The Defense Looked Really Good

TommyBrady12 said:

the run defense is always an issue without Mayo. not to mention hightower.

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I'm interested in seeing how Brown and Easley play on the line, especially with Hightower playing.

One more thing that deserves mention if it has not been brought up yet was the outstanding play on the goal-line by Collins where he blasted the guard on his rear end and took down Lacy for little or no gain.

If he routinely makes plays like this throughout the year, then perhaps it is possible he will be nipping at Kuechly's heels for best linebacker in the game.

sevengables_2207 said:

One more thing that deserves mention if it has not been brought up yet was the outstanding play on the goal-line by Collins where he knocked the guard on his rear end and took down Lacy.

If he routinely makes plays like this throughout the year, then perhaps it is possible he will be nipping at Kuechly's heels for best linebacker in the game.

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Excellent point. Collins football IQ is through the roof.

Do you guys think Morris will step up and improve or do we need someone else to take his role? What is the injury status on Dane Fletcher? I think he's an upgrade over Morris anyway. Freeny looked good so far. At least Sheard, Ninko, and Grissom can play linebacker if needed.

50-yard-line said:

Note the word "depth."

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Note the word "Preseason"

The defense will be better than last year, and the best in years with so many rushers and disruptive players, and this is all we need, I'd rather have a top DL with a weak secondary than the other way around. Creating panic in the pocket and taking QBs out of their confort zone makes it easier for the corners to break passes.

QB's were having a field day in the pocket for years against us, now they're gonna eat grass.

varjao said:

The defense will be better than last year, and the best in years with so many rushers and disruptive players, and this is all we need, I'd rather have a top DL with a weak secondary than the other way around. Creating panic in the pocket and taking QBs out of their confort zone makes it easier for the corners to break passes.

QB's were having a field day in the pocket for years against us, now they're gonna eat grass.

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The one underrated aspect of our defense is that we have LBs that can cover better than anyone in the league.

SalemPats said:

The one underrated aspect of our defense is that we have LBs that can cover better than anyone in the league.

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Which is quite a difference from just a couple years ago, when the back 7 routinely employed the "Cover Nobody" defense.

I didn't see what you guys saw in Freeney. If you like LBs who allow TEs to make catches, then he's the guy I guess. Morris was awful.

Our edge rushers were the highlight for me.

Chandler and Sheard looked great.

Flowers and Rufus looked good too.

Our interior DL didn't get much push from what I saw. Only when the edge rushers stunted did pressure come from the inside.

Our CBs was okay. Roberts was pretty tight. Ryan looked awful on some plays.

TommyD4207 said:

Which is quite a difference from just a couple years ago, when the back 7 routinely employed the "Cover Nobody" defense.

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That's unfair. Some of those receivers were clearly covered by "hole in zone." He just needs to do his job better.

condon84 said:

I didn't see what you guys saw in Freeney. If you like LBs who allow TEs to make catches, then he's the guy I guess. Morris was awful.

Our edge rushers were the highlight for me.

Chandler and Sheard looked great.

Flowers and Rufus looked good too.

Our interior DL didn't get much push from what I saw. Only when the edge rushers stunted did pressure come from the inside.

Our CBs was okay. Roberts was pretty tight. Ryan looked awful on some plays.

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Freeny was pretty decent. He was good at pilejumping, which is why a lot of people, I imagine, noticed him.

He was ok. He's not going to be starting anytime soon, but he's fine for a depth guy.

makoute said:

Did they decide to part way with him, or his price was just too much to handle?

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Yes and yes

I know its preseason but i like what i saw vs. rodgers. Yes he drove the ball but nothing seemed easy a la the last meeting, and of course the stops when it mattered. Pass rush looked nice as expected and the secondary held up nice imo. butler obviously should be fine. The 2nd ocb is still not as certain but i have faith in roberts/fletcher, and cant wait to see brown. Mcclain in the slot, and ryan unfortunately showed why i have little faith in him but still hope im wrong.

