After five weeks, it’s a well-known fact that the New England Patriots defense is phenomenal.
From the trenches to the secondary, they are sound in every area. This unit has only allowed 20 points in five games so far this season — 23 in the last six while counting the Super Bowl.
This linebacker corps is a huge reason for this, and that’s why Dont’a Hightower nicknamed them ‘the boogeymen’. Which is fitting, because this team has 24 sacks in five games and is absolutely terrorizing opposing quarterbacks.
Hightower was asked about the versatility of New England’s linebackers after their 33-7 victory over the Washington Redskins, and he took the time to elaborate.
“It’s great man. We have crazy depth,” Hightower said. “That only helps us. It’s great for our room, it’s great for the defense, it’s great for the team. In that room alone, we’ve got guys that can play outside linebacker, inside linebacker, defensive end. You can put John Simon at the nose, I’m at the nose, Jamie (Collins) at the nose. The three, the four, the five.”
The more you can do, Bill (Belichick) always says. Whenever you’re versatile, and we’re able to communicate, we’re able to give offenses different looks. We’re smart enough to make changes on the move.”
The Patriots linebacker corps consists of Hightower, Collins, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Simon and Shilique Calhoun. They have five potential starters and are capable of keeping fresh legs and new looks throughout every game.
Their ability to cover receivers, rush the passer and stop the run has led to some absurd defensive statistics through five games.
Every element of this Patriots’ defense is clicking right now, but the linebacker corps is an ultra-important piece in this unit.
