Is anyone else a little nervous about the D changes??

[Haley]

Is anyone else a little nervous about the timing of these defensive changes? I'm not exactly an X's and O's fan but it seems to me that on a short off-season with a lockout it might be a bit risky to overhaul our defensive strategy.

Granted, we don't really know the full extent of these changes yet. Mostly there are just these rumblings of a more 4-3 style. However there are some notable personnel changes to our D line already and possibly some changes to existing rolls within the defense. Spikes and Mayo are already reported to be exploring some new rolls in practice. We've added Haynesworth and lost Ty Warren.

Last year this was a pretty new D line. Moving on to a new style of D already might be a little confusing for some. Does this make anyone other than me a little nervous?

 

[Tunescribe]

Here's what I think:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...82704-if-4-3-becomes-base-defense-i-like.html

 

[Froob]

I'm excited about it personally, been dead last in 3rd down defense for 3 years running I believe. I think some change could do some good. Could be just a hybrid 3-4 4-3 too. Can't wait for the 1st preseason game.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Something needs to change as the league obviously has. We certrainly have collected personnel that lend themselves to different schemes (e.g. the "big nickel" package that was used last year).

I trust Bill to come up with something that is effective (if not simple).

 

[patsfanboy]

Not really, did we use a lot of sub packages last season? So to be fair last season was the experiment, and Bill used the 4-3 during the Pro Bowls, since it is in the rules, now Bill must be more comfortable with it. But i believe Bill will change in-between 4-3 and 3-4 defense, depending on the situation. If there is one person that can pull it off it's Bill.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Trust Bill to stay ahead of trends

Also, defenses usually start faster than offenses (though that certainly doesn't have to be the case for the Patriots). Still, the shortened off-season works both ways. Offenses have less time to prepare for what the Patriots are likely to give and the team would have a natural tendancy to improve as the season goes on.

Thus, making them slightly less predictable for awhile..though by the time late/post season starts, they'll be hitting their stride. but honestly, if AH pans out, it may not matter what happens as long as the OLB can chase down a mobile quarterback..which might require good safety help (chung).

 

[Jared]

The idea of alignment changes being significant is overblown. You can do a lot of player rearranging without having major changes to the scheme. How much does the defense really change if all that happens is Cunningham or Nink puts his hand in the dirt?

Realistically, my expectation is that this will remain primarily a two gap read and react defense. The only major difference might come on third downs and sub packages where they will hope to get more pass rush from the DL positions, since they were unable to get it from OLBs.

 

[CrazyDave]

Not me. Change is good, keep our opponents on their toes. Besides, 3-4 type pesonell are becoming increasingly hard to aquire as more teams move to that type defense.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Not me. Change is good, keep our opponents on their toes. Besides, 3-4 type pesonell are becoming increasingly hard to aquire as more teams move to that type defense.

And as more teams move to that type of defense, maybe offenses spend more time practicing against it?

 

[SanAngeloState]

I'd be nervous if they didn't change it up. By the end of the year it should be clicking...not sure they have personnel for 4-3 OLB, but there's a lot of those guys floating around if they need one...plus maybe they'll play nickel in effect.

Last year the D looked like it was asleep on 3rd down, it was pathetic.

 

[JSn]

Nah. Most of our guys have 4-3 in their blood from college. Add some vets who know it well and away we go. Simple/Effective/Skillset Maximizing is the name of the game to get these early wins.

 

[Haley]

I feel much better after reading these. You guys are awesome!

 

[mgteich]

I'm not nervous. What's not to like. The August 5th (league year first full day) defense will be better than last year. We still ahve 3 more days. We'll probably add a couple of more players by then.

And then, the free agency season can BEGIN
(after initial rush to sign our won and big contract players).

=================================
Our 2010 defense needed help.

Wright and Bodden have come back from injuries.

We've added Haynsworth and lost G. Warren.

We've added Dowling.

The OLB's being more experienced should better than last year (Cunningham, Ninkovich, Moore). Fletcher looked OK at OLB when he played there. The ILB's are solid.

 

[patfanken]

Its less about the alignment and more about the the fundamental techniques they are teaching. This team will still be fundamentally a 2 gap team. However BB isn't dumb. He will not try and force square pegs into round holes. We will practice and utilize more one gap techniques this year more because of who we have on the team.

For example, even in a four man DL, you can coordinate your defense having one of your DTs using the 2 technique while the other one gaping. For those of you who are old enough to remember, that's how the Joe Greene Steelers ran their DL. Joe one gaped while the other 2 gaped. With Wilfolk and Haynesworth,(assuming he makes to the first game) we have the perfect pair to resurrect this old defensive concept from the 70[s

 

[JSn]

we have the perfect pair to resurrect this old defensive concept from the 70[s

Can you see a schematic advantage here, though?

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

I am excited...Start in the middle with two DTs that both need double teaming directly on the guards and if the OL center somehow gets free, he has Spikes to deal with. Meanwhile Mayo still cleans up the whole field, albeit from a slightly different starting point. Keeps pressure off Mayo and allows him to roam.

The thing that ties the whole defense together (since we don't have a dominant DE type) is to have guys up the middle at DT that have to be double teamed, hence they are looking at Tommy Harris.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Its less about the alignment and more about the the fundamental techniques they are teaching. This team will still be fundamentally a 2 gap team. However BB isn't dumb. He will not try and force square pegs into round holes. We will practice and utilize more one gap techniques this year more because of who we have on the team.

For example, even in a four man DL, you can coordinate your defense having one of your DTs using the 2 technique while the other one gaping. For those of you who are old enough to remember, that's how the Joe Greene Steelers ran their DL. Joe one gaped while the other 2 gaped. With Wilfolk and Haynesworth,(assuming he makes to the first game) we have the perfect pair to resurrect this old defensive concept from the 70[s

Is it even possible to scheme for two DT's that require double teams and can penetrate? The recent examples (Williams Wall/ Stroud/Henderson) were not exactly penetrating guys.

 

[patsfan13]

We ran multiple fronts last year and will continue to do so. I suspect that the QB pressure in the 4 man front was not what BB was looking for, with the changes in personnel we should do a better job.

 

[strngplyr]

Can you see a schematic advantage here, though?

Personnel advantage more than anything, we have a lot of 43 guys who, in my opinion, aren't adjusting to the 34 as well or quickly as BB anticipated, add in Haynesworth and BB bringing in Tommie Harris for a workout, it would seem he believes we are better suited to return to the 43.

There is still also plenty of time to bring in guys like Matt Roth, Lawson, Umenyiora (if the price is right, giants asking for a 1st but could probably be backed down, they did officially give his agent permission to shop him to teams).

The team has today off, maybe BB wanted time away from the practice field to talk to FA's and players on the trade block to get the final piece, we still have a lot of cap room I believe.

 

[D-Money]

I am actually more excited.Add one more piece and lets go!!!!!!