Is today's game a major barometer for this defense?

[JSn]

I think this game has big implications. We're not going to go up against a tougher defense in the Colts game and we won't face a better running game again in the regular season.

I know the Colts D has been good, but they're pretty riddled with injuries and will be through our game with them next week.

I know the Jets have a good running game, but I think we can contain it.

This game feels big. It's not a real QB test, but we've already faced those.

I think this needs to not only be a victory, but it needs to be a decisive victory - a statement game. A big win will answer some lingering questions about this team (particularly run-stopping, running game, offensive line) and I think re-direct the playoff's. Win and the road to the AFCE championship travels through Foxboro. Win this and we roll into Indy with a lot of confidence for the stretch run.

I'm rooting for a major display of preparedness and showing off some of our depth players. Will Ron Brace play and meet the challenges of the Dolphins O-Line? Will Vollmer man-up against the likes of Taylor and Porter?

To me, this is a big-game with big implications going forward and a lot of people have dismissed it as an automatic W.

Here's to squishing the fish and starting to nail down the coffin-lids of our divisional foes.

 

[Kontradiction]

It's a major barometer for our run defense. As of right now, despite the fact that we've only allowed one rushing TD on the year, there are still questions about it. This is the best running threat we will face this season (not the Jets). If we can shut down the Ricky and Ronnie Show, we can shut down the best of them. Next week will be the real test for this defense as a whole. I'm REALLY liking the Meriweather vs. Manning match-up.

 

[skri65]

There are three significant matchups here that will be telling for the future of our team:

1.) MIAMI Run Offense vs. Our RUN Defense: Our Run defense has not been spectacular this year, and some of this can be expected with the departure of Seymour and Vrabel. This is a big test for us...when it comes down to it, can this defense stop the run. If it can't, then there's going to be problems down the road.

2.) Vollmer's first real test: Can Vollmer hold his ground while Light is injured? Is Vollmer good enough to hold the post down for now, and for the future. Another big matchup with Dwight Freeney is coming in a few weeks, and here's to hoping that he can at least not screw up too bad with Taylor.

3.) Where art thou #3 WR?: Will it be Tate or Aiken? We're going to need a #3 WR not only for this game, but even more so for our looming brutal stretch of games.

 

[JSn]

I'm REALLY liking the Meriweather vs. Manning match-up.

Same here. Seeing this D quietly come together and noting their generally unnoticed low points-allowed stat, I'm really excited to see if we're legit against the other monsters of the NFL (Manning/Brees and maybe later this year Rivers).

 

[JSn]

I agree with one and two, though Vollmer has seen some legit pass rush already and done ok. Also, that match-up in Indy isn't a few weeks away, it's NEXT week. This is our last evaluation before that big game comes along.

I think #3 WR being a mystery is ok as long as it's ok with Brady.

Baker/Watson/Faulk/Tate/Aiken and someday soon Edelman and even the return of Sammy Morris who can catch makes the cluster of possible receivers on this team very good. Watson is tied of the team lead in TD passes.

I like the thought of defenses being forced to gameplan for all kinds of sure handed receivers and most of those guys (even Watson ) fall into that category.

There are three significant matchups here that will be telling for the future of our team:

1.) MIAMI Run Offense vs. Our RUN Defense: Our Run defense has not been spectacular this year, and some of this can be expected with the departure of Seymour and Vrabel. This is a big test for us...when it comes down to it, can this defense stop the run. If it can't, then there's going to be problems down the road.

2.) Vollmer's first real test: Can Vollmer hold his ground while Light is injured? Is Vollmer good enough to hold the post down for now, and for the future. Another big matchup with Dwight Freeney is coming in a few weeks, and here's to hoping that he can at least not screw up too bad with Taylor.

3.) Where art thou #3 WR?: Will it be Tate or Aiken? We're going to need a #3 WR not only for this game, but even more so for our looming brutal stretch of games.

 

[chrisfx811]

It's another type of offense for BB && Co. to design a scheme that wins the game. I don't think we have a complete defense that can dominate in coverage, run stopping, and qb pressure.... I don't really think anyone does. However, we seem to have a more adaptable defense this year.

I'm almost prepared for Henne to have a good game at the expense of containing R & R.

