Bill Belichick Has Only Himself To Blame For This Mess On Defense

[Snake Eyes]

Re: 'It's impossible to play defense in this league'

Right here:



And please, I understand it just fine. Maybe you should spare your condescension for those who might be impressed by it.

Try reading posts of homers drinking the Kool-Aid, there have been plenty of people claiming exactly that. If you don't want condescending comments perhaps you should do your homework before making those kind of assertions.

 

[Dessalines]

We lost an awat game. It happens.

This is not to say that there aren't issues with the defense but it is too early to panic.

 

[JackBauer]

Re: 'It's impossible to play defense in this league'

Try reading posts of homers drinking the Kool-Aid, there have been plenty of people claiming exactly that. If you don't want condescending comments perhaps you should do your homework before making those kind of assertions.

Well surely if the sentiment is as ubiquitous as you claim, you won't have any trouble quoting a poster or two. Right?

Help me out here: what assertion was I making, again, to justify your inane remark?

 

[Deus Irae]

True. Having draft picks at #6 and #13 proved to be quite helpful.

You're making a really poor argument here, Jack.

1.) The Patriots could have moved up.

2.) Mayo was a top 10 pick

3.) Wilfork went at 21, Mankins at 32

4.) The Patriots COULD have taken Beason in 2007, Matthews in 2009 and Bryant in 2010. They were all players on the radar, all players that would have fit a need, and all players who could logically have been takent. "The system" argument aside, that would potentially have been a lot of elite talents on the team, along with Mayo. Your re-stocking argument really doesn't hold water. The talent's been available.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I really sit here and think what Belichick really sees in this safety group we have.

If he does not think this group is the laughing stock of the league,I really worry about him.

The 1990 Patriots had a better Safety corps

 

[JackBauer]

You're making a really poor argument here, Jack.

1.) The Patriots could have moved up.

2.) Mayo was a top 10 pick

3.) Wilfork went at 21, Mankins at 32

4.) The Patriots COULD have taken Beason in 2007, Matthews in 2009 and Bryant in 2010. They were all players on the radar, all players that would have fit a need, and all players who could logically have been takent. "The system" argument aside, that would potentially have been a lot of elite talents on the team, along with Mayo. Your re-stocking argument really doesn't hold water. The talent's been available.

I'm not making any argument at all. In fact, I'm agreeing with you, although I think the inability to restock the 2003-04 level of talent has as much or more to do with FA as it does the draft.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'm not making any argument at all. In fact, I'm agreeing with you, although I think the inability to restock the 2003-04 level of talent has as much or more to do with FA s it does the draft.

I was referring to your comment about #6 and #13. I thought you were arguing that the reason for the pick quality was the high draft position. My apologies if I misread that.

As for the free agency issue, I agree with you. The Patriots were able to stock the team in the early 2000s because other teams were having cap issues. Once the 2006 CBA and experience made it easier for teams to keep their players, the Patriots lost that avenue. That's really put the spotlight on the decline in the drafts. Combined with the brain drain and a lot of poor trades, it's been a combination that's been undercutting SB hopes since the end of the 2008 season.

 

[FalconHeavy]

We all have tremendous respect for BB but it's time to stop making excuses for him regarding the defense. I am so sick of hearing "system" excuses. If all our problems on defense are because of the system or finding personnel to fit the system, its time to get rid of the damn system. The "System" is NOT WORKING! The most frustrating part is, this could easily be a Super Bowl Caliber team with even a mediocre defense but not the worst defense in the NFL. How we can't manage to field even a mediocre team is beyond me. I think its time for Kraft to at least mention finding a Defensive Coordinator to BB. My biggest complaint as fan isnt so much that we arent a competitive team ( or winning super bowls) but rather the fact that it's painful to watch the Patriots Defense. Its getting to the point where I want to leave the room when theyre on D, not even entertaining anymore.

:agree::ditto::yeahthat:

 

[Rob0729]

Really, Really, you think that the Bengals have faced scrub QBs (which may be true), the Pats have been tourched by Chad Henne, Philip Rivers (obviously not a scrub) and Ryan Fitzpatrick, cough, cough, none of them are Peyton Manning, or Aaron Rodgers, who would carve up the pats defense.

