On the eve of the day that the New England Patriots will cut their roster from 85 to 75, many fringe players are wondering whether they will be around after Monday. One player not concerned about that is rookie defensive end Chandler Jones. Through three preseason game, Jones is quickly making a name for himself and looks set to star for the Patriots in 2012.
In what was a very tough season for the Patriots defense in 2011, the defensive line was a bright spot, accumulating 40 sacks which ranked them in the upper half of the league. But the team lost standout defensive ends Mark Anderson and Andre Carter this offseason and with aging veterans, the team needed to look to the future. To do that, they used their first selection of the 2012 NFL Draft on Jones and he’s already making an impact.
After a strong camp that gave the Patriots coaches high hopes for the rookie, Jones has stood out in the preseason games. He’s garnered praise from opposing players and coaches alike as he’s smoothly transitioned from the collegiate to professional game. It’s looking more and more like Jones will be a star on the 2012 Patriots defense.
The Patriots have been rebuilding their defense since 2009, drafting several defensive backs and linebackers. Some of these players such as cornerback Devin McCourty and middle linebacker Brandon Spikes have already shown their worth. Others are looking to make a similar impact. With the drafting of Jones and fellow 2012 pick Jake Bequette, the Patriots have now started on their defensive line and the results have been promising.
The news of Jones’ ascension is welcoming for the Patriots, who have dealt with several injuries to young defensive players over the past year. McCourty, fellow cornerback Ras-I Dowling, and linebacker Dane Fletcher have all suffered major injuries over the past year which have hindered their development. A strong and healthy Jones could be just what the Patriots need to boost confidence in the weak link of the defending AFC champions.
Between Anderson and Carter, the Patriots lost 20 sacks from their defensive line this offseason. Through three preseason games, it looks as though they may recovered many of those through their first 2012 draft pick Jones. While it’s still early in his career, the Patriots can expect big things from this rising star.
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