Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run???

[lillestroom]

Sorry and all that, but I'm not buying into what I saw against NOS.

With Warren out for the season, its left Mike Wright as our best DE. And in my eyes, he's a much improved player but better as a situational starter rather than first choice.

I look at our fixtures. Some teams who like to run the pigskin. I see that our OLB's may now be put under even more pressure and with a rookie ILB likely to start (Spikes) I can see most teams grounding the ball in against us.

I'd like to hope that Warren and Lewis can contribute, but I see a real need for Bill to pull the trigger on a trade here. It may be a problem which eats up our season before it begins.

 

[Calciumee]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

Why the pessimism?

 

[ausbacker]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

Sorry and all that, but I'm not buying into what I saw against NOS.

With Warren out for the season, its left Mike Wright as our best DE. And in my eyes, he's a much improved player but better as a situational starter rather than first choice.

I look at our fixtures. Some teams who like to run the pigskin. I see that our OLB's may now be put under even more pressure and with a rookie ILB likely to start (Spikes) I can see most teams grounding the ball in against us.

I'd like to hope that Warren and Lewis can contribute, but I see a real need for Bill to pull the trigger on a trade here. It may be a problem which eats up our season before it begins.

Apparently rookies aren't allowed to make sterling and large contributions in this world you live in?

 

[pencilneckgeek]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

While I'm not pessimistic, I have the same concern, particularly since the Jets and Dolphins will be wholly committed to the run. It's one thing to be stout in the first quarter, but it's another to keep it up for a whole game. Fortunately, I do think the addition of Spikes and replacement of Ty with Gerard Warren will put us in a better spot than last year, and the improved offense will put us in a position to follow an enhanced version the Colt's strategy when they were soft against the run. We stop the run for a few drives and build enough of a lead that our opposition loses their commitment to the run. However, teams like the Jets and the Ravens, who have the capacity to keep the score down, are going to prove difficult matchups for us. Still, there's much more cause for optimism. We have the tools to get to the playoffs, and young players will have a chance to learn enough of their roles and techniques to add to the mix by year's end.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

Miami and NY will indeed be committed to the run. For a reason. You know what Bill says about stopping one thing... Fortunately for us regardless of what you commit to it's a QB driven league and we have the best in our division by a mile. The pessimism is a byproduct of not having won it all in a while. Heck, we haven't even made it back to a superbowl in two whole seasons. While the JETS and Dolphins on the other hand...what more can you say...

 

[Gator Mike]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

I'm pretty confident that Spikes will help the run game more than Guyton would have.

I'm more concerned about defending the pass actually. Where will the pass rush come from? Young secondary, etc.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

Apparently rookies aren't allowed to make sterling and large contributions in this world you live in?

Only if they are starting on other teams. Ditto aging players only have gas left and second year players can only be expected to have made the jump and backups can only be counted on to fill a role competently IF they are playing for other teams. Get with the program, ausbacker.

 

[Water Boy]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

As long as VW is healthy I am not concerned about our run defense. I think Spikes will be a huge upgrade over Guyton against the run.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

I'm pretty confident that Spikes will help the run game more than Guyton would have.

I'm more concerned about defending the pass actually. Where will the pass rush come from? Young secondary, etc.

Up the middle?? That seems to be the one thing pass happy teams struggle with. That's what Brees can't counter. Edge rushers are easier to counter. Coverage - this secondary seems to have the speed and talent to play man or close on receivers in zone. Great QB's - especially in tandem with great receivers - can still carve you at times, but there aren't that many of them in the league, let alone this division.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

The middle is not the question. I agree that Wilfork, Mayo and Spikes will do the job better than last year. Mayo is healthy and Spikes is an improvement over Guyton.

The question mark is with regard to setting the edge and run defense by the DE's and OLB's. I agree that Warren is a serious loss here. Our OLB's should be about the same as last year against the run, although there may be some improvement in OLB play because of the expected improvement at ILB and CB (and even S). For example, I expect more run support from the cornes this year.

