Felger: At least the running backs were good

[SVN]

WEEI 850AM Sports Radio - Patriots Report Card: At Least the Running Backs Were Good

offers his report card in a somewhat funny way ..some interesting pts according to him

Did you all hear Richard Seymour on Dale and Holley Monday? Seems there is some unhappiness in Happyland. Big Richard did not take well to being left out of the Pats' third-down packages to start the game, a topic he didn't even wait to be asked about in the interview before offering his commentary. The conversation didn't delve too deeply into motivation, so we don't know everything behind the story. Let's just say this: If Seymour, who is coming up on a contract year in 2009, was a bit paranoid over how he was being used and whether his stat line was being controlled by the coaches, he wouldn't be the first player to feel that way out in Foxboro. Seymour leads the team in sacks (7.5) and quarterback hits (16), so you'd figure the Pats would want him on the field in every single passing situation. Then again, Seymour has had durability problems since signing his big extension in 2005 and has been on the injury report recently with a knee problem, so the Pats certainly have a track record to point to if they want to protect their oft-injured defensive end. Stay tuned.

this is interesting.i didnt hear what seymour had to say today.

It got lost in the final score and the second-half Pittsburgh deluge, but the Pats defensive coaches tried to play more aggressively in this one. It felt like they sent more pressure from their linebackers and defensive backs than they have in any game recently, and they actually got some positive results from it. They got a third-down stop on the Steelers’ second possession when they sent both Lewis Sanders and Meriweather around the edge to force Roethlisberger in to a bad throw. And the lone time the Pats got to Roethlisberger for a sack it was because of a corner blitz from Hobbs. Mayo and Bruschi also came on inside blitzes and created pressure. I know it sounds silly to say after a game in which you get just one sack, but it was actually a step in the right direction as far as applying pressure went

Meanwhile, you’ve got to feel bad for Dan Koppen. He was just minding his own business on the opening drive of the third quarter when Casey Hampton was called for defensive holding, which incensed the former Pro Bowl nose tackle. Two plays later, Hampton demolished Koppen on the way to Cassel for a sack, his only one of the year so far and his first full sack since 2003.

koppen and mankins have done this quite a bit this yr. they gave one up to kris jenkins too in the jets game

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Re: Felger:At least the running backs were good

I hadnt heard anything about the Seymour comment.

 

[chrisfx811]

Re: Felger:At least the running backs were good

Sad that this defense could only get 1 sack against the Steelers.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Interesting stuff about Big Sey, thanks for posting it

Felger makes a couple of other observations:

He called O'Neal another Duane Starks

He says coaching didn't adapt to give Matt Light some help against Harrison:

"The coaches didn't see fit to give Matt Light help against Harrison in the third quarter, and Harrison made them pay for it with a pair of strip sacks.The Steelers' first sack was credited to James Farrior and Aaron Smith, but it was caused by Harrison, who beat Logan Mankins around the outside to force Cassel up in the pocket. Mankins and Light then allowed Polamalu a clean lane on a second-quarter blitz, as the safety throttled Cassel just as he was releasing the ball for an incomplete."

 

[ALP]

Interesting stuff about Big Sey, thanks for posting it

Felger makes a couple of other observations:

He called O'Neal another Duane Starks

He says coaching didn't adapt to give Matt Light some help against Harrison:

"The coaches didn't see fit to give Matt Light help against Harrison in the third quarter, and Harrison made them pay for it with a pair of strip sacks.The Steelers' first sack was credited to James Farrior and Aaron Smith, but it was caused by Harrison, who beat Logan Mankins around the outside to force Cassel up in the pocket. Mankins and Light then allowed Polamalu a clean lane on a second-quarter blitz, as the safety throttled Cassel just as he was releasing the ball for an incomplete."

they shouldnt have had to...
light is a starting LT he should be able to handle harrisson more or less, and defenetely not let him loose for strip sacks

brady isnt back there, we do not have the team were we can spare ppl for extra protection agaisnt the number 1 pass D