Pats - Colts Divisional Round Discussion Thread

coolguy said:

what about the patriots run defense? I'm not really liking this match up now that spikes is down. Can someone post the LB depth chart going into this game.

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Assuming its Hightower, Collins, Fletcher, White, Beauharnais :\ scary

coolguy said:

what about the patriots run defense? I'm not really liking this match up now that spikes is down. Can someone post the LB depth chart going into this game.

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The loss of Spikes isn't really nearly as large this week as it normally would have been. The same holds true should we win and face Denver next weekend.

They will likely be playing a ton of nickel based formations, which means that there will be 2 LB's on the field for the majority of the snaps, as the main goal will be to stop the pass. We most likely would've used a limited role with Spikes, just the same as in past games vs pass heavy teams.

The hopeful progress of Jamie Collins, Dane Fletcher, and Dont'a Hightower will likely go a long way towards helping to limit IND's opportunities in the passing game.

Spikes' absence would be felt a lot more should we win and end up facing SD. To take it one (cautious) step further, it would be felt a lot more should we get all the way to the Super Bowl where we'd be likely to face teams such as SEA, SF, or CAR.

supafly said:

The loss of Spikes isn't really nearly as large this week as it normally would have been. The same holds true should we win and face Denver next weekend.

They will likely be playing a ton of nickel based formations, which means that there will be 2 LB's on the field for the majority of the snaps, as the main goal will be to stop the pass. We most likely would've used a limited role with Spikes, just the same as in past games vs pass heavy teams.

The hopeful progress of Jamie Collins, Dane Fletcher, and Dont'a Hightower will likely go a long way towards helping to limit IND's opportunities in the passing game.

Spikes' absence would be felt a lot more should we win and end up facing SD. To take it one (cautious) step further, it would be felt a lot more should we get all the way to the Super Bowl where we'd be likely to face teams such as SEA, SF, or CAR.

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I think the colts are going to run it more that everyone here thinks. What kind of team wouldn't attack a teams weakness and attacks the strength?

coolguy said:

I think the colts are going to run it more that everyone here thinks. What kind of team wouldn't attack a teams weakness and attacks the strength?

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You may be right that they may attempt to be more balanced, but it's all in how we're going to be attempting to defend them, not how they're going to play us; which is why most feel that we'll be at least 2/3 in nickle formation, maybe in the low 60 percent at worst.

Remember that we stayed in nickle the entire time vs DEN's high powered attack, despite the fact that they were totally gouging us in the run game. It's not like we attempted to use Spikes, or adjust to their strength at the time. Belichick knew that he wanted to give up the run in order to help prevent the pass, which was how he took away DEN's strength. I would imagine that he'll be doing much of the same.

It may even have come into play with his decision to IR Brandon Spikes, as one would assume that if he could play on a lesser level the past couple/few weeks, he probably could've done it with 2 weeks rest and the bye. Of course no one will know for sure though.

coolguy said:

what about the patriots run defense? I'm not really liking this match up now that spikes is down. Can someone post the LB depth chart going into this game.

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Collins - Sam
Hightower - Mike
Fletcher - Will

With that said, if the Colts offense aligns three wide, the Patriots defense will likely counter with the nickel package.

ATippett56 said:

Collins - Sam
Hightower - Mike
Fletcher - Will

With that said, if the Colts offense aligns three wide, the Patriots defense will likely counter with the nickel package.

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I am assuming that Mayo goes back to his weak side for next year and this is the normal alignment that would be used should Spikes leave?

I think we're going to need another move made either in the draft or FA, along with hopefully keeping Fletcher as depth.

supafly said:

I am assuming that Mayo goes back to his weak side for next year and this is the normal alignment that would be used should Spikes leave?

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The aforementioned alignment was utilized during training camp.

supafly said:

I think we're going to need another move made either in the draft or FA, along with hopefully keeping Fletcher as depth.

