Is this defense a top 10 defense (hint: YES)

RobertWeathers · Dec 15, 2015

KontradictioN said:
To be fair to the 2014 version, they did face a tougher slew of opposing QB's and aerial attacks. Not denigrating the 2015 squad. I love how they punish the opposing quarterback. I'm just saying that context is important when comparing the two.

Excellent point. They did face better QBs in 2014.

slam · Dec 15, 2015

If Hicks leaves we'd get a comp pick out of it, right?

SalemPats · Dec 15, 2015

The D-Line has been amazing, something a lot of us are pleasantly surprised. Sheard was a beast against the Texans

Off The Grid · Dec 15, 2015

PatsFan2 said:
Well the 80% grovelling wasn't misplaced Hicks is really good the total package when he plays.

That doesn't mean what you think it does.

JMC00 · Dec 20, 2015

Updated thru the SNF game

Points #6
Yards #6
Pass Yards #8
Rush Yards #10
Yards Per Play #4
3rd down #10
Sacks #1
Average Per Pass Att #8
Passer Rating Against #9
Passing TD Allowed #9
Comp. Percentage Allowed #8
Rush Yards Per Att. #11
Rushing TD Allowed #9

meatface · Dec 21, 2015

JMC00 said:
Updated thru the SNF game

Points #6
Yards #6
Pass Yards #8
Rush Yards #10
Yards Per Play #4
3rd down #10
Sacks #1
Average Per Pass Att #8
Passer Rating Against #9
Passing TD Allowed #9
Comp. Percentage Allowed #8
Rush Yards Per Att. #11
Rushing TD Allowed #9

it's pretty awesome that they are #1 in Sacks, any info on how they rank in total pressure?

supafly · Dec 21, 2015

slam said:
If Hicks leaves we'd get a comp pick out of it, right?

I don't know, but even if they took him into account in regards to the formula, I doubt he's bringing in anything more than a 7th round pick though. That said, we know those late round picks can be valuable for various reasons such as moving up with your own picks and/or taking a flier.

supafly · Dec 21, 2015

JMC00 said:
Updated thru the SNF game

Points #6
Yards #6
Pass Yards #8
Rush Yards #10
Yards Per Play #4
3rd down #10
Sacks #1
Average Per Pass Att #8
Passer Rating Against #9
Passing TD Allowed #9
Comp. Percentage Allowed #8
Rush Yards Per Att. #11
Rushing TD Allowed #9

This unit has overachieved and grown all season long, and it's been great to witness. If they can get some pressure on QBs in the postseason, I think we have a fine chance.

Rhodey · Dec 21, 2015

JMC00 said:
Points Allowed #8
Total Yards Per Game Allowed #6
Passing Yards Per Game Allowed #7
Rushing Yards Per Game Allowed #10
Sacks #2
3rd down percentage #11
Passer Rating Against #9
TD Passes Allowed #8
Yards Per Attempt Allowed #6

Our defense is good enough to score TD's and win games. They've positioned themselves to the point where they know that if they have a great game, they will shut down. And all it takes is for that to happen in the last game. We'll see...

JackBauer · Dec 21, 2015

slam said:
If Hicks leaves we'd get a comp pick out of it, right?

With each passing game, it appears less likely we'll want to let him walk out that door.

That said, there's a limited pot of money and a bunch of guys who deserve quite a bit of it. It'll be interesting to see how it shakes out.

EMpats · Dec 21, 2015

JMC00 said:
Updated thru the SNF game

Points #6
Yards #6
Pass Yards #8
Rush Yards #10
Yards Per Play #4
3rd down #10
Sacks #1
Average Per Pass Att #8
Passer Rating Against #9
Passing TD Allowed #9
Comp. Percentage Allowed #8
Rush Yards Per Att. #11
Rushing TD Allowed #9

These numbers are impressive, and they are even more impressive when you consider that the points per game includes the 4 non-defensive touchdowns the Patriots have given up this year, which is more than all of the 5 teams ahead of them on the list. If you take those out for all teams, they move into the top 2-3.

Joey007 · Dec 21, 2015

Is this the most sacks a BB Patriots defense has ever had? I think it just might be or at least close to being it.

TB_Helmet · Dec 21, 2015

Joey007 said:
Is this the most sacks a BB Patriots defense has ever had? I think it just might be or at least close to being it.

