zydecochris
2nd Team Getting Their First Start
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2007
- Messages
- 1,644
- Reaction score
- 2,718
6. DL - Like with the Receivers, semantically we are going to have dispense with the usual DT/DE/NT designations as we are already seeing all those guys playing all those positions in various sets.
That being said, no one will be happy with giving up over 130 yds rushing and having a RB rush for 6 ypc. But it should also be said that defending a running game with just 6 men in the box is NOT the way to stop the run. I'm not sure Ninko's problems were the result of the holding going on, or that he was just a step too slow getting off the block when setting the edge, or that Williams was just unexpected quick. And it wasn't just Ninko. All the DE's seemed to be having an issue, so it could have been a design problem and BB was asking too much from the DE's The CB's an S's were rarely there to provide run support for the DE's, so perhaps the solution might be simply playing more Zone so the DB's will be in better position to support the outside. Clearly last night we played a lot man and the CB"s were being run off on run plays
Interesting to note that according to Reiss, Geeno Grissom played the most snaps of the DT's last night. Now that could be the result of Easley's injury, but it is another example of some obscure rookie making a significant contribution to a win.
7. LB- Hightower played every well last night and was easily the best defender we had in the front 7.. Collins (another one of my designated Binkies) was much too invisible for the impact player I hope he's to become this season. A number to times I saw him making very "Spike-like) attempts to shoot a random gap, leaving big holes for the rest of the D go cover. We need to see better from our supposed most talented defensive player.
Then there is the mystery of the lack of playing time for Mayo with only 11 of 73 snaps in this game. It seems funny that you'd have your best tackler off the field while someone is running amok on the offense. But I suspect that this is more a function of trying to stop all these explosive passing attacks and Mayo will be the LB who gets take off when we go to 5 or more DB's
8 DB - Yet another group that seems to defy positional definitions playing in the Pats secondary.
Malcom Butler - I thought he did an outstanding job of making life difficult for the best WR in the game. With a single except (what a great double move that was) he made almost every other catch an adventure for Brown. He was in great position for most of the night and it took super accurate throws to just barely get by him.
Now is Butler a true "shut down CB" I still don't know. Even Revis wasn't a true shut down CB in this defense. But I do feel that last night's performance went a long way to alleviate most of the fears fans have had about the Butler question coming into the season.
Fletcher and Brown - Both did OK. Both were beaten at times but most of the time they had good enough position that it took great throws to complete the pass. They are what they are, folk, and I think they passed the test. QB's are going to compete over 60% of their passes. They did last season when we had supposed an all star secondary, so why be shocked this season when we don't. All I know is I feel a little more comfortable with how the secondary played
Safeties - I'm sure McCourty would like to have another shot at that pass that seemed to magically go through his arms, but all in all the S's did a decent job for the first time out.
9. Over all I think the defense did an adequate job for now. Clearly we need to see more of a pass rush and the running game needs to tighten up. But in the only stat that matters, the Pats only allowed 21 points and 7 of those were in garbage time.
Its similar for the offense. I hated that the Pats last 2 drives ended in punts. (one due to penalty). They will need to close out games on offense better than that. Blount will certainly help in that area.
10. Radiogate - All I have to say its crap, **** and dung. Its more of the same from the brain dead media that seems to be following Roger Goodell's. game plan for destroying the Patriots' brand It seems like common sense and the truth is unable to overcome the simple envy, jealousy and general lack of good character from the loser elite. Mike Tomlin should be ashamed and is already trying back off his post game comments, but it's too late. His character has been laid bare, and we now know why the Steelers have devolved from an elite team to being just another example of NFL mediocrity. This was a game the Steelers easily could have won if they'd been better prepared and more disciplined. It won't be nearly as easy if they meet in the playoffs, because the Pats team they face then will be a much better team than they lost to last night
Questions I would ask Mike Tomlin if I had the chance. If he has had communications problems "every time" he came to Gillette, how come he wasn't prepared for for that eventuality. He HAD since April to prepare for it. That's 5 months to figure out a plan.
I would ask them what he did during those 5 months to try and figure out a way to at least slow down Gronk and Edelman. Did he think it might be important to make sure Gronk was always covered when he splits out? Or how come in your "hurry up" offense you only ran 2 plays in 60 seconds? Or if you knew the Pats often shifted their line on GL, why wasn't your team prepared???????
I found it interesting that while Mike Tomlin was blaming everyone BUT himself for the sloppy play his team exhibited, Bill Belechick told the press that he and his staff needed to do a better job as the season goes on.
Eventually I hope that people of good character will discover that its hard work and good preparation that has made the Pats what they are. They should make "Do your Job" mandatory watching for the predatory media. THEN they will understand what has made the Pats so great over the years. And that's all I have to say on this matter. They have already sucked most of the joy out of this win. I won't let them take the rest
Ahhh, life is good. After all of the nonsense during the last year, the Patriots played last night and won.
And, I have an "Idle Thoughts" post to read. Again, life is good.