Heading into the 2021 season, one of the main strengths of the New England Patriots was set to be the defense. After signing the likes of Matt Judon and Jalen Mills in free agency along with seeing the return of Dont’a Hightower (COVID opt out), this unit was poised to be the backbone of a club was set to roll out a rookie quarterback on the offensive side of the ball. Throughout the first six weeks of the season, however, the defense has not been up the snuff and is starting to get the attention of some legendary figures in Foxborough.
Following New England’s overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday where they gave up 567 yards of total offense — the most in the Bill Belichick era — Hall of Fame cornerback Ty Law told WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” that he doesn’t like what he’s seen from this unit this season.
“I’m really upset about what’s going on,” Law said, as transcribed by WEEI.com. “Because you don’t let people come in there and walk all over you, throw the ball like that anytime they want to. I mean, that’s shameful.”
Not only did the Patriots defense give up a ton of yardage, but they broke during key points in the contest. After gaining a field goal lead with under two minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Dallas was able to convert a fourth-and-4 attempt to move the chains and Dak Prescott was able to complete a 24-yard pass to CeeDee Lamb on third-and-25 later in the drive to help force overtime and eventually win the game.
It’s that type of play that has Law wanting to blow the unit up over the offseason.
“Defense, they have to step up,” Law said. “I don’t know what’s gonna happen in this offseason. I can tell you right now, if I had a vote, we’d be going first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth round — we’re getting all defensive guys and we’re gonna get some wide receivers and running back in free agency because something’s got to give with the defense.”
New England is also 0-4 at home this season, which is the first time they’ve bee without a win in Foxborough since 1993. For reference, Law — who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019 — was still two years away from being drafted No. 23 overall by New England in 1995.
