My Blueprint for the Defense

IllegalContact · Mar 10, 2015

mayoclinic said:
For the past week, I've been thinking a lot about this thought from Brother Pa:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/threads/top-10-dts-in-the-draft.1117034/ (post #4)

BB has started to assemble a group of "interchangeable" elements at EDGE and LB. Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower, Rob Ninkovich, Jamie Collins, Akeem Ayers. All can play in space and come off the edge, and all but Jones can play ILB to some extent as well. That gives BB tremendous versatility to mix and match guys and move them around pre- and post- snap. Mike Reiss referred to this as the "interchangeable defense" against Denver:

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england...71510/interchangeable-defense-sparks-patriots

What if, instead of a big fatty in the middle, the Pats had a bunch of uber-athletic, versatile, interchangeable moving parts on the DL? Dominique Easley already falls into this class - a versatile guy who can play anywhere from the 0/1 to the 9 technique. What if, instead of spending a high pick on a wide body run stopper, the Pats invested in day 2 versatile athletic guys who could be moved around and interchanged?

2 guys in particular come to mind:

1. Marcus Hardison, Arizona St. 6' 3 1/8" 311#. Manx has been touting him for months. Highly athletic former QB and JUCO transfer, who had a breakout season this year with 15 TFL and 10 sacks. Reportedly has 4.7 speed, and shows great explosiveness coming around the edge. Played mostly outside as a DE in Arizona St.'s complex attacking defense, but has also played inside, including at the nose. Needs to develop his combat tactics to play inside, but has ridiculous versatility and upside. The following is a nice read:

http://www.footballinsiders.com/marcus-hardisons-versatility-makes-him-a-valuable-commodity/

2. Mario Edwards, Florida St. 6' 3", played anywhere from 294-320# this season. Like Hardison, played mostly outside at end, but may project best inside at the Pros. Jimbo Fisher notes that he can play anywhere from the 9 tech to the nose:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000376929/article/fsus-jimbo-fisher-praises-de-mario-edwards

In a 5-2 base the Pats could have all 3 guys inside, paired with 4 EDGE guys. In sub you would take 1 out and replace him with a DB. In both cases there would be lots of potential to move guys around and create mismatches. All 3 can rush from the outside as well as inside. None are prototypical 2-gap players or run pluggers, but the gain in versatility and pressure would offset that to some extent. Dominique Easley showed nice development this year in terms of his gap control and edge setting ability, so I think that there's a good chance the Pats could coach these guys up. In situations where a premium run-stuffer was needed, the Pats could substitute in someone like Siliga or Branch.

It would take something of an adjustment, and is undoubtedly a bit of a long shot, but it would be a very interesting defense.

So you're talking a 1 gap 3-4

IllegalContact · Mar 10, 2015

With Revis gone, Browner is not as important since there will be much more zone

Hammer of Thor · Mar 10, 2015

IllegalContact said:
With Revis gone, Browner is not as important since there will be much more zone

If that's the case, is a possible solution to the CB issue moving McCourty back to CB and having Harmon play free safety? McCourty played very well as a zone CB, and Harmon is certainly an improvement on Sergio Brown / James Ihegibo at FS. Ryan and Butler at the other CB spot, where again it would play to Ryan's strengths. Biggest problem here is that Chung would need to be in deeper coverage more.

Not ideal, just trying to think outside the box for solutions to the unfortunate developments of the last 36 hours.

mayoclinic · Mar 10, 2015

IllegalContact said:
So you're talking a 1 gap 3-4

Not necessarily. I expect to be in sub most of the time, with a 4-2 or 2-4 front, depending on how you deploy the edge players. But in base, a 5-2 or 3-4 would be a prominent part of a multi-front hybrid defense.

As of right now, all my thoughts about the defense are limbo. Not a good day.

Off The Grid · Mar 11, 2015

mayoclinic said:
My blueprint right now involves jumping off the Tobin, but I'll wait a bit before executing it.

unoriginal said:
Remember to jump out, not up, and to flatten out and lean forward during the fall.

You can get pretty good distance with the right technique.

But just remember: Big Splashes during Free Agency rarely translate to Championships.

ATippett56 · Mar 11, 2015

The New Blueprint for the Defense

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-.../lb-chris-white-agrees-to-terms-with-patriots

Starts with re-signing five year veteran linebacker Chris White.

Off The Grid · Mar 11, 2015

unoriginal said:
It's not like our defense this year was some Juggernaut.

For The Win!!

01 ~ Our best Defense since 2003 ~ 2005? Possibly.
02 ~ One of the League's best? Absolutely.
03 ~ But on a par with that 2003 ~ 2005 Defense?

Not even close.

Our Defense was good, not great.

04 ~ You could still run on us, most of the time.

05 ~ And our Pass Rush is still mediocre.

Good Health was all it took to put this well-rounded Team Over The Top again, at long, long last.

06 ~ Our Defense equally contributed to this Championship, but it certainly didn't carry the Team.

07 ~ Having Gronkowski and others at 100% at the end for the first time ever made all the difference.

