Rodney Harrison ripping

[RhodyPatriot]

Rodney Harrison rips secondary scheme - BostonHerald.com

Love Rodney. He is so right on with his comments.

 

[ausbacker]

Interestingly, I just sat there nodding through the entire piece.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Don't care how much or how little talent ANY defense has, to play passively is to fail in the NFL. We've been yelling about the passive nature and scheme this D has been playing for a few years now. That's coaching.

 

[randomk1]

Sign Harrison as DC next year imo or just to come stand on the sidelines...that alone might be more intimidating for the opposing offense than our secondary.

 

[ensoul]

Rodney tells it like it is. I believe they were playing man defense at the start of the season and Henne and Rivers threw for over 300 yards. They switched it up and well, QB's are still throwing for 300 yards against them.


“If you had confidence in your defense, you don’t onside kick that ball (with 2:35 left against Pittsburgh). You would have kicked that ball deep. You had your timeouts. So you have no confidence in your defense.”

This is the best quote of the article though and Rodney as usual is 100% correct. BB has zero confidence in the defense that he created. This D-he has created is getting worse and worse each year. I can't help but wonder what Brady is thinking watching the defenses inability to get off the field.

 

[Nunchucks]

The DBs can't play man, they will get torched. At least when they play a soft zone, they can hold the opponent to field goals instead of touchdowns.

The Patriots secondary is a disaster, there is no doubt about that, but playing more man to man won't fix anything.

 

[grux]

The onsides kick should tell you what Belichick thinks of his defense. The only way this team wins a super bowl is if the offense scores 30+ points a game. This team is built like the colts and rams teams we beat to win our Super Bowls. I loved our Super Bowl defenses because they intimidated other teams. Receivers, tight ends and running backs knew they would get crushed after they caught a ball or tried for extra yards. The players on this team either need to be more aggressive or Belichick needs to bring in some players who don't want to be pushed around.

I think Belichick needs to

1. Stop playing musical chairs with his secondary. At this point in the season you might as well stick with the same players for the rest of year.

2. Change up the defense. Like Rodney said, mix in man to man ,cover 2, blitzes etc. I would rather lose being aggressive than watch teams march down the field. If we give up quick touchdowns at least Brady will see the field.

3. Hire some coaches that will challenge him. I get the feeling that his coaches don't have the experience to challenge his game plans.

4. Trade up in this years draft. This is the perfect time to use your picks to get some quality defensive players. The new rookie wage scale will allow you to sign top 10 picks for a reasonable salary.

 

[Triumph]

Rodney tells it like it is. I believe they were playing man defense at the start of the season and Henne and Rivers threw for over 300 yards. They switched it up and well, QB's are still throwing for 300 yards against them.


“If you had confidence in your defense, you don’t onside kick that ball (with 2:35 left against Pittsburgh). You would have kicked that ball deep. You had your timeouts. So you have no confidence in your defense.”

This is the best quote of the article though and Rodney as usual is 100% correct. BB has zero confidence in the defense that he created. This D-he has created is getting worse and worse each year. I can't help but wonder what Brady is thinking watching the defenses inability to get off the field.

Pittsburgh punted 1 time all day. At :28 seconds left in the 4th quarter.

There wasnt a shred of evidence suggesting that the Pats D would have stopped Pitt with a 3 and out if NE had kicked off in lieu of the onside kick.

 

[Wax Frog]

2. Change up the defense. Like Rodney said, mix in man to man ,cover 2, blitzes etc. I would rather lose being aggressive than watch teams march down the field. If we give up quick touchdowns at least Brady will see the field.

Same here... I've often joked about 'giving up' and using the dreaded 11-man blitz, happily trading easy TDs for dead QBs

 

[FalconHeavy]

Sign Harrison as DC next year imo or just to come stand on the sidelines...that alone might be more intimidating for the opposing offense than our secondary.

I would love to have rodney back in some / any capacity.

Bring on the beast !

 

[Darolyn72]

Bill Belichick needs to DRAFT and bring in some talent. Now they had a golden Opportunity to do that post lockout. Just like the Bruins in 2004 I think the Bruins had all this cap money and knew how things would play out. They blew it. There were at least 3 good safties and a three good corners availabe to the Pats. He also could have drafted a couple of defensive players and started to work them into the system. Instead he opted for running backs which are a dime a dozen. Now what?? The Free agent crop is not great for next year. They have no young defensive lineman. Haynesworth will be gone at the end of the year. Carter is 33 and a free agent. Even if they draft a rookie its unrealistic that 2 or 3 rookies are going to make you defense great. They are already in trouble for next season.

