Was this a Breakout Game by the Patriots Next Generation Defense?

[rojo8401]

Being down three or four scores is also a kind of "pressure" isn't it? They may have been rushing some plays in the second half because they were so far behind (see: Chung pick).

Absolutely. Where opinion enters is when a person looks at the Chung pick and says "Awesome play by Chung!" and another says " Wow, what a terrible throw right to the safety!".

It's a matter of perspective. I am as guilty of this as anyone. I just do not see this as any kind of breakout, dominating defensive performance.

Just a matter of defining breakout I suppose.

 

[Nikolai]

Well, it was something of a statement game. They weren't airtight, but defensive players stepped up and made plays (Ninkovich, Chung, Page, McCourty on that 4th down), which is something that has been lacking for a very long time.

 

[celticboy04]

Greetings,
If this defense gives up a bunch of yards, but gets takeaways at costly points at the game, I can live with that. Though I am not ready to proclaim them to be a shutdown D, it is at least nice to see them take a step in the right direction. I think people have to put this properly in prospective and be thankful they finally had a showing like this, especially on the road.
Peace,
Celticboy04

 

[Synovia]

Absolutely. Where opinion enters is when a person looks at the Chung pick and says "Awesome play by Chung!" and another says " Wow, what a terrible throw right to the safety!".

It's a matter of perspective. I am as guilty of this as anyone. I just do not see this as any kind of breakout, dominating defensive performance.

Just a matter of defining breakout I suppose.

When a team turns the ball over on 70% of their possesions, I don't think its possible for the defense to have been anything but dominating. There are shades of grey, but this was way past that.

 

[rojo8401]

When a team turns the ball over on 70% of their possesions, I don't think its possible for the defense to have been anything but dominating. There are shades of grey, but this was way past that.

Well, you and I disagree then. I am a professional nitpicker.

 

[notex]

Call me a nit-picker as well...but I need to see more as far as tackling and coverage go...on the other hand - we didn't give up many big plays (minus Ricky Williams run)

BUT - When phins had the ball they were moving it down field at will and our tackling (minus mayo) was terrible.

I really don't like to see Arrington out there over Butler....he just isn't that good in coverage... It seemed like Bess got an extra 5-7 yards more than should have been given up...

In other words, the plays that we picked up 5 yards on - they seemed to be able to stretch into first downs.

Now, special teams is a different story - but I really can't see us making this kind of impact on special teams every week - the defense still needs to step up in a big way because obviously the phins were weak in that area - I am willing to bet chung doesn't block another kick this year

In other news: Cameron Wake - just wow

 

[Trey]

Call me a nit-picker as well...but I need to see more as far as tackling and coverage go...on the other hand - we didn't give up many big plays (minus Ricky Williams run)

BUT - When phins had the ball they were moving it down field at will and our tackling (minus mayo) was terrible.

I really don't like to see Arrington out there over Butler....he just isn't that good in coverage... It seemed like Bess got an extra 5-7 yards more than should have been given up...

In other words, the plays that we picked up 5 yards on - they seemed to be able to stretch into first downs.

Now, special teams is a different story - but I really can't see us making this kind of impact on special teams every week - the defense still needs to step up in a big way because obviously the phins were weak in that area - I am willing to bet chung doesn't block another kick this year

In other news: Cameron Wake - just wow

Cameron Wake looked possessed out their. He got quiet though, I suppose they switched assignments on who was guarding him. I'm not familiar with the Patriots' line.

 

[JackBauer]

Everyone seems to be singing Wake's praises, and no doubt he has a terrific motor, but at the same time he appeared to be gassed by halftime and I didn't notice him much at all in the second half.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

When a team turns the ball over on 70% of their possesions, I don't think its possible for the defense to have been anything but dominating. There are shades of grey, but this was way past that.

Absolutely, the D dominated that game, especially the second half. I wouldn't call it a breakout game though; 'breakout' sort of implies that they'll be ON like that for the rest of the season and I don't think that's true, jmo tho. Either way they definitely dominated last night.