I'd like to see our pass offense look totally in sync, and be able to stretch the field with something other than heave & hope bombs to Moss.

 

[Kontradiction]

I agree with one and two, though Vollmer has seen some legit pass rush already and done ok.

Not really. Kyle Vanden Bosch sucks without Haynesworth next to him. He isn't really in the same league as a Taylor or a Porter. This is Vollmer's first true test. Hopefully that ankle has healed up as Taylor will try to run around him and not attempt a bull rush.

 

[skri65]

I'd like to see our pass offense look totally in sync, and be able to stretch the field with something other than heave & hope bombs to Moss.

Honestly, i'm HOPING for a deep bomb to Moss. We haven't had a successful bomb to Moss (of the record breaking week 17 Giants variety) for a TD all year.

Edit: Exception--Titans flee flicker

 

[Kontradiction]

Honestly, i'm HOPING for a deep bomb to Moss. We haven't had a successful bomb to Moss (of the record breaking week 17 Giants variety) for a TD all year.

Tennessee game says HI!!!

 

[Kontradiction]

Honestly, i'm HOPING for a deep bomb to Moss. We haven't had a successful bomb to Moss (of the record breaking week 17 Giants variety) for a TD all year.

Edit: Exception--Titans flee flicker

Moss caught two bombs in that game. One on a big pass play that almost resulted in a sack and the other on said flea flicker.

 

[JSn]

Not really. Kyle Vanden Bosch sucks without Haynesworth next to him. He isn't really in the same league as a Taylor or a Porter. This is Vollmer's first true test. Hopefully that ankle has healed up as Taylor will try to run around him and not attempt a bull rush.

I hadn't considered that. I only see 1-2 Titans games normally, but that makes sense. Maybe those guys need each other to be decent.

 

[skri65]

Moss caught two bombs in that game. One on a big pass play that almost resulted in a sack and the other on said flea flicker.

True. I guess I don't consider the Titan game as completely legitimate considering the snow effect. I realize it affected both teams, but for whatever reason, the fact that it was in the snow doesn't quite make me feel the same way as I would about a deep bomb under regular conditions. I don't care whether that makes sense, but it's the way I feel

 

[livinginthe past]

Breaking down the New England run defense.

Its been hinted at that the Patriots might struggle to stop the Miami run game - the Patriots are ranked 15th in rushing yards conceded per game and 22nd in yards conceded per run.

Buffalo:

Patriots Conceded 90 yards @ 4.7
Buffalo averages 113 yards @ 3.95

NY Jets

Patriots conceded 117 yards @ 3.8
Jets average 186 yards @4.94

Atlanta Falcons

Patriots conceded 58 yards @ 3.4
Falcons average 120 yards @4.1

Baltimore Ravens

Patriots conceded 116 @ 6.8
Ravens average 126 @ 4.4

Denver Broncos

Patriots conceded 103 yards @ 4.1
Denver averages 127 yards @ 4.2

Tennesee Titans

Patriots conceded 193 yards @ 5.4
Titans average 157 @ 5.6

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Patriots conceded 89 yards @ 3.4
Tampa Bay averages 100 yards @ 4.4

The only game that the opposition has run for more yards than their season average (excluding the Patriots game) is the Titans game - and that game was a ridiculous blowout.

On average the Patriots are allowing 23 yards per game less than their opponents average over the rest of the year.

The closest comparison in games gone by is probably the Jets game.

The Jets rank 1st in the NFL in rushing yards per game - yet the Patriots shut them down - conceding 70 less yards than their average.

Out of the 7 game played so far this year the Patriots have conceded more yards per carry than their opposition averages over the year only twice.

So far this year the Patriots have faced 4 of the top 11 rushing teams in the NFL, including the top two.

Nothing here suggests to me that the Dolphins are going to be able to run on the Patriots.

 

[skri65]

Breaking down the New England run defense.

Its been hinted at that the Patriots might struggle to stop the Miami run game - the Patriots are ranked 15th in rushing yards conceded per game and 22nd in yards conceded per run.

