New England Patriots: 5 reasons team’s best football is ahead of them

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 11: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots receives the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 11: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots receives the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
New England Patriots (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

More speed on defense

The New England Patriots have not been consistently good on defense, particularly on the road.

With a lack of speed at the linebacker position as well as some poor play in the secondary, Bill Belichick has some things to fix.  Some of it is scheme, but a lot of it is adding some speed to cover running backs and tight ends out of the backfield.

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Patrick Chung has had his moments and linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts have been okay but adding some speed has been a focus of Belichick with some of the recent transactions the team has made.

In activating second-round pick Duke Dawson to the 53-man active roster, the Patriots are adding depth to the secondary and a player who does add speed and physicality.  When it comes to covering tight ends, the addition of safety Obi Melinfonwu should help with that.

Melinfonwu is a former second-round pick who has the size and speed to stay with tight ends.  Whether he works out is the question.  In addition, the players who are already on the team have to get better and they will.  Veteran edge rusher Adrian Clayborn is finally showing what he can do.  The team also has Derek Rivers who adds speed off the edge.

The 2017 third-round pick hasn’t been active most games, but he should see more action in the second half of the season.

Overall, the defense just needs to be more physical and show mental toughness on the road.  They are not the most talented defense, but they have enough playmakers and veterans to prevent being dominated like they were Sunday in Nashville.