Belichick Takes Back And Reshapes His Defense

[PatsFans.com Article]

Belichick Takes Back And Reshapes His Defense
By: Russ Goldman

The Patriots defense has gone through a complete change from 2009 to 2010. I breakdown how Belichick is again building his type of defense....

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[patsox23]

Good stuff, Russell! Thanks!

 

[upstater1]

I can't wait to read this. I was a big critic of Dean Pees. I actually had the "pleasure" of watching Pees as a head coach in college several times, and I had disdain for him long before he joined the Patriots. One of the biggest whiners ever when it came to perceived slights by opposing coaches, and he just had teams that were unprepared for big games.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Wow, great article. Thanks.

For those of us who aren't as technically knowledgeable about what happens on the field as are others, this explains a lot in a short space very clearly.

Thanks again!

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Good read, Russell. I get you on the emphasis on the 'backers, but I wonder how much of what you observe has to do with timing. We built from the D-line back, and worked on linebackers second. But think - Sey cost too much, and had to go. Other than that, the hard work on the D-line has been pretty much put on "idle" for now. There are always guys coming along, but there was a big infusion early in the decade... you can't keep plugging in new all-pros on a three man starting unit. So is it really that Pees was all about the D-line, or that Pees left at the same time that the D-line had had all the attention it could logically stand (other than plugging in [your 3-4 DE here] instead of Wright, after Seymour left)?

Was Pees somehow focused on the D-line "making the play"? Seems to me they've also been occupying big uglies while the linebackers are suppposed to make the plays - but the LBs are better. Guyton has been coming along, and now always seems to be around the ball. Mayo has been a tackling machine whether under Pees or Belichick. Ninkovich, again, seems to always be around the ball. Question: what are the changes in scheme, the new look, the differences you're talking about, that let these guys make plays now, that they couldn't make under Pees? Why?

I'm not saying it's not happening, I am really really curious and trying to learn something here. What's BB doing with these guys that Pees was not?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Good article but I think simple facts are not being discussed.

In his 4 years, Pees' defenses finished 2nd, 4th, 8th and and 5th in points allowed. This was done with a defense that was getting older, slower and in transition from a personnel standpoint.

What we don't know is how Pees would have coached up McCourty, Cunningham, Arrington, Chung and Spikes but what we do know is that with Pees, Mayo was DROY and Meriweather evolved into an Pro-Bowler (we can argue that but he was productive) so saying he can't develop talent is unfounded. You could make the case that he did not play an agressive style of D but I'd argue that he didn't have the speed or playmakers at LB and in the secondary to be aggressive. Where I do think Pees got into trouble was that he relied on the vets to make the in-game adjustments (hands-off if you will) as opposed to being hands-on like BB. Obviously with younger players, BB was not convinced that Pees would change his approach- hence why Pees is not here.

Keep in mind that in 1994 when CLE finished #1 in team defense, BB played a 4-3. He goes with the talent he has at his disposal. It just so happens that this team is blessed with Wilfork on the line and on his roster he has a bunch of lightening-quick LBs and DBs that are quick to the ball and cover some serious ground in a hurry. With that said, the defense is playing to that strength- let teams catch the ball, but for minimal gains and use the speed to disrupt the pass plays- hence the # of INTs.

 

[stinkypete]

Don't sleep on the secondary.

McCourty, Chung, Arrington and Sanders have had as much to do with the defense's success as the LBs. Without this secondary, we're 11-4 at best and still fighting for the division crown.

 

[West Philly Patriot]

So using this logic could we expect a trade up for a certain freak OLB that was suspended this year by way of UNC?

 

[dex13]

good article but I always got the impression that the Pats didn't have the athletism in the LBs to make them the focal point so the Pats played to their strength. Slowly that's changed but I gurantee that if BB could have both, a strong OLine and outstanding LB core, he would.

