BradfordPatsFan
In the Starting Line-Up
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Eh, whatever. The Patriots' soft, emotionless defense has more Super Bowls to its credit this decade than the Ravens' and Steelers' combined.
I'm not suggesting an undisciplined team playing with emotion. That was the Ravens last year. Stupid mistakes and penalties.
I am suggesting that we have become somewhat softer on defense than we used to be, and less intimidating. I don't call giving up all those third and long and red zone points because we had no pressure "disciplined". I'd like to see us become more attacking, aggressive, disruptive, and intimidating without giving up discipline. There's something to be said for opposing QBs knowing they are going to be running for their life all day, and opposing RBs and WRs knowing that they are going to take a beating every time they touch the ball. It leads to offensive mistakes, penalties, and turnovers. It's not a subsitute for discipline; it should be a complement to it.
No doubt that some of the fire went out of the D when #37 went down.
This reminds me of when we held the Colts to 3 points in the playoffs in 2004. We were physical and aggressive. We roughed them up, had loads of pressure, and had turnovers.
I think we'll get there though. With the continued development of a defensive team made with a core of Wilfork, Warren, Mayo, and Meriweather.
Maybe it's not as easy for the young guys to play with so much "fire" b/c they're concentrating so hard on what and where they're supposed to be. Once that becomes second nature I think we'll see more emotion/intimidation/whatever out of guys like Mayo and BM and the other young fellers. Actually, I think it's starting already. Just part of the transition to a younger D.
The passsive scheme does not help, but the Pats have almost exclusively finesse players on defense (except Wilfork and Meriwether). Mayo had a good year but he is a finesse guy. Vrabel, finesse. Guyton, finesse. Thomas, despite his size, is not a power player. Part of the issue may be the Pats emphasis on character guys. Of the real hitters in the NFL, many have charcter issues because you cannot turn that crazed energy on and off with a switch. The Pats D is basically a collection of boy-scout types, so the team tries to win with patience and tactics. As time passes, the team's D may become more like the Colts since speed is needed while playing on turf. The turf, by the way, may have started to Pats D downslide.
The passsive scheme does not help, but the Pats have almost exclusively finesse players on defense (except Wilfork and Meriwether). Mayo had a good year but he is a finesse guy. Vrabel, finesse. Guyton, finesse. Thomas, despite his size, is not a power player. Part of the issue may be the Pats emphasis on character guys. Of the real hitters in the NFL, many have charcter issues because you cannot turn that crazed energy on and off with a switch. The Pats D is basically a collection of boy-scout types, so the team tries to win with patience and tactics. As time passes, the team's D may become more like the Colts since speed is needed while playing on turf. The turf, by the way, may have started to Pats D downslide.
The turf, by the way, may have started to Pats D downslide.
The passsive scheme does not help, but the Pats have almost exclusively finesse players on defense (except Wilfork and Meriwether). Mayo had a good year but he is a finesse guy. Vrabel, finesse. Guyton, finesse. Thomas, despite his size, is not a power player. Part of the issue may be the Pats emphasis on character guys. Of the real hitters in the NFL, many have charcter issues because you cannot turn that crazed energy on and off with a switch. The Pats D is basically a collection of boy-scout types, so the team tries to win with patience and tactics. As time passes, the team's D may become more like the Colts since speed is needed while playing on turf. The turf, by the way, may have started to Pats D downslide.
I don't care if teams fear our defense. I want defense disciplined enough to close out a game when the honus is on them to make a stop.
Discipline is what I am hopeful of.
But, here's the thing: we don't have one.
How did the 2006-2007 season end?
How did the 2007-2008 season end?
With our defense unable to make the stop when needed.
I think the operative concept is not toughness or softness, it's agression. I for one remember a few years ago when this defense was flying around smacking players for 60 minutes. Wilson was a concussive hitter, Harrison was Harrison, Bruschi was smacking people in the mouth and taking the football from them, Ted Johnson was breaking guards helmets, hell, even Samuel was laying lumber in playoff games. There was an air of intimidation and intensity around this defense in big games. Remember when this defense would swarm to the ball? Remember the emotion of the 03 game against Indy? Remember how impressive that level of physicality was? It seems that is lacking lately.
Harrison still tries to lay wood, but he's arriving to the football a step or two late. Bruschi just isn't anywhere near as explosive a player as he once was. I think James Sanders is the poorest hitting safety I've seen in a while. Meriweather tries to knock helmets off, but somehow seems to lack the momentum behind his pops. It seems that this team lacks the overwhelming intensity it once had.
I understand that defense isn't all about intensity or ferocity, but it is the trademark of a top-flight defense. Anyone who has played on the defensive side of the ball and really loved hitting has had a contempt for offensive players. A defensive player needs to have an air of agression about him. He needs to play in control, but remain nasty when playing. Most offensive players don't have the heart for a 60 minute street fight. It's critical to set the tone early with the specialists. Specialists as a generality are soft by nature, they shy from contact. If they feel that they are in for a war, they will often loose their desire to compete.
Scheme is great, in fact I think that is what defines a great defense. That said, a defense needs the players capable of playing with a screw loose. A good defensive player takes pride in making a tremendous hit. It's like hitting a homerun; you line up the opponent, drop your hips, explode from the balls of your feet though your hips, see a blinding white flash and feel no impact. You look around and your opponent is sprawled on the turf, momentarily motionless. That is the greatest feeling in football, and this team needs more of it.