Check-In with the Patriots: Defensive Line

With five articles down in the series and only two to go, I’ll finish up the defensive side of the ball by talking about the defensive line. In the Patriots base 3-4 defense, which they have utilized with incredible success this past decade, they feature one of the premier defensive lines in the league. Right end Richard Seymour, left end Ty Warren, and nose tackle Vince Wilfork were all first round draft picks. All three were heralded out of college and lived up to their hype. Coincidentally or not, all three were chosen prior to a Super Bowl year. Seymour was selected in 2001, Warren in 2003, and Wilfork in 2004. Wilfork and Seymour have both been selected to the Pro Bowl (which many say is a popularity contest, but I still have both of them in my top five defensive players in the AFC East). Seymour’s status as a three-time first-team All-Pro is plenty of indication that his ability isn’t overrated. Many would claim that he is injury prone and is losing his athle...