Oswlek

I am not concerned about the run defense per se, but I have to admit that I don't recall the last time NE stopped a running play on 3rd and short.

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BelichickFan

Here you go :

"3rd and 2 at NE 16 (8:47) B.Westbrook right guard to NE 15 for 1 yard (A.Thomas, J.Green)."


Of course, Philly then got the first down going on 4th

SVN

pats will use rodney like a ILB/safety combo and play all 3 safeties assuming geno comes back. hurts our safety depth but remember the yr we had beisel and brown, we lost rodney in the 2nd game as well

ATippett56

The Patriots will probably play more 4-3 defense against the weaker offensive teams down the stretch (Ravens, Jets, Dolphins).

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sebman2112

OK, if the Patriots stick to using the 3-4 primarily (without any roster movement) you're talking about Seau and Bruschi getting a lot of playing time together...I'm not sure that's ideal. Mixing in some 4-3 where you can still rotate Seau and Bruschi to keep them fresh could be an option, and the Patriots have used the 4-3 at times this year. Obviously, they'd still use the 3-4 as their base, but using the 4-3 could keep their current group of LB's healthy. This could also bring Jarvis Green on to the field more as a pass rusher.

Using a 4-2-5 with Rodney moving closer to the LOS would also be an option, as the Patriots have done this before.

Now, what if they don't move AD to OLB fulltime? We're all seem to think they will, but what if they still use him more as a hybrid where he's rotating at both position, while having Woods & Brown rotate at OLB with him? Could the Patriots rotate Eric Alexander at ILB more?

I've thought for awhile now that Woods could have some potential and talent that he just hasn't developed yet....maybe he'll get a chance to show what he's got?

I liked Justin Rogers and was hoping they'd keep him around. In a time like this he could have proven useful. It's to bad the Cowboys grabbed him right up after NE released him.

A healthy Oscar Lua could at least help out as a backup right now as well.

Also, it kind of sucks the Eagles stole NE's LB in the 2007 draft...


Is Edgerton Hartwell still available? During the offseason it seemed NE was interested in him, but he signed with the Bengels instead. Hartwell didn't quite fit in with Cincy's defense so they released him. I'd think about at least bringing him in for a tryout. I mean, it couldn't hurt?

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Fencer

Marion Barber?

Tomlinson and/or Jones-Drew?

Anyhow, lots of very ordinary RBs can have big days too.

maverick4

We could go to a 4-3 base more often, but what about sticking with the 3-4 and also keeping AD at ILB? Would you feel comfortable with Woods playing outside linebacker?

sieglo

Woods needs to step up big time. I don't think it will happen, but it sure would be a nice surprise if he holds his own out there.

maverick4

Moveable pieces are AD (ILB/OLB), Rodney (S/OLB?), and I'd like to know whether Meriweather can play FS or not.

If Meriweather can play FS and Sanders is at SS, then on running downs we could have Rodney as an OLB and AD at ILB, and on passing downs shift AD over to OLB and Rodney back to SS. I'd really like to keep the Bruschi/Seau rotation going, these guys are old and should stay fresh by playing part time.

LA Pats Fan

To be Honest I do not think Colvin was very strong againsty the run to begin with. I saw him miss 3 tackles on Westbrook that had he made them would have stopped him behind the LOS.

I think the LB corp has improve talent wise, but depth is the big concern. Seau and Bruschi need to rotate and tha is where we see a drop.

This actually may be an opportunity to see HArrison working as a coverage LB and maybe see merryweather os some other 3 Safety packages