jmt57

Even the most casual of fans watching the Patriots does not need statistical analysis to determine the biggest flaw on the Pats is the inability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. However, I differ on my opinion of how we got here.

Yes, I was disappointed/concerned with the Pats not signing a more well known name to replace Samuel, but the Pats scheme has been based more on the front seven than on the DB's. Deltha O'Neal was never a plan to replace Asante. He was brought in because Fernando Bryant didn't pan out, and Terrence Wheatley went on IR - as did Tank Williams and Rodney Harrison.

As far as recent day one draft picks, the Pats took Wheatley this year and Meriweather a year ago - and also picked up Wilhite in the 4th round.

I still do have unanswered questions about the pass rush, despite the multiple threads on the subject. Is it the players (execution) or scheme (designed to cover up the lack of talent in the secondary)? If it's the latter, then I would agree that an occasional blitz - like the one that forced the fumble at the end of the game Sunday - would be preferable to the (lack of) results from the Pats' pass rush this season. Will be interesting to see what happens with Colvin and Seau on board for two full weeks of practice - and game planning - against a very good passing team, the Cardinals.

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Deus Irae

The problem is that it's not just a problem with the secondary. It's also a problem with the linebackers in coverage. Guyton and Mayo may be young and fast, but they are also young and inexperienced, and they are getting beaten in coverage by pretty much any tight end with a pulse. Sending blitzes means that James Sanders, Brandon Meriweather, Deltha O'Neal (Wilhite now), Jerod Mayo AND Gary Guyton have to hold their own in coverage.

I don't think anyone, including the families of those players, really thinks that everyone of that group can cover in man-to-man for even the first 3 seconds of a blitz.

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SVN

iam more worried about a rested and crazy oakland team with 2 big backs against our beatup D line than AZ in the snow where leinhart may start to rest warner.

ScottishPatriots

Hopefully its cold and wet for that one, the last thing we need is a clear warm day.

jbb9s

The thought of Deltha O'neil covering Bolden (or Fitzgerald) is outright frightening!

37Harrison

I know that the guys in the secondary are not going to be mistaken as pro-bowlers at any time however, I again say and believe that the front 7 isn't doing anything to help them and even if Samuel was back there, the result would be much of the same.

The OP threw out some stats that I don't believe tells the whole story. Out of the entire front 7 only Seymour and AD have been able to crack the top 50 players in the NFL for sacks. Seymour is ranked 19th and AD is ranked 29th. The two most devastating losses to this D is Rodney, because of his play at the line with QB pressures and knockdowns, and obviously AD.

Not one guy is in the top 50 for tackles for a loss or any other individual stat for that matter (that I saw). With stats like these, QB's are able to pick apart the defense, just like last year. Do we not remember what AJ Feeley did to this team last year? 345 yards and 3 TD's. It was only because he threw 3 INT's did the Pats perfect record stay intact. The D only managed 1 sack in that game and couldn't get to him otherwise.

The next week Boller threw for 210 yards and 2 TD's and almost beat them, again no pressure was applied on Boller.

The whole D has been really banged up but the front 7 isn't doing their part to help out. They can't stop the run or get pressure on the QB.

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jmt57

I think you may have a great point. While we tend to focus here on the DB or DL, it's the play of those LB affects both - and the only ones that have been scrutinized are Vrabel and Bruschi, while Guyton and Mayo get gold stars on their forehead.

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