Myron Pryor (and more broadly, the shape of the DL)

[JoeShmoe]

Anyone else real impressed by this kid? For a 6th round pick he looks a steal and BB+Pees must rate him seeing the time he got against Philly

 

[Nestapats]

Absolutely. I thought he looked great out there. I was really impressed. There were two plays where he had a sack and a hurry. I know the O-line of the eagles was banged up, but still very impressive. I expect him to contribute at the end of the season. I didn't notice much of Brace...

 

[Julius]

He seemed real strong and played with good leverage...this draft class is looking very solid

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Absolutely. I thought he looked great out there. I was really impressed. There were two plays where he had a sack and a hurry. I know the O-line of the eagles was banged up, but still very impressive. I expect him to contribute at the end of the season. I didn't notice much of Brace...

There was one play where Brace made a tackle about 15 yards downfield chasing down Mccoy after a long run. I though it showed good speed for a big man.....

 

[Gwedd]

Yes, he looked good. The thing to remember is that this was one game, and it is now up to him (and the others) to show he can do this consistently.

 

[farn]

Yes, he looked good. The thing to remember is that this was one game, and it is now up to him (and the others) to show he can do this consistently.

Agreed here... It is only one game, but even more interesting is the 4-3. That is to say : I was wondering what was up with so many DLs in the draft, thinking most would just get cut. Could it be NE's going to actually be playing significant 4-3 after so many years of insisting to stick to the 3-4 base ? Time will tell, but Pryor did the most of his chance.

 

[upstater1]

I'm just speculating but Belichick might now be of the opinion that the type of LBs required for his defense are difficult to find, and rather than trying to keep looking for the diamonds that can play in this system, he's going to a 4-3 that uses many of the same principles (i.e. two-gap play) as his 3-4. As long as he finds a safety who can fill in the middle, this could work.

Just speculating.

 

[Gwedd]

I'm just speculating but Belichick might now be of the opinion that the type of LBs required for his defense are difficult to find, and rather than trying to keep looking for the diamonds that can play in this system, he's going to a 4-3 that uses many of the same principles (i.e. two-gap play) as his 3-4. As long as he finds a safety who can fill in the middle, this could work.

Just speculating.

Yes, yes it could. What has always been one of Coach's hallmarks is his ability to see the big picture, in any number of areas, and adapt of the fly to meet the new challenge(s).

 

[maverick4]

He has talent at pass rush. It remains to be seen if he can stuff the run well enough.

 

[Ungeheuer]

I'm just speculating but Belichick might now be of the opinion that the type of LBs required for his defense are difficult to find, and rather than trying to keep looking for the diamonds that can play in this system, he's going to a 4-3 that uses many of the same principles (i.e. two-gap play) as his 3-4. As long as he finds a safety who can fill in the middle, this could work.

Just speculating.

They were switching in and out of a two-gap system the whole first half. There was one drive where they were running upfield the whole series and kept getting gashed on the ground (remember that one with the 19 yeard screen to McCoy). Then they stopped and two-gapped the next couple of plays and the Eagles had to settle for a field goal eventually.

If anything it seems to me more of a recognition that the NFL has become a passing league. If they move to a 4-3 they're just putting more emphasis on pressure and coverage. With the old 3-4 defense they ran, the basic principle is to take away the run and the deep ball, and force the opposing team to execute long-to-go pass plays. But I think what they found is that it's just too easy now -- because of the emphasis on defensive holding penalties and the opposite problem of linemen basically being allowed to hold on every play -- to complete passes. So you create a defense that's a little lighter (you're switching out one 3-4 end like Warren for a 4-3 end like Burgess), gets a little more pressure, and forces opponents to run a little more.

 

[BelichickFan]

He has talent at pass rush. It remains to be seen if he can stuff the run well enough.

In a 4-3, Warren, Brace, Wilfork, Seymour would be in on run downs. It gets more interesting on passing downs where Pryor could have positioned himself as Brace's replacement and Burgess would likely replace Warren. Nothing against Warren but Seymour is the stronger pass rusher when healthy and Burgess plays the left side. Burgess, Pryor, Wilfork, Seymour should be a good pass rushing unit if Pryor ends up as a decent pass rusher.

 

[BionicPatriot]

We'll see more 4-3 because we plan to be in many more passing situations. We plan to be ahead and also to do well defending first down.

