Can the Patriots win the Super Bowl without changes to their defense?
Welcome to Boston.com’s Sports Q, our daily conversation, initiated by you and moderated by Chad Finn, about a compelling topic in Boston sports. Here’s how it works: You submit questions to Chad through Twitter, Facebook, email, his
Friday chat, and any other outlet you prefer. He’ll pick one each day (except for Saturday) to answer, then we’ll take the discussion to the comments. Chad will stop by several times per day to navigate. But you drive the conversation.
I know we have crazy expectations around here, but this is a fact: The Patriots are built to win the Super Bowl this year. It’s the mission, and it’s reasonable. With that in mind, do you think this defense as currently built will be good enough to allow this to happen, provided Brady remains awesome and most of the key players stay healthy? Right now it sure looks like they need some help, and that’s surprising and disappointing. – Kevin J.
Well, they’re 32d in overall defense, 32d against the pass, and 26th against the run, so look at it this way. Unless Roger Goodell finds a way to add a 33d team during the season (don’t bet against London), there’s nowhere to go but up.
Facetiousness aside, yeah, they’ve been a mess against the Chiefs, Saints and even the Texans. But I still think this fundamental core will be OK. It’s basically the same group that won the Super Bowl. Stephon Gilmore is supposed to be an upgrade on Logan Ryan, and I think he will be an obvious one soon. It just takes time to get new players acclimated. For all of the concern about the front seven (which is really a front six), four of these players started the Super Bowl. They miss Rob Ninkovich, but he doesn’t solve the biggest issue so far – team speed, as Ben Volin wrote a few days ago. Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard were quality depth, but Dietrich Wise may have a better season than either of them.
Belichick will add complementary pieces until the Oct. 31 trade deadline. He usually does. But I don’t think anything major happens. If their best players can stay healthy (D’onta Hightower) and start playing better (Devin McCourty), they’ll be a heck of a lot better soon than they have been so far. Yes, they can win a six title with this group. No wholesale changes are necessary. On-field improvements among accomplished players is the key.
What do you guys think? Can the Patriots win the Super Bowl with the defense as currently constituted? I’ll see you in the comments.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com