A few thoughts about our defense!! Blitz, Spikes, Francis, Dennard, Wilson, Nink ...

[MrNathanDrake]

-Spikes cover skills are getting a lot better this year. He almost had an INT on tight coverage. Even when he got beat last week, it was tight coverage on his part. I don't think he's nearly as bad in coverage as people make him out to be.


-Spikes is having a Pro Bowl calibre season IMO. With Rey Lewis out, I think Spikes and Mayo could both make the Pro Bowl.


-Finally saw some blitzing today, and it paid off. I'd like to see this continue, as our big LB's are built for blitzing. Hightower and Spikes both have a lot of success getting after the QB. Hightower absolutely blew up a running back that was trying to block him before he got to Bradford.


-We have the perfect Linebackers to run a 3-4 defense. Spikes and Mayo Inside. Jones and Hightower/Ninkovich outside. With Wilfork being the best NT in the league, and Love being serviceable..... we are really just another 34 DE away from being having a good 3-4 front 7.


-Dennard had another nice INT. He's good in run support too. He's turning out to be a real good steal from the draft.


-Justin Francis is getting some quality playing time. Not bad for an UDFA. He got stone walled on one play, but he got some pressure on some others. I think he could play a role similar to Jermaine Cunningham as a DE/DT type. He has better size for that role too.


-Jake Bequette made his first appearance at the end of the game. Didn't see him do anything though.


-Ron Brace is done. I'll be surprised if he's even in the NFL next year. Too injury prone to be taking up a roster spot. He's constantly injured, and then he gets healthy and has a chance at doing something.... and he gets injured again. Time to cut your loses BB.


-Tavon Wilson is inconsistent right now. He was responsible for that long TD on the first drive. He looked confused and lost on that pass. I'll chalk it up to being a rookie for now, but its the 2nd time he's been burned deep by that same play. He also had a nice INT and made a few other good plays. I'm glad to see him getting lots of experience and playing time, so he can work these kinks out before the playoffs. Looks like a slightly better James Sanders.


-Chandler Jones was said to be a project by a lot of people when we picked him. He's actually been quite the opposite. He looks like an NFL veteran out there. Plug and Play draft pick. Couldn't be happier.


-Ninkovich played poorly for the first 3 weeks of the season, but he's really turned it on since then. Might have his best season ever if he can continue at this pace now. Had some nice pressures and got another sack. Wouldve had a Fumble Recovery too, if the play wasn't reversed (I don't think it should've been).


-That was an all around dominant performance by the defense. Everyone played well. Lots of pressure on Bradford, and good tackling after the receivers caught the ball. Sure its just the Rams, but its something to build on going into the Bye week.

 

[TruthSeeker]

-Spikes cover skills are getting a lot better this year. He almost had an INT on tight coverage. Even when he got beat last week, it was tight coverage on his part. I don't think he's nearly as bad in coverage as people make him out to be.


-Spikes is having a Pro Bowl calibre season IMO. With Rey Lewis out, I think Spikes and Mayo could both make the Pro Bowl.


-Finally saw some blitzing today, and it paid off. I'd like to see this continue, as our big LB's are built for blitzing. Hightower and Spikes both have a lot of success getting after the QB. Hightower absolutely blew up a running back that was trying to block him before he got to Bradford.


-We have the perfect Linebackers to run a 3-4 defense. Spikes and Mayo Inside. Jones and Hightower/Ninkovich outside. With Wilfork being the best NT in the league, and Love being serviceable..... we are really just another 34 DE away from being having a good 3-4 front 7.


-Dennard had another nice INT. He's good in run support too. He's turning out to be a real good steal from the draft.


-Justin Francis is getting some quality playing time. Not bad for an UDFA. He got stone walled on one play, but he got some pressure on some others. I think he could play a role similar to Jermaine Cunningham as a DE/DT type. He has better size for that role too.


-Jake Bequette made his first appearance at the end of the game. Didn't see him do anything though.


