BB's curious Capers caper - New England Patriots Forums

***Tunescribe*** · 03-20-2008, 08:41 AM

I find it remarkable that BB brought in Dom Capers to coach the defensive backs, and think development of this area will be the most intriguing story in training camp. BB apparently thinks a different direction in that part of the defense is warranted, yet it's a mystery as to how, and with what players. I wonder if the soft zone philosophy will be revamped somehow, and if the Giants' Super Bowl-winning miracle drive had any bearing on BB's decision to hire Capers. Even more curious is the fact that Capers (so far) has very little to work with, considering the departures of Samuel, Gay and Wilson, Rodney's diminishing cover skills and Hobbs' characteristically average play. This hopefully will be a big year for Meriweather and, hopefully, Sanders will continue to develop and improve. But there is a HUGE amount of work to be done here. If the jags brought in so far plus whatever rookies are drafted end up being all that Capers has to work with, we'd all better hope that coaching makes the difference.

***BelichickFan*** · 03-20-2008, 08:43 AM

Remember that in addition to the position players, each Patriots coach has a gameplan role too. A few years ago Pepper did the red zone defense and Mangini did the blitz schemes (probably not ALL of them but those coaches were responsible for those areas). In addition to the actual players in the DB, I bet Capers will have a lot of say in the blitz schemes.

BradyManny · 03-20-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

Remember that in addition to the position players, each Patriots coach has a gameplan role too. A few years ago Pepper did the red zone defense and Mangini did the blitz schemes (probably not ALL of them but those coaches were responsible for those areas). In addition to the actual players in the DB, I bet Capers will have a lot of say in the blitz schemes.

Co-sign. I think bringing Capers aboard signals a lot of change, and I think he'll have a fair share of responsibility.

I'd love to see the DBs get more aggressive. Hobbs is built for it. Asante wasn't, and he's gone, so with Hobbs the #1 corner for now, it'd make sense to move to a more aggressive style.

The fact that Meriweather will be the starting FS is a big improvement. He can cover a whole lot more ground than Sanders or Harrison.

I know I'm in the minority, but I think the secondary will be stronger against the pass then it was last season.

***Tunescribe*** · 03-20-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

Remember that in addition to the position players, each Patriots coach has a gameplan role too. A few years ago Pepper did the red zone defense and Mangini did the blitz schemes (probably not ALL of them but those coaches were responsible for those areas). In addition to the actual players in the DB, I bet Capers will have a lot of say in the blitz schemes.

You've got to figure that Capers will be more than just a rank-and-file position coach, given his credentials. He's not even a coordinator; I wonder if it's hard for former head coaches to take "lesser" positions, or if a guy like Capers is simply happy to have a job. How he blends in role-wise with BB and Pees will be interesting.

PatsFan37 · 03-20-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tunescribe

I find it remarkable that BB brought in Dom Capers to coach the defensive backs, and think development of this area will be the most intriguing story in training camp.

With all the focus on Capers' experience at higher levels: game planning, head coaching, etc., I think what gets lost is that all the top coaches got there because they had tremendous ability to get the most out of individual players. During the season, a dbacks coach has maybe 8 guys. In camp, maybe 14 or so.

I've always been impressed with how BB sits down with the LBs during a game and coaches them. How he worked one-on-one with AD during camp. I expect Capers was brought in primarily because he's very good (I don't know if he is, this is conjecture) at this one-on-one coaching and maybe Collier didn't meet those basic expectations.

Hobbs and Sanders are good players. BB may think Collier didn't get the most out of them. The loss of Samuel and Gay is even more reason to have such a coach. All the rest that the media has been assuming -- all those head-coaching intangibles -- that's the gravy.

***Rob0729*** · 03-20-2008, 08:58 AM

Capers is not just a position coach, but a special assistant. That usually means he is in a consultation role as well as a position coach. I assume he has been brought in to revamp the defense and bring his agressive style.

All the talk on this board about McDaniels and the theories how Belichick supposably had to talk to him to change up the offense in the AFC Championships and what not, I think Dean Pees has gotten a free pass. I have never seen Belichick as involved with in game strategizing with the starting defense as I have this past season. Not with Mangini as DC and certainly not with Crennel. It seems that every time they flashed to Belichick on the sidelines when the offense was on the field that he had his backed turned to the field and was doing white board work with the defense. I have a feeling that Belichick was not all that happy with Pees' in game adjustments and took over that role himself. Just a theory though.

I have a feeling that Capers was brought in to be a co-DC with Pees and handle a lot of those in game adjustments that Belichick seemed to handle himself last year. This will allow Belichick to be more involved with the offense and special teams during the game and not just the defense. I can't see that as a head coach that Belichick wants to be too focused on either side of the ball during the games and would rather manage the overall strategy and delegate a lot of the adjustment responsibilities. I think that is one of the biggest reasons Capers was brought in.

WhiZa · 03-20-2008, 09:00 AM

He is the reason we won't be drafting CB at #7.

***BelichickFan*** · 03-20-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tunescribe

You've got to figure that Capers will be more than just a rank-and-file position coach, given his credentials. He's not even a coordinator; I wonder if it's hard for former head coaches to take "lesser" positions, or if a guy like Capers is simply happy to have a job. How he blends in role-wise with BB and Pees will be interesting.

Remember, also, in 1996 Belichick was the Patriots' "Defensive Backs Coach". He may have had some other pseudo title too but there's precedent for a big name coach taking a role like this.

PatsFan37 · 03-20-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tunescribe

You've got to figure that Capers will be more than just a rank-and-file position coach, given his credentials. He's not even a coordinator; I wonder if it's hard for former head coaches to take "lesser" positions, or if a guy like Capers is simply happy to have a job. How he blends in role-wise with BB and Pees will be interesting.

Depends on what these guys like to do. Some of the best coaches in the league are 'just' a quarterbacks coach. What got them into coaching in the first place was the pleasure of working with the one-on-one with the kids. And at least, with the Pats, you know you won't have to coach a guy like Pacman Jones.

***Rob0729*** · 03-20-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

Remember, also, in 1996 Belichick was the Patriots' "Defensive Backs Coach". He may have had some other pseudo title too but there's precedent for a big name coach taking a role like this.

Belichick was Assistant Head Coach and DB Coach under Parcells in 1996. Capers couldn't get the Assistant Head Coach title here because Dante Scarnnechia has that title and I doubt they would slap Dante in the face by demoting him to bring in Capers. Each team can only have one Assistant Head Coach. That is is why Caper has a Special Assistant title instead.