This defense needs help at S and DT, but has pro bowl caliber players at all 3 levels. If a defensive coordinator needs all pros at every position you need a new coordinator.
I have more issue with scheme/technique than I do the on field talent.
They are ok. The corners and safeties here make no plays, seems most of the time it is by design or scheme. Hard to catch balls you can't see because you never turn your head around.
The defensive line although running a scheme that attacks all the time barely gets push on the line of scrimmage.
The linebackers are solid, LVE looks to have been effected by his illness the last two games. Smith looks kinda how he always does to me...if he is allowed to run downhill he looks like a playmaker, if he has to turn and run or chase a rb across or down the field he looks slow and average.
Belichick doesn't need all pro's at every level but what he does need is time to teach the defense how he wants them to play. It's not magic that they have a million interceptions and win on defense all the time there. If players can not succeed in his system or he sees them regressing he gets rid of them no matter who they are.
on one hand it's admirable because they always win and are always great on defense. On the other hand it's belichick and not the salary cap that has changed the nfl. he is the guy that just gets rid of veterans, guys making big money etc...they are so successful everyone just copied them. I like it better when you can have your team and watch it grow and hopefully win. In New England they are really rooting for laundry because there have only been a few guys who have long careers there.