Ummmm..... There is a lot of room between Alex Smith and Aaron Rodger or Tom Brady. Fitzpatrick is a top 10 QB so far this year. Orton has taken a huge step back and neither Smith nor McCoy are any good.

As I pointed out, other than the opening drive vs. the Dolphins, Henne got most of his yards in garbage time. If you want to blast the Pats for giving up a ton of yards after they basically won the game, then fine.

Cincy has grabbed a few guys that the Pats could have had in the draft. Michael Johnson and of course, Carlos Dunlap. Both are talented players that can get to the QB.

Again, Dunlap is overrated and done nothing this year. If Dunlap brought his zero sacks this year to the Patriots, this defense would be dominant. I was saying yesterday is that the Pats need a guy like Dunlap who can't get to the QB this year. This team is missing a "dominant" pass rusher who is sackless.

People keep on talking about his 9.5 sacks last year yet discounting McCourty's 8 INTs last year. You can't have it both ways. Both players are in the mist of a sophomore slump.

This article is completely right, it has been BB arrogance that has lead to the disgrace that they field on the defensive side of the ball. The Pats do not have a single pass rusher, not one, nobody that the other team goes into their meeting rooms and says, "we have to stop X from getting to our QB". SO if you don't have to account for player X, then you don't have to double team him, and you end up with the Pats rushing 4 guys, who are easily blocked by the five lineman.

And who would that person be on the Jets? The Jets had a horrible pass rush last year and they had a top defense. People are so fixated on these dominant pass rushers. The Pats won three Super Bowl without one dominant pass rusher.

The Pats have not had a pass rusher since Seymour was shipped to the Raiders. They are already doomed this year, their is literally is no hope in sight for this defense.

Seymour was never a big pass rusher for the Pats other than his last season here and even with his career high in sacks, it wasn't a great year for him. He was good against the pass and required a double team quite a bit, but he was

This is a "one and done" playoff team, at best.

The bandwagon door for fairweather fairs is that way. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Seriously, after week three making these proclaimations?!?

The Pats have had a ridiculous amount of draft picks over the last few years, and have squandered pretty much all of them.

Yeah, Gronkowski, Chung, Hernandez, McCourty, Mesko, Vollmer, etc. have been complete wastes. Let's offer Gronkowski to the Jets for Aaron Maybin straight up and hope they will be willing to make such a stupid trade.

Are we really excited to get Gerald Warren back? that's your answer?

Let's face it, the Pats secondary is terrible, the safties are an absolute joke, the rest of the league is watching the Buffalo tape right now and figuring out ways to get at Barrett. They have no pass rush, and nobody who can rush the passer on their roster.

Good to know hockey season is starting. With the Patriots' season already over, no reason for you to hang around.

And I got crap for blasting the Fellowship of Miserable Pats fans?

 

[reflexblue]

We all have tremendous respect for BB but it's time to stop making excuses for him regarding the defense. I am so sick of hearing "system" excuses. If all our problems on defense are because of the system or finding personnel to fit the system, its time to get rid of the damn system. The "System" is NOT WORKING! The most frustrating part is, this could easily be a Super Bowl Caliber team with even a mediocre defense but not the worst defense in the NFL. How we can't manage to field even a mediocre team is beyond me. I think its time for Kraft to at least mention finding a Defensive Coordinator to BB. My biggest complaint as fan isnt so much that we arent a competitive team ( or winning super bowls) but rather the fact that it's painful to watch the Patriots Defense. Its getting to the point where I want to leave the room when theyre on D, not even entertaining anymore.

:ditto::agree::yeahthat:

 

[Garbanza]

I really sit here and think what Belichick really sees in this safety group we have.

If he does not think this group is the laughing stock of the league,I really worry about him.

The 1990 Patriots had a better Safety corps

This!

I understand letting go of Meriweather, even at the short-term detriment of the team. But Sanders? Not as talented at Meriwether - but he was the brains back there.

Chung - bless his heart - has potential but he's a hard hitter who still can't cover consistently.

Sergio Brown is a LIABILITY back there.

Josh Barrett - are you kidding me? Still better than Brown, who's a joke.

