Bedard on radio talking Pats right now

[supafly]

I look at that game like the Jets playoff game. The Pats were caught off guard by a team that doesn't run a gameplan specific defense and they did on that day to play Pats more so than the team figuring out a weakness in the Pats' offense.

If it was a Jets' type of situation, Brady and McDaniels will adjust and do just fine. Since that Jets' playoff game, Brady has thrown 9 TDs and only 1 INT in four games vs. the Jets. My guess is LeBeau and the Steelers won't sneak up on the Pats this time around.

I fully agree with you Rob. I think it was nothing more than the offense being caught off guard and the defense coming up a bit short in their talent and gameplanning.

I would expect both of those things to change on some level this year.

 

[Nonentity]

The Pats want Tavon Wilson to be the starter next to McCourty. Harmon was drafted for his skills in the money role specifically which is why BB drafted him so highly. Time will tell if BB was right to over ride his scouts and draft Harmon.

It's worth reminding ourselves what the 'money' position does - per Nick Saban. Looks like a safety-type role which Harmon might suit. As we know, the Patriots project draftees to replace existing players on their roster, which is how they maintain quality depth at positions 1-53.

What are the qualities of a good star and money player?

“You can be a really good star and not have the long-speed to be a good corner — long-speed being that if a guy runs a take off on you, you have to run and not get out run when the ball is in the air,” Saban said. “If you have really good quickness and cover ability, the slot guy has a hard time beating you in that position because he’s closer to the safeties, he’s closer to the middle of the field. So, a good tackler, a good blitzer, a good cover guy on a slot player, which is different than a good cover guy on an outside player.

“The money guy has got to have some linebacker characteristics, in terms of the run. It helps that the guy’s a little bit bigger and physical because sometimes he has to cover a tight end, which is a bigger guy. But he also, unless you change personnel, has to be good enough to do the same things that the star does.”

A little Football 101 with Nick Saban | The Daily Bama Blog

 

[AzPatsFan]

It's worth reminding ourselves what the 'money' position does - per Nick Saban. Looks like a safety-type role which Harmon might suit. As we know, the Patriots project draftees to replace existing players on their roster, which is how they maintain quality depth at positions 1-53.


A little Football 101 with Nick Saban | The Daily Bama Blog

That is why Alphonso Dennard was rated by Pro Football Weekly in their 2012 draft report as being the best nickel/slot CB in the country; but only a #2 outside CB at best, lack of height and lack of long speed.

However, we now have depth at both inside and outside CB with the addition of Dennard and the return of Ras-I,and the addition of Ryan. Logan Ryan provides a composite CB Safety combination, leaning toward CB, similar to FS Devin McCourty while Tavon Wilson is the reverse leaning toward a more coverage capable, lighter Strong Safety.

I note that no one is b!tching anymore about the early drafting of Tavon Wilson by BB. His performance as a rookie pretty much silenced the draftniks who think they know more than Bill Belichick. They are now b!tching about the selection of Free Safety candidate Duran Harmon.

I still think the best Moneyball safety candidate is Adrian Wilson.

 

[bruinator]

Quick recap on what he is saying?

 

[Deus Irae]

That is why Alphonso Dennard was rated by Pro Football Weekly in their 2012 draft report as being the best nickel/slot CB in the country; but only a #2 outside CB at best, lack of height and lack of long speed.

However, we now have depth at both inside and outside CB with the addition of Dennard and the return of Ras-I,and the addition of Ryan. Logan Ryan provides a composite CB Safety combination, leaning toward CB, similar to FS Devin McCourty while Tavon Wilson is the reverse leaning toward a more coverage capable, lighter Strong Safety.

I note that no one is b!tching anymore about the early drafting of Tavon Wilson by BB. His performance as a rookie pretty much silenced the draftniks who think they know more than Bill Belichick. They are now b!tching about the selection of Free Safety candidate Duran Harmon.

I still think the best Moneyball safety candidate is Adrian Wilson.

Tavon Wilson mostly sucked as a rookie.

 

[VrabelJr]

Tavon Wilson mostly sucked as a rookie.

