Prediction: The Pats' Pass Defense is About to Go From Terrible to Very Good - Page 3 - New England Patriots Forums

Marqui · 11-03-2012, 08:20 PM

If chevss over at PP is to be believed, they intend to keep McCourty at CB initially.

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He also says the Pats are really happy with the Talib acquisition. Their plan is to use Talib and McCourty at CB if/when Chung and Gregory get healthy so long as Chung pledges to do his job and quits guessing/gambling with a fall back plan of McCourty at S with Talib and Dennard at CB. Wilson and Arrington for depth and nickel/dime.

He thinks the coaching of the DBs is fine and not the problem. Chung's regression is a hot topic as BB was counting on him this year and the feeling is Chung is trying too hard to make plays rather than just doing his job. His leash is short and he knows it.

On Talib, he spoke with Todd France of Fame who is Talib's agent. France told him the Pats did extensive background study and spoke to Talib with Tampa Bay's permission prior to the trade. France also told him that Talib is really excited about playing for the Pats and welcomes the chance to start fresh.

The Gr8est · 11-03-2012, 08:30 PM

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Originally Posted by mayoclinic

This is the first time in a long time that I've gotten the sense of a real plan as far as how the coaching staff wants the secondary to progress, instead of just what seems like an ad hoc band-aid approach.

Kind of like the many attempts at finding the right TEs to play the position to the standard that BB had in mind, and which has revolutionized the offense now that he has found his guys.

Hopefully, we are seeing the same thing on defense that BB envisioned for his two TE offense.

***mayoclinic*** · 11-03-2012, 08:38 PM

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Originally Posted by The Gr8est

Kind of like the many attempts at finding the right TEs to play the position to the standard that BB had in mind, and which has revolutionized the offense now that he has found his guys.

Hopefully, we are seeing the same thing on defense that BB envisioned for his two TE offense.

Not only that, when the Pats released Chris Baker and let Ben Watson walk in FA, the TE cubbard was totally barren prior to the 2010 draft. That unit went from being essentially non-existent to the best in the NFL in a very short time.

I used the RB group as a comparison in a PM to OTG. It was only 3 months ago that most people considered that we had a totally unproven RB group, and many people questioned the wisdom of letting BJGE walk in FA. Now, at least through 8 games, the Pats have the most prolific rushing attack that they've had during the BB era with a very deep group of backs who complement each other nicely, and Ridley appears to be emerging as a legitimate stud. What was a position of weakness is suddenly a position of strength.

It seems like there is some kind of plan. That gives me hope. Aqib Talib may or may not be the answer, but at least he's a sign that the FO and coaching staff are aware of a need and are trying to move in the right direction. There's no doubt he has some skills. God pray he keeps his head on for at least the next 3 months.

The Gr8est · 11-03-2012, 08:48 PM

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Originally Posted by mayoclinic

Not only that, when the Pats released Chris Baker and let Ben Watson walk in FA, the TE cubbard was totally barren prior to the 2010 draft. That unit went from being essentially non-existent to the best in the NFL in a very short time.

I used the RB group as a comparison in a PM to OTG. It was only 3 months ago that most people considered that we had a totally unproven RB group, and many people questioned the wisdom of letting BJGE walk in FA. Now, at least through 8 games, the Pats have the most prolific rushing attack that they've had during the BB era with a very deep group of backs who complement each other nicely, and Ridley appears to be emerging as a legitimate stud. What was a position of weakness is suddenly a position of strength.

It seems like there is some kind of plan. That gives me hope. Aqib Talib may or may not be the answer, but at least he's a sign that the FO and coaching staff are aware of a need and are trying to move in the right direction. There's no doubt he has some skills. God pray he keeps his head on for at least the next 3 months.

It also seems not long ago that our LBs were horrid and we were discussing guys like Ray Maleauga and James Laurinaitis as dream picks who could help upgrade our LB corps.

Now we have Mayo, Spikes, and Hightower; all young and talented, and with bright futures.

It's a good time to be a Pats fan.

***Joker*** · 11-03-2012, 08:55 PM

It's a good time to be a Pats fan.

I've been saying this since 2004...some idiots just don't get it though and must continually cry about how "BAAAAAAAAAAAD!!! things are...they follow the teachings of THIS savior...

Off The Grid · 11-03-2012, 09:13 PM

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Originally Posted by mayoclinic

I used the RB group as a comparison in a PM to OTG. It was only 3 months ago that most people considered that we had a totally unproven RB group, and many people questioned the wisdom of letting BJGE walk in FA.

Remarkable, isn't it?

It was clear that we had the greatest Depth of Talent at O Back that this team has seen in any Era...and yet so many were bewailing the loss of BenJarvus Hyphenator, The Most Average Back Who Ever Lived.

***mayoclinic*** · 11-03-2012, 09:26 PM

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Originally Posted by Off The Grid

Remarkable, isn't it?

It was clear that we had the greatest Depth of Talent at O Back that this team has seen in any Era...and yet so many were bewailing the loss of BenJarvus Hyphenator, The Most Average Back Who Ever Lived.

If 3 months ago - at the beginning of training camp - I had started a thread predicting that at the midpoint of the season the Pats would rank 5th in rushing in the NFL, would be averaging almost 150 YPG and be on pace for nearly 2400 yards rushing (more than in 2004 or 2008), and that Stevan Ridley would lead the AFC in rushing, I probably would have been laughed off the board. In comparison, a thread predicting that our pass defense could be "very good" by playoff team seems rather tame.

JR4 · 11-03-2012, 10:02 PM

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Originally Posted by mayoclinic

.......

........ If the deep safety coverage is reliable it will allow the CBs to play press-man and bump opposing receivers off their routes, knowing that someone has their back if their man gets past them. That allows the front 7 to attack more aggressively, generate more pressure, and create more disruption.
.....

I understand most of what you say , and agree, but the last sentence I'm
not sure why you say that.

Why doesn't the front 7 attack more aggressively even when the deep safety coverage is NOT reliable and the CBs do not play press-man bumping opposing receivers off their routes?
It seems when the secondary can't pass protect well the front 7 should be
as aggressive as possible to limit their exposure. No?

Also, if PATs begin to cover well it may seem the front 7 is being more
aggressive but that perception may be due to the fact they have more time to get to the QB.

PATSYLICIOUS · 11-03-2012, 11:01 PM

It all depends on the pass rush. The secondary as it is can be serviceable but not great IMO. We don't have any stud playmakers back there or shutdown guys like Ty Law/Rodney Harrison. With a dominant pass rush, an average secondary like the one we had in 2004 can look very good, so yes the pass D overall can become very good. But then again, we still did have Rodney and I don't see anyone in this secondary that is near the player or leader he was that year. The talent overall might be comparable to that secondary but either way it's going to require winning the battle in the trenches.

CityOfChampions · 11-03-2012, 11:09 PM

If we keep blitzing I think our d will be good enough - which is better than what it was last year.