-Ron Brace is done. I'll be surprised if he's even in the NFL next year. Too injury prone to be taking up a roster spot. He's constantly injured, and then he gets healthy and has a chance at doing something.... and he gets injured again. Time to cut your loses BB.


-Tavon Wilson is inconsistent right now. He was responsible for that long TD on the first drive. He looked confused and lost on that pass. I'll chalk it up to being a rookie for now, but its the 2nd time he's been burned deep by that same play. He also had a nice INT and made a few other good plays. I'm glad to see him getting lots of experience and playing time, so he can work these kinks out before the playoffs. Looks like a slightly better James Sanders.


-Chandler Jones was said to be a project by a lot of people when we picked him. He's actually been quite the opposite. He looks like an NFL veteran out there. Plug and Play draft pick. Couldn't be happier.


-Ninkovich played poorly for the first 3 weeks of the season, but he's really turned it on since then. Might have his best season ever if he can continue at this pace now. Had some nice pressures and got another sack. Wouldve had a Fumble Recovery too, if the play wasn't reversed (I don't think it should've been).


-That was an all around dominant performance by the defense. Everyone played well. Lots of pressure on Bradford, and good tackling after the receivers caught the ball. Sure its just the Rams, but its something to build on going into the Bye week.

I didn't see the game, so thanks for the summary. I saw the Rams go right down the field in the first 2:30 minutes to make it 7-0, and I thought WTF ? Another nail biter ? But the Rams got shut out the rest of the way as Brady, Gronk and Ridley went crazy. As well as good D

 

[Jackson 2]

-Spikes cover skills are getting a lot better this year. He almost had an INT on tight coverage. Even when he got beat last week, it was tight coverage on his part. I don't think he's nearly as bad in coverage as people make him out to be.


-Spikes is having a Pro Bowl calibre season IMO. With Rey Lewis out, I think Spikes and Mayo could both make the Pro Bowl.


-Finally saw some blitzing today, and it paid off. I'd like to see this continue, as our big LB's are built for blitzing. Hightower and Spikes both have a lot of success getting after the QB. Hightower absolutely blew up a running back that was trying to block him before he got to Bradford.


-We have the perfect Linebackers to run a 3-4 defense. Spikes and Mayo Inside. Jones and Hightower/Ninkovich outside. With Wilfork being the best NT in the league, and Love being serviceable..... we are really just another 34 DE away from being having a good 3-4 front 7.


-Dennard had another nice INT. He's good in run support too. He's turning out to be a real good steal from the draft.


-Justin Francis is getting some quality playing time. Not bad for an UDFA. He got stone walled on one play, but he got some pressure on some others. I think he could play a role similar to Jermaine Cunningham as a DE/DT type. He has better size for that role too.


-Jake Bequette made his first appearance at the end of the game. Didn't see him do anything though.


-Ron Brace is done. I'll be surprised if he's even in the NFL next year. Too injury prone to be taking up a roster spot. He's constantly injured, and then he gets healthy and has a chance at doing something.... and he gets injured again. Time to cut your loses BB.


-Tavon Wilson is inconsistent right now. He was responsible for that long TD on the first drive. He looked confused and lost on that pass. I'll chalk it up to being a rookie for now, but its the 2nd time he's been burned deep by that same play. He also had a nice INT and made a few other good plays. I'm glad to see him getting lots of experience and playing time, so he can work these kinks out before the playoffs. Looks like a slightly better James Sanders.


-Chandler Jones was said to be a project by a lot of people when we picked him. He's actually been quite the opposite. He looks like an NFL veteran out there. Plug and Play draft pick. Couldn't be happier.


-Ninkovich played poorly for the first 3 weeks of the season, but he's really turned it on since then. Might have his best season ever if he can continue at this pace now. Had some nice pressures and got another sack. Wouldve had a Fumble Recovery too, if the play wasn't reversed (I don't think it should've been).