Indigwhatever - special teams guy.

Yes, this would be the worst in the NFL.

This is why it is vitally important to develop a pass rush. To cover the deficiencies behind them.

 

[JackBauer]

I was referring to your comment about #6 and #13. I thought you were arguing that the reason for the pick quality was the high draft position. My apologies if I misread that.

As for the free agency issue, I agree with you. The Patriots were able to stock the team in the early 2000s because other teams were having cap issues. Once the 2006 CBA and experience made it easier for teams to keep their players, the Patriots lost that avenue. That's really put the spotlight on the decline in the drafts. Combined with the brain drain and a lot of poor trades, it's been a combination that's been undercutting SB hopes since the end of the 2008 season.

Oh, no, I was just making a general point. I almost forgot Willie McGinest, who was, of course, drafted at #4 overall. Only to say that the Patriots once had the "luxury" of picking pretty consistently at the top of the draft. However, that's not to excuse them not moving up for talent, and I wholeheartedly agree with you that BB seems to have gotten a bit too clever with his reflexive tendency to move down and out. Especially in hindsight with such talent acquisitions as Wheatley, Butler, Tate, O'Connell, etc. it's slightly more maddening that those picks were/are never leveraged to move up for elite talent.

 

[Rob0729]

We all have tremendous respect for BB but it's time to stop making excuses for him regarding the defense. I am so sick of hearing "system" excuses. If all our problems on defense are because of the system or finding personnel to fit the system, its time to get rid of the damn system. The "System" is NOT WORKING! The most frustrating part is, this could easily be a Super Bowl Caliber team with even a mediocre defense but not the worst defense in the NFL. How we can't manage to field even a mediocre team is beyond me. I think its time for Kraft to at least mention finding a Defensive Coordinator to BB. My biggest complaint as fan isnt so much that we arent a competitive team ( or winning super bowls) but rather the fact that it's painful to watch the Patriots Defense. Its getting to the point where I want to leave the room when theyre on D, not even entertaining anymore.

It's week 4 in a year with no offseason and the Pats implementing a new defense with a lot of new players. I would agree in a regular season. I just think that people need to give Belichick time. It took him past midseason in 2001 with a similiar situation.

The fact of the matter is this defense has shown flashes of dominance (they caused 4 three and outs and two turnovers vs. the Bills and totally shutdown the Dolphins in between the first drive and the final eight minutes of the game). What this team needs more than anything is consistency. That can be acquired over time. They can be a great defense at times and a god-awful one at others. The problem is the times they are horrible have overshadowed the times they are good especially in the last game when they were a complete siv at the end of the game.

 

[JackBauer]

This!

I understand letting go of Meriweather, even at the short-term detriment of the team. But Sanders? Not as talented at Meriwether - but he was the brains back there.

Chung - bless his heart - has potential but he's a hard hitter who still can't cover consistently.

Sergio Brown is a LIABILITY back there.

Josh Barrett - are you kidding me? Still better than Brown, who's a joke.

Indigwhatever - special teams guy.

Yes, this would be the worst in the NFL.

This is why it is vitally important to develop a pass rush. To cover the deficiencies behind them.

I think it's funny that while Meriweather and Sanders were here, all anyone ever did was ***** about them. But now that they're gone, we all would welcome them back with open arms. Funny how that works.

 

[ralmat55]

Aside from the safety position (Brown and Barrett look the part anyway) , the sad thing is the Pats have enough talent to be, at least, an average defense which if they played smart and physical might be good enough to get this team to a championship. Saying this is an indictment of Belichick, Patricia, and the rest of the grad assistant wonks who make up the D coaching staff.

I'd do a cartwheel if I visited this Board and saw a thread saying Pepper Johnson had been named defensive coordinator. This defense needs an identifiable leader who has credibility with the players because he played the game and has the personality to inspire this defense to play with emotion.

 

[FCB02062]

Eugene Chung doesn't go unscathed..

OK...you've done it now....blast Pat Harlow, Blast Todd Rucci, blast Grey Reugamer, blast Max Lane....but the ONE and ONLY player in Patriots HISTORY that shalt not be spoken of in ill will is the one and only Virginia Tech Korean Nightmare, #69 in your program, but #1 in your hearts...EUGENE FLUCKING CHUNG!

