This Defense Can be Dominant

[Wildo7]

So now that the Brady/Cassel hysteria is starting to subside and the smoke is clearing, we are beginning to notice some positive things that happened in the game.

1)Deltha O'neal was excellent, which means that if Wilhite and Wheatley learn the system and make an impact this year, all of a sudden we have a truly elite group of CBs.

2)Mayo playing the full 63 snaps. To me this just shows how intelligent this kid is and how much faith BB has in him. As he continues to progress, and Crable comes in, then that "old linebacking core" that people keep talking about has the potential to be the perfect mix of veteran leadership and quick rookie skill. Even Bruschi looked like he had a skip in his step we haven't seen from him in a while.

3)Seymour returning from injury becoming the dominant presence he wasn't quite ready to be again last year. This solidifies the DL as one of the best in the league easily.

4)Merriweather living up tp his potential. To me, this may be the biggest question of all. I like James Sanders because of his work ethic, but he's not an above average safety IMO. And Rodney isn't going to be the impact player he has in the past. Merriweather needs to emerge for this group to be considered elite, and if he does they are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

If all of these factors fall into place well, I honestly think this has the potential to be one of the most dominant Belichick defenses ever. And the best part of it is that the dopes in the media and around the league are so caught up in the "aging, questionable Pats defense" mantra that they are going to look like fools when it happens, because these are 4 enormous elements that weren't present in last year's above average defense.

I'm not going to lie, I have faith in Cassel, but I'm looking for the defense to be the best part of the team now, and I'm excited about its potential.

 

[captadamnj]

Mayo anchoring the middle really allowed Vrabel and Thomas to let loose in their natural outside positions, and that tandem rushed the passer as well as I've seen to date.

 

[SVN]

iam still concerned by overall speed on defense and pass rush.

 

[Wildo7]

iam still concerned by overall speed on defense and pass rush.

Where exactly? Are there any specifics on this? Other than maybe Bruschi, where do we lack speed?

I forgot to add that AD is now in his second year in the system, so I also expect him to become a bigger weapon than he was last year.

I honestly feel like it has to potential to be a perfect storm if all these things come together.

 

[JSn]

iam still concerned by overall speed on defense and pass rush.

Wow dude. Did you have smudges on your glasses hiding Thomas and Vrabel from view?

 

[STFarmy]

Thank God there's more positive threads emerging rather than the doom and gloomers pissy whiny threads Sunday night. I imagine there will be a fair amount of questions answered this Sunday, and I for one think you might be on to something Wildo. Besides that long play at the end of the game, there wasn't much going in the Chief's offense. Again, I know it was the Chief's, but that's what you're supposed to do against a team like that. Maybe it will be the same this Sunday.

 

[apple strudel]

Our defenses of late have been reamed down the middle by good TEs. I really hope to see the combination of Mayo and Meriweather shore that up. Our pass rush has always been a situational one, getting sacks in key moments, so I don't think game 1 tells us too much about it. Of course, health and depth are so key, so what we say about week 1 doesn't tell us much about week 17. I'm glad to see Seymour looking good again.

 

[JoePats]

Wow dude. Did you have smudges on your glasses hiding Thomas and Vrabel from view?

Well, if the corners are average to below average, you might need the pass rush to be elite. I think it's good but I'm not going as far as elite.

 

[SVN]

Where exactly? Are there any specifics on this? Other than maybe Bruschi, where do we lack speed?

I forgot to add that AD is now in his second year in the system, so I also expect him to become a bigger weapon than he was last year.

I honestly feel like it has to potential to be a perfect storm if all these things come together.

i also think there is huge potential for our defense to be better and BB does protect his defense such that dont have to do a lot of open field tackling.But our pass rush can definitely improve that what it is considering our defensive line and iam hoping more time thomas plays OLB it will. i am interested to see what crable can do.chiefs o line was starting 3 rookies and maybe they were playing the run more so i hope when they DO rush more its effective.
on that note...how did rodney look sunday ?

 

[JoeShmoe]

Sanders actually had a pretty good game apart from that one play... there were a couple of posts on gameday stating how well he was playing

 

[bostonia3333]

I was impressed with the speed of the corners. I still think there were some decent completions made against the CBs on Sunday, but it seemed like once the KC receivers made a catch, boom, he went down right away. Reaction to the ball and awareness was excellent and was refreshing to see. What really concerns me though is the delayed pass rush. Sure the stat sheet shows a few sacks, but it seemed like those were coverage sacks. Not to beat a dead horse, but losing Colvin has changed the dynamic of this pass rush. Ever since the Philadelphia game last year, I see impressive pockets forming for opposing qbs. That must change if this team has any hopes of a playoff run.

