Totaling up where we stand through five days of padded one-on-one drills. After examining the offense, now, we'll look at the defensive side of the ball.
There's one returning champion (Adam Butler), a big surprise from a new addition (Danny Shelton), and concerns among some players who were thought to play big roles this season (Derek Rivers, Malcom Brown).
Let's take a look at the chart, then get into some thoughts/explanations for some performances:
[table id=93 /]
Thoughts:
- Probably the biggest surprise so far in camp has been the pass-rush ability shown by Danny Shelton. He was thought to be just a two-down player when the Patriots acquired him from the Browns, but so far, he has demonstrated he can be much more. His numbers here would help explain why we've seen him included in some of the Patriots' subpackages. He's often the only big guy in the middle when the Patriots play sub, but are in a position where they need to look out for a possible run (third and medium yardage).
- You want to write Butler off as a flash-in-the-pan, and you have the thought that maybe he just stuck last year because the Patriots lacked much on the interior, But this summer, he's proving he has staying power. Not sure he definitely sticks, but his quickness continues to be very impressive. Quick and relentless is a good combination.
- Trey Flowers' numbers aren't stellar to this point but I'm all that worried because a) he's switching sides and that takes time, and b) they are having him rush from all over the place — including one rep he lost badly as the nose tackle — during these drills.
- I am, however, worried about a couple of players, including Derek Rivers and Malcom Brown. Rivers hasn't shown much to this point. He needs to get going or he's going to become the next Jake Bequette.
- That Brown isn't winning a ton isn't a huge concern to me. He's a big run stuffer. What is concerning is that he's losing as much as he is (tied for first among regulars). Brown's most apt comparison to past Patriots is Vince Wilfork. There's no shame in not being Wilfork. But one thing Wilfork did above everything in these drills was he rarely lost. He almost always won or tied. Brown's definitely a concern, and you wonder if he could be on the way out.
- Harvey Langi, who earned his spot on the Patriots as a UDFA in part because of his showing as an edge rusher, got off to a hot start (2-0) on the first day but is 0-2-1 and twice didn't get reps since.
- Biggest chance to surprise: John Atkins, the UDFA from Georgia. For a guy who didn't record a sack in college, he started 3-0 in camp. He's 0-3-1 and has been nicked up since, so he needs to pick it back up again if he wants to be this year's Butler. But he's a well-put-together athlete.