As long as VW is healthy I am not concerned about our run defense. I think Spikes will be a huge upgrade over Guyton against the run.

 

[Tunescribe]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

It may be a problem which eats up our season before it begins.

Try to enjoy the process. Football is to be enjoyed no matter what. It's very early, you might end up being pleasantly surprised.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

I think Warren is a loss, but he is still one player and not an every down player. It hurts the team, no doubt. But Warren is not the difference between this team being a playoff team and competiting for a top 10 draft pick. The only player who has that much affect is Brady.

The loss of Warren hurts the Pats running game, but will have little affect on the passing game since Warren came of for a lot of the sub packages and isn't that affective against the pass when he was in. The running game is another story where he was strong against the run. Luckily is teams have moved away from running the ball.

Yes, Warren is a loss and a significant one, but I don't change my opinion of this team based on one player. It means the Pats have less margin for error during the season and are woefully thin at the position, but I am not giving up hope that they won't find a way to overcome the loss with a month before the season starts.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

Try to enjoy the process. Football is to be enjoyed no matter what. It's very early, you might end up being pleasantly surprised.

Like the Dalai Lama himself said it.

 

[Nunchucks]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

I think that Gerald Warren and Lewis will be just fine on the line, good thing the Patriots got both of them. I also really like the secondary, they may get off to a slow start (or not) but I am betting that by the end of the year that they are kicking arse.

The only concern I have is the pass rush...44% blitzes = WTF

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

Losing Ty is a big blow. But as others have pointed out, we should be stronger in other areas. I think we'll be okay.

I don't fear the running game from the Jets or Dolphins as much though. The Jets got rid of their leading rusher (Jones) and dependable change-up option (Washington) and replaced them with a washed-up Tomlinson and a rookie who failed his conditioning test.

As for the Dolphins, Brown is coming back from injury and Williams is a year older. They'll still be good, but I don't think they'll be as good as last season.

I'm not suggesting we'll be fantastic against the run this season. I just don't get the massive amount of pessimism before the second pre-season game is played. Judging from the tone of the OP, we'd be better off scouting top 5 picks for the draft than competing for the division.

 

[RussFrancis]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

Mike Wright is NOT going to be our best Dend this year. Especially against the run. God what a miserable original post.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

Did the NFL outlaw switching to a 4-3 based on situational football?

I guess we can't have packages against "vaunted" running offenses like Miami or the Jets?

 

[SanAngeloState]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

Warren will be something of a loss in the early part of the year. By year end we'll be a better team without him. Rookies will develop and step up, etc. He wasn't any great shakes last year with his injuries.

He should have had surgery right after last year though, guess he wanted paychecks for doing nothing. Great. Another danger of the big signing bonus.

Deaderick, Weston, that guy from Ga. tech, tons of guys. Don't you worry your pretty little head about a thing.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

I think that Gerald Warren and Lewis will be just fine on the line, good thing the Patriots got both of them.

Gerald Warren, sure. Lewis isn't much bigger than Mike Wright. GWarren looked decent last week, but Ty Warren, aside from a down year last year, was one of the premier run stopping DEs in the league. He'd often control his gaps a step or two into the backfield. Put Gerard Warren opposite him and Spikes behind him, we have likely solved our run defense problems. Put Gerard Warren in his place, and we have potential issues. Spikes is the wildcard. His ability to get to the point of attack quickly and forcefully should make us better than last year. Still, the run defense is worthy of attention.

 

[JR4]

Re: Why the optimism? Come season time can we stop the run ???

I believe PATs run D will improve as the year goes on.
In the one preSeason there were a few break downs in the run D.
But as this front seven plays more together that won't
be as easy to do.
Inspite of those few problems the PATs run D looked pretty
good against a big Oline and some top RBs.
The held the Saints Top rushers to 3.4yds/attempt average.
By the time this unit faces the JETs they will even better.

That's why the Optimism!