Buffalo:

Patriots Conceded 90 yards @ 4.7
Buffalo averages 113 yards @ 3.95

NY Jets

Patriots conceded 117 yards @ 3.8
Jets average 186 yards @4.94

Atlanta Falcons

Patriots conceded 58 yards @ 3.4
Falcons average 120 yards @4.1

Baltimore Ravens

Patriots conceded 116 @ 6.8
Ravens average 126 @ 4.4

Denver Broncos

Patriots conceded 103 yards @ 4.1
Denver averages 127 yards @ 4.2

Tennesee Titans

Patriots conceded 193 yards @ 5.4
Titans average 157 @ 5.6

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Patriots conceded 89 yards @ 3.4
Tampa Bay averages 100 yards @ 4.4

The only game that the opposition has run for more yards than their season average (excluding the Patriots game) is the Titans game - and that game was a ridiculous blowout.

On average the Patriots are allowing 23 yards per game less than their opponents average over the rest of the year.

The closest comparison in games gone by is probably the Jets game.

The Jets rank 1st in the NFL in rushing yards per game - yet the Patriots shut them down - conceding 70 less yards than their average.

Out of the 7 game played so far this year the Patriots have conceded more yards per carry than their opposition averages over the year only twice.

So far this year the Patriots have faced 4 of the top 11 rushing teams in the NFL, including the top two.

Nothing here suggests to me that the Dolphins are going to be able to run on the Patriots.

All you've shown is that we are better than average at stopping the run. But, in my opinion, we should and need to be better than "above average" for this teams goals to come to materialize.

 

[Kontradiction]

Nothing here suggests to me that the Dolphins are going to be able to run on the Patriots.

I hope you're right, but the Dolphins have been able to run on everyone. It wouldn't suprise me if they executed a successful gameplan around the run game against us. The biggest thing we can do to defend against that, outside of getting off blocks, is to get a lead right away and play with it. Force the ball into Henne's hands and out of Brown's and Williams'.

 

[Raymond]

Not really. Kyle Vanden Bosch sucks without Haynesworth next to him. He isn't really in the same league as a Taylor or a Porter. This is Vollmer's first true test. Hopefully that ankle has healed up as Taylor will try to run around him and not attempt a bull rush.

If you're saying Seabass has a bum ankle, this is the first I've heard it....

 

[livinginthe past]

All you've shown is that we are better than average at stopping the run. But, in my opinion, we should and need to be better than "above average" for this teams goals to come to materialize.

Really?

I think that all we have to be on the defensive side of the ball, full stop, is 'above average'.

People may well be marvelling at the takeaway ability of the Saints D at this time, but as the Bengals of a few years ago showed : takeaway the takeaways and you are often left with an average defense.

Despite the stats, that were skewed by the offenses dominance, the 2007 defense was below average.

This defense is still maturing - I think the sky is the limit for them - but I don't think they need to be 'great' for us to make the big game this year.

Its rare in the days of the salary cap to be able to build a team that is excellent on both sides of the ball - and even if you do, its often short lived see 2004.

I like what we have here - I think the D is head of its curve at the mid point of the year - i'm excited to see what they bring later in the year.

 

[livinginthe past]

I hope you're right, but the Dolphins have been able to run on everyone. It wouldn't suprise me if they executed a successful gameplan around the run game against us. The biggest thing we can do to defend against that, outside of getting off blocks, is to get a lead right away and play with it. Force the ball into Henne's hands and out of Brown's and Williams'.

Defending against the run is something we've been good at for a large part of Belichicks tenure.

We still have some moving parts on the defensive side of the ball - I expect this unit to gain more cohesion as the year progresses.

I'm more excited about the Patriots D than I have been in years.

 

[fair catch fryar]

True. I guess I don't consider the Titan game as completely legitimate considering the snow effect. I realize it affected both teams, but for whatever reason, the fact that it was in the snow doesn't quite make me feel the same way as I would about a deep bomb under regular conditions. I don't care whether that makes sense, but it's the way I feel

I agree. The two passes caught by Moss were legit, but in the conditions against a defense that appeared to "give up" doesn't convince me that the rythym between Brady and Moss is fully there. It would be nice to see a 60 yard strike to Moss reminiscent of '07 today!

 

[JSn]

I agree. The two passes caught by Moss were legit, but in the conditions against a defense that appeared to "give up" doesn't convince me that the rythym between Brady and Moss is fully there. It would be nice to see a 60 yard strike to Moss reminiscent of '07 today!

Completing an accurate strike to a running receiver that far away in snow is legit. Titans or no.