Patriots Crumbling Defense

The New England Patriots have a crumbling Defense. After a tough off season they thought they would still be a top 5 D, but only time could tell. They aren’t. There nearly horrible. In 2009 there Defense took a few major blows. Teddy Bruschi Retired after 13 seasons. He suffered a stroke in 2005 and never seemed the same. They also lost Richard Seymour in a trade. In exchange they received a first Round pick. This pick is for the upcoming draft. Seymour and Bruschi had combined for 129 tackles. This losses combined with the 2006 departure of Asante Samuel created the beginning of the end for this D. Then they lost Ty Warren, Brandon Meriwheather, Daruis Butler, Brandon McGowan, Jonathan Wilhite, Shawn Springs and James Sanders. Butler was apparently not good enough to start and failed to play well on special teams. In exchange he was released. He went first. Then came Ty Warren who had been dealing with Turf toe injuries and signed a major contract with the broncos. After a household problem Pro-Bowler Brandon Meriwhether went. He was waived for nothing. McGowan was above average but was waived for nothing. He specialized in shutting down TE’s such as Jason Witten, Dallas Clark and Antonio Gates. Then they Released Wilhite who had struggled so far (career). Shawn Springs had played on quite a few teams and went with Sanders (released). Then they signed Albert Haynesworth, who had been a top Nfl defensive player as a Titan in the seasons prior to 2009. He had gotten out of practice, Health and Shape as a Redskin. Then They Drafted ( any players Between 2008-11) Randall Gay, Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Ron Brace, Marion Pryor, Kyle Arrington, Jermaine Cunningham and Ras-I Downling. They also drafted Mayo, Guyton , Ninkovich and Barret. They let Gay go who is now a solid special teams/4 CB in New Orleans. They brought Shaun Ellis, Brandon Spikes and Gerald Warren back. Barret became a non-factor and so did Haynesworth. Brace was benched. Then injuries Struck taking out Mayo, Pryor, Cunningham and now Downling. Chung is also dealing with a thumb injury and Haynesworth has back issues. The team then waived highly productive Leigh Bowden. Bodden had not lived up to his role said the team. He dint want to be the slot corner. He will make 10 million in guaranteed patriots money. Then the D fell on to Wilfork’s shoulders. The Pats have a slow Secondary that can’t adapt. Arrington leads the team in INT’s (4). The Pats have a falling apart D and there offense might not be able to compensate if Welker, Gronk or Brady gets hurt.