Reiss: Defender snap counts for game 1

[convertedpatsfan]

Mayo, McCourty were ironmen on D - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Meriweather led the defense in snaps last season but played fewer than James Sanders in game 1. Before the game, Reiss had mentioned something about how he felt the Pats wanted more out of him and were sending him a message.

Myron Pryor got lots of playing time, and seems to be a solid part of the DL rotation.

Brace also got in some snaps, and didn't look out of place. Hopefully he continues to improve and helps fill Ty Warren's spot.

 

[Calciumee]

Shows alot of confidence in DMc

 

[patchick]

Shows alot of confidence in DMc

Plus I'm pretty sure he played heavily on special teams, too. That's a serious day's work!

 

[Sicilian]

Interesting that Chung played more snaps than Meriweather (though I heard he might have been dinged up a bit on one play, not sure).

Also, seeing "WR/S Randy Moss" made me chuckle

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Interestingly, five players (Mayo, Banta-Cain, McCourty, Butler, Chung) played 95% or more of the snaps.

The base defense worked out to an average of:

2.30 DL
1.63 ILB
1.77 "OLB/DE"
2.71 CB
2.58 S
0.01 Randy Moss

 

[DarrylS]

At this stage of the season nice to see Cunningham and Spikes are being eased into the speed and intensity of the NFL.. otoh impressed with McCourty.

 

[MustaphaM0nd]

why did Sanders see so much action? Is there any reason that Meriweather would be being eased back onto the field?

 

[reflexblue]

I was Very impressed with Mccourty, he looked like a veteran not a rookie. I don't remember the last time the pats had a rookie CB that did that

 

[jmt57]

why did Sanders see so much action? Is there any reason that Meriweather would be being eased back onto the field?

The difference in the number of snaps the two played was one. Meriweather was on the field for 61 out of 78 snaps; I'm not sure I would characterize that as being 'eased back onto the field'.


There were an average of 2.58 safeties on the field per play, as ctpatsfan77 pointed out. That means all three had to get a lot of snaps. Chung was out there for 74 out of 78 plays, Sanders for 62 and Meriweather for 61. So we're looking at about ten or so snaps that could be taken away from Sanders and given to Meriweather. I don't think that's all that many snaps to be concerned with.

 

[Urgent]

Interestingly, five players (Mayo, Banta-Cain, McCourty, Butler, Chung) played 95% or more of the snaps.

The base defense worked out to an average of:

2.30 DL
1.63 ILB
1.77 "OLB/DE"
2.71 CB
2.58 S
0.01 Randy Moss

In a copycat league, expect to see lots of teams running the 2.3-3.4 defense soon.

If 5 defensive backs are a nickel and 6 a dime, I guess the Pats were running a 7-cent backfield with 5.3 DB's. Lira back defense? Ruble-back?

As we discussed in some of the post-game threads, that certainly solved the lack of depth at LB. Too bad McGowan went down, but Chung clearly emerged. Keeping Chung, Meriweather, and Sanders on the field together is probably an effective way of getting the top 11 defenders on the field, and plays into the move toward a spread offense.

Those numbers do point out that, in 26 snaps, Jermaine Cunningham was nearly invisible and free of all stats, while Ninkovich/Murrell were nearly so in 35 snaps.

If Murrell dropped from starting the first pre-season game to 7 snaps, that sure explains the decision to drop him. The corollary to that is that if TBC misses a game, the team is in a real bind.

Fascinating stuff - I look forward to the Reiss breakdowns.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I was Very impressed with Mccourty, he looked like a veteran not a rookie. I don't remember the last time the pats had a rookie CB that did that

I have to agree as well. He is the most physical CB we have had since Law. It looked to me like he was not overwhelmed much and had a decent understanding of WR routes.

Butler on the other hand looks more and more like Samuel in that he guesses a lot. The only problem is Samuel was a much better guesser. Butler needs to live in the film room if he wants to play the guessing game.

Sanders may not have Merriweather's natural ability, but Sanders does a much better job of getting the defensive secondary lined up and communicating pre snap. Seems like Palmer had a lot more success when Merriweather was QBing the secondary.

 

[emoney_33]

I have to agree as well. He is the most physical CB we have had since Law. It looked to me like he was not overwhelmed much and had a decent understanding of WR routes.

Butler on the other hand looks more and more like Samuel in that he guesses a lot. The only problem is Samuel was a much better guesser. Butler needs to live in the film room if he wants to play the guessing game.

Sanders may not have Merriweather's natural ability, but Sanders does a much better job of getting the defensive secondary lined up and communicating pre snap. Seems like Palmer had a lot more success when Merriweather was QBing the secondary.

I don't see the similarities between Butler and Samuel at all.

 

[Synovia]

Butler on the other hand looks more and more like Samuel in that he guesses a lot. The only problem is Samuel was a much better guesser. Butler needs to live in the film room if he wants to play the guessing game. .

In 2007, yeah, he was. Samuel was a borderline nickleback in 2005. Butler is young.

 

[Sicilian]

I have to agree as well. He is the most physical CB we have had since Law. It looked to me like he was not overwhelmed much and had a decent understanding of WR routes.

Butler on the other hand looks more and more like Samuel in that he guesses a lot. The only problem is Samuel was a much better guesser. Butler needs to live in the film room if he wants to play the guessing game.

Sanders may not have Merriweather's natural ability, but Sanders does a much better job of getting the defensive secondary lined up and communicating pre snap. Seems like Palmer had a lot more success when Merriweather was QBing the secondary.

I think Butler is a better tackler than Samuel. I remember him missing one on Ocho in garbage time, but other than that he was wrapping guys up for almost 0 YAC.

 

[mcsully]

I haven't heard or read any where about Meriweather being in the position Reiss mentioned (team wants more out of him).. I'm going to disagree here with Reiss and say it was due to the injury he sustained in the preseason..

Sanders played 1 more play but only had 4 tackles. Merriweather had 7 tackles and a great hit on Ocho Cinco..

And just to add to my point, Merriweather weakness early on was he didn't catch the ball and drop a lot of INT. He worked out during the offseason and got 4 ints two years ago and 5 int's last year. His weakness going into this year was his tackling.. He look very solid in preseason and I noticed a difference in him wrapping up the player..

 

[Kasmir]

Sanders played 1 more play but only had 4 tackles. Merriweather had 7 tackles and a great hit on Ocho Cinco..

Sanders may be a smart safety but he's a poor tackler, as he consistently takes bad angles. Happened again yesterday a couple of times. Merriweather sometimes attempts to deliver blows rather than wrapping, but he's more fundamentally sound.

Worst combination for tackling is when Sanders and Guyton are both out there; despite his physical skills, Guyton actively avoids contact like no LB I can remember. On Sunday he was in position to make tackles a couple of times but didn't even try...

 

[Yfz01]

I hope we see more Randy Moss at safety. Another INT would look good on that stat sheet.