The NFL is ALL about the draft, if you can't hit on it, you can't win Super Bowls. Brady has been the only one to keep it afloat. The reason why the Steelers are set up much better for the next 3 or 4 years is they have drafted well. They have spent on their own players and made picks on defense. They have not traded out of the first round every year, to draft the likes of Ras I Dowling. You are going to see this week a Giants team, 5-2, not great but they have a pass rush, and they have it because that's where they have spent their money. They beat the Pats in 2007 with pretty much just a pass rush. And I am not talking sacks. In today's NFL since you can't clutch in grab its all about making the QB get rid of it faster. When the Pats offense sputters that's how.

I hate to break the news to this board. But the Pats aren't winning it this year or next. Did you ever hear you get what you pay for. The Eagles brought in a lot of free agents and stunk for 5 games. Now they are gelling at the right time and have a formidable team on both sides of the ball. A matter of fact if you put Brady on the Eagles, they would have won win the Super Bowl this year. I saw the same thing with the Celtics from 1985-1988, they refused to bring in any talent to help the Big 3, and in the end Bird ended up with 3 championships instead of 5.

Finally, Wade Phillips, a horrible coach, but a great defensive coach whereever he's been. Went to Houston and turned one of the worst defensive teams into one of the best. We saw a similar thing with Capers in Green Bay, Crennel in Kansas City, Ryan in Cleveland, and Rex Ryan in San Diego. Bill needs a new perspective. If I am Kraft I make him have one.

 

[FalconHeavy]

The onsides kick should tell you what Belichick thinks of his defense. The only way this team wins a super bowl is if the offense scores 30+ points a game. This team is built like the colts and rams teams we beat to win our Super Bowls. I loved our Super Bowl defenses because they intimidated other teams. Receivers, tight ends and running backs knew they would get crushed after they caught a ball or tried for extra yards. The players on this team either need to be more aggressive or Belichick needs to bring in some players who don't want to be pushed around.

I think Belichick needs to

1. Stop playing musical chairs with his secondary. At this point in the season you might as well stick with the same players for the rest of year.

2. Change up the defense. Like Rodney said, mix in man to man ,cover 2, blitzes etc. I would rather lose being aggressive than watch teams march down the field. If we give up quick touchdowns at least Brady will see the field.

3. Hire some coaches that will challenge him. I get the feeling that his coaches don't have the experience to challenge his game plans.

4. Trade up in this years draft. This is the perfect time to use your picks to get some quality defensive players. The new rookie wage scale will allow you to sign top 10 picks for a reasonable salary.

All things you said are as enticing as it sounds , sadly nothing would ever happen. Not a chance BB needs help but his nature will not allow him to get it or change it.

How a "defensive genius" is allowing this year after year is beyond me

 

[stcjones]

Rodney Harrison rips secondary scheme - BostonHerald.com

Love Rodney. He is so right on with his comments.

Rodney is DEAD ON with his comments here. DEAD ON accurate in EVERYTHING he says. We need BB to relinquish some of his "duties" and hire a full time DC, and get someone else involved in buying the "defensive" groceries. His best success came WHEN he had other TOP NOTCH coordinators on his team. It would take alot more pressure off of him....and he might be able to stay in the coaching game alot longer if he does hire TOP notch coordinators to help out. These coordinators could also start helping out in the WHO to draft category. I think all too often BB is looking for the "guy no one else is looking at"....trying to outthink the room and lets his ego as being the "great oz" get in the way of making the SMART decisions. Clay Matthews.....Demarcus Ware....everyone knew with 99.9% certainty that these guys would be BEASTS in the NFL. But BB has to take the kid who NO ONE had picked to go that high....who is a project player...but IF he pans out....."Hey..what a genius!" Take the sure picks and get some top notch recruits in here to rebuild the BEAST that WAS this defense. You gotta love Rodney. Also.....I agree completely with what he said about Bodden. Go talk to the guy...try to get him re-engaged. We cut our entire starting secondary practically....sign a few jags and plug a few below average draft picks in there (S. Brown) and WONDER why we have to play SOFT and SCARED. Unacceptable.

