Greats see Judon as face of defense
Patriots Hall of Famers praise work of linebacker
Free agency can be a crapshoot.
And when it comes to the Patriots, Bill Belichick has had his fair share of hits and misses over the past two decades and change. But when Belichick hits, he tends to hit big.
Rodney Harrison, Mike Vrabel, Rob Ninkovich, Darrelle Revis and Stephon Gilmore quickly come to mind from the hit parade. They are among the many names on the plus side of the ledger.
And they’re going to have company real soon.
If the Patriots’ first eight games are any indication, Matthew Judon will rise near the top of the list soon. His impact stands out like his trademark long red sleeves.
He’s a lightning bolt that’s put a charge into the defense. He may even be the face of the defense.
Harrison, a Patriots Hall of Famer, didn’t argue with that assessment when reached Wednesday.
“Every team, every defense needs a leader. You need to have that guy,” said Harrison. “And he’s that one guy, when you need a play, who are you looking for? It used to be (Dont’a) Hightower. It used to be (Kyle) Van Noy. Now, it’s Judon. They look to him for that spark. That’s what he’s done. He’s made plays.”
Against the Chargers on Sunday, Judon could not be blocked. He was credited with 1.5 sacks and six other pressures, according to the Herald’s game charting. He’s been an absolute force, a player opposing teams have started to game plan for week to week.
Panthers head coach Matt Rhule acknowledged as much on a conference call Thursday.
“I love watching the way he plays. He’s a dominant run defender who can set the edge. Obviously, an excellent pass rusher ... then he’s dominant on special teams,” he said.
Rhule later added: “He’s definitely a player you have to be aware of on each and every play.”
That’s also who Judon was in Baltimore, where Belichick lured him out of with a four-year deal worth $56 million in free agency. In New England, Judon has even managed to take it up a notch.
Through eight weeks, he’s totaled eight sacks, 1.5 shy of his career high. He’s on pace for 17 sacks, just shy of Andre Tippett’s alltime franchise mark at 18.5.
Willie McGinest, who is second all-time behind Tippett for career sacks, is a longtime Judon fan. He isn’t surprised how quickly the linebacker has excelled. McGinest said he spoke with Judon back in August, when the two were contestants on a Celebrity Family Feud featuring NFL stars past and present.
With Judon having all the characteristics of a Belichick linebacker, McGinest thought he could achieve more in New England than he did over five seasons in Baltimore.
“I thought when they got him, it was a great pickup. He was effective and impactful when he was with the Ravens,” McGinest told the Herald, “but I told him he was going into a great situation. He came from good coaches, but this is just a little bit different. I might be biased, but I knew he’d be put in position to do what he’s doing now.”
Having watched tape of every Patriots game as part of his analyst duties for NBC, Harrison said Judon has gradually ascended to being a superstar in Belichick’s defense.
“He wants to be great. He wants to separate himself,” said Harrison. “I see the hustle, I see the effort, I see the tenaciousness. He wants to be really good, and he’s elevated his game.
“When I watch tape, I look at some of the little things. The things that make T. J. Watt and Aaron Donald and what makes them great, it’s their relentless effort,” the former safety continued. “No matter how many times they’re double-teamed, no matter how many times they’re pushed down, they have the same type of effort every play. And that’s what Judon gives you.”
As Rhule mentioned, Judon has also shown up as a presence on special teams. He got flagged for running into the kicker against the Chargers, but his intensity and drive were also present on the play, as he blew by an inside defender, and nearly blocked the punt.
That’s Judon, all hustle no matter what unit he’s on.
Said McGinest: “I like his motor, he brings a ton of energy. He’s not lazy. He works hard and I think that’s one thing Bill really appreciates, guys who work their asses off, guys who work hard to finish a play.”
While there are plenty of critics who would prefer Judon not be exposed to injury playing special teams, given his value on the defense, Harrison, who also played on that unit for Belichick, disagreed.
“Let me tell you something. When Bill Belichick asks you to play special teams, that is a compliment. Special teams is something that’s very valuable to him,” said Harrison. “So I had no problem as a veteran player, playing special teams. And Matt has an unselfishness about him. He’s not bitching. He’s not complaining ... he’s not doing that. He’s just playing wherever Bill wants him.”
And making Belichick look good for reeling him in during free agency, not to mention spending top dollar for him.
For his part, Judon credits the coaches and his teammates for his early success.
“Coaches put me in great positions to get me free. But I got to go out there and do the rest myself,” he said Thursday. “They can only do X’s and O’s. They’re not Jims and Joes. So I go out there, try to make the plays, and make it look as good as they thought in their head.”
He’s done that, and then some.