Quote:So we are depending on essentially a rookie who's coming back from injury and hasn't played a down in the NFL and another player coming off of back to back season ending injuries. No drama queen, just be real. Not everything is sunshine and rainbow's.

 

Those are legitimate concerns, for the moment.

 

My view is barring something unforeseen, we'll end up with Fowler and at least two, maybe three rookie LEO candidates in this draft.

 

Given how most rookie DEs produce-even great ones-I think the rookie LEOS plus Fowler will combine to produce maybe 10-15 sacks.

 

If the team gets the higher end of that range, it's in good shape this year and the foreseeable future.

 

If the lower end or below, this defense, while seemingly improved, will not likely have what it takes to put this team into serious contention and be able to beat the better teams.

 

Now there could be pleasant surprises.

 

Fowler or another rookie LEO could exceed expectations for a first year player.

 

A veteran DE could be acquired via trade.

 

But you have legitimate concerns about the position.

 

That said, is it possible that you have overreacted to not landing one of the targeted players?

 

We are talking about Vernon, who only managed 7.5 sacks on a loaded D-Line?

 

We are talking about Ayers, who typically hasn't been overwhelming as a pass rusher.

 

We are talking Chandler Jones, who had off field issues in New England.  Belicheck has taken on players deemed to be problem children before.  Belicheck certainly knows the value of a pass rusher.  What had to happen for him to have traded away Jones?

 

Is it possible that, despite not landing these players, the team has actually improved the defense?

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