 

[FalconHeavy]

...
Finally, Wade Phillips, a horrible coach, but a great defensive coach whereever he's been. Went to Houston and turned one of the worst defensive teams into one of the best. We saw a similar thing with Capers in Green Bay, Crennel in Kansas City, Ryan in Cleveland, and Rex Ryan in San Diego. Bill needs a new perspective. If I am Kraft I make him have one.

One of my favorite pet peeves... not that anybody cares

 

[stcjones]

All things you said are as enticing as it sounds , sadly nothing would ever happen. Not a chance BB needs help but his nature will not allow him to get it or change it.

How a "defensive genius" is allowing this year after year is beyond me

As callous and crazy as it sounds, I don't think you leave it to his "nature" and EGO not allowing to get some TOP LEVEL coordinators in to help with all parts of the coaching operation. If I were Kraft....I would demand it, and if he can not agree to it....As much as it kills me to say this about this incredible LEGEND...you would have to let him go. What the Pats need to do coaching wise is go back to the RECIPE that got them winning 3 SB in 4 years. Get GOOD OC and DC in here and let them help in making decisions on who to draft or bring in via FA. Rodney is right....we used to have a bruising KICK A## defense.....they are a shell of that now.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Rodney is correct

I would add to stop bringing in old scrap heap from other teams and get some YOUNGER veteran player FAs not out of their 20s

Stop wasting Brady's years away by trading away draft picks year after year,I don't care what the Patriots cap looks like in 5 years....the time to win is NOW,worry about other things later.

Make the draft a full defensive draft,the offense is fine,no big reason to add anyone except maybe a downfield WR,but you can get a FA there as well

Get a completely NEW coaching staff around Belichick...all the guys we have,including Pepper are simply lousy coaches who have not had these guys ready to play in big games the past few years

Belichick appears too relaxed,pigheaded and stubborn to make any changes to the way he does things so don't expect anything above to happen

The Patriots need some change NOW ...I don't care if they win 12 or more games in the regular season,changes need to be made into a playoff defense.

We are the Colts of the mid decade.....can't continue.

 

[FalconHeavy]

As callous and crazy as it sounds, I don't think you leave it to his "nature" and EGO not allowing to get some TOP LEVEL coordinators in to help with all parts of the coaching operation. If I were Kraft....I would demand it, and if he can not agree to it....As much as it kills me to say this about this incredible LEGEND...you would have to let him go. What the Pats need to do coaching wise is go back to the RECIPE that got them winning 3 SB in 4 years. Get GOOD OC and DC in here and let them help in making decisions on who to draft or bring in via FA. Rodney is right....we used to have a bruising KICK A## defense.....they are a shell of that now.

I completely agree. This is not a knock against BB but with all head strong personalities. They achieve a stage in life where they think they can never be wrong. There is a saying (ok..may be I cooked it up) when you achieve greatness, the end comes from with in . There are so many historical evidence for this and I'm afraid if we don't do a course correction, it will hit us like a freight train especially when Brady hangs it up.

 

[ensoul]

Pittsburgh punted 1 time all day. At :28 seconds left in the 4th quarter.

There wasnt a shred of evidence suggesting that the Pats D would have stopped Pitt with a 3 and out if NE had kicked off in lieu of the onside kick.

Hey I agree. BB had no choice because his defense is so poor. Onside kicks work about what, 15% of the time? It is just sad that it has come down to the odds of an onside kick working are better odds than the pats d creating an 3 and out.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Right or wrong I love 37's passion, sincerity and frank commentary so lacking in most of the commentators today.

 

[Kontradiction]

Don't care how much or how little talent ANY defense has, to play passively is to fail in the NFL. We've been yelling about the passive nature and scheme this D has been playing for a few years now. That's coaching.

If you were talking about the secondary, I'd agree. I'd like to see more man mixed in with zone, even with the horrible results it yielded earlier in the season. But instead, it sounds like you're talking about the entire defense. In that case, that's just untrue. We've been among the more blitz happy defenses in the NFL this year. The thing is that we're just not getting there, even against porous offensive lines, which is a reflection of the personnel and talent on the team. Perhaps it's time to stop looking at re-treads and JAGs and start looking at studs in the draft and through free agency? Perhaps it's time to stop cutting our best players and stalwarts for no apparent reason whatsoever. LaMarr Woodley was available, and would have looked a hell of a lot better on this team than Chad Ochocinco has.