My Blueprint for the Defense

mayoclinic · Dec 19, 2014

Kenny Vaccaro, who was benched briefly in New Orleans, is back in a Star kind of hybrid role, similar to what he played so successfully last season:

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-orleans-saints/

That's really the kind of role and player that I see as being key for our defense as well. Jonathan Casillas, Pat Chung, Nate Ebner and Tavon Wilson can all play it to some extent, and it explains to a certain degree what BB may have been going after when he drafted Tavon Wilson in the 2nd round in 2012; but none is likely to be the ideal answer. Ebner has similar raw physical skills to Vacarro, but is just beginning to sow signs of figuring things out. Florida St. sophomore Jalen Ramsey looks like the idea Star prospect.

mayoclinic · Dec 19, 2014

Reiss notes that the Pats had 3 defenders in for tryouts today:

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-.../patriots-have-three-defenders-in-for-tryouts

He notes that these could well be with a mind for putting together a 90-man roster for 2015. Of the 3, Rufus Johnson is intriguing - a 6'5" 270# guy drafted in the 6th round in 2013 by New Orleans, out of Division II Tarleton St. Similar to Zach Moore in terms of physical attributes:

- Zach Moore (div II Concordia): 6' 5 4/8" 269#; 4.79 40, 1.67 10 split, 4.46 SS, 7.41 3C; 33.5" VJ, 10'3" BJ, 23 reps BP
- Rufus Johnson (div II Tarleton St.): 6' 5 2/8" 272#; 4.75 40, 1.62 10 split, 4.56 SS, 7.43 3C; 34.5" VJ, 10'2" BJ, 20 reps BP

Danny Kelly, writing for the Fieldgulls site, noted prior to the 2013 draft:

Johnson is a big 6'5 1/2", 266 pound defensive end out of Tarleton State (no idea) that ran a 4.75 40 at his pro day with a 1.62 second split. He has/had a private workout with the Hawks, so suffice to say he's on my radar as a possible UDFA or late-round draft pick. Johnson was the 2012 Lone Star Conference defensive lineman of the year after he racked up 10.0 sacks and an impressive 17.5 tackles for a loss.

Impressively, he also finished the 9-game season with 50 tackles, which tells me that he plays the run well too - something the Seahawks will certainly find attractive.

He's got a nice strong punch off the snap that he uses to get offensive tackles off balance, and he does a nice job of keeping his eyes in the backfield so he doesn't run himself out of plays or get out of position.

The way he moves on the field - and maybe this is way over reaching, but he reminds me a little bit of Chris Clemons. Just the way he snaps up as the ball is snapped and either rushes the passer like a bat out of hades or sees that it's a run and gets himself into a balanced stance - slightly reminiscent of Clemons, in my opinion.

http://www.fieldgulls.com/nfl-draft...awks-sleepers-de-rufus-johnson-tarleton-state

manxman2601 · Dec 19, 2014

mayoclinic said:
Reiss notes that the Pats had 3 defenders in for tryouts today:

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-.../patriots-have-three-defenders-in-for-tryouts

He notes that these could well be with a mind for putting together a 90-man roster for 2015. Of the 3, Rufus Johnson is intriguing - a 6'5" 270# guy drafted in the 6th round in 2013 by New Orleans, out of Division II Tarleton St. Similar to Zach Moore in terms of physical attributes:

- Zach Moore (div II Concordia): 6' 5 4/8" 269#; 4.79 40, 1.67 10 split, 4.46 SS, 8.41 3C; 33.5" VJ, 10'3" BJ, 23 reps BP
- Rufus Johnson (div II Tarleton St.): 6' 5 2/8" 272#; 4.75 40, 1.62 10 split, 4.56 SS, 7.43 3C; 34.5" VJ, 10'2" BJ, 20 reps BP

Danny Kelly, writing for the Fieldgulls site, noted prior to the 2013 draft:

http://www.fieldgulls.com/nfl-draft...awks-sleepers-de-rufus-johnson-tarleton-state

I knew Zach Moore had a bad 3-cone but 8.41, ouch!

mayoclinic · Dec 19, 2014

manxman2601 said:
I knew Zach Moore had a bad 3-cone but 8.41, ouch!

