Ex-NFL lineman Fred Smerlas says it's too early to question, as Michael Felger is doing, Bill Belichick's reputation as a defensive genius.
In the light of the Pats' defensive meltdown Sunday in Buffalo, Felger wondered why Belichick has the reputation as a great defensive coach. But Smerlas says this year's team is still learning to play together.
We saw a whole new group of players come in that we thought could play," he told Felger Monday on 'Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight'. "It's the third game; they haven't performed. Albert Haynesworth hasn't played as well as we thought he would. Andre Carter, we thought he'd play better. Mark Anderson, Shawn Ellis . . . So you're going to have to give them a little bit of time.
"You're right. If this does not pan out, this will be on Belichick's head because he brought these guys in.
"I feel that these players are much better than what they had last year. If they keep performing at this level, it's a disaster. But there's still plenty of time, Felgie."