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Fletcher, yes.

I surmise the New England Patriots will re-sign Dane Fletcher and keep six linebackers on the 53 man roster:

Mayo, Jerod
Hightower, Dont'a
Collins, Jamie
Fletcher, Dane
Beauharnais, Steve
White, Chris (special teams)

Practice Squad:

Davis, Ja'Gared

Official Website of the New England Patriots | Team - Players

supafly said:

Remember that we stayed in nickle the entire time vs DEN's high powered attack, despite the fact that they were totally gouging us in the run game.

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That's because Joe Vellano is useless against the run.

supafly said:

You may be right that they may attempt to be more balanced, but it's all in how we're going to be attempting to defend them, not how they're going to play us; which is why most feel that we'll be at least 2/3 in nickle formation, maybe in the low 60 percent at worst.

Remember that we stayed in nickle the entire time vs DEN's high powered attack, despite the fact that they were totally gouging us in the run game. It's not like we attempted to use Spikes, or adjust to their strength at the time. Belichick knew that he wanted to give up the run in order to help prevent the pass, which was how he took away DEN's strength. I would imagine that he'll be doing much of the same.

It may even have come into play with his decision to IR Brandon Spikes, as one would assume that if he could play on a lesser level the past couple/few weeks, he probably could've done it with 2 weeks rest and the bye. Of course no one will know for sure though.

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I'm no expert but it seems OCs would be incompetent if their plan for producing yardage doesn't call for attacking our Run D right up the middle.
This is not to say I think our interior DL guys suck, not at all, but they simply don't carry the experience or gravitas to give OC's pause/make them look elsewhere for good yardage. And when you consider our secondary does carry experience and gravitas to cause some level of pause, it edges OC's toward favoring a rushing attack even more.

It's a bit crazy to think how very heavily this D will be relying upon Jones and Siliga (if Sopoaga has anything left in him, man is the time now to see him rotate in on 10 to 15 snaps). With the makeup of the LB group as of now, it appears there will be very little margin for error regarding the play of Jones and Siliga. Assuming something resembling the base D is the norm on first and many second downs (not a Denver like plan), the DTs holding every damn inch of their ground (so to speak) is beyond critical.

supafly said:

You may be right that they may attempt to be more balanced, but it's all in how we're going to be attempting to defend them, not how they're going to play us; which is why most feel that we'll be at least 2/3 in nickle formation, maybe in the low 60 percent at worst.

Remember that we stayed in nickle the entire time vs DEN's high powered attack, despite the fact that they were totally gouging us in the run game. It's not like we attempted to use Spikes, or adjust to their strength at the time. Belichick knew that he wanted to give up the run in order to help prevent the pass, which was how he took away DEN's strength. I would imagine that he'll be doing much of the same.

It may even have come into play with his decision to IR Brandon Spikes, as one would assume that if he could play on a lesser level the past couple/few weeks, he probably could've done it with 2 weeks rest and the bye. Of course no one will know for sure though.

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I'm not complaining about the outcome of the Denver game but that was some crazy stuff by BB and staff. Sure, I can see why he would do this against the, by far, best passing offense in the league when he had an interior DL that was manned with Jones/Vellano and LBs/Secondary that were injured/without certainty in what they could do. But on the face of it and without knowing what was going in the heads of BB and staff, it seems like this was a very serious gamble. One that he must have known had a very abundant amount of room to fail.

IMHO this scheme should be put behind glass which reads 'break in case of emergency'. I'd rather see this mostly young front 7, with minor adjustments as needed, given a chance to get it done (obviously as it applies to appropriate down/distance situations).

I still think our run defense should be solid. Hightower has been playing solid downhill and siligia has been great. If they want to attack us that way let them.

