Run Defense

[mgteich]

It really isn't anywhere near as bad as it looked last night. Belichick took away the outside pass and Welker. He challenged DEN to win with the run. There were 6 in the box instead of 7. This strategy worked very well indeed. Holding DEN to 17 points (after the 14 point spot given DEN by our offense) was excellent work.

Yes, we need improvement in our run defense. HOWEVER, the play that we got last night was good enough to win the Super Bowl. Spikes and Fletcher played fine. Nothing will make up for the loss of Wilfork and Kelly in the middle. Given the situation, these guys are doing fine, especially if Fletcher and Spikes continue to play at the level they played at last night.

Belichick is all about situational football. The defensive game plan was evidence of that plan.

 

[SalemPats]

Our Run defense is what it is. We can't replace Wilfork, Mayo and losing Kelly hurts. We went from top 10 against the rush to bottom 5. But i'm impressed with our nickel coverage and the safeties look great in support. Talib is the key probably, but we just need to contain and be opportunistic. It's going to be a roller-coaster back there because of injuries but with the offense rebounding i think we can do it.

 

[Ring 6]

It really isn't anywhere near as bad as it looked last night. Belichick took away the outside pass and Welker. He challenged DEN to win with the run. There were 6 in the box instead of 7. This strategy worked very well indeed. Holding DEN to 17 points (after the 14 point spot given DEN by our offense) was excellent work.

Yes, we need improvement in our run defense. HOWEVER, the play that we got last night was good enough to win the Super Bowl. Spikes and Fletcher played fine. Nothing will make up for the loss of Wilfork and Kelly in the middle. Given the situation, these guys are doing fine, especially if Fletcher and Spikes continue to play at the level they played at last night.

Belichick is all about situational football. The defensive game plan was evidence of that plan.

We duped them. We played a 2-4. We used one of the LBs to help in the slot.

One thing I noticed was the tremendous scheme to take away the pick play. We played the corner WAY outside the outside receiver, and stacked 2 defenders inside. There was no way to get the outside cover guy caught up in the trash, and that left bracketing on one or the other.
It worked to perfection on our first sack, where Welker went outside under the pick, and the stacked defender stayed under while Talib was on top, and Manning stared down welker and was clearly confused by the coverage.
Great scheme by BB, Ive never seen it done quite that way.

 

[DarrylS]

Reiss notes Hightower and Dennard went down with unspecified injuries...

This is typical BB defense give them something, but take the big stuff away.. BTW Moreno walked out in crutches and walking boot..

 

[andrewgarrr]

How would the scheme fair with Julius Thomas in the line up?

 

[Ring 6]

How would the scheme fair with Julius Thomas in the line up?

He wasn't in the lineup.

 

[SacPete1]

I wouldn't go so far as to say it was good enough to win a Super Bowl and BB certainly wouldn't say that giving up 280 yards on the ground is ok.
However, it was clear that last night's scheme left them vulnerable at times and even with the young rookies, the run D really hasn't been a problem over the course of the season. I think if anything it will certainly make the next matchup's strategy on both sides interesting (and I'm pretty confident they will meet again in AFC championship).

The defensive personnel is what it is. Very good in spots and weaker in others but what could you expect with the degree of injuries.
Speaking of which, has there ever been a team more capable of overcoming injuries than the Patriots? That in my mind is the Patriot Way.

I'm not concerned with the defense.

Very concerned about Ridley, however because they just don't have as hard a runner as him and when he's out, they really lose a power identity which I think come playoff time they will most certainly need.

 

[Luxusdk]

How would the scheme fair with Julius Thomas in the line up?

Same - BB wants Broncos to run all night long he basicly "give" them 1-2 yards for free. Getting those 3 and out downs. Then we need a stop and Manning is off the field. By that he aint giveing up big plays and have 5-6-7 trys to get those 3 and out.

Plus Manning lead RBs have a nice tradition to have fumble issues

 

[mgteich]

You should be concerned about the defense. The genius of Belichick can't win every game. Besides, the injuries continue: Dennard and Hightower.

I'm not concerned with the defense.

 

[FoxWhiskey]

This is typical BB defense give them something, but take the big stuff away.

I´m not sure.
I don´t think BB was amused by the way of run defence was playing. Not for a guy with the attitude of perfection.
But from my POV Sopoaga isn´t really a upgrade compared to our UDFA Rookies.

In doubt, and in this case, i´m going with Billy Hill and " The Glory of Love" :

Give a little
take a little
let Broncos poor heart break a little!"

 

[Kontradiction]

You should be concerned about the defense. The genius of Belichick can't win every game. Besides, the injuries continue: Dennard and Hightower.

I must have missed Hightower's injury. I had originally thought he was taken out because Fletcher was a better fit, schematically. What happened?

 

[SacPete1]

You should be concerned about the defense. The genius of Belichick can't win every game. Besides, the injuries continue: Dennard and Hightower.

Let me add context.

I don't know how we can sustain any more serious injuries but just when I think the bottom is ready fall out, they somehow survive. Will they shut down a good offense? Not likely. They will bend and occasionally break but they will make plays and will likely need the offense to score 24+ each game.
My expectation has changed due to the depleted personnel.
I use the term concerned for underachieving personnel and a pattern of mistakes (fumbles, personal fouls, dropped passes).

 

[scout]

Did Sopoaga play last night? I don't remember hearing his name called.

 

[Fencer]

He wasn't in the lineup.

Late scratch, right? BB doesn't gameplan anybody out unless they're out for sure.

 

[ausbacker]

How would the scheme fair with Julius Thomas in the line up?

The Run D wouldn't be problematic with Vince Wilfork, Tommy Kelly and Jerod Mayo in the line up.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

The Run D wouldn't be problematic with Vince Wilfork, Tommy Kelly and Jerod Mayo in the line up.

Plus sopoaga not sitting on the sidelines with an injury would help

 

[scout]

Late scratch, right? BB doesn't gameplan anybody out unless they're out for sure.

Just read from the "Collins thread" that he was in 14 of 90 plays.

 

[PP2]

I must have missed Hightower's injury. I had originally thought he was taken out because Fletcher was a better fit, schematically. What happened?

I think it was a little of both. Fletch was gameplanned for a bigger rotation but when Hightower went out, they threw him in full-time. I am waiting for the injury report to see what they put on it, but of course even that's going to be cause for speculation.

 

[captain stone]

One obvious problem with the run defense: Joey Vellano. This JAG absolutely sux.
At least Chris Jones gets to the QB every once in a while.
Bill needs to sign another fatbody, ASAP, or at least promote Sealver Siliga from the PS.

 

[jmt57]

Here are the defensive snaps from the Denver game. How much is due to scheming and how much is due to unknown injuries is anybody's guess.

Defensive snaps - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston

1. S Duron Harmon – 90 of 90
2. DE Chandler Jones – 90 of 90
3. DT Chris Jones – 90 of 90
4. S Devin McCourty – 90 of 90
5. DE Rob Ninkovich – 90 of 90
6. CB Kyle Arrington – 85 of 90
7. CB Aqib Talib – 80 of 90
8. DT Joe Vellano – 70 of 90
9. CB Logan Ryan – 69 of 90
10. LB Brandon Spikes – 68 of 90
11. LB Dane Fletcher – 57 of 90
12. LB Dont’a Hightower – 33 of 90
13. LB Jamie Collins – 22 of 90
14. CB Alfonzo Dennard – 21 of 90
15. DT Isaac Sopoaga – 14 of 90
16. CB Justin Green – 8 of 90
17. CB Marquice Cole – 7 of 90
18. DE Andre Carter – 6 of 90