Fixed. Thanks.

I thought the physical comparison between Johnson and Moore was interesting, especially when we've been discussing 6'5" 270# guys like Corey Crawford and Preston Smith who may have the raw skill set to play similar kind of roles.

mayoclinic · Dec 19, 2014

mayoclinic said:
I thought the physical comparison between Johnson and Moore was interesting, especially when we've been discussing 6'5" 270# guys like Corey Crawford and Preston Smith who may have the raw skill set to play similar kind of roles.

USA Today followed 11 draft entries last year, and recorded some of their experiences about the draft process. Zach Moore was one of them, and he had this to say:

"I've heard many comparisons to a guy called Rufus Johnson, who came out of Division II a year or two back, that we have a similar body type. But I don't really compare myself to one person. I really have a unique style, a unique game plan that's all to myself."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2014/04/27/draft-diary-zach-moore/8325581/

The Seahawks worked out Johnson on November 25, FWIW.

manxman2601 · Dec 19, 2014

mayoclinic said:
Fixed. Thanks.

I thought the physical comparison between Johnson and Moore was interesting, especially when we've been discussing 6'5" 270# guys like Corey Crawford and Preston Smith who may have the raw skill set to play similar kind of roles.

It is interesting, I'm just not sure of the significance. As an aside, I'm really hoping for a Delvin Breaux signing.

Here's a fairly poor quality highlight video of Johnson.

mayoclinic · Dec 19, 2014

I'm not sure it's particularly significant, and didn't intend it as such. It's moderately interesting that Johnson is so physically similar to Zach Moore, had comparable division II productivity, and was taken around the same point in the draft a year earlier. It's mildly interesting that the Pats might be interested in such a guy as roster competition and as a possible developmental player, and that fact that they have some interest encourages my interest in guys like Corey Crawford and Preston Smith. I doubt this will amount to much (and he may not even be signed), but like Delvin Breaux it is somewhat intriguing. Each of these has a very small chance of success, but in the aggregate if 1 or 2 works out it would be a plus.

manxman2601 · Dec 19, 2014

mayoclinic said:
I'm not sure it's particularly significant, and didn't intend it as such. It's moderately interesting that Johnson is so physically similar to Zach Moore, had comparable division II productivity, and was taken around the same point in the draft a year earlier. It's mildly interesting that the Pats might be interested in such a guy as roster competition and as a possible developmental player, and that fact that they have some interest encourages my interest in guys like Corey Crawford and Preston Smith. I doubt this will amount to much (and he may not even be signed), but like Delvin Breaux it is somewhat intriguing. Each of these has a very small chance of success, but in the aggregate if 1 or 2 works out it would be a plus.

But why couldn't they have taken Terrence Fede and Armonty Bryant? I liked them.

I.M. Fletcher · Dec 20, 2014

I know its not terribly productive to get caught up in the "what ifs?" of the off-season, but I think one major one is does Wilfork call it a career if he can go out on top? There has been nothing written, no reason to expect it, but for a big guy with a ton of miles on him, that could create a big hole on D-line.

If that were the case, or if the dollars couldnt be worked out to bring him back, whats the thought process? Do Branch and Silega bring enough of his traits to the table? Do you target a Nose in the draft, or more bodies off the scrap pile? I guess this is why What Ifs are pointless...

mayoclinic · Dec 22, 2014

Reiss notes that the Pats played a 5-2 base about half the time against the Jets (26/53 defensive snaps), with Wilfork, Siliga and Branch all inside.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...4774808/patriots-defensive-snaps-change-at-de

Again, this was something discussed extensively earlier in this thread. Reiss also notes that they used a "big nickel" sub package much of the time they were in sub, which makes sense against the Jets' run-heavy offense. I could see them using this kind of combination against Seattle if the two teams happen to meet in the SB.

