Are Adalius and our LB Corps as confusing as advertised?

[shakadave]

When we acquired AD, there were numerous stories in the sports media about how now Belichick has an extra toy in his arsenal, so that our LBs will play all these confusing schemes, and opposing QBs will have fits.

Now, given that our defense is not quite as highly ranked as usual in recent years (based on points allowed) I ask: Has this been happening?

On a related note, AD was seen as the single most obvious answer we could find to the Dallas-Clark-in-the-AFCCG problem. Now I read that he probably can't cover Clark, so we'll do something else. Anyone have insight on how AD is playing compared to his billing? And on what this should mean in this weekend's Colts matchup?

 

[RayClay]

When we acquired AD, there were numerous stories in the sports media about how now Belichick has an extra toy in his arsenal, so that our LBs will play all these confusing schemes, and opposing QBs will have fits.

Now, given that our defense is not quite as highly ranked as usual in recent years (based on points allowed) I ask: Has this been happening?

On a related note, AD was seen as the single most obvious answer we could find to the Dallas-Clark-in-the-AFCCG problem. Now I read that he probably can't cover Clark, so we'll do something else. Anyone have insight on how AD is playing compared to his billing? And on what this should mean in this weekend's Colts matchup?

Our defense is fine. Points allowed? Have you been watching the games? We score 40-50 points these days.

The defense is playing prevent defense allowing teams to run the clock down and score rather than giving up quick hits which could possibly allow them to score the 20-40 points they need.

At this point, Adalius is going to be more confused than the offense when the schemes get too fancy. That crazy stuff takes a lot of time to do without revealing a glaring weakness.

He's got great athleticism, though and that will shine through.

Our scheming D should peak when it counts since we have so many vets to work with A.D.

 

[Deus Irae]

When we acquired AD, there were numerous stories in the sports media about how now Belichick has an extra toy in his arsenal, so that our LBs will play all these confusing schemes, and opposing QBs will have fits.

Now, given that our defense is not quite as highly ranked as usual in recent years (based on points allowed) I ask: Has this been happening?

On a related note, AD was seen as the single most obvious answer we could find to the Dallas-Clark-in-the-AFCCG problem. Now I read that he probably can't cover Clark, so we'll do something else. Anyone have insight on how AD is playing compared to his billing? And on what this should mean in this weekend's Colts matchup?

2007 Patriots: 15.9 ppg (#5)
2006 Patriots: 14.8 ppg (#2)
2005 Patriots: 21.1 ppg (#17)
2004 Patriots: 16.2 ppg (#2)
2003 Patriots: 14.9 ppg (#1)
2002 Patriots: 21.6 ppg (#17)
2001 Patriots: 17.0 ppg (#26)

This shows me two things. The first is the relatively consistent defense this team puts on the field, giving up between 14.8 and 16.2 ppg for 4 of the 7 years. The second is that people are still overhyping the supposed negatives about this team. The defense is currently ranked 5th and is allowing its 3rd lowest ppg of the Super Bowl era, yet people are acting as if the defense has been disappointing.

 

[gomezcat]

2007 Patriots: 15.9 ppg (#5)
2006 Patriots: 14.8 ppg (#2)
2005 Patriots: 21.1 ppg (#17)
2004 Patriots: 16.2 ppg (#2)
2003 Patriots: 14.9 ppg (#1)
2002 Patriots: 21.6 ppg (#17)
2001 Patriots: 17.0 ppg (#26)

This shows me two things. The first is the relatively consistent defense this team puts on the field, giving up between 14.8 and 16.2 ppg for 4 of the 7 years. The second is that people are still overhyping the supposed negatives about this team. The defense is currently ranked 5th and is allowing its 3rd lowest ppg of the Super Bowl era, yet people are acting as if the defense has been disappointing.

I agree with your comments about the D and find the negative comments completely baffling. If you want to know how good the D is this year, fast forward through the Skins game.
I watched most of the game at a later point and was really struck by how little time they spent on the field. The one team that has looked, at any point, like it might beat us is Dallas.
I would say that one of the biggest improvements has been in the secondary where the communication appears to have improved massively. As far as I can see, the number of blown coverages has reduced in comparison to the last two or three years.
Of course, Manning and the Colts will test that secondary to destruction tomorrow...

