BelizePats

It will very interesting to see what kind of looks the secondary gives Brody Croyle tomorrow. Seeing as Croyle is fairly young and inexperienced do you think that Capers will throw in more blitz packages? I'd like to see a more aggressive attacking defence myself, at least for this game.

JSn

Might depend on the KC O-line. If they find any easy to exploit holes I wouldn't expect much blitzing, allowing the D line to put the pressure on.

If this looks like an easy match-up or make the some good ground points-wise early on, I expect them to hold a lot of tricks back for the Jets. I would think Mangini has as good a competitive advantage as anyone in the AFC, but DOM is wrinkle he'll be hard-pressed to account for.

I'm excited about football, but if this game is as much of a gimme as everyone believes, I might just spend a little more eyeball on the Jets Dolphins game to get a feel for week #2.

Scrap that. I'll DVR it.

AndyJohnson

Capers isnt calling defenses he is coaching the DBs.
Yes he will have input in the gameplan, but Dean Pees is the DC, and the philosophical decisions are made by BB.

cstjohn17

I thought Dean Pees was the defensive coordinator and Capers was the secondary coach.

I have read all summer about a 'new and aggressive defense' that Capers is going to institute. I don't see it happening, he is there to coach a young secondary and add his insights into the overall defense. Pees will call the defense with BB signing off on the strategy. Despite the hype I expect much of the same, which has been pretty damn good. I think the Pats have been in the top 5 for points against in the majority of BB's tenure.

Edit: Damn it Andy you stole my thunder... my thoughts exactly.

Edit #2: I don't think they have to scheme much against KC, Herm watched the pre-season and saw the Pats were suspect against the run. I expect a very heavy power running attack with occasional shots down field. Until the Pats prove they can stop the run teams will try to cram it down there throats. Once the Pats D gets its seas legs and can anchor against the run then teams will say 'Oh **** we have to pass the ball with our crappy QBs? we are doomed!', it all starts with stopping the run.

JSn

Right, but he's also a connoisseur of exotic blitz packages. I don't think he's only there to coach the Safeties and CB's. He's there on an advisement role.

Dean Pees or no, Capers and Belichick are the defensive guru's in the coaching dept.

Whatever the case, I think our secondary is going to be a LOT better than anyone is willing to give them a chance at.

MoLewisrocks

He's here because he had too much experience including in a similar scheme with Saban to be unemployed when we had a position coaching vacancy in our secondary and plans to draft a couple of corners in the midst of grooming a young safety. I'm sure they are picking his brain, but remember he recommended Bryant... He's not the man behind the curtain, just a cog in the 2008 wheel. Bill doesn't hire guys to create an offense or ree-tool a defense for him - he hires guys to run or adapt to his. He's open minded and naturally curious, but at the end of the day overall approach or game plan is always his call. Coaches and coordinators merely suggest and facilitate.

AndyJohnson

We've been through this a lot on this board.
BB and Capers have DIFFERENT philosophies on defense.
No doubt BB will takes some ideas from Capers.
But to say Capers loves to blitz and BB doesnt so we will blitz a lot, thats why BB brought Capers in, is to say BB decided Capers knows more a bout defense that him, and his 35 years of coaching has finally hit him as he has been wrong all along, and Capers is smarter, so he will hand over the defense to Capers philosophy because its better.
Not gonna happen.

Capers is here to coach. Where his philosophy differs from BBs, the Patriots adhere to BBs. I think nothing is more certain than that.

JSn

I'll have to defer to your knowledge then. Bryant eh? I suppose if he was a sure tackler he might still be here.

AndyJohnson

you said it better than me

spacecrime

i don't remember, but don't see how that changes his rep as a defensive coach. I doubt the Pats brought Capers here to help Pioli with personnel. His expertise is more in coaching.

If he fails at picking players but lives up to half his hype as a defensive coach, I'll be more than satisfied.

I agree.