The big guy is back.
After teasing us for weeks about Christian Barmore closing in on a return to the practice field, the Patriots are expected to get their disruptive defensive tackle out on the green grass behind Gillette Stadium for Thursday afternoon’s session.
Barmore has been on the non-football injury list since being diagnosed with blood clots at the start of training camp. Practicing would start the former second-round pick’s 21-day clock. The Pats will have the option of activating him at any time during that stretch, or, worst-case scenario, the 21 days come and go, and he would then be officially done for the season.
Barmore was an absolutely dominant force for the Pats last season, especially during the second half of the year; he finished with a career-high 8.5 sacks, a combined 38 quarterback hits, and hurries, forced a fumble and looked as if he was one of the few blue-chippers on the roster.
Back in April, Barmore inked a four-year contract extension that made him one of the highest-paid defensive linemen in football. The deal includes $41.8 million in guarantees and a chance to collect $92 million over the life of the deal. That contract is the most guaranteed money the Pats have given to a player other than Tom Brady.
In our first opportunity to talk to Barmore after the ink was dry, he called the contract a “blessing” and promised to take his game to a “new level.”
In his absence, the Pats have leaned heavily on Davon Godchaux (68% playing time) and Daniel Ekuale (66%) on the interior. Godchaux is on pace for the most snaps of his NFL career. Ditto Ekuale, who has long been considered more of a pass rusher than a run defender. Top reserves (from a playing time standpoint) include Jeremiah Pharms (34%), Jaquelin Roy (21%) and Eric Johnson (8%).
BSJ Analysis: This is pretty simple. Barmore is one of the best young interior defensive linemen in the league. If he can kick the rust off and approach that level of play upon his return to game action, a Patriots defense that has largely been a disappointment should improve quickly and substantially
Leave a Reply