Not surprised to see you say this :/

 

[AzPatsFan]

Tavon Wilson mostly sucked as a rookie.

So where is Patrick Chung, the highly prized rookie Safety? Objective fact, Tavon Wilson beat him out.

Tavon also played in all 16 games, starting 4, and participated in 43% of the defensive snaps. That doesn't sound like he was all that unsuccessful, for a rookie.

 

[Sicilian]

His performance as a rookie pretty much silenced the draftniks who think they know more than Bill Belichick.

Tavon Wilson mostly sucked as a rookie.

Somewhere between these two statements, lay the truth.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

So where is Patrick Chung, the highly prized rookie Safety? Objective fact, Tavon Wilson beat him out.

Tavon also played in all 16 games, starting 4, and participated in 43% of the defensive snaps. That doesn't sound like he was all that unsuccessful, for a rookie.

Deus just hates all Wilsons.

Tavon did not beat out Chung. Chung's departure was all on him. BB knew that Chung had no upside and was not worth the $, maybe not even vet min given that rooks always "appear" to have untapped upside.

 

[JackBauer]

So where is Patrick Chung, the highly prized rookie Safety? Objective fact, Tavon Wilson beat him out.

Tavon also played in all 16 games, starting 4, and participated in 43% of the defensive snaps. That doesn't sound like he was all that unsuccessful, for a rookie.

I like Wilson, but using Chung as a yardstick is the very definition of damning with faint praise.

 

[Big-T]

Tavon Wilson was the 3rd safety taken and guess what...he was ranked the #3 rookie safety behind the 2 drafted ahead of him! (Barron & Smith)

 

[Ring 6]

What happened to all the talk about Gronkoski being at 100% to start Training Camp or certainly the preseason?

I agree that there is every reason to keeping him out until he is 100%.

One mans opinion, with no more insight than anyone else, doesn't negate other opinions that have been given.

 

[Ring 6]

That was before the back issues came to light. If it was just his arm, there is about a 99.9999999999999999% certainty he would be ready for at least the preseason. His back the great unknown at this point.

His agent said the back is a minor issue and is being done now because the recovery time overlaps, so it won't extend it any further.

 

[Deus Irae]

So where is Patrick Chung, the highly prized rookie Safety? Objective fact, Tavon Wilson beat him out.

Tavon also played in all 16 games, starting 4, and participated in 43% of the defensive snaps. That doesn't sound like he was all that unsuccessful, for a rookie.

I hope the kid makes a tremendous leap in play quality in year two, but are you really going to toss out the "objective fact" stuff here? OK....

Snaps played by Patriots defenders in the team’s 28-13 AFC Championship Game loss to the Ravens, while analyzing what it means (small margin for error):...

S Steve Gregory – 70 of 72
S Tavon Wilson – 9 of 72...

The guy you pimp him for beating out is a guy who's been a bust from the beginning because he couldn't cover worth a damn, and who the team let walk. When the season was on the line, Wilson was on the bench while a mediocrity like Gregory was racking up the playing time.

As for the overall playing time, here's more from Reiss:

Wilson, the second-round pick from Illinois, will be in the mix in 2013 after gaining some valuable experience as a rookie. The question is if he can break through as a starter. When everyone was healthy, his primary duties came as the dime back.

Defensive snaps - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

So he couldn't beat out Gregory, he was kept off the field in the AFCCG, and this is despite the fact that he was on a team that couldn't stop anyone until Talib showed up and other major changes were made.

Yeah, that's a world of success. How he wasn't voted first team All Pro is a mystery that may never be solved.

 

[Ivan]

That is why Alphonso Dennard was rated by Pro Football Weekly in their 2012 draft report as being the best nickel/slot CB in the country; but only a #2 outside CB at best, lack of height and lack of long speed.

However, we now have depth at both inside and outside CB with the addition of Dennard and the return of Ras-I,and the addition of Ryan. Logan Ryan provides a composite CB Safety combination, leaning toward CB, similar to FS Devin McCourty while Tavon Wilson is the reverse leaning toward a more coverage capable, lighter Strong Safety.

