Reiss said the similiar thing about him two gapping (although Reiss isn't the best analyst in the world):
1. The way the Patriots employed Chandler Jones as a 3-4 defensive end makes one wonder if it best maximizes his assets. Jones’ length and pass-rushing skills generally fit best as an end-of-the-line player -- 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker -- yet he was mostly playing 3-4 defensive end in the team’s base package. Knowshon Moreno’s 15-yard run (8:37 remaining) was a good example of how Jones isn’t best suited for the responsibility. On the play, outside linebacker
Dont’a Hightower set a nice edge to force the run back inside,
but Jones was turned and couldn’t control his gap responsibilities to create the opening for Moreno to surge through. Jones later made a nice play against the run (5:10 remaining), but the feeling from here is that it’s sort of a waste to play him there, almost like moving
Darrelle Revis to safety or
Jerod Mayo to 3-4 outside linebacker. For a coaching staff that generally gets the most out of its players, and maximizes their skills, this was one thing that was a bit puzzling in the opener (especially given the extensive time to prepare for the game).
