Theory about Patriots defense - New England Patriots Forums

***maverick4*** · 11-24-2008, 08:34 AM

I think the Patriots defense is hurting mostly because we don't play bump and run anymore. The bump and run kills a lot of these slants and middle of the field routes that have been carving us up the past few years. It also slows down receiver's routes, which gives our front 7 time to get some sacks that are attributed to coverage or slowing down receivers. It also screws up the QB's timing and leads to more potential for interceptions when his receiver isn't where he is supposed to be.

My theory is that after Polian changed the rules regarding CB's, we decided to go with smurf cornerbacks who had good agility. Unfortunately, their small size makes it difficult to play bump and run, which has made the entire defense suffer as a result. We now play off receivers way too much, giving receivers too much cushion for the short and medium stuff, especially inside. Another thing I noticed is that our D-line doesn't bat down balls anymore; I remember they used to bat down balls frequently from 01-04, did our D-line coach change?

***maverick4*** · 12-03-2008, 08:58 PM

Another thing I noticed, to add here, is the past two years our corners seem to be left without safety help A LOT. Remember from 01-04 when a receiver would catch a deep middle or corner ball and then just get blasted from a Pats safety who was backing up a cornerback in coverage? It seems like Hobbs and O'Neal are left on islands way too much now, which is why they play off the line to be safe because they know there isn't safety help behind them. What the heck are the safeties doing differently compared to 4 years ago?

PATSYLICIOUS · 12-03-2008, 09:08 PM

Yes, but did you see O'neal trying to jam a WR on Sunday? The only jam was between his toes.

***Deus Irae*** · 12-03-2008, 09:14 PM

Maybe this is why

***maverick4*** · 12-03-2008, 09:49 PM

Where is the safety help? I haven't seen a safety pound a receiver on a route like that in a long time. When you play bump and run isn't there supposed to be safety help behind you?

***Box_O_Rocks*** · 12-04-2008, 12:27 AM

1. Bill Polian rules.
2. Mangini left and there has been no DB coach capable of preparing players the way he did.
3. Pepper Johnson is the D-line coach and has been since Romeo left, I'd like to see stats on PBU by DL rather than rely on anecdotal reports.
4. Defensive rebuilding took a backseat to the offensive rebuild.

With the Polian emphasis on protecting WRs from anything more harmful than butterfly kisses BB has made it a point to go with quick twitch CBs who are generally smaller and less capable of playing a bump and run style outlawed by the Incontinent Committee. In 2003 and 2004 BB went with three veteran DBs and a novice in the secondary. Since then Wilson regressed as injuries took a toll, Rodney has been rebuilt once and is in the shop again, Asante developed nicely and commanded a higher price than he was worth (yes wankers, his price was too much for NE, Philly could have sure used some of that money to rebuild other areas of the team), Hobbs has played well in fits and starts as injuries dragged him down. The secondary has been in transition and has become younger and less experienced. Currently O'Neal is the old man back there and I believe the plan had been to use him as a stopgap until Wheatley or Wilhite or Richardson could adjust to NFL competition. Wheatley was just starting to show some of what BB wanted when he went down. Wilhite has been in training at Nickel and for whatever reason has hit a wall. Richardson has been dinged up, against the Steelers I noticed they were using him in the red zone and to replace Hobbs for a few reps, we'll see if he can do more in the final games. O'Neal had his worst game against the Steelers, a team that knows him like they played him twice a year for years - odd circumstance there.

Green and Warren have been dinged up this season, Vrabel may be playing hurt, Bruschi is training his replacement(s), Adalius is MIA, Woods is now broken too, and the veteran SS BB hoped to use to spell Rodney didn't even make it out of preseason in one piece. Crap happens.

BB drafted for defense in 08 - LB and CB. The Practice Squad moves are strongly LB flavored this season, a season that has shown us two rookie LBs and one developmental project who can play competitively in relief of our elder statesmen. Despite much whining from some, the younger DBs have been doing okay - if Rodney or Tank had survived there would have been some on-field guidance to help them along. The D is in transition and the O has only recently gotten to the point where they could carry a weakened D - assuming individual brain flatulence and butterfingers wasn't becoming a new on-field lifestyle.

BB/SP are already re-tooling for the long term, if the O and STs can get their heads out of cranial-rectal insertion and cut out the penalties and butterfingers then they can finish this season strong. Even if this is their best, I'm encouraged - and there's always the draft and next year.

***ALP*** · 12-04-2008, 01:41 AM

were getting hit for the injuries we didnt have last season....w/ interest unfortunately it seems

***KillEM*** · 12-04-2008, 03:05 AM

We are a year or two late in rebuilding the D.

We should have guys that already know the playbook and have some experience in situational roles that are ready to step in and be major contributors.

Instead we have Rookies and UDFA's

***DarrylS*** · 12-04-2008, 04:48 AM

Cannot play bump and run with really crappy DB's.. who are only marginally effective when they keep the play in front of them..

BionicPatriot · 12-04-2008, 05:51 AM

safety help is the biggest concern, IMO. O'Neal would've been a lot less abused if a safety was there helping him.