Pats desperately need a dynamic pass rusher

[shatch62]

I know the Pats D is based more on being big, tough, smart and error free but with the DBs they have the team needs to be able to put consistent pressure on the QB. Warren, Wilfork are above average DL but they are not dynamic. Not one of the LBs are 'difference makers'. They need a Demarcus Ware, James Harrison etc. Right now Tully Banta Cain is our best pass rusher and that has to give everyone pause. No idea if it is through the draft or free agency but the Pats need a difference maker

 

[SoonerPatriot]

I know the Pats D is based more on being big, tough, smart and error free but with the DBs they have the team needs to be able to put consistent pressure on the QB. Warren, Wilfork are above average DL but they are not dynamic. Not one of the LBs are 'difference makers'. They need a Demarcus Ware, James Harrison etc. Right now Tully Banta Cain is our best pass rusher and that has to give everyone pause. No idea if it is through the draft or free agency but the Pats need a difference maker

I wouldn't expect many changes. We haven't extended our best DL yet so it's hard to envision going out and getting an elite rusher in FA. The draft is another option, but development is hit or miss. Lately it's been more miss.

 

[BadMoFo]

You know we're saving our picks for the best short cornerbacks in college football, and then a hybrid DE/OLB in the seventh round.

 

[mcgraw_wv]

Maybe some emotion on the sideline as well...

I haven't seen TB rally the troops all year. there is not much fight to be seen when the chips are down this year.

simply not an elite team, I don't have faith they will come back like years past. The 07 team did more damage to this franchise than good. The outscore em offense made the defense soft, and the offense forget what it meant to spread the ball, and find the open man.

 

[JackBauer]

LOL.

wtf?

 

[BadMoFo]

Maybe some emotion on the sideline as well...

I haven't seen TB rally the troops all year. there is not much fight to be seen when the chips are down this year.

simply not an elite team, I don't have faith they will come back like years past. The 07 team did more damage to this franchise than good. The outscore em offense made the defense soft, and the offense forget what it meant to spread the ball, and find the open man.

He does seem to sulk more than in years past. Maybe he got a little Manning in him.

 

[Patsinspire]

LOL.

wtf?

arrogance arrogance arrogance, can we hire some fking coaches

 

[chrisfx811]

But, don't forget, he's got to be a 'smart' pass rusher as well. We wouldn't want a guy that just thinks about killing Qbs and making plays. We want a smart guy who can adapt to all the complexities of our stunning defensive gameplans.

 

[skinnydog]

I don't get it. He coached one of the most maniacal linebackers in LT who lived to get after the QB and yet he doesn't seem to go after that type of player.

 

[carolinatony]

We all KNEW we need anyone who could rush the passer this offseason.
There was not 1 player in all Collage that BB liked I guess?

 

[pats_premi]

More than pass rusher, I think they need coaching help. It is all well and good that BB being a mentor to the coaches on the team, but these coordinators need to bring new idea instead repeatly doing the same thing year after year.

 

[carolinatony]

More than pass rusher, I think they need coaching help. It is all well and good that BB being a mentor to the coaches on the team, but these coordinators need to bring new idea instead repeatly doing the same thing year after year.

I never really thought about this until this year. Maybe now we can keep a coach for more than 2 years before another team grabs them.
I don't see Indy/Pitts coaches getting grabbed every off season.

 

[letekro]

Nah. Brees was getting the ball out early all game, roll-outs, etc. Pass rush was not the problem. Brees took advantage of over aggressive safety play all day. Add to that an OC that has zero feel for the rhythm of the game and you have 38-17 even though the teams are fairly evenly matched talent-wise.

 

[Kontradiction]

I can dig this. Opposing offenses don't have to really respect anybody in our LB corps besides Jerod Mayo, who is not really used in blitzing situations all that often. AD has been incredibly disappointing considering the amount of money he has been making. Guyton is serviceable but is not a starting linebacker. Sorry. Where was he tonight? Was he anywhere to be found? TBC is an effective pass rusher at times but is absent at other times. The move to trade Seymour has really been felt. With him, we could generate a three man pass rush. Without him, we have to blitz more and it still isn't getting there. We need someone who offenses are going to game plan against. It's a simple fact that we don't have that person right now.

