Shutting down the run game

[DaBruinz]

The Pats have done a fantastic job shutting down the run game during the last 3 games. The addition of Alan Branch has helped. The return of Sealver Siliga should help even more as it will give the Pats the ability to rotate 4 guys at DT pretty regularly.

One person that has really improved against the run is Chris Jones. I've been surprised at how well he's been doing. He's not the level of Wilfork and won't make us forget about Ty Warren, but Jones has gone from terrible to average and isn't the total liability he was last year.

The Bills and Packers run games normally would worry me, but not nearly as much with this improvement. I'm looking forward to watching how the Pats go about attempting to shut down the Lions, Chargers and Packers.. It's going to be truly educational..

 

[Mike the Brit]

Great credit to the new D-line coach, Brendan Daly. (And we shouldn't forget having to play a certain New Jersey team. Their running game gave the Pats fits in the first meeting.)

 

[strngplyr]

Alan has made a few nice tackles but lets not forget he's only played about 27 snaps, 12 and 15 I believe.

Everyone on the DL and the LBs filling the holes have done a great job shutting down the run very early into games and getting to a double digit lead where the opponent has trouble justifying calling run plays.

Attempts against us have been minimal but that's because of how early and effectively we shut them down.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The Pats have done a fantastic job shutting down the run game during the last 3 games. The addition of Alan Branch has helped. The return of Sealver Siliga should help even more as it will give the Pats the ability to rotate 4 guys at DT pretty regularly.

One person that has really improved against the run is Chris Jones. I've been surprised at how well he's been doing. He's not the level of Wilfork and won't make us forget about Ty Warren, but Jones has gone from terrible to average and isn't the total liability he was last year.

The Bills and Packers run games normally would worry me, but not nearly as much with this improvement. I'm looking forward to watching how the Pats go about attempting to shut down the Lions, Chargers and Packers.. It's going to be truly educational..

Agreed that the run D seems better.

Jones isn't showing up on the stat sheet but hes been out there quite a bit and allowing others like Collins, HT and Chung to make plays..

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Shutting down Richardson is the easiest thing in the world...he does it himself!

But i agree...they have done a great job

 

[AzPatsFan]

The acquisition of Alan Branch has great significance to the Patriots long range ability to control the Run. Mayo will return and Hightower is visibly growing into a superb ILB, too.

We used to have an overused 32 year old Vince Wilfork and two slightly below average tackles around him, one a penetrating DT, and the other a Run Stuffer. Both had good size and effort.
Impressively, both have improved to above average contributors.

It appeared that the Pats would need to address Vince's successor in a future First Round pick. It also would limit high pick, rookie penetrating DT Dom Easley 's utility, if the Run Stuffer partner to him. did not exist.

Then BB signed a former near First round Run Stuffer, whose early career had been marred by injury, but when healthy was the genuine Run Stuffer article. AT 29 he is only entering his prime, and provides a sure companion for the penetrating pair of Easley and Chris Jones. Now Wilfork can get some rest on short breaks, and extend his career.

The interior DL has been now completely rebuilt.

Our DEs are good, but the DE depth is talented and unproven. A First round DE draft is in prospect there, as the final piece of the totally rebuilt, Championship-quality, Defense. Both the secondary and Linebacking is full to overflowing with young, high picks who are producing.

Will the upcoming Draft aside from reserve DE, be almost an entirely Offense oriented affair?

 

[mayoclinic]

The acquisition of Alan Branch has great significance to the Patriots long range ability to control the Run. Mayo will return and Hightower is visibly growing into a superb ILB, too.

We used to have an overused 32 year old Vince Wilfork and two slightly below average tackles around him, one a penetrating DT, and the other a Run Stuffer. Both had good size and effort.
Impressively, both have improved to above average contributors.

It appeared that the Pats would need to address Vince's successor in a future First Round pick. It also would limit high pick, rookie penetrating DT Dom Easley 's utility, if the Run Stuffer partner to him. did not exist.

Then BB signed a former near First round Run Stuffer, whose early career had been marred by injury, but when healthy was the genuine Run Stuffer article. AT 29 he is only entering his prime, and provides a sure companion for the penetrating pair of Easley and Chris Jones. Now Wilfork can get some rest on short breaks, and extend his career.

The interior DL has been now completely rebuilt.

Our DEs are good, but the DE depth is talented and unproven. A First round DE draft is in prospect there, as the final piece of the totally rebuilt, Championship-quality, Defense. Both the secondary and Linebacking is full to overflowing with young, high picks who are producing.

Will the upcoming Draft aside from reserve DE, be almost an entirely Offense oriented affair?

Aside from being a bit optimistic, I think you are looking at things the wrong way. BB doesn't draft to plug holes, but to upgrade the long term talent on the team. Branch, Ayers and Casillas all plug holes, and decrease need if re-signed. But that doesn't mean BB won't add defense if he sees the val

 

[RobertWeathers]

The acquisition of Alan Branch has great significance to the Patriots long range ability to control the Run. Mayo will return and Hightower is visibly growing into a superb ILB, too.

Mayo returning in 2015 is not a done deal.

We used to have an overused 32 year old Vince Wilfork and two slightly below average tackles around him, one a penetrating DT, and the other a Run Stuffer. Both had good size and effort. Impressively, both have improved to above average contributors.It appeared that the Pats would need to address Vince's successor in a future First Round pick. It also would limit high pick, rookie penetrating DT Dom Easley 's utility, if the Run Stuffer partner to him. did not exist.

That is not accurate. VW is more than a run stuffer. He pushes the C and G backward, thus collapsing the pocket and forcing the QB to slide into (in theory) the other DT or DE. If the run stuffer only played on running downs, then Easley doesn't benefit.

Then BB signed a former near First round Run Stuffer, whose early career had been marred by injury, but when healthy was the genuine Run Stuffer article. AT 29 he is only entering his prime, and provides a sure companion for the penetrating pair of Easley and Chris Jones. Now Wilfork can get some rest on short breaks, and extend his career.

Who was the run stuffer BB signed? Branch?

29 years of age is not entering prime. In the NFL it is prime or at the tail end.

The interior DL has been now completely rebuilt.

Compared to when? Vince is still there playing 70% of the snaps and you have everyone else.

Our DEs are good, but the DE depth is talented and unproven. A First round DE draft is in prospect there, as the final piece of the totally rebuilt, Championship-quality, Defense. Both the secondary and Linebacking is full to overflowing with young, high picks who are producing.

Will the upcoming Draft aside from reserve DE, be almost an entirely Offense oriented affair?

I'd love to see a Suh on the D-line. I've always felt that when Seymour was at his prime- and motivated, the Pats defense was at it's zenith. For the upcoming draft, BB will pick based on quality and long-term value.

 

[oldrover]

The most amazing part about their turnaround against the run...






...is that they've sacrificed NOTHING against the pass.