Ron Borges and Albert Breer joined Trenni Kusnierek on Sports Sunday to discuss whether they're comfortable with the Patriots defense.
Borges thinks their success depends on the effectiveness of the front seven. If they’re able to stop the run and rush the passer, like they did in their preseason victory over the Panthers, then they should be in good shape.
But Breer says the Patriots have struggled most when they try to get by with “smoke and mirrors” in the secondary.
“That’s the one area where when they’ve had issues it’s really taken them down,” said Breer. “When they’ve had problems in the secondary, they’ve lost playoffs games, they’ve had seasons ruined, because they weren’t right in the defensive backfield. So, I think getting right still needs to be a priority.”
The Patriots ranked 12th in pass defense last season, per Football Outsiders.
After losing Darrelle Revis it may be difficult for them to replicate their success, but they still can be effective. The complexion of the defense has changed, with a stronger front seven focused on rushing the quarterback.
If they're getting in the face of the quarterback, they may be able to accomplish the same task of stopping the opponent, just in a different kind of way.