No Abraham, no problem for Patriots pass rush
Remember that time John Abraham was in Foxborough and had a meeting with the Patriots that went so well he was supposedly checking out Range Rovers on route 1?
Yeah, well you can officially put an end to John Abraham watch as he signed a two year deal with the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday according to Adam Schefter.
Although Abraham was still a free agent we should have known back in March that he would eventually land elsewhere. When veterans usually leave a visit without a deal, they rarely sign with the Pats who love doing their homework on free agents.
That thought process was only further confirmed in April during the draft, while also taking into consideration the players already on the roster. For those of you who held out hope for the veterans addition, here are three reasons you should actually be excited about the Pats pass rush this season without John Abraham.
While his timeliness and knack for the ball are some of his best intangibles Rob also has the speed and strength to battle with the best offensive linemen in the league. His versatility in the front seven allows his high football IQ to take over and make plays when most needed.
Rob will continue to be the consummate professional, showing up big time, on the field this season for the Patriots.
Last season Patriots fans got a glimpse of one of the most exciting players this defense has seen since they last won a Super Bowl. Chandler Jones shot out of the gate wrecking havoc for opposing Quaterbacks on the early part of the Patriots schedule. Lineman could not stay in front of him and he quickly amassed 6 sacks, many tackles for loss and even forced fumbles.
Simply put he was a problem. Injuries piled on his rookie wall as the season wore on but following a summer training with his UFC world champion brother John "Bones" the youngest of the three Jones’ brothers is now completely healthy and more importantly a returning player.
In his second season, Chandler Jones is set to become the New England Patriots next superstar if he can find similar improvement as two of the best pass rushers in the NFL did during their 2nd seasons; Jason Pierre Paul and J.J. Watt. A 16+ sack season would follow in their footsteps and should not come as a surprise if done.
Perhaps the biggest reason that John Abraham is not in New England is rookie outside linebacker Jamie Collins. Jamie comes into camp projected as a pass rushing specialist but with versatility to see serious playing time, thanks to playing safety, D-end, and OLB at Southern Mississippi.He opened eyes at the combine with a 4.6 40 yard time and incredible 41.5 inch vertical leap (highest of all linebackers). The explosiveness this rookie possesses has led to him being described as “violent; physical; relentless”.
Jamie has continued to impress so far in off season workouts earning praise from the leader in the middle Jerod Mayo;
"Definitely, Jamie has been coming in and doing all the right things," Mayo said. "He's been working hard in the classroom and on the field, so hopefully it continues this training camp."
Frank Cypriano
@JulioFranko17