They took complete advantage of the Fins' mistakes and capitalized on them.
AND they made some smart, heads-up plays, Chung was amazing. BB calls it "situational awareness" or something like that, they showed it last night, no wonder BB was going crazy (for him lol).

Not to mention it was a BIG game; it was MNF for one thing, some of those guys were only dreaming of playing MNF not too long ago. The whole "we can't win on the road" legacy, plus and maybe most important of all-we were tied with the Jets! Last night had some pressure to it and the D really stepped up to it.

They'll really have their stuff together by November, I can't wait to watch them evolve:rocker: Plus now the rookies have a taste of what it feels like to win a big game which to me is a positive.

 

[rojo8401]

Everyone seems to be singing Wake's praises, and no doubt he has a terrific motor, but at the same time he appeared to be gassed by halftime and I didn't notice him much at all in the second half.

I thought Vollmer did a good job on him overall. Vollmer did whiff when he assisted on the interior lineman and didn't get back out in time which resulted in Wake planting Brady (me no like).

 

[Trey]

Absolutely, the D dominated that game, especially the second half. I wouldn't call it a breakout game though; 'breakout' sort of implies that they'll be ON like that for the rest of the season and I don't think that's true, jmo tho. Either way they definitely dominated last night.

They took complete advantage of the Fins' mistakes and capitalized on them.
AND they made some smart, heads-up plays, Chung was amazing. BB calls it "situational awareness" or something like that, they showed it last night, no wonder BB was going crazy (for him lol).

Not to mention it was a BIG game; it was MNF for one thing, some of those guys were only dreaming of playing MNF not too long ago. The whole "we can't win on the road" legacy, plus and maybe most important of all-we were tied with the Jets! Last night had some pressure to it and the D really stepped up to it.

They'll really have their stuff together by November, I can't wait to watch them evolve:rocker: Plus now the rookies have a taste of what it feels like to win a big game which to me is a positive.

The defense was hardly dominating. You can't take away those picks, but you have to remember those were terrible throws. Every single one. The Phins drove at will in the first half. The only thing really dominant was the special teams.

 

[rojo8401]

The defense was hardly dominating. You can't take away those picks, but you have to remember those were terrible throws. Every single one. The Phins drove at will in the first half. The only thing really dominant was the special teams.

I agree with you on everything except the 2nd Ninkovich pick. That wasn't a terrible throw. Could have been a shade more outside but Nink made an amazing play on that one. The others were indeed terrible throws / reads / miscommunications.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

The defense was hardly dominating. You can't take away those picks, but you have to remember those were terrible throws. Every single one. The Phins drove at will in the first half. The only thing really dominant was the special teams.

Like I said, they took advantage of those terrible throws and capitalized on them. Obviously the other team did not.

 

[Trey]

I agree with you on everything except the 2nd Ninkovich pick. That wasn't a terrible throw. Could have been a shade more outside but Nink made an amazing play on that one. The others were indeed terrible throws / reads / miscommunications.

You're right. That one wasn't terrible. It just wasn't good enough. But for the sake of theargument, when it's the QBs fault it was intercepted, it's a terrible throw. That guy did make a terrific play on the ball, it was nice to see. I wish our LBs would make a play like that.

 

[rojo8401]

You're right. That one wasn't terrible. It just wasn't good enough. But for the sake of theargument, when it's the QBs fault it was intercepted, it's a terrible throw. That guy did make a terrific play on the ball, it was nice to see. I wish our LBs would make a play like that.

The Chung pick was not Henne's fault. Marshall is to blame for that gaffe.

I really think Henne had a bad game but not all those picks were his fault and I feel he will be a good QB (along with Sanchez) unfortunately. Seems to have good pocket presence. Just needs to improve his progressions like all young QBs

Now the Bills on the other hand ... :O)

 

[emoney_33]

You're right. That one wasn't terrible. It just wasn't good enough. But for the sake of theargument, when it's the QBs fault it was intercepted, it's a terrible throw. That guy did make a terrific play on the ball, it was nice to see. I wish our LBs would make a play like that.