 

[Mack Herron]

2007 Patriots: 15.9 ppg (#5)
2006 Patriots: 14.8 ppg (#2)
2005 Patriots: 21.1 ppg (#17)
2004 Patriots: 16.2 ppg (#2)
2003 Patriots: 14.9 ppg (#1)
2002 Patriots: 21.6 ppg (#17)
2001 Patriots: 17.0 ppg (#26)

This shows me two things. The first is the relatively consistent defense this team puts on the field, giving up between 14.8 and 16.2 ppg for 4 of the 7 years. The second is that people are still overhyping the supposed negatives about this team. The defense is currently ranked 5th and is allowing its 3rd lowest ppg of the Super Bowl era, yet people are acting as if the defense has been disappointing.

Excellent post. Another point is that the Pats typically improve over the season, and with Seymour and Rodney getting their sea legs, the best is yet to come.

 

[BWareofDWare]

2007 Patriots: 15.9 ppg (#5)
2006 Patriots: 14.8 ppg (#2)
2005 Patriots: 21.1 ppg (#17)
2004 Patriots: 16.2 ppg (#2)
2003 Patriots: 14.9 ppg (#1)
2002 Patriots: 21.6 ppg (#17)
2001 Patriots: 17.0 ppg (#26)

This shows me two things. The first is the relatively consistent defense this team puts on the field, giving up between 14.8 and 16.2 ppg for 4 of the 7 years. The second is that people are still overhyping the supposed negatives about this team. The defense is currently ranked 5th and is allowing its 3rd lowest ppg of the Super Bowl era, yet people are acting as if the defense has been disappointing.

I'm thinking there's no way 17 points in 01 was good for 26th in the league? Might have been 6th?

 

[sarge]

I'm thinking there's no way 17 points in 01 was good for 26th in the league? Might have been 6th?

I think when he shows the ranking, that is the overall defensive ranking which is ranked by yards allowed and for some reason I think skips points all together.

I remembered that in 2001 that the Pats where in the bottom half for defensive rankings but in the top 5 for points allowed.

 

[satz]

Remember in past year the defence was tuned into stopping the offence and giving back the ball to the offence. They are playing 40% of the game full tilt and go into preventive mode the rest of the game .
Hence the stats are messed up.,

 

[FloridaPatsFan]

Also, Adalius was moved from outside LB (at Baltimore) to inside LB for us. Perhaps, he is still making the adjustment on reads but otherwise, I don't see offenses running at his side very often. They go at Bruschi or Seau more often.

 

[BelichickFan]

2007 Patriots: 15.9 ppg (#5)
2006 Patriots: 14.8 ppg (#2)
2005 Patriots: 21.1 ppg (#17)
2004 Patriots: 16.2 ppg (#2)
2003 Patriots: 14.9 ppg (#1)
2002 Patriots: 21.6 ppg (#17)
2001 Patriots: 17.0 ppg (#26)

Additionally, the 15.9 PPG is skewed to the second half when we have huge leads. We're allowing 6 PPG per first half; a rate of 12 PPG for the whole game. And that's with no Seymour and for more than half with no Harrison.

 

[BionicPatriot]

People, it's simple. Have you noticed, (knock on wood) we've been, up to this point with Morris, injury free on defense? BB is calling off the dogs late in the game, making softer defenses/taking guys out. Think about how dangerous a healthy Patriot team is going into the playoffs.

 

[Ring 6]

When we acquired AD, there were numerous stories in the sports media about how now Belichick has an extra toy in his arsenal, so that our LBs will play all these confusing schemes, and opposing QBs will have fits.

Now, given that our defense is not quite as highly ranked as usual in recent years (based on points allowed) I ask: Has this been happening?

On a related note, AD was seen as the single most obvious answer we could find to the Dallas-Clark-in-the-AFCCG problem. Now I read that he probably can't cover Clark, so we'll do something else. Anyone have insight on how AD is playing compared to his billing? And on what this should mean in this weekend's Colts matchup?