Marqui said:

Sad my binky Roberts got hurt. I was so happy when I found out he was starting. They're going to need him to have a good defense this year.

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I don't think that the team will "need" Roberts to have a good defense. We had a fine defense last night. IMHO, the defense would have been BETTER, not worse, if Brown had played (as well as Mayo and Hightower and Siliga).

So, yes I like Roberts. I expect him to be on the 53. But he is NOT "needed" to have a good defense.

RayClay said:

Potential for what? Lots of guys can run fast.

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Potential for running fast for one thing. That's quite important for a WR (it's why they have a combine). He's also very good at running with the ball in hand.

mgteich said:

The defense looked really good against a top offense
LOOKING GOOD: Johnson, Freeney, Butler, Roberts, Fletcher, McClain


1) There was pass pressure. Flowers will be good.
2) The run defense had a few problems. Branch wasn't there. I think Siliga was also out.
3) The LB's were fine. Freeney looked great. Morris, not so much.
4) The DB's were pretty good (except for Ryan). Even McClain, Wilson and Roberts looked OK.

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My thesis is that the sport writers saw Revis leave and then said the World was ending. Belichick has been rebuilding this Defense since 2009 and its now showing. The Safeties are now competent and fine; and the CBs from 1-5 are all able including Logan Ryan. He looked bad on one play and the Safety was late helping out too.

Did you note how much Geneo Grissom was playing OLB? Flowers looks good as a strongside DE and Sheard is going to be good as a relief/platoon for Chandler at RE. This Defense is now deep and talented to the very end of the roster.

The next couple of Drafts need to be addressed to adding some more quality to the Offense so it doesn't take a Brady at his finest to make it go.

I thought that Polo looked good for a sophomore from a low rated football program. He had POISE even when Belichick engineered to give purposely him a ridiculous O-line and getting max pressure. Why are people criticising Polo for throwing long at Boyce when it was the OC calling the plays, and perhaps forcing the slow developing plays and increased pressure.

They wanted to measure these Offensive linemen while good Packers were playing.

AzPatsFan said:

My thesis is that the sport writers saw Revis leave and then said the World was ending. Belichick has been rebuilding this Defense since 2009 and its now showing. The Safeties are now competent and fine; and the CBs from 1-5 are all able including Logan Ryan. He looked bad on one play and the Safety was late helping out too.

Did you note how much Geneo Grissom was playing OLB? Flowers looks good as a strongside DE and Sheard is going to be good as a relief/platoon for Chandler at RE. This Defense is now deep and talented to the very end of the roster.

The next couple of Drafts need to be addressed to adding some more quality to the Offense so it doesn't take a Brady at his finest to make it go.

I thought that Polo looked good for a sophomore from a low rated football program. He had POISE even when Belichick engineered to give purposely him a ridiculous O-line and getting max pressure. Why are people criticising Polo for throwing long at Boyce when it was the OC calling the plays, and perhaps forcing the slow developing plays and increased pressure.

They wanted to measure these Offensive linemen while good Packers were playing.

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I would say that our corners from 1-6 are all able. Brown is at least as good as the #5 CB that played last night. Of course, Brown is a likely starter.

I think that Rufus Johnson is making his case for the 53 for sure. Really surprised me.

manxman2601 said:

Potential for running fast for one thing. That's quite important for a WR (it's why they have a combine). He's also very good at running with the ball in hand.

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That's ability, not potential. Lots of guys have that ability and some become NFL players.

My point is, he hasn't demonstrated the other things I hoped he would, at least in my opinion. Jerry Rice ran a 4.59. Of course he would have been even better with speed, but he played fast.

RayClay said:

That's ability, not potential. Lots of guys have that ability and some become NFL players.

My point is, he hasn't demonstrated the other things I hoped he would, at least in my opinion. Jerry Rice ran a 4.59. Of course he would have been even better with speed, but he played fast.

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So your saying Boyce just needs to use stickum since it worked wonders for Rice.
Boyce has too much class for that.