They are stopping opponents running the ball effectively at a rate rarely matched in NFL history, so the New England Patriots will welcome a positive injury update about a hidden gem at the heart of their rugged front seven, nose tackle Khyiris Tonga.
Journeyman space-eater Tonga suffered a knee problem during the 32-13 win over the Cleveland Browns. It left the beefy defensive lineman “questionable” to return, but Tonga confirmed on Monday, October 27 how “Everything is good. I just fell on it wrong, and it just felt a little weird. But everything is smooth now,” per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
That’s outstanding news when Tonga has become a natural focal point along the line of scrimmage since joining in free agency from the Arizona Cardinals. He’s not only belied concerns about the Pats’ run defense, stemming from scheme changes made by new head coach Mike Vrabel, Tonga has also maintained an underrated franchise tradition.
Khyiris Tonga Proving a Bargain
The Patriots spent big retooling their defense from this year’s veteran market. A deal worth $104 million bought defensive tackle Milton Williams, who joined $43.5 million edge-rusher Harold Landry III.
Both Landry and Williams are making an impact, but it’s Tonga who’s proving an indispensable asset. Signed on a one-year contract worth a mere $2.1 million, per Spotrac.com, the 6-foot-2, 335-pounder is anchoring the league’s toughest run front.
The numbers are historic, with Reiss pointing out “The Patriots are the only team since 1950 to go the first 8 games of a season without allowing an opposing RB to reach 50 yards in a game.”
It’s an impressive statistic made possible by three key components Tonga spelled out to Taylor Kyles of Patriots on CLNS. He revealed the Patriots make it a point to “set edges, build a wall” and “swarm.”
The second point on that list is Tonga’s own particular remit. He’s required to fill gaps take on double- and even triple-teams and push the pile.
Those things require a big man with talent over the ball, a role the Patriots have emphasized for years. Players like Ted Washington, Vince Wilfork and Danny Shelton all performed this unfashionable but necessary work at a high level.
Vrabel has maintained this and another schematic staple by putting his trust in Tonga. That faith is keeping the Patriots strong defensively in unexpected ways.
Patriots Sticking to Defensive Principles
Speculation had been rife Vrabel would make the Pats lighter and more active up front defensively. The tradeoff might have shown up in run defense, but Tonga is ensuring slighter, quicker linebackers like Robert Spillane are staying covered up and free to run to the ball.
Things are working because the Patriots are committing to bigger personnel. Just as they did early against the Browns.
The Pats deployed Tonga between Williams and rookie D-tackle Joshua Farmer. They were flanked by Landry and fellow edge K’Lavon Chaisson and aligned in front of a trio of linebackers featuring Spillane, Christian Elliss and Jack Gibbens, according to Reiss.
This “heavy” eight-man front is a nightmare for running backs, but it’s the man in the middle who’s making it all work. While a more high-profile lineman appears to have angered Vrabel, Tonga is fast becoming a player the Patriots can ill afford to lose.
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