Love the win, Love Cassel, this defense isnt good enough

[Lifer]

Getting more satisfaction watching this team go 7-4 and seeing Matt Cassel develop than i did watching the end of last year.

But the Patriots arent going far with this defense. 10-6 and an early exit from the playoffs will be a terrific accomplishment. If BB can get the D to turn it up in December then maybe we can dream for more.

 

[TheComeback]

We're doomed!

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

The D was avg today, but like I said the game plan I think was to stop the crap cat... The game that hurt us is that game last week, We are in the playoffs now, but if the colts beat SD, then we are out.. we need to win out though.. I think we could beat Pitt and Arizona at home..

 

[desi-patsfan]

The D was avg today, but like I said the game plan I think was to stop the crap cat... The game that hurt us is that game last week, We are in the playoffs now, but if the colts beat SD, then we are out.. we need to win out though.. I think we could beat Pitt and Arizona at home..

hey...hey...hey....stop it...did you not see the "we're doomed" post.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

end of the world. not like we have a bunch of new parts trying to get cohesion together and AD is on thr shelf healing.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Lot's of inexperienced kids in the defense right now so struggling isn't a surprise. Hopefully they are fast learners.

 

[Patriot_dynasty]

Secondary is rough to say the least. Too many receivers left wiiiiiiide open.

 

[thechris]

Red Zone & 3rd Down remain a problem.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

We're doomed!

 

[Deus Irae]

 

[Fencer]

You are correct. If the defense doesn't play better than this -- 28 points allowed and only one takeaway against a not-special team -- the Pats won't win the Super Bowl.

 

[Wildo7]

The individual talent is there on defense IMO, it's just a matter of transitioning to life without AT, Rodney, Wheatley etc. that's making things tough. They're still a lot better than people give them credit for, the Jets and Dolphins offenses are pretty good.

 

[SoCal Pmen]

I'm hoping AT can come back by the end of the year. That will definitely help the pass rush and some coverage in the short passing game. This will take some of the pressure off the secondary. If he doesn't come back, its not going to be pretty unless the coaching staff can come up with some new schemes.

 

[blackglass3]

Boy, the sky sure does fall alot here.

 

[NEPatriot]

love what I saw today except D.

Can we score this many points in the next 5 games? If we do, we are in PLAYOFFFFFFFFFFF.

 

[NEPatriot]

our D needs to play better if we want to win a AFC CHAMPIONSHIP.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

As it is now, you are right. But BB still has 5 games to work his magic.

 

[NordicVoyager]

Lot's of inexperienced kids in the defense right now so struggling isn't a surprise. Hopefully they are fast learners.

I am actually very proud of this defense. Yes, its performance has been more average than many defenses in the past eight years. However, lest we forget, we have a bunch of youth now playing, particularly at the linebacker position -- a position that many on this board complained about not having enough youth.

I am quite impressed by our young linebackers and how well they have done. I have even fantasized about whqt they might be like with six to eight years experience. Can you imagine what people would say then about BB's ability to develop his linebacker specialists?

 

[Deus Irae]

Boy, the sky sure does fall alot here.

How about this one.....?

 

[upstater1]

Deltha Oneal gets exploited out there, so I think that's a definite weakness, and it's not like we can really help the situation there much. Maybe stick Sanders on the slot receiver and just keep giving O'Neal help with Merriweather?

As for next year, I really think Mike Vrabel will move inside as a starter, backed up by Guyton and Alexander.

We'll need to draft or sign an impact OLB who can create some havoc with the pass rush. Otherwise, we'll be going in with an older Adalius, Pierre Woods and Vince Redd. That's not going to be enough.