-That was an all around dominant performance by the defense. Everyone played well. Lots of pressure on Bradford, and good tackling after the receivers caught the ball. Sure its just the Rams, but its something to build on going into the Bye week.

First, "it's just the Rams" is crap. They've been a pretty good team. Second, with that said, it's pretty easy for the defense to look good when the score evolves the way it did. Third, let's hold off on Spikes' Pro Bowl birth and, finally, you're right about Brace being a bust, but I'm guessing you'd be more reluctant to call him a "big baby" to his face. Another internet tough guy.

 

[scout]

The reason the defense looked good was because of the Pats offense. When a team is down by double digits I would hope the defense would be able to look good.

 

[Ifleninwasawizard]

The reason the defense looked good was because of the Pats offense. When a team is down by double digits I would hope the defense would be able to look good.

Then why hasn't the D looked good in all the other games this season when we've been up by double digits?

This game shows that the team has room to improve. We don't have to freak out, push the reset button, and denounce the entirety of BB's defensive philosophy just yet. The young defense still has room to get better.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

First, "it's just the Rams" is crap. They've been a pretty good team. Second, with that said, it's pretty easy for the defense to look good when the score evolves the way it did. Third, let's hold off on Spikes' Pro Bowl birth and, finally, you're right about Brace being a bust, but I'm guessing you'd be more reluctant to call him a "big baby" to his face. Another internet tough guy.

First, it IS just the Rams. That offense is inept, especially with their only good WR Danny Amendola not playing due to injury.

Second, what? LOL. It "evolved" that way because our defense played well.

Third, we're halfway through the season. This is when Pro Bowl voting actually takes place, genius!

Finally.... Internet tough guy? hm what? Looks like you're the belligerent one coming in here with that pissy attitude.

 

[RodThePat]

The reason the defense looked good was because of the Pats offense. When a team is down by double digits I would hope the defense would be able to look good.

AKA the 2007 Patriots effect. People forget our defense wasn't good that season either. Let's chill a bit with the praise for the defense, Sam Bradford still went 23-31. They obviously played much better than they had in recent weeks, but St. Louis barely has any weapons in the passing game.

 

[PatsGirl2011]

The 2007 Patriots D was actually pretty decent....

 

[BelizePats]

Really pleased to see the team actually blitz the QB during todays game. And even better to see that the blitzes actually worked. Maybe the D coordinator will losen up a bit and call a few more. We need it to help our secondary.

 

[DaBruinz]

-Jake Bequette made his first appearance at the end of the game. Didn't see him do anything though.

Newsflash for you. This wasn't the first game Bequette had taken snaps in.

-
-Ninkovich played poorly for the first 3 weeks of the season, but he's really turned it on since then. Might have his best season ever if he can continue at this pace now. Had some nice pressures and got another sack. Wouldve had a Fumble Recovery too, if the play wasn't reversed (I don't think it should've been).

Ninkovich didn't play poorly the first three weeks. Only the inept who don't know jack about the defense were making those claims.

 

[Jackson 2]

First, it IS just the Rams. That offense is inept, especially with their only good WR Danny Amendola not playing due to injury.

Second, what? LOL. It "evolved" that way because our defense played well.

Third, we're halfway through the season. This is when Pro Bowl voting actually takes place, genius!

Finally.... Internet tough guy? hm what? Looks like you're the belligerent one coming in here with that pissy attitude.

Wait a minute...you wrote multiple paragraphs raving about the our defense and then, when challenged, you describe the Rams' offense as "inept?" Well, which is it? So, you have the Pro Bowl numbers? Share please. Brandon Meriweather made the Pro Bowl, too. Finally, I have to confess - I know Ron Brace and I believe you wouldn't dare call him a baby to his face. Would you?

 

[MrNathanDrake]

I know Ron Brace and I believe you wouldn't dare call him a baby to his face. Would you?

You're right... but you wouldn't call Ray Lewis a murderer, and wouldn't call anyone from the Jets a clown to their face either, would you?

