A constant theme as I've been watching replays during Pats games this season, I keep asking myself "what on earth are the safeties expected to be doing?".
There have been some good post-game breakdowns on these forums showing in some plays poor decisions by the safeties, along with a continously rotating player cast (Chung, Gregory, Wilson, McCourty), but the safety strategy seems to me fundamentally changed this season.
I see the corners pressed to fight and win a lot of 1:1 battles, and that has been with a fairly depleted cast until the addition of Talib. A lot of Cover 1 and Cover 0 schemes. A lot of plays with two free runners down a given half of the field (one maybe beating the CB, the other handed off from the linebacker into zone coverage).
Some questions -- any thoughts are welcome!
Are the linebackers being released for pass pressure so often?
If they are, have the LBs been effective in rushing the QB?
Are the safeties overwhelmed by CBs losing their individual battles?
If yes, does a Cover 2 defense make more sense? Should the Patriot front 7 be able to hold up without the extra pass rush?
There have been some good post-game breakdowns on these forums showing in some plays poor decisions by the safeties, along with a continously rotating player cast (Chung, Gregory, Wilson, McCourty), but the safety strategy seems to me fundamentally changed this season.
I see the corners pressed to fight and win a lot of 1:1 battles, and that has been with a fairly depleted cast until the addition of Talib. A lot of Cover 1 and Cover 0 schemes. A lot of plays with two free runners down a given half of the field (one maybe beating the CB, the other handed off from the linebacker into zone coverage).
Some questions -- any thoughts are welcome!
Are the linebackers being released for pass pressure so often?
If they are, have the LBs been effective in rushing the QB?
Are the safeties overwhelmed by CBs losing their individual battles?
If yes, does a Cover 2 defense make more sense? Should the Patriot front 7 be able to hold up without the extra pass rush?