arrellbee

I don't think I'm duplicating another thread, so thought some reflections on Barry Gardner might be interesting. Especially since it seems that he is seeing some significant opportunities at the moment to show if he can work his way toward the top of the ILB depth chart. Might mean that it's just his 'turn in the barrel' - or there may be a hint that he has been showing that he is one of the candidates at this point to move up the depth chart.

Mike Reiss had a somewhat interesting observation from Gardner in his Pieces this morning. I think it may be the first time I've ever heard anyone, player or media pundit, say that the defensive system is not particulary complicated - just very disciplined. Certainly comments have often been made about how important discipline and sticking with assignments is in Belichick's system, but not in lieu of complex. Fun.

Segment titled "Day 14 Wrap"
http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal.../reiss_pieces/

"* Gardner on the team's defensive system: "I wouldn't say it’s complicated, it’s a very discipline-oritented system. That’s not to say others aren't disciplined, but this is a very disciplined system and you have to understand your fit, your coverage and you have to understand where everyone else fits. And especially being the MLB, you’ve got to understand all the calls, all the checks, you’ve got to understand everything that's going on so you have to be very disciplined in what you're doing out there."

Alk

I wonder how he feels about the importance of discipline in this system. I really wish he would have touched on that a little bit.

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Krugman

Huskeralk,you crack me up.....

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In Belichick we trust....
"Crush your enemies,see them driven before you,hear the lamentation of the women." Arnold Schwartzenegger doing his BB impression.

RayClay

I hope Gardner's the guy. Quite honestly, he's got a great opportunity by default at ILB.

I agree that the complexity of our system is greatly overrated. NFL vets are familiar with many systems. You don't need to be stephen Hawking.

You do need to resist the temtation, especially if you've played in different systems, to pursue the play.

You have to learn to control your area and resist the temptation to "make the play" even when you could if it means leaving your responsibility area for a split second.

Then once you have learned to stay within yourself, you need to learn judgement and "make plays" while communicating and covering your ass.

Guys like Bruschi and Rodney make big plays because they know the system so well that they can break out of the pattern when they see something develop and communicate quick enough to cover their asses if they miss the tackle/interception.

When other players try to do this they get burned/cut, because they are not disciplined enough to graduate to the play making level.

Of course this is speculation on my part as I have as much football training as William Hung has voice training.

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RayClay

BTW, I think this is the genesis of BB's comments to TBC the other day.

I'm sure you tend to get very mechanical in this system, worrying about making mistakes.

When he praised TBC for trying to cover someone's man when somebody really blew coverage he was saying, "you know the system, you can have a little more rope, that was a good judgement just relax and play".

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mgteich

If Gardner doesn't think the system is complicated, either he doesn't understand it or he is much brighter than McGinist, law and the rest who have had considered this system so hard to pick up.

Alk

Well, McGinest went to the Browns and Law to the Chiefs so I think it's safe to say that they're both just a few clowns short of a circus.

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Pats726

I think the questioner was thinking that TBC had not covered the player all that well when in fact, it was other players that blew assignments and it was TBC that sawthat and the fact that he was open and ran to cover him. Quite a bit different....

RayClay

The system is based on staying with your area of responsibility. but things break down and I think he was just saying he trusted TBC to decide when it was necessary to try to cover for someone else's mistake.

I don't think BB really cares what the questioner thinks, he cares that his players develop judgement and he reinforces that.

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Ochmed Jones

I agree with RayClay, I think Gardner should have used responsibility oriented as opposed to discipline oriented. And BB says it all the time. Each man is responsible for their job, he makes them accountable for their responbsibilities, not just to him and the other coaches, but to the other 10 men on the field. It's about reading, recognizing and being responsible.