By: Ian Tasso, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
Not much surprises New England Patriots fans anymore. Fifty Brady touchdowns, a 16-0 record and three Super Bowls in four years will do that to you. But 2009’s Patriot defense might buck the trend. Ranked sixth in the NFL in pass defense and third in points allowed, the New England defense deprived of big names and bright stars has officially shocked – and even surprised – the football world. Overall they’ve been tremendous. But how do they stack up individually? Grades are in once again, and class is back in session.
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Defensive Line: The loss of Richard Seymour is a little bit more apparent than New Englanders would have hoped. Even so, the Patriot defensive line is performing admirably, with Mike Wright stepping up in number 93’s stead. Wright leads the team with 4.0 sacks, but unfortunately is the only member of the D-Line with more than one. Vince Wilfork is yet to record his first. With Jarvis Green now out, the Patriot’s inability to apply pressure with just the front men will prove to be testing, but as evident by the defense’s success thus far, it’s not a hugely concerning issue.
Individual Grades: Wright, [...]