Interesting Prediction from NFL.com

[QB12]

Here's an interesting prediction from Jason La Canfora, Adam Schefter's replacement at the NFL Network.

In picking the Patriots to not only win the AFC East, but to make it to the Super Bowl, he writes:

"I don't see it being all that close. This strikes me as a team on a mission, with the ultimate button-pusher calling the shots (Bill Belichick) and the game's best QB back to reclaim that status (Tom Brady). Expect to see more blitzing this season with the team using more Cover-1 (one safety back) and Cover-0 (no safety help) looks, with bigger corners on the roster and also more 4-3 looks on defense. My Super Bowl pick."

I actually agree with him. What about you?

Prediction time: Picking first and last place teams in each division

QB12

 

[DaBruinz]

I think its way too early to tell.. Not to mention that the 4-3 that BB has been going with has been JUMBO in that it had Seymour on one side and LK Smith on the other as the Defensive Ends.. I don't believe we've seen any Cover 0 so far.. Cover 1, definitely.. Even Cover 2/4...

This defense reminds me of the Pats of 2001... It will be interesting to see how it plays out on the year.

I am still waiting for Andy to pipe in on how no team has ever run a jumbo like that.. I just so enjoyed being lambasted the way I was..

 

[QB12]

... I don't believe we've seen any Cover 0 so far.. Cover 1, definitely.. Even Cover 2/4...

Sanchez will get to unwrap those presents himself in Week 2 at 'Giants Stadium' as BB said last year.

QB12

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I actually hate to read predictions of how dominant this team will be...its really bad karma and sometimes bites us in the ass (see the majority of the media's prediction of how SB 42 ends up with a big Pats blowout - Yeah,right)

Tell us we suck and have no chance to do anything and I am just fine with that

 

[Bluto]

I actually hate to read predictions of how dominant this team will be...its really bad karma and sometimes bites us in the ass (see the majority of the media's prediction of how SB 42 ends up with a big Pats blowout - Yeah,right)

Tell us we suck and have no chance to do anything and I am just fine with that

I agree. It's nice being recognized as a top team but let the Titans or Steelers have the glory - - for now!

 

[QB12]

I agree. It's nice being recognized as a top team but let the Titans or Steelers have the glory - - for now!

Tom Brady apparently doesn't mind saying publicly that the team is "on a mission" this year. If he doesn't mind, neither do I.

QB12

 

[Kontradiction]

Tell us we suck and have no chance to do anything and I am just fine with that

I'm not. That would mean that we sucked and had no chance the year before. I haven't seen a bad Pats team since I was 14.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I don't believe we've seen any Cover 0 so far..

Yup, the Henry TD over Wheatley for one.

By the by, with LeKevin traded, that jumbo 4-3 picked up a little more mojo when Ty Warren anchored that end.

 

[TheKraftyOne]

The Pats D-linemen are top shelf run stoppers, no Earth shaking news there. The ability of their D-linemen gives them the luxury to use four LBs and cover the middle better IMO. I hope they can generate more of a rush if they go with the 4-3 more. Receivers will have room to roam and time to do it in the middle if they don't.

 

[signbabybrady]

I think its way too early to tell.. Not to mention that the 4-3 that BB has been going with has been JUMBO in that it had Seymour on one side and LK Smith on the other as the Defensive Ends.. I don't believe we've seen any Cover 0 so far.. Cover 1, definitely.. Even Cover 2/4...

This defense reminds me of the Pats of 2001... It will be interesting to see how it plays out on the year.

I am still waiting for Andy to pipe in on how no team has ever run a jumbo like that.. I just so enjoyed being lambasted the way I was..

Cover 0 and Cover 1 are usually used when blitzing and that happens less in preseason. I think the prediction was probably based more on some of the hybrid de/lbs, increasing what you let Mayo do as far as blitzing, and what looks like better CBs than neccessarily what was seen in 2 preseason games.

 

[BradyManny]

I don't believe we've seen any Cover 0 so far.. Cover 1, definitely.. Even Cover 2/4...

This defense reminds me of the Pats of 2001... It will be interesting to see how it plays out on the year.

I noticed a couple plays so far that looked like Cover 0 - in both games, we ran an all out blitz that ended up w 4 DBs on 4 receiving targets. As Box mentioned, 1 went for a TD, but its worth noting, I think those blitzes had success in the Philly game if I recall correctly.

Either way, I think it would be accurate to say that if preseason is any indication, there is more trust in the defensive secondary this year, which is letting Pees blitz more.