BB's DL approach and Wilfork's dominance

[drew4008]

Saw this on Rap's blog earlier:

– The decision to start end Gerard Warren at nose tackle was a curious one. He’s never been a full-time 3-4 player and he’s never played an entire game at nose. “At any given time, you can be called to take over any job, so you gotta be ready,” Warren said.

Plus, it meant putting Vince Wilfork at end. The result was holding the Ravens to 2.9 yards per carry, with Ray Rice carrying 28 times for 88 yards. I was particularly impressed with how Warren refused to be moved in the face of a double-team, and creating gridlock was enough.

– One by-product of putting Wilfork at nose was that he was whipping whoever was over him, which was mostly guard Ben Grubbs. Wilfork made six tackles, six for a loss, and cut down completely on Rice’s cut-back lanes. With a long run of just eight yards, Rice never cut back for a big gain, losing one of his biggest weapons.

 

[stinkypete]

I was curious if Belichick would try out Wilfork at DE after drafting Brace and trading Seymour. Would be thrilled if Warren can hold the fort at NT. As strong as Wilfork is at the nose, he might actually be more valuable at DE where he can apply some of his pass rush skills.

 

[furry]

Sure seemed to help the edge setting and we saw a lot of Cunningham as well

 

[CrazedChariot]

I'm not a big fan of these unrealistic trade concepts, but it would be interesting to know why Shaun Rodgers is trying to be moved out of Cleveland.

Assuming his play is anywhere near his previous level, he wouuld allow us to do more of these unique looks.

 

[kkpat]

The interesting thing is some one in this forum before the Ravens game wanted to put Wilfork as DE and force Rice to run in the middle to let Mayo to contain him. We got some great football minds here.

 

[mcsully]

Wilfork reminds me a lot of Ngata.. He can play any where on the line.. Prior to this year draft, and seeing the success Wilfork had against Miami (playing DE), I thought BB might make a run at Mount Cody..

Its really not a bad idea to funnel everything to the middle.. Exactly where the strength of our defense lies..

 

[PatsDeb]

The interesting thing is some one in this forum before the Ravens game wanted to put Wilfork as DE and force Rice to run in the middle to let Mayo to contain him. We got some great football minds here.

Very true. The thing is, they put Wilfork at end in the Miami game, and Mike Wright on the nose, but he didn't do so well there. Miami seemed to run a lot in the middle as I recall. Kudos to BB for trying Warren there this week. It certainly worked on Ray Rice; no more getting outside and putting big numbers up on us.

 

[Kontradiction]

It's a pretty effective set against the run. Deaderick held his own at RDE, and Wilfork shut down the left side at LDE. Both OLB's did a decent enough job at setting the edge. This forced the Ravens to mostly run up the A-Gaps at the run stuffing weakness of Gerard Warren, which forced them right into the hands of Mayo and Spikes.

What would really rock is if somebody (Brace? Pryor?) could come in and knock Warren out of the NT spot. If that happens, this defense will be able to lock down on the run even more.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

It's a pretty effective set against the run. Deaderick held his own at RDE, and Wilfork shut down the left side at LDE. Both OLB's did a decent enough job at setting the edge. This forced the Ravens to mostly run up the A-Gaps at the run stuffing weakness of Gerard Warren, which forced them right into the hands of Mayo and Spikes.

What would really rock is if somebody (Brace? Pryor?) could come in and knock Warren out of the NT spot. If that happens, this defense will be able to lock down on the run even more.

I get, well you know, thinking about that very thing.

I am astounded at what BB has been able to do seeing that we lost a very good by NFL stds starting DE to IR.

 

[DarrylS]

Coupled with all of this is the continual rotation of many of these first and second year players on the DL and LB corps... this is the harbinger of things to come, stay away from the high priced prima donna's, draft well, take care of the players that buy into the system and play kick ass Pats football...

 

[RayClay]

Big props to Warren. There's no doubt Wilfork is our one superior DL. Yes, it would be nice if we had a reliable backup for situations like this but if it's a one or two game a year shift, I suppose a rotation would be fine.

Disappointing that Brace couldn't lock that down, but if he's on the way to being a decent DE that's worth the pick. Seems like you need a top pick to get a massive mobile player, although maybe Deaderick comes through.

Whatever works. Their plan worked Sunday. Maybe next year we draft another superior DL and get more settled.

 

[ALP]

Wilfork reminds me a lot of Ngata.. He can play any where on the line.. Prior to this year draft, and seeing the success Wilfork had against Miami (playing DE), I thought BB might make a run at Mount Cody..

Its really not a bad idea to funnel everything to the middle.. Exactly where the strength of our defense lies..

in this formation im assuming brace took up the other DE spot?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

in this formation im assuming brace took up the other DE spot?

No it was Deaderick @ DE

 

[WhiteWesWelker88]

Sure seemed to help the edge setting and we saw a lot of Cunningham as well

that is true..... Wilfork blew open his side................... the line did not hold and we had pass rushers penetrating.

 

[Spiral]

Have the Patriots ever had a DL as good as Wilfork?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Have the Patriots ever had a DL as good as Wilfork?

DL, Richard Seymour in his prime immediately comes to mind.

DT, I'd say no.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

The interesting thing is some one in this forum before the Ravens game wanted to put Wilfork as DE and force Rice to run in the middle to let Mayo to contain him. We got some great football minds here.

This is what the Pats did in the 2nd half of the playoff game against the Ravens last January - nothing new here. Using Warren at the nose was a twist but I think it was only tried due to Wright's limited success two weeks ago at the nose in Miami, and Love is obviously not ready for Prime-Time.

We know what we have in Wilfork and Warren, and to a lesser degree in TBC and Ninkovich. It will be interesting to see how Deadrick, Brace, Cunningham and Crable progress - that will determine our DL and Pass Rushing success.

 

[WhiteWesWelker88]

No it was Deaderick @ DE

at college the mofo was tough he got shot and showed up to play in the game that week.


you do not teach that toughness

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Big props to Warren. There's no doubt Wilfork is our one superior DL. Yes, it would be nice if we had a reliable backup for situations like this but if it's a one or two game a year shift, I suppose a rotation would be fine.

Disappointing that Brace couldn't lock that down, but if he's on the way to being a decent DE that's worth the pick. Seems like you need a top pick to get a massive mobile player, although maybe Deaderick comes through.

Whatever works. Their plan worked Sunday. Maybe next year we draft another superior DL and get more settled.

Yes this is a great comment - realistic and balanced. That is why next year's 1st rounder from Oakland will be a DE.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I get, well you know, thinking about that very thing.

I am astounded at what BB has been able to do seeing that we lost a very good by NFL stds starting DE to IR.

And the Jets lost Ferguson - everyone always losses someone - there is never enough depth in the NFL - the younger guys have to step up.