A Clare Perspective: Let Me Hear You, “Defence, Defence, Defence!”

So during the offseason, the New England Patriots splashed the cash, and not only on the offensive side of the ball, which I delved into last week. They also stacked the defence high with fresh new talent.

I know we haven’t really seen anything of this crew as of yet but just looking at the depth that the Patriots have on the defensive side of the ball, the new guys they have brought in and players that have returned, once again the Patriots do not have the youngest line, but they have a seriously strong one, on paper if nothing else.

To put them as middle-of-the-pack, PFF recent rankings, I think is a misjudgment of the Patriots and quite frankly I love it. Let them underestimate us ‘cos when we come out swinging, and I can guarantee they will with some of the pieces they have, some (maybe even a lot) of this league is gonna get flattened as the defence dominates this coming season.

The only concern to look at currently is the uncertainty on what is going to happen at cornerback. Will Stephon Gilmore remain in New England? I sure as heck hope so, I haven’t been shy in saying the Patriots just really don’t need to make a hole where one doesn’t need making!

However, putting a pin in that topic, for now. I want to turn more to those that have been added, rather than those that might be removed!

Because of the depth the Patriots have created, the list of possibilities in the defensive lineup are many, however for the sake of this article, I pretty much chose mostly new guys or re-signed ones.

The sigh of relief of Patriots fans when the news broke of Lawrence Guy’s re-signing could be heard several continents over. A central piece of the defensive line and a seasoned Patriots veteran returning for his fifth year with the team, Guy is, well… THE guy.

One of the big spends ‘Coach’ made on defence was a former Miami Dolphin Devon Godchaux. $15 million over two years is a chunk of cap on a player who missed the end of the 2020 season due to a pectoral injury, but with Belichick being a defence guy I’m feeling pretty confident in the signing of this 6-foot-3 defensive tackle!

Next up is one of my favourite signings for this defence. Previously of the New York Jets – but we won’t hold that against him, Henry Anderson. PFF rankings had Anderson’s 2020 season just a few spots below the beloved Lawrence Guy at 54th, so it isn’t difficult to see why the Patriots wanted this guy on the defensive line. Mr. Number 94 is, get this, 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds. I just love it when ‘Coach’ stacks the line with huge players. Anderson didn’t affect the purse strings too much either with a $7 million contract, $3 million guaranteed.

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Another cause for celebration was the return of the integral piece of the defence with Dont’a Hightower returning after opting out in 2020 under the Covid restrictions.

Some of the players that make up my mock defence, remaining on contracts and maintaining strength to the defence are Stephon Gilmore (hopefully!), J.C. Jackson, Kyle Dugger, and Ja’Whaun Bentley. Dugger got through a rookie season during a rather trying time for the world, and whilst he didn’t see an excessive amount of playing time, he managed to rank 49th on PFF, only a few spots below Devin McCourty.

Following a quick sabbatical over in Miami, Kyle Van Noy returns to New England to the rejoice of many, many fans. A two-year deal sees the linebacker with a considerable drop in earnings from what he was contracted with the Miami Dolphins, as he was released after just one year. Surprising especially as PFF had him ranked 26th for the 2020 season. He seems happy enough to be back where he belongs maybe, at Foxborough.

Jalen Mills brings some considerable talent to the slot cornerback/safety position on a considerable contract of 4 years $24 million. Although moving maybe into veteran status at 27 years old, Jalen’s improved performance in 2020 may have caught Coach’s eye.

Matt Judon rounds out my defensive 11, and I have saved the most expensive for last! Judon was signed on a 4 year deal for $54.5 million. A speed guy with versatility, and a key piece of need for the defensive line being such a dominant pass rusher.

Now don’t get me wrong here folks, my list is missing a whole heap of talent currently a Patriot, a lot of which is probably going to make the 53 man roster but I can only take up so much of your precious time with so many possibilities.

It wasn’t a secret that the Patriots needed to add some defensive depth, and add they did! I can’t wait to watch whoever lines up on defence this coming season crush opponent offences… LFG baby!

Clare L Cooper is a special contributor and columnist for Full Press Coverage Patriots and a writer for Pats Propoganda(.com). Her podcast ‘A Clare Perspective’ can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker, and most places from which you download your podcasts as can One Patriots Place where she shares the mic with her two co-hosts each and every week!

The current episode of A Clare Perspective, where Clare chats with NBC Sports Boston’s very own Tom E. Curran is the tenth in the series and Clare would like to thank all the fans who have been with her on this amazing journey so far!