I actually think the colts are a great matchup for us. Whencyou look at teams that have booted us from the playoffs it is teams with a strong defense that could limit brady. If you can take away mathis brady will pick apart that defense. You can also run on them

Offensively they are more of a passing team. And if we have talib, dennard and mccourty healthy we should match up with them well

I mean alex smith torched them for 378 yards and 4tds...granted luck played a great game to come back, andy reids ineptitude to know how to manage the clock gave them the opportunity to come back.

Double TE said:

Versus the Bungles Hilton got past the CB and Safety...I am just saying our DBs are not slow. Far from it actually. Not ignoring anyone's post. Why are you so belligerent? Hmmm?

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He likes to split peas. Arguing about micro seconds over the course of 40 yards.

The Pats will play the usual bend dont break defense we have seen forever since BB has been NEs HC. Some Man, a lot of zone. Take away TY for the most part and force Luck to throw elsewhere. The Colts will have some success between the 20's, but redzone defense is where its at.

coolguy said:

I think the colts are going to run it more that everyone here thinks. What kind of team wouldn't attack a teams weakness and attacks the strength?

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There's a balance a team has to keep. Do you take the ball out of your best player's hands (Luck) just because the Patriots are now without their starting MLB? I'd think the Colts would just like to be more successful with their run game (i.e. higher YPC) and, in turn, help their passing game. The Colts passed the ball 58.7% of the time this year and I'd expect to see them around that mark on Saturday night, too.

Boston Globe Article - Enjoy this one..... - Colts Football - Indianapolis Colts Fan Forum

Oh look, the garbage, traitorous, hack, know nothing Shaughnessy is trying to incite the Colts and their fans. This dude is one steaming pile of garbage of a Boston Sports writer, who lacks knowledge of anything football.

I'm not providing a link to the crap piece, but it's essentially the same thing as the 2011 one about the Broncos game. (AFC sucks, Pats are lucky, Broncos are garbage, they have no chance, whahaha I'm Dan Shaughnessy)

Brady_to_Moss said:

Yup...rain is likely...heavier by night...but looks to be in the 40s...so not too cold

Wish it was snow...better get the ponchos out. Just ordered a new tailgating tent as well...will come in handy sat

JUST HOLD ON TO THE BALL..unlike the Buff game

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Not liking the possibility of rain. This team has played some sloppy, sloppy football this year in the rain. Luckily, the fumbles bounced their way in the Buffalo game, though.

patsinthesnow said:

Boston Globe Article - Enjoy this one..... - Colts Football - Indianapolis Colts Fan Forum

Oh look, the garbage, traitorous, hack, know nothing Shaughnessy is trying to incite the Colts and their fans. This dude is one steaming pile of garbage of a Boston Sports writer, who lacks knowledge of anything football.

I'm not providing a link to the crap piece, but it's essentially the same thing as the 2011 one about the Broncos game. (AFC sucks, Pats are lucky, Broncos are garbage, they have no chance, whahaha I'm Dan Shaughnessy)

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Thanks for the summary, though I would have been surprised if it was anything different than that. It's now at least the third time CHB has recycled this story; 2011 vs the Broncos, 2012 vs the Texans, and now once again vs the Colts.

Shank has his agenda perfected: if the Patriots win he holds this up to "prove" that he knows football and the Patriots; if the team doesn't win (or win convincingly) then he has an excuse to write about how awful and underachieving the team is, what a poor job Belichick has done assembling the team, how he's a terrible head coach, etc.

On the plus side, I think a slick field would help slow down Mathis.

KontradictioN said:

Not liking the possibility of rain. This team has played some sloppy, sloppy football this year in the rain. Luckily, the fumbles bounced their way in the Buffalo game, though.

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With 28 as the overnight temp, it could be the Sleet Bowl.

BradyManny said:

On the plus side, I think a slick field would help slow down Mathis.

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Maybe. The games he didn't have a sack in, 4 total, were all away and on grass. Obviously Gillette doesn't have grass but we've seen how rain can effect a team.

The Colts fans love us!!!! We are insufferable!