Felger:This defense cant stop anyone

[aluminum seats]

I'm a homer as much as the next guy, but this defense has only held its opposition under its scoring average twice in 10 tries.

That means 80% of the time, this defense is below average.

As long as it makes plays, we can still win. Felger's point from the get-go was the right one. So I'm not sure why there are such objections.

My objection is to the lazy writing. "Can't stop anyone" is wrong.

 

[JMarr]

Nothing

It was clear as day to me that BB was using the clock vs the Steelers after posting a big lead. The NE D was letting Pitt have protractive drives because there wasnt enough time for Pitt to mount a come back and win.

Thats my theory.

Sure, BB would prefer to shut a team out or render them to kicking FGs, but if they score TDs and burn clock, its not the end of the world.

Ive stated this once and I will again. This NE D is making enough plays in every game to win. You can go right down the line in virtually every game NE has won. In SD, BB went for it on 4th at midfield and didnt convert. This Pats D held SD to a FG that would have sent the game to OT.

I agree and I don't get all the hand wringing about the end of the Pittsburgh game, nor any other time we've gone to the prevent. Nobody ever likes to see their team's D getting gashed, but the way they played it was absolutely the right call, as there was no way Pittsburgh could have won that game, absent a bunch of 30 to 40+ yard passing plays.

BB give's an absolute rat's A about statistics--none. Zero. If staying aggressive in almost any situation makes people feel better about the Pats' D, then so be it. But it almost never makes sense in terms of situational football.

 

[Deus Irae]

My objection is to the lazy writing. "Can't stop anyone" is wrong.

It's a turn of phrase that's used all the time. Consider it a colloquialism, being used to make the article appear more conversational in style.

 

[BradyManny]

My objection is to the lazy writing. "Can't stop anyone" is wrong.

Certainly - if we are going to make a generalization, then you could make one that says: this Patriots defense has actually made its stops when it mattered most. Which is a very good thing for this young, inconsistent defense. Its best moments come at opportune times. But to deny its struggled most of the rest of the time, well, that's not right either.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

BB give's an absolute rat's A about statistics--none. Zero. If staying aggressive in almost any situation makes people feel better about the Pats' D, then so be it. But it almost never makes sense in terms of situational football.

There is one stat BB cares about. Wins and Losses.

Will BB lose any sleep over a defense giving up nearly 500 yards to Detriot, if he gets a Win, no not one wink.

Besides the defense that played the Lions is not the same defense that will play the Jets. (In terms of some players and most of the scheme.)

 

[BradyManny]

BB give's an absolute rat's A about statistics--none. Zero. If staying aggressive in almost any situation makes people feel better about the Pats' D, then so be it. But it almost never makes sense in terms of situational football.

Sure - but there is one stat that correlates to Wins & Losses more than any other....and that's points.

Saying Belichick doesn't care about any stat (except W's) is fair. But it's sort of like approaching one's health and saying, "Screw cholesterol #s, and blood pressure, I don't care about anything other than living" - well, it implies you also care about breathing...points would be breathing in this analogy.

And in terms of points scored and points against, the Patriots defense - again - has let all but two teams score more than their average. That's not what Belichick wants.

 

[The Brandon Five]

It's obvious they can't stop anyone. That's why Manning was able to put together that game-winning drive last week. Oh, wait...

 

[doesntmatter1]

I wish there was a poll for the entire nfl asking players would they rather lose to a dominant BB defense like in 03 or this one where 3rd & 23=3rd & inches. Either way just sucks.

 

[Dagg]

This isnt your traditional lights out shut down defense by any means and we all know that.

All I can ask for is that we are better than that steaming pile of dookie we put out there last year and so far I think we are. So we are moving in the right direction and I think they have already outplayed my very low expectations of them.

 

[O-T-I-S]

Aside from the Miami game and the Minnesota game, the defense hasn't "played a full 60 minutes", but they have played well enough in stretches to either build a substantial lead (vs. Cincinnati, Buffalo, Miami, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis) or allow the offense to make it's way back into the game (vs. Baltimore, Detroit). As long as either the offense or the defense are making enough plays to win games, which they have been so far, then the high PPG allowed shouldn't matter all that much.

Looking at the stats, three of the last four Super Bowl championship winning teams have allowed similar PPG totals during their regular seasons (21+). The key was that they were able to improve during the playoffs. We'll see if the Pats can do that. Hopefully the Foxboro home field advantage comes into play as well.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Aside from the Miami game and the Minnesota game, the defense hasn't "played a full 60 minutes", but they have played well enough in stretches to either build a substantial lead (vs. Cincinnati, Buffalo, Miami, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis) or allow the offense to make it's way back into the game (vs. Baltimore, Detroit). As long as either the offense or the defense are making enough plays to win games, which they have been so far, then the high PPG allowed shouldn't matter all that much.

