Slagathor

As a few folks have mentioned, the defensive play-calling has been pretty aggressive so far.

I've always been a big fan of the "pin your ears back" defensive philosophy.

Mangini's play calling was very conservative last year, but with Duane Starks in our secondary, I agree that blitzing alot might have been even more detremental.

As was mentioned on FSN last night, the D prefers to attack and the players are happier this pre-season because of it.

We've got A LOT of guys that can bring the heat and It'll be nice seeing a bunch of QB's and RB's get decimated in the backfield.

As much as I appreciate the "read and react" approach, nothing demoralizes the opposition more than a physical beat down.

patchick

In a Globe article today I believe Harrison referred to picking up a "new" defense under Pees. We tend to think of it as BB's defense, but the coordinators unquestionably matter.

Oswlek

"Read and react" and blitzing don't have to be mutually exclusive. A little too much is made of the 2 gap responsibilities that the DL have. Yes, on plays were the run is a strong possibility, they typically protect both gaps around the OL, therefore they aren't rushing upfield on the snap. However, on passing downs, the Pats rushers don't act that much differently than any other team's.

Edited to add that, although Mangini undoubtably was a very good coach, I think that Peas is going to be an upgrade to the coordinator position.

Slagathor

I agree totally.

The nature of my post was in no way meant to bash the read and react/containment philosophy.

The problem was that because of our issues in the secondary last year, specifically in getting beat on quite a few long plays, most of the time our defensive posture was very conservative.

All_Around_Brown

I would not call the aggressive style "new". This tactic is all well and good as long as we get the early lead. When playing from behind, we never seem to see that "new" defense in its glory.

Bottom line: Score first, sit back, and watch the Patriot defensive fireworks.

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bishbash

Sure felt like BB was pretty supportive of Mangini going to the Jets. Guess he felt pretty good about the DC waiting in the wings.

mgcolby

I almost started a thread based on that exact thought after I read that article earlier today.

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DarrylS

Noticed after about 1/2 way through the last season the D became much more agressive with very good results, I suspect that all of the early injuries last year may have caused early tentativeness. This team plays better when they play agressive, originating on the line...the whole D has so much depth, so many different looks and so many pieces it will be the best we have seen in a while.

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Ichiro

Although I agree that our defensive philosophy is wonderful against the run, a lot of teams spread us out on 1st down last year. There were times when teams went 3 and 4 wide on us and we were completely unprepared, still running the traditional 3-4 front. Against a spread offense, Vrabel and Colvin were stuck in coverage and our DL were protecting their gaps. No pass rush.
I'm guessing that Pees will have this figured out and communication will be better between the players on the field, allowing guys to abandon run responsibilty when teams try to attack us with spread offenses by suprise.

the taildragger

congratulations AAB, at least two of us get it.

It had NOTHING to do with a new coordinator.

BEFORE YOU PIN YOU EARS BACK YOU HAVE TO SCORE. Recall the Tampa Bay game...same formula -- the O simply imposed its will in the first half...something it couldn't consistently do last year. The D always looks dominant with downhill scoring leverage.

After the game Casey Rabach said "we had to pass and they just pinned their ears back."

Don't expect the scheme or players to dominate a great O-line when we're sitting back on our heels waiting for the run. It doesn't work that way. That's why Offense is ALWAYS the key to complimentary domination that results in scores like 41 zip.

there is a dynamic situational component to Defense based on the SCORE and CLOCK. If a team is down by 20 at the half, your opponent begins to rapidly lose their run/pass balance, thus becoming predictable (i.e. you blitz more).

BASIC CONCEPT. Sorry for being a smartass but there's no way to sugarcoat it. it's that basic.