We have allowed 127 points in 8 games. The franchise record is 237 for a season, set last year. We are allowing 1 ppg more than the franchise record.
I dont think that qualifies as saying we arent quite as highly ranked as in the past.

Where are you getting that Thomas cannot cover Clark? He won't be manned up on him all day,but he will have a big chunk of responsbility covering him, his area of the zone is a spot the Colts like to throw to the TE.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

I guess people expect a dominant defense to have a few shutouts, no TDs for many consecutive Qs etc. When that does not happen, and average opponents put up decent scores against us, people start questioning whether at all we are dominant. And that automatically leads to queries if our star players are that great or confusing.

Me, I am happy with a W baby, score be damned.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'm thinking there's no way 17 points in 01 was good for 26th in the league? Might have been 6th?

Yes, it was 6th. I guess I was too busy typing to edit properly.... I'll fix it now. Thanks for catching that.

P.S. Too late, it won't let me fix it. Oh, well... same points still apply.

 

[pheenix11]

This is silly, we get leads of 30 points and the defense is basically playing prevent the rest of the game with backups so the numbers are skewed in the 2nd half.

Pay attention to what the defense has done when the game was on the line which was only the first half of every game except for the Dallas Game.

New York 1st Half 7 points
San Diego 1st Half 0 points
Buffalo 1st Half 7 points
Cincinnati 1st Half 7 points
Cleveland 1st Half 0 points
Dallas 1st Half 17 points 2nd Half 10 Points
Miami 1st Half 7 points
Washington 1st Half 0 points

Even in Dallas we clamped down in the 2nd Half. This Defense is fine, if anything they just need more work because they are never on the field LOL.

 

[PatsFan37]

2007 Patriots: 15.9 ppg (#5)
2006 Patriots: 14.8 ppg (#2)
2005 Patriots: 21.1 ppg (#17)
2004 Patriots: 16.2 ppg (#2)
2003 Patriots: 14.9 ppg (#1)
2002 Patriots: 21.6 ppg (#17)
2001 Patriots: 17.0 ppg (#6)

This shows me two things. The first is the relatively consistent defense this team puts on the field, giving up between 14.8 and 16.2 ppg for 4 of the 7 years. The second is that people are still overhyping the supposed negatives about this team. The defense is currently ranked 5th and is allowing its 3rd lowest ppg of the Super Bowl era, yet people are acting as if the defense has been disappointing.

Nice research, thanks!

With all the emphasis on the offense, everyone seems to forget how overpowering the D has been. Dallas didn't get a first down until its 4th possession, IIRC. I replayed the Skins game and it was a dominating defensive performance until garbage time. My sense is that this D would be ranked #1 if the offense didn't cause garbage time to start so early.

On the AD vs. Clark issue, I think it's interesting how the media (Felger in particular) keep repeating how Harrison couldn't cover Witten, despite Witten having only 3 receptions for 47 yds. He had 9 and 10 receptions in the games before and after the NE game. At least one of Witten's receptions came when Harrison abandoned coverage to rush the QB.

The media has made a habit of spreading this kind of misinformation, which is why I see a big matchup tomorrow between Dallas Clark and Rodney Harrison, not Clark and AD.

 

[Fogbuster]

.

Does this thread mean the Pats' D is "confusing" or "confused". ???

I'd really hate to see AD go out a forget all the defensive plays he just learned this week!!







//

 

[Deus Irae]

This is silly, we get leads of 30 points and the defense is basically playing prevent the rest of the game with backups so the numbers are skewed in the 2nd half.

Pay attention to what the defense has done when the game was on the line which was only the first half of every game except for the Dallas Game.

New York 1st Half 7 points
San Diego 1st Half 0 points
Buffalo 1st Half 7 points
Cincinnati 1st Half 7 points
Cleveland 1st Half 0 points
Dallas 1st Half 17 points 2nd Half 10 Points
Miami 1st Half 7 points
Washington 1st Half 0 points

Even in Dallas we clamped down in the 2nd Half. This Defense is fine, if anything they just need more work because they are never on the field LOL.

Don't forget that 7 of the first half points in Dallas were from the strip sack by Ware.