 

[aluminum seats]

However, that's not to excuse them not moving up for talent, and I wholeheartedly agree with you that BB seems to have gotten a bit too clever with his reflexive tendency to move down and out.

Agreed....and it's an idea I fought for awhile, because the urge to move up in the draft always feels like a knee-jerk fandom thing. But at a certain point, perpetually having multiple picks in the first round, etc. becomes a pointless intellectual exercise, if the picks aren't used for, you know, players.

On a brighter note, I will say this. Even with the caveat of it being the preseason, this defense did show, I thought, legitimate flashes. I'm still hopeful it can be a championship-caliber defense.

 

[Deus Irae]

Agreed....and it's an idea I fought for awhile, because the urge to move up in the draft always feels like a knee-jerk fandom thing. But at a certain point, perpetually having multiple picks in the first round, etc. becomes a pointless intellectual exercise, if the picks aren't used for, you know, players.

On a brighter note, I will say this. Even with the caveat of it being the preseason, this defense did show, I thought, legitimate flashes. I'm still hopeful it can be a championship-caliber defense.

They seem to have really cut back on the blitzing from the exhibition games. Normally, I'd expect that would be the reverse.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

There are all sorts of scheme and playcalling issues right now. That's not personnel, that's coaching and GMing.

Unless that's a talent to fit issue, as Wiggens opined this week. Bill can't get these guys to play like his earlier personnel did because they either aren't as talented or as football intelligent or single minded and focused - not to mention they are or have been making the kind of money over the last decade that to some extent mitigates drive and focus. Some of the youngsters may have the capacity to become what he needs, others probably don't. Some of the veterans he assumed had that capacity may well have but they may no longer have the physical ability to execute consistently or the drive to push themselves to. Others may not have ever had the capacity and he miscalculated on them based on their performance on another roster at another age. So as a group he can't trust them to master the nuances of complex scheme. That leaves them to sink or swim based on talent rather than scheme. Which is where a decidedly scheme centric middle class unit falters absent enough of the kind of blue collar guys residing on it who have the football intellect and instincts and/or talent or gas left in the tank to compensate for lack of abundant elite talent alongside them on a roster in favor of quality depth. Does Bill have to find a way to better assess talent as a fit? Probably. It's harder than it used to be because he's years removed from coaching guys in other places he knew would fit his system and he doesn't have a veteran NFL staff with any additional insight. Could he benefit from broadening his horizens by bringing in additional NFL savvy staff from outside his system? Maybe, but it's not like he hasn't tried that and opted to stay the course. Does he need to alter his approach to drafting talent? Maybe, at least for a time until he lands a couple of projected impact players on defense who pan out maybe because he extended himself in the present to acquire them by trading up rather than down or out for the future. Fans need to remember though that hyped mega talents don't pan out nearly as often as underappreciated ones overachieve expectations, and his pact with Kraft is not about winning as many Lombardi's as they can in their time together, it's based on building a program that will remain competitive and endure beyond their time here.

I was listening to Felger and Mazz and Perillo yesterday on moron radio going off on Bill's draft and FA strategy screwups and you'd think this team had been floundering for years... They were never going to win it all every year or even several times in a decade. Get a grip and some perspective. They've been in it 5 times in a decade and made it to the final game 4 times and won three of them losing the other on a series of flukes. That's why these idiots even have sports radio gigs... Somebody needs to explain to me how much better we should have reasonable expected the decade to be... He hasn't won it all in three years while losing his franchise QB for an entire season and turning his defense over top to bottom? What kind of fraud is this Belichick guy that he couldn't rebuild on the fly and win in a year or two by just loading up on "talent"??? LOL at the idiots who spew this crap.

 

[PushnPencils]

I think it's funny that while Meriweather and Sanders were here, all anyone ever did was ***** about them. But now that they're gone, we all would welcome them back with open arms. Funny how that works.

Because nobody in their right mind thought they'd be cut outright with no viable replacements.

Seriously, no one on here EVER said, "hey, I'm so sick of guys like BM and Sanders, let's just cut them and go with what we have......"