Seventh round draft pick Brandon Deaderick started in Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Ravens, but the rookie is keeping a level head about his sudden increase in playing time. Deaderick didn’t see any action in the first three games of the season but has logged substantial playing time in the past two weeks.
Deaderick got the start at left defensive end and recorded two tackles and a sack. Deaderick’s work in practice got the attention of Bill Belichick.
Boston Herald: Patriots rookie DE Brandon Deaderick takes starting job in stride
First off, major kudos to Deaderick for doing so well so early in his NFL career, but we should all keep this in mind regarding how hard it is to replace the pieces of the 2009 defense. Guys like Deaderick really didn’t generate a great deal of publicity last year, but clearly he was a very good player. In effect, we are having to replace a guy who turned out to be good enough to start for the New England Patriots as a rookie, and that’s no easy task regardless of who you have on hand.