mgteich

I think it reasonable to separate out the units and see where we are at this early time in the season. Obviously, the defense has much room for improvement. We just CAN'T let every opposing quarterback look like a probowler!

INJURIES
OK, let's be clear. We have more defensive backs playing with casts than than those who are who are healthy.

BODDEN is doing OK. He is doing his job. He doesn't get thrown too often, because of his skills. And YES, he knows enough to hold when he is beaten. This is an important tactic, given the new rules.

DOWLING
He is now injured, but is much better than anyone could have expected so early in the season.

MCCOURTY
He is not picking off where he left off. Hopefully, more time will help. I expect that the lack of an off-season hurt him.

ARRINGTON
He is settling into his utility role, substituting for anyone injured, sometime dime back, sometime rover (following Bush), sometime designated blitzer. He is doing fine.

MOLDEN
He is our developmental player and STer. I don't expect much from him. He is kind of our Earthwind Moreland. If we need him, he'll play.

BOTTOM LINE
The improvements in the DL and at OLB/DE were supposed to make this groups much better than 2010. Butler and Wilhite are out. Bodden and Dowling are in. It seems that we should be much better than our production shows.

Ochmed Jones

The defense is only as good as it's weakest link.

Minimal pass rush and a huge hole at FS, equals a lot of extra stress on our corners.

DarrylS

Also think that there are so many new moving parts, it will take time to come together.. have to keep in mind San Diego had a lot of O weapons, and we took Gates out of the game.. so McCourty was essentially 1-1 on Vincent Jackson.

Something has to give in that scenario..

While many lament the pass rush, thought it was better than last year.. pretty much shut down the run. Created 4 turnovers.. which is becoming a hallmark.

__________________
"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

mgteich

I ask again,

ARE WE SATISFIED WITH THE PREFORMANCE OF THE CORNERS?

Perhaps, we should give their performance over the first two weeks a grade?

We've had Bodden for twpo games. We've had Downing for more than one game. I would expect to see improvement from 2011 in this unit. I understand that we have just played 2 great offenses (????). Seriously, I am fine if we think they'll be better later as the rest of the defense starts to gel.

But for now, I can't see a grade better than B-.

Horace's Ivories

I think that alot of these passes completed against this secondary have been "pro bowl caliber" throws and/or catches

Elijah

Who is Darling?

mgteich

A player need to be around ahile before we get his name right.

borg

Phillip Rivers has major cajones...chucking it to his guy amongst a swarm of mighty mites. You would a think a 4 on 1 advantage for the defense would cause Rivers to redirect....but not so. Big cajones and huge confidence in his WR.

I suspect BB knew Rivers would be fearless throwing into coverage ...and I suspect BB expected some turnovers as well. They got the yards, the Pats eventually got the turnovers. A win is a win. But as bad as the D has been, the Patriots are the only team to win both their games by 2 TDs each. Only the Texans come close with 1 big win and a 10 pointer. Tough to complain

__________________
"In the end, Belichick juiced Moss like an orange, and once all the good pulp was squeezed, he tossed Moss aside. "


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Rob0729

Ron Darling. Former Mets and Athletics pitcher. The Pats have given him a try out at CB and he has been spectacular so far. For a guy who is his 50s and never played football before, he is far exceeding expectations.

mgteich

But, can he rush the passer?