Let's pause here for a minute and ponder the following:
The New England Patriots went 13-3 last season with the league's second-worst defense.
Last week's NFL draft was used to address this issue with a series of bold moves. The Pats patched up a paper-thin defensive backfield and have the makings of a new-look pass rush with the help of first-rounder Chandler Jones.
Bill Belichick wanted Jones from the beginning. Enamored with the former Syracuse defensive end's freakish size and athleticism (at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, think Jason Pierre-Paul, Part II), the team broke with protocol to trade up six spots and grab Jones with the 21st pick.
Shane Hurd, who coached Jones at Union-Endicott High School in Endicott, N.Y., believes the Patriots have stolen a gem:
"Just talking to him, he wants to go in and play right now; he wants to be Defensive Rookie of the Year; he wants to have 15 sacks," Hurd told the Boston Herald. "And if he wants that, and you put that type of attitude and that type of ability and skill set with the Patriots' coaching staff, why not? I'm pretty confident he can come in and make an impact right now."
Hurd hasn't forgotten how Jones made similar promises in his high-school days:
"When he was a backup linebacker, he said, 'I'm going to start at linebacker.' Then he said, 'I'm going to dominate this game.' He was always supremely confident, but never cocky -- just very confident. And with that skill set, he can certainly make an impact right now."
