It's a spring tradition unlike any other in New England.
The Patriots fail to win the Super Bowl (gasp!), the defense can't get off the field, and the primordial call is blasted all over the region: Bill Belichick has to go get a dominant pass rusher.
Happened in 2010, '11, '12, '13 ... Super Bowl No. 4, '15 was the offensive line, Super Bowl No. 5 ... and now here we are again after the Patriots couldn't momentarily pause Nick Foles and the Eagles in the 41-33 loss in Super Bowl LII.
There's no pass rush.
Foles did whatever he wanted.
We didn't even sniff Foles.
We HAVE TO get a pass rusher.
And then the talk will turn to the pass rushers available in free agency, and the Patriots won't do anything of substance.
Then the talk will turn to the pass rushers in the draft, and all the studs Belichick should trade up for in the first round (look what this idiot from the Globe suggested in 2011 — moron), and Belichick will (usually) pass on them and take some developmental players in the second, third or later rounds.
You can have your dreams. You can have your draft binkies. But 95 percent of the time this is true: Belichick will not go get a dominating pass rusher because he has a tried and tested system that works with phenomenal efficiency.
And this year, Belichick should keep doing what he has been doing.
Yeah, that's right. You and your pass-rush dreams can go pound sand when it comes to The Hoodie.
Why? Let's go through his history, a list of real potential free-agent targets by the Patriots, and explain his philosophy.
Basically, it would take just about a complete about-face by Belichick to do what many fans and pundits want him to do.
He's only gone big once in free agency on the edge: Adalius Thomas in '07, and after one season, it blew up in his face. And in the draft, he traded up to 21st overall to select Chander Jones in '12, who became a good -- but not great -- player before being traded to the Cardinals.
As far as bold moves at the edge rusher position, that's it.
Here's the list since 2009:
[table id=9 /]
Based on Belichick's lengthy history, the Patriots will do one of two things (or a blend of both): draft a player with athletic upside in Rounds 3-5, or sign a veteran looking for a change to a modest contract.
Sometimes the draft approach works (Trey Flowers), but most often it does not (Jermaine Cunningham, Geneo Grissom, Jake Bequette). And after drafting two pass rushers in back-to-back rounds last year (Derek Rivers and Deatrich Wise), the chances are even less Belichick dips his toe in there again.
While free agency has seen Belichick have the most success (Rob Ninkovich, Andre Carter, Mark Anderson), it's been a mixed bag in terms of real impact (Will Smith, Chris Long, Trevor Scott).
Still, if you were deadset on improving the pass rush this offseason, your efforts would be best spent looking at players in the second and third wave of free agency, and those released by their teams at some point. That's where Belichick does his best work.
In this year's class, this would be the first wave: DeMarcus Lawrence (franchise likely), Aaron Lynch, Junior Galette, Shaquil Barrett, Ziggy Ansah.
More the Patriots' speed:
- Alex Okafor (Saints): Was outstanding until late-season Achilles injury, which will make him very affordable.
- Adrian Clayborn (Falcons): Coming off a well-timed career that could price him out.
- Connor Barwin (Rams): Patriots' type of guy -- old, cheap and versatile.
- Julius Peppers (Panthers): Belichick loves those old guys looking for one more moment in the sun.
- William Hayes (Dolphins): Underrated veteran (32) who I'm guessing Belchick has liked on film.
- Kerry Hyder Jr. (Lions): Went from practice squad to one of league's best pass rushers in '16, then tore his Achilles in '17.
- Erik Walden (Titans): Solid two-way edge player who the Patriots have seen a lot of over the years.
- Ahmad Brooks (Packers): Long-time 49er is 33, but has always been a solid two-way player.
- Lamarr Houston (Bears): He's been available and I'm perplexed as to why he hasn't been a Patriot yet. Very underrated. Would fit them perfectly.
- Matt Longacre (Rams): If you were looking for a youngish (26) edge guy, he would be the present-day Trevor Scott.
- Denico Autry (Raider): Has the size (6-foot-3, 273) they like on the outside. Productive player with 12 sacks past three seasons.
- Marcus Smith (Eagles): Former first-round bust of the Eagles could be the perfect cheap reclamation project for the Patriots.