Christian Barmore's return to Patriots defense could turn their performance around

Great news broke recently about Christian Barmore's likely return to practice. There are many reasons to be happy about this development, most notably his presence on the practice field on Thursday in preparation for the Patriots Week 11 matchup with the Rams.

Barmore had a serious health issue that has ruled out players for long periods in the past. His return is like a cool breeze on a hot summer day for Patriot Nation and, frankly, should be for any other football fan, as well.

Patriot Nation is jubilant over this news and its positive implications for the player, the team, and his many fans. Let's look at the reasons why his somewhat unexpected return is such terrific news both off and on the field.

Returning to practice means Christian Barmore is completely healthy

First and foremost, with no close second reason, Christian Barmore's return to practice signals without doubt that he's fully healthy. Serious health conditions are serious business. Returning to a normal daily routine is difficult enough. Returning to the rigors of the National Football League is quite another thing altogether.

Being cleared by doctors to return indicates he's fully fit and ready to go. It's a wonderful development and one of the highlights, if not the most important development of the season thus far. It's just great to hear that the young man is fully healthy and able to be a football player again. And then, there are the football aspects.

He is a difference-maker on the Patriots' defense, which he consistently demonstrated with his breakout season in 2023, when he delivered 8.5 sacks, and here was the team's MVP, signaled even greater things to come for the young star. His illness delayed that, but now he can wreak havoc on the football field again. Let's talk about the football impact.

Barmore's return is huge plus for the Patriots' playoff hopes

Adding your team's 2023 MVP to the defensive lineup is significant. With the team somehow still in the playoff hunt, adding a player of Barmore's caliber to the equation connotes a massive reinforcement. While his conditioning is unknown, whatever he delivers to the team is a plus, including inspirationally.

A key impact of Barmore's return is his potential pairing with another dynamic former second-round pick by former coach/GM Bill Belichick, Keion White. Belichick hit the jackpot on Barmore and White. They are both pocket-collapsing dynamos when deployed inside on the defensive line.

The Patriots have been misusing White as an edge rusher, though admittedly, he's their best there, having traded Matt Judon and Joshua Uche. Regardless, White's best position is inside in a gap, and Barmore's is smack dab on the nose. Seeing Barmore and White inside was greatly anticipated here. Both demand double teams, a huge problem for any opposing offensive coordinators.

Adding Barmore to White inside is a veritable nightmare for any offense. Head Coach Jerod Mayo has used White on too few occasions inside, where he, like Barmore, is a pocket-collapsing force. Hopefully, Mayo will get the picture and double up on the prodigious talents he has inside. It will make everyone on the defense better. When you have no pocket on offense, you have big problems.

Christian Barmore's return to practice is excellent news. Hopefully, it signals his health issues are over, the most important aspect of the situation. He adds a dimension on the field that can elevate the Patriots' defense to a whole new level, especially paired with Keion White inside.

Hopefully, Coach Mayo will deploy them that way. Guaranteed, it will be something special to behold.

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