HawaiianPatsfan · Mar 11, 2015

mayoclinic said:
Not necessarily. I expect to be in sub most of the time, with a 4-2 or 2-4 front, depending on how you deploy the edge players. But in base, a 5-2 or 3-4 would be a prominent part of a multi-front hybrid defense.

As of right now, all my thoughts about the defense are limbo. Not a good day.

seriously! I wouldn't be half as mad if they would've handled things differently. Now we have all this cap space, with no quality players left to use it on. In my opinion, they blew it big time today.

unoriginal · Mar 11, 2015

HawaiianPatsfan said:
seriously! I wouldn't be half as mad if they would've handled things differently. Now we have all this cap space, with no quality players left to use it on. In my opinion, they blew it big time today.

~$14 million before draft picks (~$5 million) isn't a lot of cap space, especially since the Pats like to have at least ~$5 million free for in-season roster moves.

Gabriel_p94 · Mar 11, 2015

I'm hoping BB looks for players who can get after the qb. If we can limit how long opposing qbs can sit in the pocket then I think it can lessen not having an elite cb.

BobDigital · Mar 11, 2015

My blue print for the D.

#1 Sign Knighton - DT
#2 Sign Jamaal Sheard - DE/OLB
#3 Sign 2 vet CB - Cromartie maybe and someone else.

That is about the best you can make your D right now.

Focus on improving your Offense after and hope you hit in the draft. Easley now needs a huge year as our only chance is to be a pass rush force.

HawaiianPatsfan · Mar 11, 2015

BobDigital said:
My blue print for the D.

#1 Sign Knighton - DT
#2 Sign Jamaal Sheard - DE/OLB
#3 Sign 2 vet CB - Cromartie maybe and someone else.

That is about the best you can make your D right now.

Focus on improving your Offense after and hope you hit in the draft. Easley now needs a huge year as our only chance is to be a pass rush force.

Cromartie & Browner would've been serviceable. But noo, they let browner go

Marqui · Mar 11, 2015

My blueprint for the D in 2o15:

Close my eyes and cover my ears on 3rd and long.

Coach42 · Mar 11, 2015

Well, that sucked. Looks like we're going to have to get creative and their is no brain trust in the NFL better at getting creative and playing to their strengths the BB and Co. I'm looking forward to the response.

luuked · Mar 11, 2015

HawaiianPatsfan said:
Cromartie & Browner would've been serviceable. But noo, they let browner go

With the scheme that we were running I am not sure if serviceable would cut it. If an opposing QB can smell blood (i.e. can throw on the supposed CB1), the entire concept might fall apart since it has a ripple effect on the FS. Get him to hesitate or thinking that he needs to help out both CBs and you have a recipe for a disaster.

manxman2601 · Mar 11, 2015

I'm actually not unduly concerned. We have the bodies to play a decent cover two. If we can get Jason McCourty or someone similar, they can play one side and then Dennard and Malcolm Butler can battle it out for no2. I actually really like both as cover two corners (have always thought it was Dennard's best fit). That leaves Arrington/Ryan in the slot with Ryan also playing safety along with Harmon, McCourty and Chung. Add some pass rush (Sheard and Hardison) and a better offense and I don't think the drop off is too huge.

luuked · Mar 11, 2015

manxman2601 said:
If we can get Jason McCourty or someone similar, they can play one side and then Dennard and Malcolm Butler can battle it out for no2.

I think this is arguably the most problematic thing. It seems like no matter what we still need to get at least one above average corner but there is not much left in FA which would point to a trade. However, we would not be the side with leverage in any trade scenario which makes me doubt that BB will actually be ok with that.

HawaiianPatsfan · Mar 11, 2015

luuked said:
With the scheme that we were running I am not sure if serviceable would cut it. If an opposing QB can smell blood (i.e. can throw on the supposed CB1), the entire concept might fall apart since it has a ripple effect on the FS. Get him to hesitate or thinking that he needs to help out both CBs and you have a recipe for a disaster.

Tell that to Earl thomas! Because the only reason Sherman is considered elite is because of ET. I can't explain how many times Thomas has been there to save the day. He successfully covers both ends of the field. Trust me, he doesn't let Sherman sit out by himself, and trust him to be perfect. We just paid DMAC, time for him to step up

manxman2601 · Mar 11, 2015

There will be corners cut in the coming days or weeks and we can always take one in the draft. We could even shift Devin back to corner if needed and go with Ryan/Harmon/Chung as cover-2 safeties. The rebuilding TitNs have to pay Jason McCourty over 27m over the next three years. I'm sure BB can find a way to make a deal happen if he wanted.

luuked · Mar 11, 2015

HawaiianPatsfan said:
Tell that to Earl thomas! Because the only reason Sherman is considered elite is because of ET. I can't explain how many times Thomas has been there to save the day. He successfully covers both ends of the field. Trust me, he doesn't let Sherman sit out by himself, and trust him to be perfect. We just paid DMAC, time for him to step up

I agree that Sherman is a bit overrated but even without Thomas he still is a good/great cornerback and certainly better than Cromartie. Anyway, I will wait for 1-2 weeks to see the final FA product before passing judgement. I have no idea where we are going but I am very confident that there is a plan B to keep us competitive.

My Blueprint for the Defense

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