The secondary looked very good.

[NEGoldenAge]

These guys were playing man and often bringing the safeties up, showing that BB has confidence in his secondary already. They were aggressive, and hard hitting, playing up on the LOS - a type of defense I haven't seen NE play in a long time. It was very good to see.

These guys shut down some very good receivers, punishing them every time the ball was thown their way. Many passes were dropped because of a big hit, or impending hit. These guys covered well, and had very solid tackling. This is a great group, and will allow BB to be much more flexible with his fronts.

Most of the Bills passing yards came off screens. A healthy Mayo would have mitigated this a bit, but the Pats definitely have to work on that.

I think this secondary may prove to be the strength of a very good defense come week 3 or 4. I know it's only been one game, but I really like what I see from our secondary.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I agree, they were one of the unexpected bright spots last night. I thought Springs did a good job on Owens. Bodden was solid and Butler almost came out with an interception. Merriweather was great and I think he is coming of age.

 

[ALP]

LOL, SOME of the time the cb's were up at the LOS....other plays they were (no exxageration here) 13 yds back....

 

[Deus Irae]

Springs made a big difference

 

[NEGoldenAge]

LOL, SOME of the time the cb's were up at the LOS....other plays they were (no exxageration here) 13 yds back....

True. But it's been years since the Pats had done that more than a couple times in a game. It happened quite a bit in the second half, and the secondary passed the test against a very good receiver corps.

 

[patsox23]

Would someone less lazy and more resourceful than I like to post a thread about how many yards in Buffalo's passing game came off screens vs. how many off of anything else, along with completions/attempts numbers?

If so, thanks in advance! If not, who cares, I sure as Hell won't be doing it!

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

These guys were playing man and often bringing the safeties up, showing that BB has confidence in his secondary already. They were aggressive, and hard hitting, playing up on the LOS - a type of defense I haven't seen NE play in a long time. It was very good to see.

The best line came from the guys announcing it on ESPN radio. I caught the first half on my way home from work.

" Lee Evans hasn't seen single coverage since Pop Warner" He didn't mentioned who was covering him and I haven't had the time to watch the DVR but the first that they kept him under control speaks to the cvoerage...

 

[c_nice_37]

Questions for y'all :

What package had McGowan in coverage? I heard his name and believe he is #30 so I was a bit surprised.

Butler was NB? I didn't see much of him.

Love what I see from Wilhite - even when its a completion he is right there.

Bodden is a stud.

I thought the outside DBs were aided by the over the top coverage, so its too early to tell - but promising indeed.

 

[BradyManny]

These guys were playing man and often bringing the safeties up, showing that BB has confidence in his secondary already. They were aggressive, and hard hitting, playing up on the LOS - a type of defense I haven't seen NE play in a long time. It was very good to see.

These guys shut down some very good receivers, punishing them every time the ball was thown their way. Many passes were dropped because of a big hit, or impending hit. These guys covered well, and had very solid tackling. This is a great group, and will allow BB to be much more flexible with his fronts.

Most of the Bills passing yards came off screens. A healthy Mayo would have mitigated this a bit, but the Pats definitely have to work on that.

I think this secondary may prove to be the strength of a very good defense come week 3 or 4. I know it's only been one game, but I really like what I see from our secondary.

I agree completely - great analysis. I am loving the secondary so far.

As for the screens - well, if we're really a 4-3 team now, and are 1-gapping and trying to penetrate, which at times seemed to be the case, we'll have that deficiency I guess. I agree a healthy Mayo would've helped.

 

[jeffbiologist]

I think they were benefitted by the lack of a game plan using TO. He was thrown to only 3x(1 drop), he was open alot. When they did design a play for him it worked, he is a dangerous guy in the open with the ball. With their problems at OL I am sure they designed a dink and dunk game, when we play a team with both coaches AND players I fear the result.

 

[RayClay]

Our secondary looks great and deep. Our line is talented, though they look confused abd tired with the no huddle offense,

Are we going to have problems with this all year from better teams than the Bills? Seems like we are stuck with pass rush specialists instead of versatile LBs and linemen, though at least we have some depth at line.

Is it just me?

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

I thought the burst that Butler put on when he came out of nowhere to almost pick off that ball was impressive. I think that it is only a matter of time before he is one of the starting CB. That being said, I thought that the CBS did an outstanding job last night. The secondary is much improved over last year, now all they need is a pass rush.

 

[kkpat]

One thing I liked about our secondary was how they put big hits on WR whenever they caught the ball. The physical part of our game was missing for the last couple of year or even last 3 years. Hit them hard after the catch. I hope they punish JETS again and again and some more again until they start fearing catching in front of the secondary. We used to do that and we went away from it for long.

 

[JackBauer]

They were all good except for Sanders, who proved once again just how much he sucks.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

One thing I liked about our secondary was how they put big hits on WR whenever they caught the ball. The physical part of our game was missing for the last couple of year or even last 3 years. Hit them hard after the catch. I hope they punish JETS again and again and some more again until they start fearing catching in front of the secondary. We used to do that and we went away from it for long.

The did more than just hit them after the catch... the hit them at the LOS, and hit them any time a ball was thrown to them. Very physical play by ALL the DB's.

 

[italia44]

Bodden was very good on run support.......told ya,Springs would be good.Wilhite played mostly nickel.

No one mentioned that Buffalo had to run TO over the middle because of the excellent coverage by Springs and Meriweather(is he a hit-stick or what?).

I don't know what James Sanders was doing or where he was.....I think he was replaced by MsGowan.
Not good news,if true.

A Thomas looks slow and big trouble,if he has to play ROLB,most of the time.

Lay off Guyton....he was put in a tough position,with Mayo out.

TBC looks like a different player......how about those freeney-like,spin moves!

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Bodden surprised me a lot. He was all over the place.