LB - Pass Rush and Run Stopping

[Metaphors]

I would have to somewhat disagree here. The Titans have a very good running game with two backs (albeit it feuding) that can easily rush for more than 100 yards against in a game against pretty much any team. The Ravens also have a stable of running backs to throw at an opponent (think what you want about McGahee). Michael Turner is coming off a career year for Atlanta and, at least at this early stage, there is no reason to believe he won't have a similar season in 2009 (other than the high number of carries a year ago . . . maybe). Jacksonville traditionally has a tough offensive line and an even tougher little back in Jones-Drew. And finally, Carolina has two rushers who could easily both rush in the upper 8-900's and put up double-digit TD's in 2009 (like they did a year ago).

I hear what you're saying. I just don't believe any of these teams (outside of the Vikings) have the overall package to beat the Pats without putting the ball in the air 30+ times. All of the teams you mention can try to impose their will on the ground, but they won't score enough to win. And everyone knows it is pretty much a done deal if you are trailing entering the 4th quarter against Brady.

NE will face good running attacks for the better part of a full season if the aforementioned teams can replicate what they've done in previous seasons. So, respectfully, I have to disagree with your claim that the Vikings are the only team that would be able to control a game on the ground efficiently to beat a Brady-led NE team. Just my humble opinion.

You could certainly be right. Running the ball consistently takes a good amount of discipline. The pressure that the Pats offense exerts makes it hard to keep that discipline for 4 quarters, especially if you are playing from behind. AP is such a dominant force that the Vikings almost have to feed him the ball, regardless of the game situation. I'm not sure the other teams have the will to run the ball on 2nd and 7 or 3rd and 3 in the 3rd quarter with Brady on pace to score 30+ points. All speculation at this point though.

 

[RayClay]

Hopefully Ty Warren will be 100% for the start of the season - my dream 2009 would have Warren's 2006 (7.5 sacks and 4 PD) and Seymour's 2003 (8 sacks, 8 PD) with Green's 2006 (7.5 sacks, 2 PD)

Sounds like the "big bottom" defense right out of Spinal Tap. Are you going to anchor the line with Brace and Wilfork to offset those three pass rushers?

And talking about weight, the Mayo I saw in the picture with Seau posted here couldn't weigh much more then 230.

Other pics and video confirm this (in my view and comparison). If he gained 15 lbs. from his combine weight, I don't know where it is. He's a great tackler and explosive as hell, but they seem a little light at ILB unless they have really packed it on in the off season, which is quite possible.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Sounds like the "big bottom" defense right out of Spinal Tap. Are you going to anchor the line with Brace and Wilfork to offset those three pass rushers?

And talking about weight, the Mayo I saw in the picture with Seau posted here couldn't weigh much more then 230.

Other pics and video confirm this (in my view and comparison). If he gained 15 lbs. from his combine weight, I don't know where it is. He's a great tackler and explosive as hell, but they seem a little light at ILB unless they have really packed it on in the off season, which is quite possible.

242 was his Combine weigh-in. Guyton was 245 at the Combine. Seau was listed at 250. The photo making the rounds has Seau up behind the DL while Mayo is back 5-6 yds off the line, bit of a perspective change. What I remember is looking at Mayo alongside Bruschi last season and seeing a couple guys fairly similar in size. Mayo and Guyton are both 23, which is about the time I started to fill out. I'd say a year with the Pats' nutrition and strength staff will have helped them in that regard.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I hear what you're saying. I just don't believe any of these teams (outside of the Vikings) have the overall package to beat the Pats without putting the ball in the air 30+ times. All of the teams you mention can try to impose their will on the ground, but they won't score enough to win. And everyone knows it is pretty much a done deal if you are trailing entering the 4th quarter against Brady.



You could certainly be right. Running the ball consistently takes a good amount of discipline. The pressure that the Pats offense exerts makes it hard to keep that discipline for 4 quarters, especially if you are playing from behind. AP is such a dominant force that the Vikings almost have to feed him the ball, regardless of the game situation. I'm not sure the other teams have the will to run the ball on 2nd and 7 or 3rd and 3 in the 3rd quarter with Brady on pace to score 30+ points. All speculation at this point though.

Fair enough. It seems like you feel the Vikings could keep the Patriots from putting up big points. Is that accurate? They have a very good defense, but I don't know if they could hang with the Patriots for a full game, especially not if Brett Favre is their QB. Of the teams I mentioned in the other post, I could see the Ravens and Titans both keeping things close. Heck, the Ravens almost ruined the 16-0 regular season last year. Were it not for the timeout call on the sidelines, that game would have been over since TB got stopped on the 4th and short.

Anyway, I hear what you're saying, Metaphors. For the sake of the Patriots, especially the now decrepit Bruschi, I hope you're right about the other teams. I also hope the Patriots have the high-powered offense that everyone thinks they will have that will enable them to play with a lead all year.

 

[Metaphors]

Fair enough. It seems like you feel the Vikings could keep the Patriots from putting up big points. Is that accurate? They have a very good defense, but I don't know if they could hang with the Patriots for a full game, especially not if Brett Favre is their QB. Of the teams I mentioned in the other post, I could see the Ravens and Titans both keeping things close. Heck, the Ravens almost ruined the 16-0 regular season last year. Were it not for the timeout call on the sidelines, that game would have been over since TB got stopped on the 4th and short.

Anyway, I hear what you're saying, Metaphors. For the sake of the Patriots, especially the now decrepit Bruschi, I hope you're right about the other teams. I also hope the Patriots have the high-powered offense that everyone thinks they will have that will enable them to play with a lead all year.

I actually don't think the Vikings (as presently constructed) would be able to deal with the Patriots for 4 quarters consistently. Just saying that AP is such a big part of their offense that he will get the ball in any situation as long as the game is still in doubt. That would mean the Pats LBs would need to play run first against the Vikings almost all the time.

I don't see other teams being willing to do the same. Even the Ravens game you mention above, outside of a horrific 3rd quarter by the Pats D the Ravens weren't able to control the game on the ground. It became essential to stop Boller (I think it was Boller) from hitting the short routes that kept Ravens drives alive in the first half. Those Boller/Feeley games that year are the ones that scare me...a mediocre QB hitting safe slant/dig/comeback routes and slowly killing the Pats D with a thousand paper cuts. I'm much less concerned about a team just running through the Pats D like 2002.

I think the Pats offense will be able turn just about every game into a track meet eventually. If the Pats LB can disrupt the QBs rhythm and cover the short, safe routes in the middle of the field, I feel good about the Pats chances.