Is the defensive line better than it looked?

[RelocatedPatFan]

And, I cettianly haven't verified this based on film or anything other than what I saw and what makes sense.

I assume that one of the main responsibilities for the D-Line was to control the LOS and keep Chris Johnson in check and for us to use a Linebacker (saw Mayo on a number of occassions) play spy as Locker is a legitimate running threat. And, they executed this strategy extemely well.

But, if that was the game plan, then they didn't really go into a mode where they were really pinning their ears back and getting to the QB (so sacks and to a lesser extent hurries) wasn't the primary task.

Thus, what will happen when they can dial up the blitz and/or not worry about having a mobile QB. Still, the discipline they showed was not early season form with 3 rookies and it was absolutely incredible. I can't wait to see what happens when they play a division rival who has more information on how to play the pats (and it looks like it may only be the jets that we have to worry about)

 

[patchick]

Do you mean is "Is the pass rush better than it looked?" In which case my guess is yes -- and that implies that the secondary may also be better than it looked. A game plan that focused on containing the run occasionally left the QB with a LOT of time to wait for a receiver to get open.

(But if you really mean "Is the defensive line better than it looked?"...IMO it's tough for a DL to look much better than that in a disciplined 2-gap.)

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Do you mean is "Is the pass rush better than it looked?" In which case my guess is yes -- and that implies that the secondary may also be better than it looked. A game plan that focused on containing the run occasionally left the QB with a LOT of time to wait for a receiver to get open

(But if you really mean "Is the defensive line better than it looked?"...IMO it's tough for a DL to look much better than that in a disciplined 2-gap.)

Right (on both accounts). They executed the game plan pretty much flawlessly (2-gap, control the LOS, make sure there are no big runs).

If they can execute a game plan where they are allowed to go after the QB, as well as they did this style, then they will be a very complete defensive line.

From the preseason, I would have thought our pass rush improved with the addition of Chandler Jones and a re-emerging Cunningham.

 

[BTTA]

The game plan may also have focused on keeping Locker from running when he didn't have an open receiver, which would cause less running at him and more management of the LOS.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I believe so, teams like TEN, Oakland, Bmore, Minnesota, etc. you'd see similar plans. When the run game is their strength and not so strong of a passing game BB wants to make the QB beat us. So we might take a hit in the passing department but in the end we've seen guys like CJ, McFadden, and Rice held in check in recent games against those teams.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

The game plan may also have focused on keeping Locker from running when he didn't have an open receiver, which would cause less running at him and more management of the LOS.

Sorry, that's what I thought I was saying about the Tennesse game.

I guess, my expectation prior to game 1, would have been that we would excel at getting to the QB (moreso than anything else) and that's still a distinct possibility. We'll just have to see what type of game plan is called against a less than mobile QB.

I believe so, teams like TEN, Oakland, Bmore, Minnesota, etc. you'd see similar plans. When the run game is their strength and not so strong of a passing game BB wants to make the QB beat us. So we might take a hit in the passing department but in the end we've seen guys like CJ, McFadden, and Rice held in check in recent games against those teams.

Agreed. Though Baltimore will be a great test for the defense as they will have the running game aspect and by all accounts Flacco seems to be trending very well in the passing game. it should be a good test for the D, but I tend to think that Baltimores defense will have a tough time with our offense. Still that game with be @Balt and a good sign of things to come. I would have preferred we met them later in the season when both of us could effectively be at full strength - teams have an established identity.

 

[SeymourTrophies]

No need to dial up blitzes when the trench warfare is so one-sided, but there is no doubt that between Locker and Johnson, there was more containment than attacking the backfield. The interior pressure was as good as I can ever remember. Vince has really become something else in the last 366 days.

 

[DarrylS]

The defensive game plan was to take Chris Johnson out of the game, which they did...

So there was less emphasis on the pass rush..

 

[SeymourTrophies]

I agree that Baltimore isn't one of those teams who is made or broken by the run. Flacco is what he is: a more mentally sound Mark Sanchez. If his accuracy was halfway decent, the Ravens would have beaten us by two scores. The coaching staff has a lot of confidence in him, so it wouldn't shock me if they come out and try to spread it out against us.

 

[Wax Frog]

Flacco is what he is: a more mentally sound Mark Sanchez.

[too lazy to find rofl graphic]

 

[Nunchucks]

The front seven did an excellent job...The secondary, well they are still a work in progress.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

The front seven did an excellent job...The secondary, well they are still a work in progress.

They did give up some long completions, but you would have to say that might have been somewhat expected given the game plan. Still, they kept the points off the board and that's something to build ofrom. Besides, I'd like the secondary to hit their stride in the final 4 games of the season

 

[Metaphors]

I agree that Baltimore isn't one of those teams who is made or broken by the run.

I hear what you are saying but the Ravens do seem to be extremely dependent on a RB. In the Ravens 18 games last year, Rice had less than 20 touches five times. Their record in those games? 1-4. Their only win was a blowout at the Rams when Rice got an early rest after gaining 164 total yards. In the 4 losses, he broke 100 total yards and reached the end zone only one time.

Flacco is what he is: a more mentally sound Mark Sanchez.

A funny comparison but in reality Flacco is a taller/less athletic Cutler. Cannon for an arm and is deadly when he can just be a thrower. Make him be a QB and he doesn't seem to be able to close the deal.

If his accuracy was halfway decent, the Ravens would have beaten us by two scores.

Kind of OT, but it baffles me why everyone says that Flacco outplayed Brady in that game. It is only true if you remove all game context from the equation...and then what is the point? It is the flaw in statistical and emotional averaging. Consider:

- The Pats had 9 meaningful drives, 4 of which (44%) were garbage.
- The Ravens had 11 meaningful drives, only their first 3 (27%) were garbage.

So the Pats looked bad a higher percentage of the time than they made the Ravens look bad. Those are facts and they serve as the basis for our emotional reactions. But then look at:

- Of the Pats other 5 drives, they scored all 5 times
- Of the Ravens other 8 drives, they scored 4 times and had 4 "turnovers" (punt, downs, interception, missed FG). 7 ended in NE territory and the other ended at their own 49.

That means in the opportunities they provided themselves, the Pats were WAAAAAAY more efficient than the Ravens. Not all of that is Brady v. Flacco...but a lot of it is. Hyping stats but neglecting the true measure of a QB makes no sense. Which is better? Throwing 2 TD passes or leading your team to 2 rushing scores? The only difference is in Fantasy leagues.

The coaching staff has a lot of confidence in him, so it wouldn't shock me if they come out and try to spread it out against us.

I would be shocked if they voluntarily take Rice away as a running threat. Back to the OP, if the Pats DL can frustrate Rice and keep Flacco from feeling too comfortable in the pocket, the Ravens shouldn't be able to simply outscore the Pats. I feel a lot more confident on both of those counts this year as opposed to last.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I agree that Baltimore isn't one of those teams who is made or broken by the run. Flacco is what he is: a more mentally sound Mark Sanchez. If his accuracy was halfway decent, the Ravens would have beaten us by two scores. The coaching staff has a lot of confidence in him, so it wouldn't shock me if they come out and try to spread it out against us.

Flacco actually worries me a bit. The guy has an absolute cannon and has become an accurate thrower. Wouldn't be surprised to see at least one long touchdown pass (30+ yards), maybe more.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

They will only get better as the season goes on

 

[Patriot Missile]

I think we'll have very good idea where this defense is at by the end of week 5. Ofcourse it will improve by seasons end. But for now I'm going to use weeks 3 and 5 against 2 alleged elites to gauge where they are at. So far so good though.