We run a fast pace no huddle offense which = lest rest time for are defense.
We score a ton of points which = opponents need to throw the ball more.
We force teams to play from behind which = opponents take more chances and attempt more big plays.
Despite all of that are defense still goes out and stops the run and forces turnovers.
We have Jones, Hightower, Dennard and Wilson as rookies playing key roles.
Lets stop acting like the sky is falling. The NFL is competitive top to bottom and I don't know any team that completely shuts down passing games in this day and age.
I COMPLETELY agree with all the ideas here.
My problem with our defense is simple:
On offense, we play better than our talent level indicates. That is partly TB and partly scheme, which both elevate certain individuals to a higher level.
On defense, we do exactly the opposite. I don't think our talent level sucks. When I watch individual players on replays and study their play, we have some really good players here.
But our schemes suck and we lack passion.
1) Schemes suck = BB and Patricia take the blame. Mostly BB.
The philosophy of disguising coverages (which is what BB's HOF gameplan from SB XXV is strongly based upon) is so hard to execute in modern football, becouse it requires MASSIVE talent. Back in 1990, any scrub could play CB and do a decent job, becouse you could grab and pull jerseys all you wanted.
These days good DBs are usually specialists, who excel in man or zone, press or off, inside or outside, but not in all of them. There are only few guys in this league that I can think of, who do a decent job on all coverage roles/schemes with these modern rules.
We dont have any of them here.
Also the "win by coverage" approach is an outdated concept, because thanks to all the rule changes, QBs can now fit the balls into tighter windows than ever and they don't have to worry about protecting the receiver. Goodell handles the protection duties these days. Back in 1990, QBs didnt throw into tight coverages becouse they were afraid that the DB or Safety would pop the receivers head off. Back then, the "defenseless receiver" didn't exist even as a joke.
The pass rushing schemes have never interested BB, at least not in a way that would have shown up. But if you ask anyone about the current list of great defensive coordinators in the league, you will hear **** Lebeau, Wade Phillips, Dom Capers, Steve Spagnuolo and even the Ryan Brothers. They all put as much emphasis on pass rushing schemes as they do on coverage schemes, perhaps even more.
Now I don't know how long of a "leash" BB has on Patricia, but since this problem existed before Patricia, I'm not ready to put most of the blame on him. Especially since BB is known for his coverage emphasis.
2) Lack of passions = the new Patriot way takes the blame.
The big reason is the atmosphere of professionalism we have in the building. "Just do your job", like we have heard BB say so often. That works ok with the offense, becouse they dont need to make bang-bang plays to do well. Defense needs the angry bird -hormones and kamikaze mentality every now and then to install fear to the opponents.
IMO, 1 dumb penalty every now and then is ok, if you also deliver lots of hard and clean hits. That was also the old Patriot way, when we have Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi playing on the borderline of dirty and hard. But with the new Patriot way, 1 dumb penalty might be enough for a trip to the doghouse.
The locker room and player interviews they dont show the true passion and aggression they used to, instead they always make it look like its offseason.
