Patriots take a couple hits on defense
A few months ago, the Patriots defense looked primed to be one of the top defenses in the NFL. Asante Samuel would return after his almost Pro-Bowl season. Adalius Thomas was brought in from Baltimore to add some spark to an aging linebacker core. Rodney Harrison was finally healed and expected to play the entire season after missing portions of the last two years with injuries. Add coach Bill Belichick's master defensive scheming to the mix and you have the forming of a perfect defensive storm (a good version though...not this one).

