maverick4

With Colvin going to IR, AD shifts to outside linebacker and we have Tedy and Junior in the middle, who are both average at this point and also injury risks.

Additionally, our 3rd-and-short and goal-line defense wasn't impressive even before Colvin went down. For some reason Mike Wright is in the short yardage packages, and I have noticed all season that teams run right at him and always pick up the 1st down or touchdown, he isn't stout at the point of attack.

I think our outside pressure and play will continue to be great, that Adalius will be a beast outside, but our inside linebacking corps just got worse, and we were never strong in short yardage defense in the first place. Chad Brown is not the answer in any way.

I think we'll be okay as long as we lead (which will be most of the time). But tough short yardage and inside running defense is our achilles heel now. Thoughts.. ?

MrBigglesWorth

Wright was in there at times because Vince when out.

The key will be first down and second down and pushing teams into third and long where the Pats bring in their Nickle package anyways. Plus the Pats have played a 4 man line at times. I expect to see a little chad brown, I'd like to see pierre wood and what he has to offer, but i'm skeptical he'll see any legit playing time. plus we have eric alexander.

basically it's AD, Seau, Bruschi, and Vrabel..... it's gonna be conserving them for the next 5 weeks and keeping them good for the playoffs.

the colvin loss hurts but at least it isn't welker, brady, moss, or vince

__________________
"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers

maverick4

No, even when Vince was in there with Wright playing to Vince's left shoulder (look for this), teams ran right at Wright and almost always got the 1st down or TD. Basically, Vince Wilfork needs to play out of his mind for the rest of the season, raise his game to Ted Washington in his prime type levels.

BadMoFo

If you're basing this on the Eagles game, you do realize they averaged about 2.9 yards a rush? Plus we are the fifth-best team against the run.

MrBigglesWorth

we haven't seen the ty warren from last year yet IMO

__________________
"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers

DaBruinz

While Seymour was out, teams were doubling up Warren. Seymour hasn't hit his stride yet and Warren still sees more doubles than Seymour. Hopefully, Seymour will hit his stride and that will help free up Warren and Vrabel and even Thomas or Brown or Woods (whomever is playing the opposite side)

Wildo7

I agree but on the bright side:

McGahee (totally anemic offense, even if he runs all over us they still lose)
Parker (May pose the biggest threat because of the balanced Pitt offense)
Addai (Obviously our biggest problem if they make it to the AFCCG)
Missing someone?

are the only RBs we have to worry about and we most likely won't face a serious run threat other than Addai in the playoffs.

maverick4

No it's not just the Eagles game, this has happened all year, Wright plays next to Wilfork on short yardage and gets blown off the ball every time.

As for the running stats, yes I am familiar with the stats, did you consider it's because we're mostly with a huge lead and teams have to throw it?

The Pats D has given up 7 4th down successes on 10 tries, several of them short running plays where Wright gets blown off. And this isn't counting the times when they score TD's off short runs into Wright or 1st downs on 3rd and short.

solman

I'm enthusiastic about AD and Vrabel on the outside, Bruschi and Seau on the inside.

I'd like to see Woods, not Brown spell Bruschi and Seau.

My big concern is that an ADDITIONAL injury to any of our starting LBs could really hurt us.

ctpatsfan77

You mean Woods in at OLB and Thomas in at ILB? As near as I can tell, Woods is a pure OLB. [Or do you mean Alexander?]

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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