I would have liked to see more Akeem Ayers and lower snap counts for Jones and Ninkovich.

patsfaninpa · Dec 22, 2014

Chung gave up a TD yesterday. I'm thinking I'd like to see more of Harmon. Can you see Harmon or Logan Ryan starting at safety next year?

mayoclinic · Dec 22, 2014

patsfaninpa said:
Chung gave up a TD yesterday. I'm thinking I'd like to see more of Harmon. Can you see Harmon or Logan Ryan starting at safety next year?

Reiss noted in his snap count piece:

We wouldn't be surprised to see Chung show up on the injury report this week, as this wasn't his best game and he looked hobbled at times.

I'd like to wait a bit before judging Chung too harshly on this one. He's exceeded my expectations by so much this season.

patsfaninpa · Dec 22, 2014

mayoclinic said:
Reiss noted in his snap count piece:

I'd like to wait a bit before judging Chung too harshly on this one. He's exceeded my expectations by so much this season.

He bit on the play action. Not blaming that on an injury. Got beat deep at GB too. He's exceeded expectations for sure. But, if you can get a more athletic player on defense. Would think it helps coverage. More and more te's are mainly receivers. Might be better to have a former cb like Ryan on them instead of Chung.

captain stone · Dec 22, 2014

luuked said:
Maybe you should become a professional coach.. seems like you have the winning recipe figured out..

1.) Rush the QB
2.) Cover receivers
3.) ???
4.) Profit

Right ?

If you feel the need to be snarky, then take it up with Greg Cosell, who wrote in essence the exact same thing, m'kay?

dliverey · Dec 23, 2014

I understand that I am not a professional coach and do not hold a candle to BB, but I am frustrated that we do not run a more attacking defense. I hate the contain mobile QB's and limit the run by neglecting pass rush by using primarily the bigs on the DL. In the Jets game I was hoping that we would be able to see more Ayers. It may be a pipe dream but I want to see Ayers and Jones at DE and let Nink be rotational. Let the DL pin their ears and go get the QB.
Sorry just my frustrated rant

luuked · Dec 23, 2014

captain stone said:
If you feel the need to be snarky, then take it up with Greg Cosell, who wrote in essence the exact same thing, m'kay?

Sorry if it was too snarky but I thought you (and Greg Cosell) downplay the complexities of playing defense quite a bit. On paper it might be true that you only need to cover the receivers and rush the passer but it is so much more difficult to get there than you make it sound.

luuked · Dec 23, 2014

After reading through the Wilfork cap hit thread in the main board I once again end up wondering what we should do there. If we are prepared to allocate that amount of money to a DT we might as well try to get into the Terrence Knighton sweepstakes. That would at least be a more long term solution.

Apart from Knighton I am not sure who else might be there who could be considered.. Odrick ? But then again will we save that much money compared to Wilfork's contract ? How much money is leadership worth ?

I am getting more and more the feeling that this needs to be addressed via the draft.

mayoclinic · Dec 23, 2014

luuked said:
After reading through the Wilfork cap hit thread in the main board I once again end up wondering what we should do there. If we are prepared to allocate that amount of money to a DT we might as well try to get into the Terrence Knighton sweepstakes. That would at least be a more long term solution.

Apart from Knighton I am not sure who else might be there who could be considered.. Odrick ? But then again will we save that much money compared to Wilfork's contract ? How much money is leadership worth ?

I am getting more and more the feeling that this needs to be addressed via the draft.

If the Pats can restructure Mayo and extend Revis, they should have more than enough money to re-sign the rest of the defense. I might be tempted to keep Wilfork as insurance. If an impact DT like Eddie Goldman is available in the draft then I'd probably go that route, and then consider whether or not to cut Wilfork. His legacy and leadership make it a difficult decision. His play is good, but not $9M good.

luuked · Dec 23, 2014

mayoclinic said:
If an impact DT like Eddie Goldman is available in the draft then I'd probably go that route, and then consider whether or not to cut Wilfork

With the draft being so late relative to when the new league year/FA starts is that even an option ? I guess I have to check with Miguel..

mayoclinic · Dec 23, 2014

luuked said:
With the draft being so late relative to when the new league year/FA starts is that even an option ? I guess I have to check with Miguel..

You're right. He's due a $4M roster bonus on March 10, so the Pats would have to make a decision by then which way to go.

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