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New England Patriots: Top 5 defensive performers of 2018 NFL season

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 02: Dont'a Hightower #54 and Elandon Roberts #52 of the New England Patriots walk through the tunnel before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 02: Dont'a Hightower #54 and Elandon Roberts #52 of the New England Patriots walk through the tunnel before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots Lawrence Guy (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Lawrence Guy (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

4. Lawrence Guy

The New England Patriots defensive lineman isn’t flashy, but he does his job.

With 59 total combined tackles and 1.0 sacks, Lawrence Guy did not stand out on the Patriots defense, but that is actually a good thing.

What Guy did in 2019 that puts him on this list is stabilize the middle of the Patriots defensive line particularly against the run as the season moved forward.  With players like Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton not performing up to expectations, the importance of Lawrence Guy and his reliable play throughout the season should be applauded.

An underrated free agent signing in 2017, Guy has morphed into the ultimate team player and a guy who just goes out there and does his job.

The hustle he showed in forcing a fumble against the Green Bay Packers during the team’s Sunday Night Football matchup back in November summed up Guy’s role and what he brings to the field on every play.

"“I go out there and play for my brothers on the field,” Guy said, via NBC Sports Boston.  “That’s one thing: I play for them, play for my family, play for myself.  It doesn’t concern me, all the hype.  As long as my brothers next to me know I’m playing as hard as I can, and I’m leaving my heart out there, that’s all I care for.  That’s how we play as a defense.  We’re not a selfish defense.  We’re a defense that wants to work together and have fun together.  That’s the mentality we have.”"

That mentality led the team to a Super Bowl LIII win over the Los Angeles Rams.  Players like Lawrence Guy on defense is the reason a team lacking talent was able to put it all together and succeed as a total unit.

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