BTW, an issue not discussed much in whether we are playing our 4-3 is usually a one-gap or a two-gap.

Finally, I don't think that Warren and Seymour are near as good as 4-3 linemen as they are as 3-4 linemen. Also, Wilfork is a better NT than a DT. I just don't get everyone saying we shoudl play the 4-3 because we finally have the personnel for it. The truth is that we have one of the very best 3-4 lines in the league. We do NOT have one of the best 4-3 lines. All of our #1's would be out of position.

In a 4-3, Warren, Brace, Wilfork, Seymour would be in on run downs. It gets more interesting on passing downs where Pryor could have positioned himself as Brace's replacement and Burgess would likely replace Warren. Nothing against Warren but Seymour is the stronger pass rusher when healthy and Burgess plays the left side. Burgess, Pryor, Wilfork, Seymour should be a good pass rushing unit if Pryor ends up as a decent pass rusher.

And this is why we'll see a lot of 4-3 this year. We're so deep at the DL.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Anyone else real impressed by this kid? For a 6th round pick he looks a steal and BB+Pees must rate him seeing the time he got against Philly

Sixth round? Forget it. Nothing good ever comes out of the sixth round.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Sixth round? Forget it. Nothing good ever comes out of the sixth round.

Yeah, by that stage I don't even notice what I'm drinking ...

 

[BelichickFan]

And this is why we'll see a lot of 4-3 this year. We're so deep at the DL.

Agreed although I disagree with your cause and effect. I think we're deep at DL because we're going to see a lot of 4-3. We wondered why the heck we drafted 3 DT on draft day when we already had Wilfork and workable, though not great, backups.

 

[JD10367]

With the old 3-4 defense they ran, the basic principle is to take away the run and the deep ball, and force the opposing team to execute long-to-go pass plays. But I think what they found is that it's just too easy now -- because of the emphasis on defensive holding penalties and the opposite problem of linemen basically being allowed to hold on every play -- to complete passes. So you create a defense that's a little lighter (you're switching out one 3-4 end like Warren for a 4-3 end like Burgess), gets a little more pressure, and forces opponents to run a little more.

And it's harder to find good defensive backs, as evidenced by last season (where IMO the DBs were the weakest point of the team). So, between running the 3-4 and having a weak DB corps, I think Belichick got tired of seeing third-down conversions with pass-defenders three yards from their guy...

 

[jefmblrd]

I was pleasantly surprised by Pryor. He seemed to say right in there and even applied some pressure. Could be a good find; we'll have to see how he develops.

 

[BelichickFan]

Also, Wilfork is a better NT than a DT.

If we have more of a pass rushing, one gap 4-3 in passing situations, that will be interesting to see. When we drafted him a lot of people thought he was miscast as a NT and would be better as a pass rushing DT more like he was in college. Honestly, I think Vince would show better pass rush ability than you give him credit for it he were given the chance to really go after the QB.

 

[Kontradiction]

Pryor looked good out there Thursday night but there is still along preseason and regular season to go. If he's still blowing up the opposing tackler like he did against the Iggles, then he'll guarantee himself a roster spot as a back-up.

 

[unoriginal]

They were switching in and out of a two-gap system the whole first half. There was one drive where they were running upfield the whole series and kept getting gashed on the ground (remember that one with the 19 yeard screen to McCoy). Then they stopped and two-gapped the next couple of plays and the Eagles had to settle for a field goal eventually.

If anything it seems to me more of a recognition that the NFL has become a passing league. If they move to a 4-3 they're just putting more emphasis on pressure and coverage. With the old 3-4 defense they ran, the basic principle is to take away the run and the deep ball, and force the opposing team to execute long-to-go pass plays. But I think what they found is that it's just too easy now -- because of the emphasis on defensive holding penalties and the opposite problem of linemen basically being allowed to hold on every play -- to complete passes. So you create a defense that's a little lighter (you're switching out one 3-4 end like Warren for a 4-3 end like Burgess), gets a little more pressure, and forces opponents to run a little more.

Nice post but I think it's slightly more complicated than a Warren -> Burgess switch. It's more of a Woods -> Burgess and Warren -> Pryor switch, putting 3-point pass rushing specialists on the weakside of the 4-3 and having your 2 run-stuffing DTs (Wilfork, Seymour, Warren) on the strongside.