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This Article was originally featured on New England Sports Online: 2011-2012 NFL Power Rankings Yesterday, I posted a piece on teams ranked 17-8. Today, I have posted my top 10 teams. 10. Houston TexansOffensively, this team is rock soli…
NOTE: This Article was initially featured on New England Sports Online.
We all know that early in his career Tom Brady never put up gigantic numbers or marvelous statistical seasons, but his claim to fame was his ability to win in clutch situations. He…
After winning the division last year, the Patriots’ main competitors are the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.
My article is being written pre-draft, so outlooks may certainly change depending on draft manipulation/drafting by teams.
The ‘Phins were middle of the pack last year in terms of rushing defense, at No. 18 in the NFL in total rush defense, allowing 1,835 yards.
For the Dolphins’ organization, fixing their sub par rush defense was of great importance. They went out and signed linebacker Karlos Dansby, who last year totaled 101 sacks and an interception.
Dansby is a very threatening player; he is a force against rushers with sure tackling abilities, and has had success in bringing down the quarterback prior to last season (‘06, eight sacks and ‘08 four sacks).
One of Miami’s biggest in-season issues has been addressed by the team, and as we move towards the NFL draft, the Dolphins can focus on improving pass defense or even bring in new offensive players to rally around young quarterback Chad Henne.
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The Jets seem to have made the biggest splash this offseason compared to any other East team, as well as during the season.
They traded for Braylon Edwards at the NFL trade deadline, giving Mark Sanchez a viable receiving option and the offense an overall deep threat
Defense:
This offseason, the Jets have been improving an already top defense, by adding previous shutdown corner Antonio Cromartie.
Cromartie has had off-the-field problems (six different children with seven women), but on the field he is still one of the fastest players around.
He clearly has the talent set to be a top corner, and with Rex Ryan’s defensive coaching he should be able to regain his confidence and play at the level he did in 2007, when he had 10 picks.
Unfortunately, the Jets lost a major player on their defense in Kerry Rhodes. Rhodes was a cog of that unit because of his experience and consistent tackling ability, as well as his knack for the ball and making the big play.
His absence will be felt as the Jets may initially lose out on communication, but with two shutdown corners (Cromartie and Revis), the result Rhodes’s absence will not compound itself.
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Vince Wilfork’s future with the New England Patriots is unknown. Wilfork is a two-time Pro Bowler, earning his second invitation this season. In the two seasons that Wilfork earned Pro Bowl honors, he also was awarded second Team All-NFL. The 325lb nose tackle was drafted by New England and has never been apart of another professional franchise.
Wilfork is a two-time Super Bowl winner as well and was a key to the Patriots’ defense in their 16-0 2007 campaign. He is known as one of the top defensive tackles in the league and his size and skill set are perfect for a 3-4 team like the Patriots.
Wilfork’s six-year rookie contract has expired and much like former teammate Asante Samuel, he is fearful that the Patriots may slap a franchise tag on him. After Samuel’s breakout 2006 season, in which he accumulated 10 interceptions and 24 passes defended—he felt a new long-term contract would be in store.
Instead the Patriots franchise tagged him with a spoken agreement, according to Samuel, that if the team won 12 games or Samuel played 60 percent of the defensive snaps that he would not be tagged again. The Patriots did not lose a regular season game, and Samuel signed a six-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Earlier this season, long time defensive end and another ex-Pro Bowler and Super Bowl winner Richard Seymour was traded to the Raiders for draft picks. This is a player who was in New England for every championship throughout the 2000s and was one of the most respected players in New England sports.
The Patriots jettisoned Seymour to Oakland, and needless to say, Seymour was very upset by the move, failing to report to camp days after being traded.
Both Seymour and Samuel, two defensive stalwarts, felt that they were wronged by the organization that they contributed so much to. There is no reason to doubt that the Patriots do the same to Wilfork.
Although he would likely earn $7 million if he were to be tagged, he would not be given long-term security. In a sport where injuries occur so often, security means a lot, and most organizations give their best players the extensions they rightfully deserve.
The Patriots are not this type of team. As evident with the “Spygate” incident, the Patriots care about winning and winning only. Every team’s first goal is to win, but faith to the Patriots’ players comes far down the pecking pole. Samuel has spoken about his feelings towards how the Patriots operate.
“The way they treat people is not something I agree with,” Samuel said
In a cutthroat league where players move to different cities season to season, the best expect to be given the opportunity to stay and play for one team. Michael Strahan finished his career with the Giants, Gilbert Brown never got thrown out by the Packers, and Ronde Barber has been given every opportunity to retire as a Buccaneer.
The Patriots do not honor their star defensive players as other team’s have and the players across the league are starting to understand this fact. Tom Brady and Kevin Faulk withstanding, no player has been with the Patriots for every Super Bowl.
Whether this dynasty is over or still in tact is yet to be seen, but the amount of defensive players they have lost has shown through their team defense stats. The Patriot’s interceptions and sacks are both down since the losses of Samuel and Seymour, and if Wilfork is lost their run defense will be affected negatively as well.
Wilfork may or may not be a Patriot next year, and he may be a Patriot under terms he does not concur with. Unless the Patriot’s start to respect their significant players’ contract requests, they will find themselves longing for the glory days of a sturdy defense that lead to championships.
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