There's certainly a lot to question about the 2022 Patriots, which we've done and will continue to do so. But with the offseason wrapped up, let's look at some aspects of the team that we feel better about - or have the potential to surprise.
First up: The pass rush.
________________________________
We all pretty much know how last season went for the Patriots' pass rush. Matthew Judon completely dominated for 2/3rds of the season to the point he was a legit defensive player of the year candidate. Rookie Christian Barmore was a sensation as a subpackage pass rusher, and Kyle Van Noy chipped in a little.
And that was just about the extent of the Patriots' pass rush for the 2021 season.
Factor in that Judon completely disappeared down the stretch, and the result was two games against the Bills in which Josh Allen and the Bills thought they were conducting 7-on-7 drills and were never forced to punt.
That's what happens when you have, basically, no pass rush.
Will 2022 be any different in that department?
If the four open offseason practices were any indication, the Patriots might have a little something in that department.
To the point — and I can see myself regretting saying this but it's June, cut me some slack — I'm not sure the Patriots will miss Van Noy and Dont'a Hightower all that much.
Why are we now at least a little optimistic?
I guess we would start with athleticism, mostly on the second level. Sure, there aren't a whole lot of household names, which has led many — especially heading into the draft — to conclude the Patriots had to go fast and heavy to upgrade the linebacker spot. We disagreed and so did the Patriots.
Here is your personnel up the middle, from all appearances — in some semblance of the pecking order:
Ja'Whaun Bentley
Raekwon McMillan
Anfernee Jennings
Mack Wilson
Jahlani Tavai
Cameron McGrone
Harvey Langhi
Two of these are not like the other. Bentley and Jennings aren't exactly burners, but Bentley is a decent blitzer. There is still much unknown about Jennings because of his injury issues, and it appears that the coaches view him similarly — they are still figuring out what he can and can't do. He's a work in progress, and his fit in this defense is still being determined.
McMillan has always been able to run and has been viewed as a top blitzing linebacker. The Patriots loved what they saw from him last year before injury and while it still remains to be seen if he is still at the same level after surgery, he has been prominent in practices.
Wilson's athletic ability showed out on the practice field and that has never really been a question. How fast he gets the scheme and can play fast will be the important factor proved out in camp.
Tavai is obviously a favorite of Matt Patricia's from Detroit, and can run a bit. While there is still optimism that McGrone can make an impact, the Patriots are obviously taking it a little slow with him. Expect them to push him at times during camp to see what he can do. Langhi is just a good football player, but wouldn't put him in the blazer category as far as a runner.
On the edge, Judon knows the pressure is on for him to deliver for an entire season, and he has seemed to embrace that. Barmore's introduction was impressive but he also tailed off as a rookie. Is he ready to take the next step? Josh Uche seems to be chomping at the bit to have of an impact and he should. We didn't see much from Ronnie Perkins in minicamp, what can he bring?
And then you have the impact of safeties like Kyle Dugger and, especially, Jabrill Peppers in the mix. Expect Peppers, who does look like an LB/S hybrid physically, to be very much in the mix as a subpackage linebacker. Dugger will be around the line of scrimmage as well.
Put it all together, and we were mildly surprised and encouraged by the group and we certainly weren't pining for the old hands, including Jamie Collins.
Then there was the scheme. The Patriots have always used the amoeba attacking team pressure scheme because they don't really believe in dominating pass rushers, save a few unicorns like Judon in their midst. Now with Judon and Barmore in the mix for a second season, it feels like the timing is better, at least in minicamp. Of course, some of it might have been some issues on the offensive line, but the pass rush was very effective in 11-on-11s.
The big question has been and could continue to be ... will Steve Belichick push the right buttons in terms of his playcalls? Not everyone can be an effective defensive playcaller. It takes equal parts study, quick-thinking, analytics and gut instinct. Belichick hasn't proven much to this point considering his defenses have been their worst late in the season when they needed to be at their best. Has he grown into the role? Does he have better pieces now at his disposal?
All these questions need to be answered. But it appears the Patriots have improved as far as the pass rush — the run defense is an entirely different issue — in terms of athleticism, and it could be a matter of matching up the right personnel and the playcalls.
But we're optimistic things are going in the right direction.