Looking at the stats, three of the last four Super Bowl championship winning teams have allowed similar PPG totals during their regular seasons (21+). The key was that they were able to improve during the playoffs. We'll see if the Pats can do that. Hopefully the Foxboro home field advantage comes into play as well.

Good points. I forgot to mention the Baltimore game.

Does forcing the Ravens to punt three times in OT count as "making a stop"?

 

[RayClay]

Well, the teams are not currently in the playoffs and Super Bowl.....

All right, how have they done in the regular season? 9-2? that's pretty good. They've got those wins in the bank.

And they can't stop anyone...:bricks:

 

[Deus Irae]

All right, how have they done in the regular season? 9-2? that's pretty good. They've got those wins in the bank.

And they can't stop anyone...:bricks:

You've now returned to "we can't talk about anything questionable, even in the regular season, because the team's winning." You've returned there even though you've now tacitly acknowledged that winning isn't everything with with regards to discussing problems in the regular season, by deliberately separating that from the playoffs in a post, so you're going in circles.

 

[RayClay]

Certainly - if we are going to make a generalization, then you could make one that says: this Patriots defense has actually made its stops when it mattered most. Which is a very good thing for this young, inconsistent defense. Its best moments come at opportune times. But to deny its struggled most of the rest of the time, well, that's not right either.

You're saying a team with a rookie, a special team UDFA and a guy they benched as their only corners (and an injured Wilhite), has a record of 9-2, beat Pitt and Indy back to back while struggling?

Jeez, what's going to happen when they start playing well and add another three corners? A couple years experience, and this will be the greatest defense of all time.

I know the 85 bears and Steel Curtain didn't gel until they had players in their prime, we've got a 9-2 defense of prodigies with no experience and no depth. Be still my heart.

 

[RayClay]

You've now returned to "we can't talk about anything questionable, even in the regular season, because the team's winning." You've returned there even though you've now tacitly acknowledged that winning isn't everything with with regards to discussing problems in the regular season, by deliberately separating that from the playoffs in a post, so you're going in circles.

Not at all. Check the linebacker coverage thread for a good analysis of defense. This is a negative panic thread about a crap writer who is a sensational gossip columnist who says a young, injury riddled team that has defeated the best football has to offer, can't stop anyone.

It's a stupid statement by a worthless talk show host.

 

[D-Money]

Pass coverage has to get better.stopping teams on 3rd down is a big problem as well.Could come back to bite them in the end.

 

[BradyManny]

You're saying a team with a rookie, a special team UDFA and a guy they benched as their only corners (and an injured Wilhite), has a record of 9-2, beat Pitt and Indy back to back while struggling?

Jeez, what's going to happen when they start playing well and add another three corners? A couple years experience, and this will be the greatest defense of all time.

I know the 85 bears and Steel Curtain didn't gel until they had players in their prime, we've got a 9-2 defense of prodigies with no experience and no depth. Be still my heart.

Yes, a TEAM won those games. Mostly thanks to an offense which - according to Football Outsiders - might be on pace for the 2nd best DVOA of any offense in history save for 2007.

If you're trying to prove that the Patriots personnel is not indicative of a quality NFL defense, then you've done just that. If you've attempted to use that as excuse for a truly poor overall performance from that defense over the course of the season, that's irrelevant - b/c the reality is that is the personnel we are stuck with for the rest of the season. We can't handicap it just b/c Bodden and Warren got hurt. It is what it is.

We are 9-2 because our offense has scored more points than any other offense. For the most part, it would be very fair to say we have won in spite of our defense.

In fact, if you take a look at this thread, you'll see why. In spite of our offense having limited possessions, snaps and TOP - thanks to the defense - it remains at the top in points scored.

Which all gets back to the heart of the article from the original post - we CAN win with this defense, even if it is not great, particularly if it continues its opportunistic play.

 

[BradyManny]

It's a stupid statement by a worthless talk show host.

Have you read the article? Because it's essentially spot on if you can get past the title of this thread.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Certainly - if we are going to make a generalization, then you could make one that says: this Patriots defense has actually made its stops when it mattered most. Which is a very good thing for this young, inconsistent defense. Its best moments come at opportune times. But to deny its struggled most of the rest of the time, well, that's not right either.

Actually, the defense has played very for the considerable majority of the season. Only a buffoon could conclude otherwise.

If you deny that you are simply have zero grasp of reality, clueless, or just enjoy being miserable.

 

[BradyManny]

Actually, the defense has played very for the considerable majority of the season. Only a buffoon could conclude otherwise.

If you deny that you are simply have zero grasp of reality, clueless, or just enjoy being miserable.

Hmm...was the lack of an adjective after "very" just some clever sarcasm? If yes, I approve. If not, I'm confused.