Andy can talk all he wants about his 2-gap run defense and his zone coverage in the secondary to limit big plays and "make the other team earn it."
The fact of the matter is that both "styles" of defense have been destroyed by opponents. Trying to be more aggressive this year, the defense has been absolutely abysmal. But Andy seems to forget that last year this defense was absolutely putrid as well. 31st ranked defense against the pass. Dead last in third down defense. Couldn't get a big stop against the Jets when they needed it. That beloved 2-gap run defense that limits those "big plays" was the defense that got absolutely gashed for 230 yards on the ground by the Ravens in the playoffs. That 2-gap run defense is the defense that couldn't stop the Jets from going over 100 yards in the 2010-11 playoffs and couldn't get off the field late in the game when it needed to.
Of course this will all be countered with "yards don't matter only points do" and "that was just a bad day at the office against Baltimore, a total system failure."
This defense has not been a top unit since 2006. 2007 was a pretty good unit. They were carried by the offense for most of the year, but they also stepped up in some games like vs Philly and Baltimore to keep the undefeated streak alive when the Pats offense wasn't at its best.
It's amazing how when the defense was so good in 03/04, the coach gets so much of the credit. But now when it sucks, he gets none. It's the players, it's the scheme, it's the new rules. The blame is squarely on Belichick's shoulders. It's easy to look like a genius when you have LT, Rodney, McGinest, Law, Vrabel, Bruschi.
How is it even remotely acceptable for the "greatest defensive mind of all time" to have a subpar defense from 2008 on? He's been outschemed by Rex Ryan and Tom Coughlin in huge playoff games. John Harbaugh had his team much more ready to play than Bill did in the 09/10 playoffs.
People will say Bill is rebuilding and doesn't have the personnel to do what he wants. Ok, well then that's his fault too. He's the one PICKING THE PLAYERS. He's the one with the final say in the draft, he's the one with pseudo-GM duties in terms of trades/signings.
Any way you slice it, whether it's his ineptness as a defensive coach or his ineptness as a talent evaluator/talent acquirer, he's the one to blame. Tom Brady can only carry you so far, Bill.