I could be that as the LB core has improved, they are able to use different DLines and play the match up game better as seen the way that Wilfork moves around depending on the type of play expected.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

good article but I always got the impression that the Pats didn't have the athletism in the LBs to make them the focal point so the Pats played to their strength. Slowly that's changed but I gurantee that if BB could have both, a strong OLine and outstanding LB core, he would.

I think in a year or two we may be strong right down the line, the line, backers and secondary, he has a ton of draft picks and is in position to build a strong D for years to come.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Let's sat Brady goes 5 more years. Maybe it's more, maybe it's less. But 5's reasonable.

Is it completely out of character for BB to think ahead and focus on defense at this point?

Maybe the real story is moving back toward balance, as defined by a good defense and a superlative offense - but one with ONE super-star only. (Back off BJGE )

Well into the out-years, you could see BB wanting the flexibility to work with what he gets at QB. Not today, not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of our lives. Get the nucleus of a good defense set and developed, and not needing to score 30 points a game may be a necessity not a luxury.

From 07-'10 the balance was way off toward the offensive side of the ball, regardless whether the D-line or LBs were the defensive foci.

Seems the balance is coming back, which is good regardless of having a high-powered offense... and this year's Pats are gamers.

Regardless of the '10 outcome I think we've got the building blocks we were looking for. The future of the D looks brighter... the future of the O looks as its always looked: very bright, as long as 12 holds out.

 

[Fencer]

I'm not sure I see what the supposed role change is among DL, e.g. Wilfork -- from space eater to space eater?

Frankly, I think it's the same defense, with BB coaching to match the talents' strengths and weaknesses as best he can.

I'd say the Seymour trade could in part have been a result of the defense not excelling despite the hugely talented DL, giving some impetuous to a reorganization of priorities. But some is a matter of who worked out well and who didn't.

Younger/faster has certainly long been a priority for a talent evolution; that part is real ...

 

[strngplyr]

Let's sat Brady goes 5 more years. Maybe it's more, maybe it's less. But 5's reasonable.

Is it completely out of character for BB to think ahead and focus on defense at this point?

Maybe the real story is moving back toward balance, as defined by a good defense and a superlative offense - but one with ONE super-star only. (Back off BJGE )

Well into the out-years, you could see BB wanting the flexibility to work with what he gets at QB. Not today, not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of our lives. Get the nucleus of a good defense set and developed, and not needing to score 30 points a game may be a necessity not a luxury.

From 07-'10 the balance was way off toward the offensive side of the ball, regardless whether the D-line or LBs were the defensive foci.

Seems the balance is coming back, which is good regardless of having a high-powered offense... and this year's Pats are gamers.

Regardless of the '10 outcome I think we've got the building blocks we were looking for. The future of the D looks brighter... the future of the O looks as its always looked: very bright, as long as 12 holds out.

Interesting and quite possibly true. Alot of people considered this a rebuilding/retooling year but ignore the fact that the biggest constant force of the past decade hasn't moved. Tom Brady. As long as he is here this is his team, and an offensively oriented one. It'd be foolish not to cater around his present strengths.

However, it's more than possible that BB is building a brand new defense from the ground up to carry this team when a new young QB comes in, just like we had in place when Tom took over in 01. (the surprise growth at the end of this season however has been nothing less than amazing and awesome though, if this is Bb's plan i think we're pleasantly ahead of schedule!)

 

[Fencer]

I really don't think BB is building for 5 years from now. Neither personnel nor scheme details last that long in the NFL. (Just core scheme principles, if those.)

 

[deroc5050]

I think in a year or two we may be strong right down the line, the line, backers and secondary, he has a ton of draft picks and is in position to build a strong D for years to come.

yeah its almost not fair lol. They still have to hit on those picks though.. and we have seen even this organization make poor decisions. Everyone does. Getting a dominant OLB and a replacement for Merriweather would really seal up all the weakness of this defense. I know Brandon has been to 2 pro bowls in a row but thats utterly disgusting. Pat Chung deserves it more than he does.