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Patriots Looking for Someone to Step Up on Defense

The trash talking that Rex Ryan and his New York Jets did leading up to the Patriots’ visit on Sunday was some for the ages. Rarely do you hear a newly crowned head coach for an organization start talking trash about one of the best coaches in the game during training camp. But Ryan did, setting the stage for the past week’s game.

Normally, the team doing the trashing doesn’t end up as the team doing all the talking after the game, but the noisy fans at the Meadowlands and the J-E-T-S were celebrating a 2-0 start to the season when everything was said and done.

The Patriots looked out of sync. Tom Brady worked the hurry-up, no-huddle offense and committed back-to-back delay of game penalties as a result. He was also held without a touchdown, as the Jets’ defense didn’t allow their opponent a six-pointer for the second straight week.

The victory was the first for the Jets over Brady at home, and the first over the Patriots at the Meadowlands since 2000. Luckily for the Pats, that stadium will come crashing down at the end of this season, and a new, more glamorous site will take its place in 2010. Maybe the Pats can start a new record then.

There are many holes on the Patriots right now.

The Pats played without Wes Welker, who looked like a second head coach on the sideline trying to scream plays and encourage his teammates. In his place, rookie Julian Edelman had eight catches for 98 yards.

Brady continues to find his rhythm with his receivers, as the rust comes off the newly repaired future Hall of Famer. I’m not worried about Brady.

However, the defense is still suspect. Without linebacker Jerod Mayo for at least another month due to a sprained MCL, and after the trade of Richard Seymour to Oakland, who is going to step up on this defensive unit and lead the pack?

Talented young quarterback Matt Ryan will lead his Falcons on Sunday, and the Patriots’ defense has been preparing all week for the bag of tricks Ryan will bring to his former stomping grounds in New England.

Upcoming back-to-back home games should put the Patriots at 3-1 by Week 4. After this Atlanta game, and then Baltimore, we may have more answers about who this Patriots team is.

Are they for real? Or will they chalk it up to another rebuilding year? 

I don’t think they’ll go down that lightly. So stay tuned.