Looking at the Schedule.. it's all about the Run Defense..
 

Looking at the schedule today.. I noticed how many teams we are facing with strong running games and not so great passing games..

I think only Indy maybe Baltimore and Minny have potent passing games and in the latter two mentioned they are built run first..


It will be interesting how big of a role these multiple fronts play and utilizing Brace and Wilfork in the Middle..



Schedule
WEEK DAY DATE OPPONENT TIME TV RESULT
Week 1 Sun. 9/12/2010 vs. Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 PM ET CBS W 38-24
Week 2 Sun. 9/19/2010 @ New York Jets 4:15 PM ET CBS
Week 3 Sun. 9/26/2010 vs. Buffalo Bills 1:00 PM ET CBS
Week 4 Mon. 10/4/2010 @ Miami Dolphins 8:30 PM ET ESPN
Week 5 Bye Week
Week 6 Sun. 10/17/2010 vs. Baltimore Ravens 1:00 PM ET CBS
Week 7 Sun. 10/24/2010 @ San Diego Chargers 4:15 PM ET CBS
Week 8 Sun. 10/31/2010 vs. Minnesota Vikings 4:15 PM ET FOX
Week 9 Sun. 11/7/2010 @ Cleveland Browns 1:00 PM ET CBS
Week 10 Sun. 11/14/2010 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 8:20 PM ET NBC
Week 11 Sun. 11/21/2010 vs. Indianapolis Colts 4:15 PM ET CBS
Week 12 Thu. 11/25/2010 @ Detroit Lions 12:30 PM ET CBS
Week 13 Mon. 12/6/2010 vs. New York Jets 8:30 PM ET ESPN
Week 14 Sun. 12/12/2010 @ Chicago Bears 1:00 PM ET CBS
Week 15 Sun. 12/19/2010 vs. Green Bay Packers 8:20 PM ET NBC
Week 16 Sun. 12/26/2010 @ Buffalo Bills 1:00 PM ET CBS
Week 17 Sun. 1/2/2011 vs. Miami Dolphins 1:00 PM ET CBS

Re: Looking at the Schedule.. it's all about the Run Defense..
 

You don't consider the Chargers and Packers as potent passing teams?

Re: Looking at the Schedule.. it's all about the Run Defense..
 

Cedric Benson: 13 2009 regular season games
1,251 yards / 4.2 AVG

Cedric Benson: Playoff Game vs. Jets
169 yards / 8.0 AVG

Cedric Benson: vs Pats
43 Yards / 2.9 AVG

Re: Looking at the Schedule.. it's all about the Run Defense..
 

My bad.. yes those two.. but I do put them in the category of more of a balanced setup..

Re: Looking at the Schedule.. it's all about the Run Defense..
 

Chargers
Vikings
Steelers
Colts
Packers


That's 5 passing teams, and that's not counting Baltimore, since the Ravens are more of a balanced team.

Re: Looking at the Schedule.. it's all about the Run Defense..
 

I would consider Vikings balanced as well. Steelers without Ben are more run heavy.

Re: Looking at the Schedule.. it's all about the Run Defense..
 

Well, we may be getting a bit picky here about what each of us is looking at to call a passing attack 'potent', but the Vikings passed 55.8% of the time last season (for 4180 yards), while the Ravens passed 52% of the time (for 3419 yards). Also, Roethlisberger will be back by the time the Patriots and Steelers square off.

Re: Looking at the Schedule.. it's all about the Run Defense..
 

Ah, see I was referencing based on which teams have legitimate threats in both areas, where you were going with team tendencies.

Fair point on the Steelers.

Re: Looking at the Schedule.. it's all about the Run Defense..
 

Unfortunately, I think our run defense is ok put our pass defense for slants and soft middle passes are suspect. I wish teams will run on us more.

Re: Looking at the Schedule.. it's all about the Run Defense..
 

Isn't it always easy when the "perfesser" reveals the answers after the exam.

Belichick spent almost the entire off-season beefing up the Run Defense, while the fans bayed, "Where are the OLBs?"

He signed ex-First round draft pick and always vet starter Damione Lewis.
He signed ex-First round draft pick and always vet starter Gerard Warren.
He re-signed NT Vince Wilfork.
He resigned DE Ty Warren.
He "coached-up" second round draft pick Ron Brace.
He "coached-up" 6th round draft pick "Find" Mo Pryor.
He re-signed DE Mike Wright.
He kept DE Daryl Richard who had a sack before going on IR this spring.
He drafted Brandon Deadrick, who played his version of the DE 3-4.
He drafted NT Kade Weston, who is on IR.
He drafted a Big SILB, run-stuffing ILB, in Brandon Spinks.
He "coached-up" prize draftee, run-stuffing SS, Pat Chung.
He traded for run-stuffer SS Jarred Page.

Just how much more evidence do you need to know that Coach Belichick is a lot of steps ahead of us? :snob::cool::rocker: