How concerned are you about the defense?

[BobDigital]

I think we are too quick to hit the panic button on this unit.

It is true they got run on pretty well. Some of that was lost contains that are uncharacteristic for Nink and Sheard (or so i hear) and some of it was how undersized they decided to go. Honestly I feel that can all be cleaned up at will with a little more disciple (and maybe a few deserved holding calls) and personnel changes.

When we did go with our bigs the run was not an issue.

The lack of pass rush is a tiny bit concerning but the Patriots did get some sacks vs a very hard QB to sack and rarely brought more than 4 IIRC. Also the front 7 in general was fairly off this game (really only Hightower seemed to be 100% on his game). I see it as first game issues and expect Jones, Collins, Nink, ect... to step it up as the year goes on.

The back 4 or 5 depending is going to be a work in progress and a lot there will depend on how Butler comes along as the year goes. McCourty with a missed pick he usually gets. Brown/Fletcher look as advertised for better or worse. I just am not concerned.

A lot of vets were not their usual selves and a lot of rookies and young players have room to grow. Frankly I expect this to be in the bottom quarter of performances we will see from this unit all year.

 

[FourierSeries]

After last year's playoff run where we were carried almost entirely by the offense, I'm not that worried. The defense doesn't need to be anywhere near elite.

 

[BlueThunder]

Tyrod is no Rothlisberger......Stop Buffalo's running game and contain Tyrod......

Can't wait to see this Defense in November/December.

 

[deters]

3 on a scale of 10.

 

[TommyD4207]

Ninkovich needs to play much, much better - certainly need to live up to earning that raise he got in the offseason. He was pathetic v. Pittsburgh. Every play in the 2nd half was designed to be run right at him, and thrown to his side. When Sheard was in there, it didn't happen.

 

[Oswlek]

I'll let you know in late November.

 

[aluminum seats]

Ninkovich needs to play much, much better - certainly need to live up to earning that raise he got in the offseason. He was pathetic v. Pittsburgh. Every play in the 2nd half was designed to be run right at him, and thrown to his side. When Sheard was in there, it didn't happen.

Yeah, he had a bad game.

 

[Guts]

Eh I'll probably have my worries after Week 8 if the defense still looks bad luckily for us we have the best offense in the league.

 

[JMC00]

Held the squealers to 3 points through 40 minutes and held them to 14 points through 59 minutes 58 seconds.

 

[ViperGTS]

Held the squealers to 3 points through 40 minutes and held them to 14 points through 59 minutes 58 seconds.

Yeah but Heyward-Bey was WIDE open in the end zone. That was not good at all.

 

[Ring 6]

I think we are too quick to hit the panic button on this unit.

It is true they got run on pretty well. Some of that was lost contains that are uncharacteristic for Nink and Sheard (or so i hear) and some of it was how undersized they decided to go. Honestly I feel that can all be cleaned up at will with a little more disciple (and maybe a few deserved holding calls) and personnel changes.

When we did go with our bigs the run was not an issue.

The lack of pass rush is a tiny bit concerning but the Patriots did get some sacks vs a very hard QB to sack and rarely brought more than 4 IIRC. Also the front 7 in general was fairly off this game (really only Hightower seemed to be 100% on his game). I see it as first game issues and expect Jones, Collins, Nink, ect... to step it up as the year goes on.

The back 4 or 5 depending is going to be a work in progress and a lot there will depend on how Butler comes along as the year goes. McCourty with a missed pick he usually gets. Brown/Fletcher look as advertised for better or worse. I just am not concerned.

A lot of vets were not their usual selves and a lot of rookies and young players have room to grow. Frankly I expect this to be in the bottom quarter of performances we will see from this unit all year.

Run D is nothing to be concerned about. We played a 252 lb DT, daring them to run. If we are worried about how we play the run when we don't care about the run, why are we worried?

The pass rush is never going to get to the QB on every play. There were a ton of quick timing passes, that no rush could get to, and no doubt the DL was rushing under control to keep him in the pocket. This will be the best pass rushing team we have seen under BB, but people will still complain that we can't rush the passer.

The secondary of course is a concern. Butler was torched in that game, but reason says experience will make him better. He was close on many plays, just didn't make them and was burned on others that I think he was duped on due to lack of experience. Terrell Brown is what he is, which I think is a pretty good corner who isn't a superstar. Fletcher is a decent 3rd corner. The safeties look good, especially with Harmon in there.
In the end I think, assuming Butler gets it, this secondary will, with the exception of last year be as good as any we have had in a number of years.

 

[Ring 6]

Yeah but Heyward-Bey was WIDE open in the end zone. That was not good at all.

Every team allows plays.
That was a good offense and other than garbage time they got into the end zone once.
Sure you can pick out a play they didn't make, but I can also pick out a number that they did make and say what if those didn't happen.
If you expect an offense to be flawless, any D would get killed.

 

[Gronkowski123]

the secondary is very concerning...especially if a JAG like tyrod tears us up.

 

[Ring 6]

the secondary is very concerning...especially if a JAG like tyrod tears us up.

Huh? You are concerned about the secondary because of something that hasn't happened?
Will Brady be a concern if he throws 4 picks?

 

[ViperGTS]

Every team allows plays.
That was a good offense and other than garbage time they got into the end zone once.
Sure you can pick out a play they didn't make, but I can also pick out a number that they did make and say what if those didn't happen.
If you expect an offense to be flawless, any D would get killed.

Not that I expect flawless, just add that 7+6 from field goal misses=Lost game.

When someone is that wide open, and a bad receiver at that, it's troubling. I fully expect them to correct said issues. Just that pertaining to that game it wasn't all rosy. That's all.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Not concerned ... Defense will take 4-6 weeks to ramp it up.

 

[Oswlek]

Not that I expect flawless, just add that 7+6 from field goal misses=Lost game.

-7 from the garbage time TD drive that wouldn't have happened. If we are going to play "what if" you have to go all the way.

 

[venecol]

Not too much against the Bills.

 

[RayClay]

I'll let you know in late November.

You nailed it but, entirely new defense in the front seven, despite experience at LB, new defense in the secondary. Has to be, Browner and Revis aren't replaceable as far as their roles go.

Having said that, I like our 3 CBs, safeties, and line-pass rush, but they will take a while to mesh. LB should be the glue early.

 

[ViperGTS]

-7 from the garbage time TD drive that wouldn't have happened. If we are going to play "what if" you have to go all the way.

Maybe. Lots of what ifs that could go either way. We'll know much more Sunday around 4 pm. Again, it means nothing other than a loss will give Buffalo that extra something that as we all know can change things.