In the latest issue of Sporting News, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is ranked as the 20th greatest coach of all time. He will have to prove it this year.
Training camp kicked off with a pair of practices. According to sources, it will be the first of many two-a-days for the team, as Belichick intends on running a tougher, more physical camp than in years past. This is just what the team needs.
This isn’t questioning the toughness of the team. That’s something New England has always been under Belichick. More than anything, I feel Belichick wants to stress fundamentals and establish an identity. This would be good for the offense, but more so for a defense hasn’t put fear in an opponent in years.
Think back to the ’03 and ’04 championship teams. Those defenses were scary! The 2003 defense was second in turnover differential, the top scoring defense that allowed just 14.9 points per game, and the best overall defense. In 2004 the Pats were second overall in defense and second best scoring defense, holding opponents to just 16.2 points per game.
Want more proof? How about 41 sacks, 29 interceptions, and 18 forced fumbles in 2003. It was a similar story in 2004 when the Pats had 45 sacks, 20 interceptions, and 20 forced fumbles. The Patriots went 14-2 in both years and the defense held up their end.
Stats only tell half the story. The defense was hard-hitting and intimidating. Offenses knew they were in for a long and painful game when they faced the Patriots. Quarterbacks were skittish. Running backs knew there would be no holes up the middle. And Receivers heard footsteps while going across the middle. Hearing “New England” sent chills up the spine.
That’s not the case anymore. It hasn’t been like that in years. Even the 16-0 team had a defense that opponents felt was vulnerable instead of feared.
The first step towards bringing back the defense’s bloodlust starts in camp. By the regular season, when the D shows their fangs, hopefully the chill returns before the winter winds blow.
To do that, a lot of hitting must be allowed in practice. Sorry offense, but the D needs to remember the joy of hard-hitting. They have to develop a toll booth operator’s attitude: sure you may get through, but you’re gonna have to pay the price!
One key element missing is a leader for the defensive attitude. In other words, an enforcer. Now that safety Rodney Harrison is retired, the team lacks that player that sets the tone.
In 2001, the season began to turn around when ILB Bryan Cox crushed an Indianapolis receiver going over the middle. ’03 and ’04 doesn’t have a play that stands out, but no one wanted to feel Harrison’s “play beyond the whistle” aggressiveness.
Who can be the tone-setters for this year’s Patriots? ILB Jerod Mayo comes to mind. Only in his second season, he’s shown to be a sure tackler and occasional “Ooooo” generator. But I’d feel more encouraged by Mayo when he’s better in pass coverage.
Instead I’ll moninate ILB Gary Guyton, the man that came in for ILB Tedy Bruschi on passing downs. Guyton will have his chances to bring the Gillette Stadium crowd to their feet. I like Guyton’s potential as a tone-setter, but he’s not my top choice.
That would be safety Brandon Merriweather. He’s entering his third year and has already shown play-making potential. His interception in the second game of the season led to the game-winning touchdown against the New York Jets. And his perfectly timed blitz-sack against Seattle secured the win for the Patriots.
But what isn’t getting noticed is his desire to lay a lick on a player. Merriweather isn’t the biggest guy out there, but I’ve noticed Brandon launch himself a couple of times, in hopes of taking a receiver off his feet. He just missed, but it won’t be long before he makes direct contact and make receivers think twice.
Another player added to the roster with an “I don’t give a <bleep>” reputation is rookie safety Patrick Chung. He’s built a little thicker than Merriweather and could be a better hitter, but until he does it on the field, I’ll hold my judgment.
What I’m hoping for is that safety/linebacker Tank Williams stays healthy and contributes for the Patriots. He lived up to his name in his years with Tennessee and hopefully Tank, now fully recovered from a season-ending preseason injury last year, makes an impact, literally and figuratively.
The only element in question is an effective pass rush. Last year's squad had a humorous 31 sacks, second to last in the league. Whether a starter wins out or a combination plays opposite OLB Adalius Thomas, the Patriots must improve the pressure, and hopefully, get more sacks.
A more physical camp will benefit the offense as well. While the Pats were the sixth-best rushing offense last year, that was done partially against the AFC and NFC West, the two weakest divisions last year. If the O-line and ball carriers can enforce their will for a second year in a row, it makes the passing game dramatically easier.
But make no mistake. This training camp will be about the defense and developing the physical identity that will make opponents cower in fear. Day one is in the books. Hopefully the last day ends with a Lombardi Trophy.
Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com
