A recent post by Reiss' quick-hit thoughts segment on ESPN raises some questions about overall defensive scheme:
I think I have a different take on this that Reiss. So despite having a healthy Vince in the middle taking up a lot of space, the Pats were terrible up the middle in 2014 defending the run. I don't think there is any way to sugar coat this, that's a bad run defense up the middle. Was this a product of an aging Vince being healthy but ineffective at this stage of his career? Was it simply the lack of talent next to him or was it the scheme? From that statistic it sure looks to me that the Patriots are playing a read and react defensive front, at least up the middle, with a heavy emphasis on maintaining gap integrity over aggressive up field play.
Another stat:
Did You Know, Part I: The Patriots allowed 2.7 yards before contact per rush inside the tackle last season, which ranked 25th in the NFL, according to ESPN's Stats & Information. That could be a tip-off that they'll be looking closely at some of the powerful run-stuffing defensive tackles in the draft, a group that includes Florida State's Eddie Goldman, who has become a mock draft favorite in recent weeks.
I think I have a different take on this that Reiss. So despite having a healthy Vince in the middle taking up a lot of space, the Pats were terrible up the middle in 2014 defending the run. I don't think there is any way to sugar coat this, that's a bad run defense up the middle. Was this a product of an aging Vince being healthy but ineffective at this stage of his career? Was it simply the lack of talent next to him or was it the scheme? From that statistic it sure looks to me that the Patriots are playing a read and react defensive front, at least up the middle, with a heavy emphasis on maintaining gap integrity over aggressive up field play.
Another stat:
This statistic seems to point to the scheme as the reason. Again the defensive scheme up front seems to be based on exercising a lot of patience over being aggressive up front. I tend to think the Patriots had the ability to run this scheme last year because they were so good at the back end. So is it scheme or talent? Are these stats an inevitable product of the scheme the patriots play?Did You Know, Part II: The Patriots stopped 77 rushes for no gain or negative yards, the third fewest of any team in the league last year, according to ESPN's Stats & Information. Only San Francisco (75) and Pittsburgh (72) ranked lower.