 

[Kontradiction]

Nah. Brees was getting the ball out early all game, roll-outs, etc. Pass rush was not the problem. Brees took advantage of over aggressive safety play all day. Add to that an OC that has zero feel for the rhythm of the game and you have 38-17 even though the teams are fairly evenly matched talent-wise.

Bill O'Brien did call a terrible game tonight. That INT changed everything. We pounded it down their throats all that first drive and we go into a five wide formation on first down?! WTF was that?

 

[mcmurtry86]

I don't get it. He coached one of the most maniacal linebackers in LT who lived to get after the QB and yet he doesn't seem to go after that type of player.

Because guys like LT or even a "poor man's LT" grow on trees? He went after Colvin who ****ed his hip up and never was the same. He relied on McGinest and Vrabel heavily for years. Once those guys got old though, this team's defense has become a lot less threatening. Thomas hasn't worked out, Burgess hasn't worked out, Crable is a dud. It's not for a lack of trying.

 

[mcmurtry86]

Bill O'Brien did call a terrible game tonight. That INT changed everything. We pounded it down their throats all that first drive and we go into a five wide formation on first down?! WTF was that?

Not sure how much BB has a hand in the playcalling, but the offensive playcalling has been dreadful for most of the year.

 

[West Philly Patriot]

Bill O'Brien did call a terrible game tonight. That INT changed everything. We pounded it down their throats all that first drive and we go into a five wide formation on first down?! WTF was that?

My thoughts exactly when we came out in the 5 wide set I was shocked as we had ran all over them with maroney the drive before. Brady made a poor decision but the call should've never happened! so you can put that on the playcaller.

 

[The Intimidator]

I wouldn't expect many changes. We haven't extended our best DL yet so it's hard to envision going out and getting an elite rusher in FA. The draft is another option, but development is hit or miss. Lately it's been more miss.

I agree that the D-Line is not really the problem. They follow Bill Belichick scheme where the DL of the 3-4 hold the 5 OL in front of them, so that the LB's can make tackles, or pressure the passer. Seymour really hurt losing him this year, which I don't doubt the deal for the future where the Raider's state is currently right now. Wilfork is probably the #2 NT in football and was an all pro last year, and Warren holds his own, and is worth his contract. Green is perhaps the best backup for a 3-4 that there is - before the injury. So we have got Warren and Wilfork to man the D-line, but guys like Derrick Burgess who was brought in to take Seymour's spot. No doubt we will have to look in the offseason via free agency and the draft. A few guys out there in the draft that can play in the 3-4 defense and are DE/OLB Hybrids.

Greg Hardy Ole Miss- Will probably have to trade up to get him, but he can be had in the mid teens to early 20's.

Sergio Kindle Texas- A smaller DE/OLB but has been explosive pass rusher at Texas and fits the hybrid mold. I would love to snag him in the 2nd round.

Corey Wotton: Another DE/OLB who could be had in the mid 20's. Very Smart player, good pass rusher and can play the run. Wouldn't be a bad snag.

Jermaine Cunningham: Has had two seasons where he has been excellent. A Dumbervil type, who is a great speed rusher. We need one of these guys.

Brandon Graham: A very smart, productive player out of Michigan. Has the size and athletic ability to play in the Pats system. I really like him a lot.

These are a few guys in the draft that I think we will/should look at. We addressed the O-Line and secondary last year, not it is time to address up front. It is clear this is one of the key pieces we are missing by watching them this season.

Brees could have eaten a sandwich, and drank a bud light tonight with the lack of pressure. We can't win this way anymore with our personnel. No Law, No Harrison in the secondary without pressure= disaster. This needs to be fixed.

 

[Kontradiction]

Not sure how much BB has a hand in the playcalling, but the offensive playcalling has been dreadful for most of the year.

I think O'Brien handles the vast majority of that. You can clearly see the difference between even last year (with McD) and this year.

The defense is the unit where I'm not sure of how much influence BB holds over Dean Pees.