Jetsfan80 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Say what you want about Cimini, but at least he doesn't fellate the team he covers like ESPNBoston's Mike Reiss does the Patriots. http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/6881362/for-patriots-d-line-rich-keep-getting-richer For Pats, the richer the better As Ellis and Haynesworth return, defensive line just keeps getting deeper By Mike Reiss ESPNBoston.com Updated: August 21, 2011, 1:18 PM ET FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Combining the fury unleashed Thursday night in Tampa, Fla., with what took place on the Gillette Stadium practice field Saturday, it looks like a case of the rich getting richer with the New England Patriots' defensive line. A unit that has already looked deep and talented this preseason added another cog Saturday with Shaun Ellis coming off the physically unable to perform list. Add in an Albert Haynesworth sighting Saturday -- he attended practice but didn't participate -- and one could draw the conclusion that his official return to action isn't far behind, either. That's a lot of power up front for a group that already looks powerful. "Everybody knows when you start a defense, it starts up front," Ellis said Saturday. "It makes me want to be a part of it that much more. We have a lot of guys who can stop the run and also get after the quarterback; a lot of talent. I'm just eager to be a part of it and just go out and contribute the best way I can." How all the pieces fit together will be fascinating to watch in the coming weeks. The picture should start taking shape quickly, as coach Bill Belichick noted this is the time in training camp when things start to shift. "We've got games coming up here pretty soon," Belichick said. "In training camp, you're just kind of trying to evaluate your team and figure out who you're going to be dealing with and where you're going to give everybody a chance to perform. Now I think we need to start making some decisions about who is going to do what, what we want to be, how we want to use different players, and where our depth is." It's quite clear where the Patriots' defensive depth currently is -- on the line -- and Belichick has already said it's a strong likelihood that the team will be keeping more linemen over linebackers. That would also contribute to a shift away from the base 3-4 defense that has been a Belichick trademark in recent years, with the team playing the more attacking style we've seen in the first two preseason games. The Patriots kept eight defensive linemen on the roster last year. This year, the number could go as high as 11 or 12. Locks for roster spots would seem to include Ellis, Haynesworth, Vince Wilfork, Andre Carter, Kyle Love, Jermaine Cunningham and Myron Pryor. Meanwhile, it's going to be hard to let go of veteran Gerard Warren after his performance to date, with Eric Moore and Mark Anderson also looking sharp. If any of those players are let go, it would be a surprise at this point. That's 10, which doesn't account for the player who led the team in sacks last season, Mike Wright. One would think he'll find his way on the roster as well, even though he's missed considerable time in camp and is coming off a 2010 season in which he missed the final seven games with a severe concussion. Elsewhere at the position, Landon Cohen, Kade Weston and Darryl Richard have also flashed at times. On many other teams, their performance would have assured a roster spot, but based on the numbers the Patriots have along the line, they face an uphill climb for a spot. When assessing the line, Warren noted that "just on names alone, it's good," but he cautioned that if the players don't put the work in and play together, it won't matter. Ellis is among those who believe in the strength of numbers along the line. "I think that's the key to the season, being fresh late in the year when it gets playoff time," he said. "Rotating is definitely going to take the pressure off a lot of guys and keep us fresh throughout." "It is the best thing to have depth," agreed Carter, the veteran end who was impressive Thursday night at Tampa. "It will keep guys fresh over the long season; 16 games is a grind. If you have a certain number of guys, it prepares you in the long run." The depth along the line almost assures that two contributors from last season -- Ron Brace and Brandon Deaderick -- will open the year on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. If they came back now, it would be hard for them to make the club, so maybe the picture looks different after the first six weeks of the season when they would be eligible to return. That's how stocked the Patriots currently are along the line. With Ellis officially returning Saturday, and it looking like Haynesworth isn't far behind, the rich just got richer. Mike Reiss covers the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com. Follow Mike Reiss on Twitter: @MikeReiss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriotReign37 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 From the looks of all the injuries this year, its going to be a war of attrition. Teams with depth should prevail. If Solder and Cannon pan out, NE will have nice depth at OL too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugg Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 From the looks of all the injuries this year, its going to be a war of attrition. Teams with depth should prevail. If Solder and Cannon pan out, NE will have nice depth at OL too. As to "war of attrition", why was Woodhead on the punt theam late in the 4th quarter? He took one serious hit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNJet Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 From the looks of all the injuries this year, its going to be a war of attrition. Teams with depth should prevail. If Solder and Cannon pan out, NE will have nice depth at OL too. GFY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serphnx Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 The more articles I read the more I feel like the Pats are going to be a 5-11 team this year, despite how crazy that sounds. They had a pretty good system up there but now they just seem desperate, signing any crazy old guy they can find and trying to pretend that the moves are brilliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klecko73isGod Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 The more articles I read the more I feel like the Pats are going to be a 5-11 team this year, despite how crazy that sounds. They had a pretty good system up there but now they just seem desperate, signing any crazy old guy they can find and trying to pretend that the moves are brilliant. A lot of these articles read like people trying to convince themselves. The one thing that perplexes me is Shaughnessey's comment about Belichick approaching their 2nd preseason game like it was a regular season game. The only reasons I can think he would do such a thing are all bad for the Pats. You don't do that if you are confident in your team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriotReign37 Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 As to "war of attrition", why was Woodhead on the punt theam late in the 4th quarter? He took one serious hit. Yeah, but hes one tough SOB. Nothing has changed, BB has always had starters playing special teams. With less practice time, you better have your players ready to go asap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriotReign37 Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 GFY. Tell me, are you still brother and sister when you get a divorce in Tenn? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bx Jet Fan Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 We better get a bigger boat. Tanny better get some Olinemen ASAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Guys.knock off the personal.attacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastineau Lives Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Great, so now instead of ten pounds of sh*t, they have twenty. THEY'RE RICH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMaynard Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 There is only one thing the post 2004 Patriots are better at than the regular season. The pre-season. Post season? hahahahahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whodeawhodat Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 For all the players they have on the Dline(20?) they seem to be very thin at LB accross the board. Even if they go mostly to a 4-3 I only count like 6 LBs on thier roster. half of them are trash, the other half wouldnt start for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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