Te first one wasn't a terrible throw either.

 

[Trey]

The Chung pick was not Henne's fault. Marshall is to blame for that gaffe.

I really think Henne had a bad game but not all those picks were his fault and I feel he will be a good QB (along with Sanchez) unfortunately. Seems to have good pocket presence. Just needs to improve his progressions like all young QBs

Now the Bills on the other hand ... :O)

Man, don't even get me started. Half the reason I'm here is because division rivals are more bearable to converse with about football than the super cynical crybabies at home. We've been terrible for years, but I have my limits.

Henne did throw a terrible game however. He has the skill to be good, I agree, but I just don't see great out of him (or Sanchez). But, as always, that's why the play the game.

Te first one wasn't a terrible throw either

Yes it was, he pretty much threw the ball right to the Pats defender. It should've been thrown about five feet further.

 

[rojo8401]

Man, don't even get me started. Half the reason I'm here is because division rivals are more bearable to converse with about football than the super cynical crybabies at home. We've been terrible for years, but I have my limits.

Henne did throw a terrible game however. He has the skill to be good, I agree, but I just don't see great out of him (or Sanchez). But, as always, that's why the play the game.



Yes it was, he pretty much threw the ball right to the Pats defender. It should've been thrown about five feet further.

I've been a Pats fan since around 1978 when I received my very first bike and it was festooned with the Patriots insignia. I think it came from Sears. I grew up in Western Mass in an area that had more Giants fans than Pats fans. I sat on the aluminum benches in Foxboro and watched Eason suck. I watched as my team was almost sold and shipped off. I sat through the early 90s when your Bills dominated. I know what hard times are like as do most older Pats fans around here.

Your time will come again.

 

[Trey]

I've been a Pats fan since around 1978 when I received my very first bike and it was festooned with the Patriots insignia. I think it came from Sears. I grew up in Western Mass in an area that had more Giants fans than Pats fans. I sat on the aluminum benches in Foxboro and watched Eason suck. I watched as my team was almost sold and shipped off. I sat through the early 90s when your Bills dominated. I know what hard times are like as do most older Pats fans around here.

Your time will come again.

I'm one of the younger fans, and sadly, the first season I seriously watched football was the one where the Bills went 3-13. So all I've known my entire football watching career is terrible Bills teams.

Eh, I still love them, despite their abhorrent play.

We need to get out line in order, and get ourselves a real franchise QB.

One thing though, your DB play need definite work. That's a glaring weakness right there, and teams will exploit it.

 

[Kontradiction]

FWIW, Rodak did yet another excellent breakdown of the entire game from quarter to quarter, and also noticed that the Dolphins had little trouble moving the ball on the Patriots in the first half. Specifically...

The Dolphins were able to move the ball early in the game on short passes to their running backs.

Tackling in the first quarter was poor, with multiple missed tackles by CB Kyle Arrington, Chung, Guyton, and others contributing to some of the Dolphins’ big plays.

This also sounded particularly troubling, and could possibly spell out just one of the reasons why Gerard Warren's playing time has slimmed down over the last couple of weeks...

For the second time in the game – the first coming against WR Brandon Marshall – Patriots DE Gerard Warren had difficulty against a block from a tall Dolphins receiver. On RB Ricky Williams’ 16-yard run late in the second quarter, Warren was blocked down on by WR Roberto Wallace, who was part of a cadre of Dolphin outside blockers on the play.

In all, though, we took advantage of turnovers last night and the defense played well enough to force a couple of things. So I'm not going to complain all that hard about the defense this week. They played their first solid game in two weeks last night. However, let's not sit back and act like the Dolphins weren't able to gain yards in the first half last night, because that just isn't the case.

EDIT: To Warren's credit, he was also able to make a nice play against the run while taking on two blockers.