Everybody is working over an underachieving New England Patriots defense, including a franchise great who has taken aim at floundering safety Kyle Dugger.

Former middle linebacker Ted Johnson Jr. who helped the Patriots go to four Super Bowls, winning three, thinks Dugger looks “lost.” Johnson, now an analyst for NBC Sports Boston, tore into Dugger for the struggling defensive back’s performance during Week 12’s 34-15 defeat to the Miami Dolphins.

As Johnson put it, “Kyle Dugger looks like a ball in high grass…..lost. Just like last week vs the Rams, the motions and PA are killing the Patriot’s D.”

Johnson didn’t stop there. In addition to crediting, of sorts, Dugger for giving up two touchdowns in the red zone, Johnson also offered the player some advice: “If I’m Kyle Dugger I’m calling in sick to work tomorrow.”

That’s a brutal putdown of a player expected to be a leader for a tough defense this season. Instead, Dugger’s issues are common across a unit performing below expectations.

Johnson’s critique hints at the problem being more about scheme than personnel.

Kyle Dugger Not Meeting Past Standards

The Patriots paid up to keep Dugger in town because he’d proved himself as an accomplished, all-round safety. Being a thumper against the run who could play in the box made Dugger an asset, but so did being able to body tight ends and slot receivers.

Dugger was also set apart as a rare draft success during the dying years of head coach Bill Belichick’s decorated tenure. Getting a lucrative contract extension made Dugger the first top pick in a Patriots draft class to earn a second deal since 2011.

A big payday and some scheme continuity, thanks to defensive assistant Jerod Mayo replacing Belichick as head coach, had Dugger worthy of top-10 recognition to some analysts.

The 28-year-old isn’t playing like a top-10 talent at his position. He appeared confused about his coverage responsibilities against the Dolphins and their moving parts.

One example occurred when Miami running back De’Von Achane scored via a catch and run. Duggan was alerted by cornerback Marcus Jones to the possibility of Achane releasing into a pass pattern, but the safety took “himself out of the play,” according to Taylor Kyles of Patriots on CLNS.

This wasn’t the only breakdown bearing Dugger’s name. He was also slow to react to a screen thrown to ex-Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith. The touchdown left Kyles to conclude “Dugger consistently struggled with awareness, communication, and eye discipline, and he seemed at least partly responsible for each of MIA’s TDs.”