ausbacker

I would have thought one of the glaring improvements in the defense has been the switch from press coverage to zone against the Raiders and Jets. It seems our DB's are more comfortable with that.

TheBostonStraggler

Agreed. Given that, and historical patterns, I think there is good reason to believe the Defense will improve as the season goes on. Unfortunately it isn't a certainty.........

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TheGodInAGreyHoodie

The question was why switch from 3-4 to 4-3 and he gave a detailed answer.

The classic BB press conference answer would have been, "we felt it would give our team the best chance to win".

He choose to answer the question this time but typically he chooses not to.

Maybe he is getting paid to do the radio interviews unlike the PC, so he gives the folks who are willing to fork over cash answers but not the regulars.

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BradyFTW!

Or maybe he respects these guys.

PrairiePat

Fun to finally hear some definitive talk from the coach on a subject we've all been speculating about all Fall.

Gives me some hope that things will start improving with the young D.

Ivan

This is the way I see it as well. Belichik has always said he makes sure they have the basics down before installing more complicated schemes that build off those basics. This defense is in its infancy and he will build and build and build on it as the weeks go by. It will be year or so before he can use the whole defensive playbook with them. I think they will have a good defense by the end of the season and it will play strong for them in the playoffs, which was the point to begin with.

eom

he had said earlier, when asked about the 4-3, that they were still a multiple dront team, but that they wanted to get a lot of even front on tape in the preseason, etc, so they could correct iit, as they already had a lot of 3-4 experience, and the odd front would be worked in later.

BradfordPatsFan

Um, no. Listen to BB's interviews with these guys. In fact, listen to most coaches and players when they are on with these two. It is all football. Kirwan is a football-lifer and he is molding Tim Ryan into one. He is exactly the kind of guy BB likes to talk football with. He's not someone with an agenda, someone who could take what he says and twist it to fit a story. He's going to be analytical about it. And no, he's not a BB rump swab either. He can be critical of anyone, and has been critical of every team/coach at some point.

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eom

x10

the thing about bb is that everybody calls him a genius, but when I hear him interviewed on 'eei, or a similar venue, he comes across as a regular guy with a lot of common sense.

tim and pat strike me as much the same -- basically down to earth guys with common sense, but when compared to their peers come of as 'genius'.
I'd say they're the best football you can find on radio, that I've heard.

VJCPatriot

Very informative answer. And it makes sense. With the shortened offseason the 4-3 was easier to install and teach. This defense has yet to be taught everything so I look to see improvement as they learn more and the complexity level increases.

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