Don't Panic about defense

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Don't Panic about the defense for the following reasons

- It's preseason so there won't be a lot of schemes, and game planning

- It's live action against an actual opponent for the first time in months so there will be rust from everybody

- Jamie Collins did make two noticeable plays as his athleticism was on display

- Tommy Kelly looks legit, and will be an awesome force on the inside with Vince Wilfork.

- Devin McCourty did not play which maybe the biggest fact

- We don't know how good Michael Vick and that offense is with Chip Kelly's scheme. They could be really good this season you just never know.

- Marquice Cole was playing corner which you won't see much if at all this season

 

[larryo]

Pheeeww. Thank you. I'm calm now.

 

[Deus Irae]

I look forward to your "Don't get excited about offense" thread as the logical partner to this one.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

who is panicking? It's 1 preseason game......

 

[Coach42]

I look forward to your "Don't get excited about offense" thread as the logical partner to this one.

With the limited contact that is now allowed in practice I would think that offenses should have the early advantage. The tackling league wide so far has been awful.

 

[Keyser Söze]

people say that **** every season and the defense still sucks. "Oh vanilla defense blah blah" So sick of giving them excuses. I'll take the wait and see approach. Prove to me you can be better.

 

[supafly]

I don't think anyone is panicking about much of anything, but in response I'd be concerned about the following:

--the current lack of depth behind Wilfork/Kelly, at least at the moment

--the continued struggles in coverage with our LB's

--the play of the secondary with Gregory and T.Wilson; not to mention the serious questions regarding Logan Ryan (who did not play well) and Duron Harmon (too early to tell either way...some ups/some downs)

--the injury status of Dennard/Dowling


As a whole, I definitely expect the defense to continue showing signs of improvement, but there are always going to be some reasons for concern.

 

[Froob]

Defense usually sucks first half of the season before becoming respectable second half of the year. It's been more on the offense that's been costing us super bowls past few seasons imo (14&17 vs NYG, 21 vs NYJ, 13 and 14 vs BAL). Granted D hasn't been great either(although I thought they played well enough to win super bowls 42&46). Hopefully Kelly is able to play like this all season and doesn't end up like fat albert.

 

[Brady6]

Don't Panic about the defense for the following reasons

- It's preseason so there won't be a lot of schemes, and game planning

- It's live action against an actual opponent for the first time in months so there will be rust from everybody

- Jamie Collins did make two noticeable plays as his athleticism was on display

- Tommy Kelly looks legit, and will be an awesome force on the inside with Vince Wilfork.

- Devin McCourty did not play which maybe the biggest fact

- We don't know how good Michael Vick and that offense is with Chip Kelly's scheme. They could be really good this season you just never know.

- Marquice Cole was playing corner which you won't see much if at all this season

I’m not panicking at all personally; the things that will matter come the regular season (all listed below) all showed well in my opinion.

• Tommy Kelly- Having something left in the tank.
• Chandler Jones- Showing he was ready to make the next step.
• Jamie Collins- Showing he could be an impact player that can do multiple things for our defense.
• Harmon/Ryan/Buchanan- Showing that they can contribute in some form at the NFL level at their respective positions

I was somewhat disappointed in T. Wilson and Bequette not appearing to make significant strides between years 1 and 2; but being that all young players’ progress differently I will not jump to any judgment.

My under the radar though is I was actually very intrigued by Jason Vega’s speed last night, I’m looking forward to seeing some more of him this preseason.

 

[Deus Irae]

With the limited contact that is now allowed in practice I would think that offenses should have the early advantage. The tackling league wide so far has been awful.

Yeah.... We should really be looking at both sides of the ball with the same grain of salt.

 

[edboc]

Defense usually sucks first half of the season before becoming respectable second half of the year. It's been more on the offense that's been costing us super bowls past few seasons imo (14&17 vs NYG, 21 vs NYJ, 13 and 14 vs BAL). Granted D hasn't been great either(although I thought they played well enough to win super bowls 42&46). Hopefully Kelly is able to play like this all season and doesn't end up like fat albert.

That's right, they typically tend to blitz and mix up coverages more in November and December as compared to the first 8 games of the season.

 

[ATippett56]

Who is panicking?

Same New England Patriots defense as last year:

• Can't stop the pass (321 net passing yards allowed)
• Can't stop the big pass play (5 pass plays of 20+ yards)
• Can't get off the field on third down (9/19 third down conversions)

Watch New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles [08/09/2013] - NFL.com

 

[supafly]

That's right, they typically tend to blitz and mix up coverages more in November and December as compared to the first 8 games of the season.

That, and the fact that they slowly progress more and more as a cohesive unit, which tends to give more assignments and responsibility to the defensive players and the schemes involved. They're probably somewhat one in the same though.

 

[patsfan-1982]

no panic here. I liked what I seen from Kelly and we already know that no pats DB can cover any WR one on one that's way the pass defense got better last year when they put there best DB Devin McCourty over top at FS,

its never time to panic when its preseason but im also not waiting for a team that has not ranked higher then 28th in pass defense the last 3 years and has given up over 13000 yards in dose 3 years to now become a top five pass defense. what we can hope for is a better pass rush and more timely stops by the defense

 

[patsfanincleveland]

Who is panicking?

Same New England Patriots defense as last year:

• Can't stop the pass (321 net passing yards allowed)
• Can't stop the big pass play (5 pass plays of 20+ yards)
• Can't get off the field on third down (9/19 third down conversions)

Watch New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles [08/09/2013] - NFL.com

The real panic should be about why Ian will continue to allow this type of brain dead posting again in 2013.

 

[borg]

The real panic should be about why Ian will continue to allow this type of brain dead posting again in 2013.

Don't you hate it when FACTs get in the way of Blind Homer Syndrome

 

[IllegalContact]

wouldn't panic if they gave up 40

pro sports is just not something to panic over

 

[borg]

Who is panicking?

Same New England Patriots defense as last year:

• Can't stop the pass (321 net passing yards allowed)
• Can't stop the big pass play (5 pass plays of 20+ yards)
• Can't get off the field on third down (9/19 third down conversions)

Watch New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles [08/09/2013] - NFL.com

Must add some fuel to the fire....
5 of the 6 AFC playoff teams competed this past week and here is a list of the points allowed by their defenses:
22 (NE allowed 2 TDs in first 4 drives)
16 (Balt allowed 2 FGs in first 4 drives)
13 (Hous allowed TD and FG in first 4 drives)
10 (Cinn allowed FG in first 4 drives)
6 (Den allowed FG in first 4 drives)

3.....2.......1.......

 

[manxman2601]

3.....2.......1.......

 

[BrickPat]

Obviously still early and I'm not writing the guy off but it appears that the T. Wilson pick last year was a reach.

BB obviously saw something in Wilson to draft him so high...I hope the rest of us see it as some point. Then again BB sees something in Tebow (sorry couldn't resist ).