – We should get a look at WR Chad Ochocinco, one of the two veterans the Patriots traded for.