Yet both happen at this forum on a daily basis. I guess there's a double standard (homerism) when it comes to a Pats player.

 

[Shockt327]

AKA the 2007 Patriots effect. People forget our defense wasn't good that season either. Let's chill a bit with the praise for the defense, Sam Bradford still went 23-31. They obviously played much better than they had in recent weeks, but St. Louis barely has any weapons in the passing game.

The 2007 Patriots D was actually pretty decent....

There is a difference between "decent" and "good." Total yards and points stats would tell you the 07 D was very good; they were 4th overall in both categories. But they fell off big time over the course of the season. For example, Football Outsiders has them ranked 7th (good) but 19th when looking at weighted scores that emphasize the latter half.

Of course, the vast majority of the blowouts happened over the first-half of the season as well. That's a big reason why that D fell off; because the offense wasn't putting up as many points (and just old age on D).

 

[demerit]

Finally, I have to confess - I know Ron Brace and I believe you wouldn't dare call him a baby to his face. Would you?

That's awesome that you actually know Ron Brace....I'm pretty sure you guys will have some good times together while watching Patriots games on television next season.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

The defense looked better, but I'm still not buying. Always good to see improvement.

Sam Bradford started the game 13/15. That was without Amendola and after the injury to Givens. Without those two, is this the worst receiving corps in the NFL?

What I did like is that the Pats are finally just playing to their strengths. What's the point of putting Mayo and Spikes into zone coverage when they are not good cover linebackers and their presence are usually pointless? Why not send them up the middle once in a while for a delayed LB blitz? That's what everyone has been saying for months, and finally BB decided to give it a try. Another example of playing to your strengths is putting McCourty at safety. He is fast, a great tackler, and plays well when facing the quarterback. Why put him at corner when his biggest weakness is playing the ball with his back turned?

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

It was the Rams,lets not get a big pants tent over the defense.

Anyone ever notice that the only corner who almost always turns his head to see the ball is Sterling Moore?

There is still Houston and San Fran down the road to get excited over.

Still its Good to see them beating down the sisters of the poor,but reality check says better teams ahead.....that have legitimate passing attacks.

My concern is with Welker at this time,looked like an ankle injury.

 

[Jackson 2]

That's awesome that you actually know Ron Brace....I'm pretty sure you guys will have some good times together while watching Patriots games on television next season.

I don't know him well enough to have that happen. He's been really disappointing and isn't an NFL player performance-wise. Still, not sure that entitles a poster with a fake name to anonymously call him a baby. It's all part of the techno, twitter, text , sissy, coward mentality in which you can call anyone anything without having the balls to face them.

 

[Jackson 2]

It was the Rams,lets not get a big pants tent over the defense.

Anyone ever notice that the only corner who almost always turns his head to see the ball is Sterling Moore?

There is still Houston and San Fran down the road to get excited over.

Still its Good to see them beating down the sisters of the poor,but reality check says better teams ahead.....that have legitimate passing attacks.

My concern is with Welker at this time,looked like an ankle injury.

Not sure if you noticed, but when Mallett was playing the camera showed Brady standing on the sideline and Welker was right next to him, standing also.

 

[Jackson 2]

That's awesome that you actually know Ron Brace....I'm pretty sure you guys will have some good times together while watching Patriots games on television next season.

And I'm guessing, as bad as he's been, more people will remember him and his career than will remember you and yours. But, I could be wrong.

 

[jbb9s]

For example, Football Outsiders has [the 07 Patriots] ranked 7th (good) but 19th when looking at weighted scores that emphasize the latter half.

i have my own weighting system:

week 1 thru 20 (18 games played): 0%
week 21: 100%


but in all seriousness, what is this weighted score system that weighs the latter half more? are you suggesting the games in december are a better barometer than September games? why? a 10-6 record with 0 December wins gets you in the playoffs before a 9-7 record with 4 December wins.