Ex-Patriots exec thinks defense will be even better this year

Michael Lombardi, who spent two years with the Patriots, contends that the defense in 2019 should be even stronger than it was in 2018.

It’s hard to imagine the New England defense replicating their Super Bowl-winning performance for an entire season. Heck, it’s hard to imagine them even recreating it for a full game… and that’s less an indictment of this current squad, and more a tip-of-the-cap to the unit and an acknowledgment of how special it was the night of February 3 against an electric Los Angeles offense.

Many reports this offseason have zeroed in on the myriad personnel losses the defending champs have suffered since then. Brian Flores, Eric Rowe, Brendan Daly, Josh Boyer, Trey Flowers… the list on defense includes both former coaches and former players, all contributors of varying significance to what was a superb statistical performance down the stretch last winter.

At least one football savant doesn’t believe it’s all gloom and doom, though, with this new New England defense.

Michael Lombardi has been a longtime confidant and associate of Bill Belichick’s; he actually worked as an assistant to the coaching staff from 2014-2016, right as the Patriots were jump-starting another dynasty of championship wins. Before his stint in Foxborough, he occupied a number of executive roles with several different franchises, including the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Francisco 49ers.

Now a media analyst and radio host, Lombardi shared his thoughts on the Patriots’ upcoming season. While he wasn’t as sold on the current state of the New England offense, he had nothing but effusive praise and positive predictions when it came to the defensive side of the ball.

"“I think they are better on defense. I think New England is better on defense this year,” Lombardi told listeners on his radio show, transcript courtesy of WEEI’s Ryan Hannable. “I think Jamie Collins wanted to come back to New England. He wanted to play. I think he will make them a better team and allow (Dont’a) Hightower to play more on the edge, which is what he’s more suited for than playing in base. Then, there’s Kyle Van Noy. I think Michael Bennett still has some gas left in the tank, so I do think they will be better on defense. I think the guy that is coaching the defense is a Hall of Fame defensive coach — forget the fact that he’s a Hall of Fame head coach. I do think they will be better.”"

We tend to agree with Lombardi’s prognostication regarding the defense. Those still wringing their hands over Flowers’ departure seem to have forgotten what Michael Bennett does to opposing quarterbacks. The same can be said of people sweating the fact that Brian Flores (or even Greg Schiano) are no longer installed as defensive gurus; no disrespect to either of those men, but are either of them that necessary with Belichick around anyway?

As stated earlier, however, Lombardi isn’t quite as optimistic about the Patriots’ offense – though he does acknowledge it’s still a work in progress at this point.

"“The question will be can they get this offense changed to where — it changed last year. Everybody talks about Gronk coming back, they were not a tight end oriented offense last year, partly because the two best tight ends blocked — Gronk and Dwayne Allen. That helped their running game, so they utilized their skillset. When everybody zigs, Bill Belichick zags. When everyone is in spread, he’s in two backs. I think that is where he gains an advantage.”"

If indeed Lombardi is right, and this New England defense plays even better in 2019 than they did in 2018, the rest of the league had better watch out.