I note that no one is b!tching anymore about the early drafting of Tavon Wilson by BB. His performance as a rookie pretty much silenced the draftniks who think they know more than Bill Belichick. They are now b!tching about the selection of Free Safety candidate Duran Harmon.

I still think the best Moneyball safety candidate is Adrian Wilson.

I really think that Belichick saw the problems in his secondary over the past few years as the result of the lack of a pass rush and communication in the secondary and between units, and he has drafted a group of secondary players who are smart enough to be able to communicate really well and has upgraded the pass rush on the whole, although that can never be as good as anyone ever wants it. Defensively I think the talent on this Patriots team is as good as it has been in years and it is going to come down to their individual development as players as to how good they will become as a unit. I was watching the NFLN a week or so ago and they were discussing the most improved teams defensively and as usual their focus was on players acquired through the draft and free agency and they cited the Browns and Dolphins as the most improved teams, whereas I think the key is going to be development as units and defensive teams overall and think that the Patriots are actually going to be one of if not the most improved team in football this season, and that will be borne out by their points allowed, which i expect to be top five in the league. Obviously this will all depend upon the development of the young players but I have a great deal of confidence in most of these guys to really ramp up their games this year. Although i would love to see Collins have a good rookie season I'm not really counting on that much production from him, whereas I am counting on Chandler Jones, Donta Hightower, Brandon Spikes, Devin McCourty, and Alfonzo Dennard to really step it up and turn into high quality performers for the Patriots, and if they do and the veterans simply maintain the status quo then this is going to be a great defense. If Tavon Wilson and Ras I-Dowling join them then it just makes it that much better. I would love it if I-Dowling could beat out Dennard outside and allow them to move Dennard into the slot, but until I-Dowling shows he can stay on the field for a full season i will remain the skeptic on him. Like the player but he has to stay out there.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I really think that Belichick saw the problems in his secondary over the past few years as the result of the lack of a pass rush and communication in the secondary and between units, and he has drafted a group of secondary players who are smart enough to be able to communicate really well and has upgraded the pass rush on the whole, although that can never be as good as anyone ever wants it. Defensively I think the talent on this Patriots team is as good as it has been in years and it is going to come down to their individual development as players as to how good they will become as a unit. I was watching the NFLN a week or so ago and they were discussing the most improved teams defensively and as usual their focus was on players acquired through the draft and free agency and they cited the Browns and Dolphins as the most improved teams, whereas I think the key is going to be development as units and defensive teams overall and think that the Patriots are actually going to be one of if not the most improved team in football this season, and that will be borne out by their points allowed, which i expect to be top five in the league. Obviously this will all depend upon the development of the young players but I have a great deal of confidence in most of these guys to really ramp up their games this year. Although i would love to see Collins have a good rookie season I'm not really counting on that much production from him, whereas I am counting on Chandler Jones, Donta Hightower, Brandon Spikes, Devin McCourty, and Alfonzo Dennard to really step it up and turn into high quality performers for the Patriots, and if they do and the veterans simply maintain the status quo then this is going to be a great defense. If Tavon Wilson and Ras I-Dowling join them then it just makes it that much better. I would love it if I-Dowling could beat out Dennard outside and allow them to move Dennard into the slot, but until I-Dowling shows he can stay on the field for a full season i will remain the skeptic on him. Like the player but he has to stay out there.

I fully concur.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Ivan's defense talk has this Pats homer jacked and pumped!

 

[Joker]

I've already packed and jumped...hope the chute opens...

 

[captain stone]

.....btw the last time Lebeau faced a Pats team with Brady and McDaniels (2007), the Pats absolutely lit up the Steeler defense.

Brady that day was 32-46 for 399 yds 4 TD 0 INT.

I wouldn't hang my hat on something that happened over 5 years ago,
with the best group of WRs that Brady ever had.

Edit: that is not meant to discount the 2003-05 Branch/Givens/Patten/Troy Brown units either.
I doubt that the 2013 version will approach the level of either the 03-05 or the 07-08 versions.

 

[Brady2Moss]

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