 

[SVN]

I was impressed with the speed of the corners. I still think there were some decent completions made against the CBs on Sunday, but it seemed like once the KC receivers made a catch, boom, he went down right away. Reaction to the ball and awareness was excellent and was refreshing to see. What really concerns me though is the delayed pass rush. Sure the stat sheet shows a few sacks, but it seemed like those were coverage sacks. Not to beat a dead horse, but losing Colvin has changed the dynamic of this pass rush. Ever since the Philadelphia game last year, I see impressive pockets forming for opposing qbs. That must change if this team has any hopes of a playoff run.

honestly we never had a scary pass rush . its the nature of this defense i believe. you think of the steelers, you think pass rush, same with the giants. with the pats its different and little bit unknown. one constant i see , they start blitzing the closer you approach the red zone or towards the end of the contest.

 

[Deus Irae]

New England was second in the NFL in sacks last season, and the only team that finished ahead of them has already lost 2 of their best pass rushers to injury and retirement.

 

[Garbanza]

So now that the Brady/Cassel hysteria is starting to subside and the smoke is clearing, we are beginning to notice some positive things that happened in the game.

1)Deltha O'neal was excellent, which means that if Wilhite and Wheatley learn the system and make an impact this year, all of a sudden we have a truly elite group of CBs.

2)Mayo playing the full 63 snaps. To me this just shows how intelligent this kid is and how much faith BB has in him. As he continues to progress, and Crable comes in, then that "old linebacking core" that people keep talking about has the potential to be the perfect mix of veteran leadership and quick rookie skill. Even Bruschi looked like he had a skip in his step we haven't seen from him in a while.

3)Seymour returning from injury becoming the dominant presence he wasn't quite ready to be again last year. This solidifies the DL as one of the best in the league easily.

4)Merriweather living up tp his potential. To me, this may be the biggest question of all. I like James Sanders because of his work ethic, but he's not an above average safety IMO. And Rodney isn't going to be the impact player he has in the past. Merriweather needs to emerge for this group to be considered elite, and if he does they are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

If all of these factors fall into place well, I honestly think this has the potential to be one of the most dominant Belichick defenses ever. And the best part of it is that the dopes in the media and around the league are so caught up in the "aging, questionable Pats defense" mantra that they are going to look like fools when it happens, because these are 4 enormous elements that weren't present in last year's above average defense.

I'm not going to lie, I have faith in Cassel, but I'm looking for the defense to be the best part of the team now, and I'm excited about its potential.

Some of you need a reality check:

D-line - great
LB - okay to good
Seconday - um.....ah......will get better as the year goes on.

 

[Kontradiction]

My secondary concerns are pretty much gone now. Other than the touchdown that was allowed, Hobbs and O'Neal looked great. Deltha looked like he had been in our system for a year now the way he was playing out there. Beautiful signing by Pioli. I'm still concerned with Rodney being a liability in coverage but mack-truck hits are his specialty and as long as he can hit hard enough to jar the ball loose still then I'm fine. Also ecstatic to see Seymour healthy again. We should see domination in our defensive line that we haven't seen since 2004 (barring anymore catastophic injuries). The LB corps is the perfect infusion of youth and and veteran leadership as Wildo pointed out.

The scary thing is that, barring injuries once again, this defense should only get better as the year goes on. Another scary thing is that Tom Brady returns next year with more of a complete defense around him. Sorry guys, couldn't resist.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

If they can match last year of giving up the 4th least amount of yards and 4th least amount of points that should be enough.

 

[JoePats]

My secondary concerns are pretty much gone now.

I have no idea how you can change your opinion around based on one home game against the hideous Chiefs offense.

 

[Wildo7]

Some of you need a reality check:

D-line - great
LB - okay to good
Seconday - um.....ah......will get better as the year goes on.

You know what would be super? If you reinforced your "reality check" with some kind of coherent argument or specific point. Great breakdown though.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Didn't see the game. However, the 68 yard pass did figure in the highlights.

It's important to remember that a play has too be separated from overall effort. If that was a mental/commincation/scheme mistake; it can/will be corrected. That's different than getting "schredded".

I also don't think KC is as hopeless as Miami/Oakland/Rams so not a bad first step.

Who was rotating in at MLB/OLB? Good to hear about Mayo.

 

[mgteich]

IMHO, KC is up there (down there) with Miami, Oakland and the rams.

Didn't see the game. However, the 68 yard pass did figure in the highlights.

It's important to remember that a play has too be separated from overall effort. If that was a mental/commincation/scheme mistake; it can/will be corrected. That's different than getting "schredded".

I also don't think KC is as hopeless as Miami/Oakland/Rams so not a bad first step.

Who was rotating in at MLB/OLB? Good to hear about Mayo.