It's pretty nuts that the Pats are leading the league in sacks. Definitely not getting any attention for it (and I'm fine with that, it helps us sneak upon people).

It's hilarious how much the offseason focus in the AFC East was to build a strong front 4 to stop Brady, but in the end the Patriots are the ones leading the league in sacks.

JMC00 · Dec 21, 2015

TB_Helmet said:
Definitely not getting any attention for it (and I'm fine with that, it helps us sneak upon people).

Only national media guy I've seen talk about it is Howie Long. Said yesterday it isn't getting the respect that it deserves.

I.M. Fletcher · Dec 21, 2015

meatface said:
it's pretty awesome that they are #1 in Sacks, any info on how they rank in total pressure?

Going in to yesterday, we were ranked third behind Denver and Tennessee coincidentally.

patchick · Dec 21, 2015

Here's what amazes me most: assuming health, and given the strong seasons Butler, Ryan and Chung have had, where are the weak points on this defense? What kinds of formations are they ill-equipped to match up with? And who are you yearning to upgrade among this 15-man core group?

DT: Branch, Brown, Hicks
DE: Jones, Ninkovich, Sheard
LB: Collins, Hightower, Mayo
S: McCourty, Chung, Harmon
CB: Butler, Ryan, Johnson

They're not all elite units, but the sheer completeness and versatility of that roster is pretty imposing.

WaterfallJumper · Dec 21, 2015

patchick said:
Here's what amazes me most: assuming health, and given the strong seasons Butler, Ryan and Chung have had, where are the weak points on this defense? What kinds of formations are they ill-equipped to match up with? And who are you yearning to upgrade among this 15-man core group?

DT: Branch, Brown, Hicks
DE: Jones, Ninkovich, Sheard
LB: Collins, Hightower, Mayo
S: McCourty, Chung, Harmon
CB: Butler, Ryan, Johnson

They're not all elite units, but the sheer completeness and versatility of that roster is pretty imposing.

Branch and Nink are 30+ now. The rest of the core is very young and still ascending, but we should probably look to cultivate replacements through the draft. Depending on how Grissom and Flowers develop next year, we may not have a ton of need at DE, but if Jones ends up leaving in FA, then we need to bring in several players to vie for depth. Nonetheless, your point stands: It's as deep an overall unit as you'll find in the league.

patchick · Dec 21, 2015

reamer said:
Branch and Nink are 30+ now. The rest of the core is very young and still ascending, but we should probably look to cultivate replacements through the draft. Depending on how Grissom and Flowers develop next year, we may not have a ton of need at DE, but if Jones ends up leaving in FA, then we need to bring in several players to vie for depth. Nonetheless, your point stands: It's as deep an overall unit as you'll find in the league.

Absolutely -- I'm only talking about the roster we're expecting for this year's playoff run. Next year will take its own shape, doubtless with new surprises.

supafly · Dec 22, 2015

reamer said:
Branch and Nink are 30+ now. The rest of the core is very young and still ascending, but we should probably look to cultivate replacements through the draft. Depending on how Grissom and Flowers develop next year, we may not have a ton of need at DE, but if Jones ends up leaving in FA, then we need to bring in several players to vie for depth. Nonetheless, your point stands: It's as deep an overall unit as you'll find in the league.

Just to clarify, Chandler Jones is under contract through next season as well, so like you suggest--we'll assess that situation in spring of 2017. Hopefully one/both of Grissom or Flowers develops, and they may even re-up Jabaal Sheard after next season as well. I'm guessing that Ninkovich will be gone after next season, but we'll see.

We also have Siliga as a DT, who didn't make Patchick's "top 3" at each position. Ditto for Easley at DT, in regards to next year.

supafly · Dec 22, 2015

Joey007 said:
Is this the most sacks a BB Patriots defense has ever had? I think it just might be or at least close to being it.

I believe that it is.

In 2013, they had the same amount as they do now (47), so I believe that's the closest it's been to this year's.

Is this defense a top 10 defense (hint: YES)

Member of the Seattle 7 & Roadie for Metallica

In the Starting Line-Up

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal

Pro Bowl Player

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Eff you, Shula

Eff you, Shula

Third String But Playing on Special Teams

Hall of Fame Poster

On the Game Day Roster

Pro Bowl Player

In the Starting Line-Up

Pro Bowl Player

2nd Team Getting Their First Start

Moderatrix

Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal

Moderatrix

Eff you, Shula

Eff you, Shula

Similar threads