I'll say it. I thought McCourty played well.

[RayClay]

Defensive gurus please, a little help. I've been watching football a long time, but I'm not a technical fan. When you have one cornerback in the receivers shirt from the line of scrimmage, possibly all the way down the field, isn't it customary to have some safety help sometimes?

I mean, if you have no safety help, you should give a bit of a cushion, or have some sort of scheme to prevent the bomb.

I've watched Ty Law, Clayborn, Haynes and others, and I've never seen one CB playing so tight every play with no safeties in sight if the play goes long.

Am I missing something? Why would you play so tight with no safety help? It doesn't make sense. I assume this is the intended defense, give me a clue.

I feel it must just be the safeties are so inept they are wandering around aimlessly, or the bait for every misdirection, but I'm open to other possibilities.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I think that long pass was the lack of safety help,others were not. He also made some good plays.

Hopefully when Chung gets back it will make a difference.

 

[WeezyFbaby]

I agree i think he played really well. That 51 yard completion to Stallworth was an absolutely perfect throw you cant get better coverage than McCourty on that play. He seems to be consistently on his assignment but they are making plays. In fairness he covers the number one on opposing teams they get paid to ya know.

With no safety help and minimal pass rush what should we expect? He had some nice plays today where he sat on the route and broke it up also had an INT if not for a BS call on Carter. I think Chungs return will really help him in fact any sort of consistency should help.

Dont forget this guy is clearly playing hurt. I am not the least bit concerned about Devin.

 

[Rob0729]

He looked like his old self in the second half, but he did struggle a bit in the first half. That Stallworth 50 yarder was on Ihedebgo as much as McCourty. Maybe more so.

 

[Keyser Söze]

All our CB's really struggle at looking for the football.

 

[Sciz]

He was right in position on the first two catches he gave up, the bomb to Stallworth and the slant to Stallworth. I don't see why Ihedigbo was playing up on the goal line on the TD. He basically left McCourty to cover that half of the end zone himself. My one big problem was the PI on 3rd and long.

The biggest problem, though, seemed to be those holes in the zone after McCourty passed a guy off, in front of the safety, behind the LBs. That's what really needs some work. Well, that and McCourty finishing plays, but just being there is better than what happened on a lot of the passing plays.

 

[RayClay]

Well, since i didn't get jumped on, was the safety play in the first half the worst anyone's ever seen? Happy to have the best coach in football, but i hope there's a plan, because playing 9 or 10 against 11 won't cut it in the playoffs IMO.

 

[Rob0729]

Well, since i didn't get jumped on, was the safety play in the first half the worst anyone's ever seen? Happy to have the best coach in football, but i hope there's a plan, because playing 9 or 10 against 11 won't cut it in the playoffs IMO.

Yes, this team needs Chung back in the worst way. He isn't great in coverage, but better than what we have at safety. Edelman played well at the end of the game, but they seem to only want to use him when they have three safeties.

 

[Keyser Söze]

Well, since i didn't get jumped on, was the safety play in the first half the worst anyone's ever seen? Happy to have the best coach in football, but i hope there's a plan, because playing 9 or 10 against 11 won't cut it in the playoffs IMO.

LOL, there is no plan. BB has done a poor job at building this defense and that's not debatable.

 

[Deus Irae]

LOL, there is no plan. BB has done a poor job at building this defense and that's not debatable.

You're saying that to someone who's claiming McCourty played well tonight.

 

[RayClay]

I don't like him playing so tight myself, like he almost had an INT on a two yard pass. I don't think he's making those decision, though. Maybe it's just a challenge to him, so we'll be more aggressive once Chung gets back. Problem with that is, Chung doesn't cover well either so...

I'm hoping it's a mad scientist scheme by BB and he's working the carousel of DBs from the practice squad so he has like eight different guys including Edelman to choose from.

Can't imagine why they would use Slater, though, he is simply clumsy.

 

[PATSNUTme]

LOL, there is no plan. BB has done a poor job at building this defense and that's not debatable.

10-3 that is not debatable.

 

[Sciz]

LOL, there is no plan. BB has done a poor job at building this defense and that's not debatable.

It's perfectly debatable. Was Belichick supposed to predict that Meriweather, Sanders, and McCourty would have regressed and that Bodden, Dowling, Barrett, and Chung (for a while) would be hurt? All of the roster building was either done partway through the lockout or right after it ended, before he had any idea how his returning players had progressed/regressed during the lockout. At the beginning of training camp, just about everyone had the starting backfield as McCourty, Bodden, Chung, and Meriweather. What is he supposed to do when suddenly all of those 4 are not who he thinks they are?

 

[Keyser Söze]

10-3 that is not debatable.

Oh god, that drivel again.

 

[Deus Irae]

10-3 that is not debatable.

It's not relevant, either.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

In the 2nd half he played well IMO. THe defense as a whole did actually as they only gave up 7 points.

But the 1st half was pretty bad. Horrible penalty on 3rd and 18, we honestly could have taken full control at that point. Up by 11 and would have had the ball in good field position if not great, Edelman can be a dangerous PR in that situation. That penalty pretty much changed the game so on that alone I'd say his overall performance wasn't good, plus the receptions he gave up.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Oh god, that drivel again.

When are facts drivel? Your statement is your opinion. Maybe the vast majority agree but it's still opinion. 10-3 is fact.

 

[Keyser Söze]

It's perfectly debatable. Was Belichick supposed to predict that Meriweather, Sanders, and McCourty would have regressed and that Bodden, Dowling, Barrett, and Chung (for a while) would be hurt? All of the roster building was either done partway through the lockout or right after it ended, before he had any idea how his returning players had progressed/regressed during the lockout. At the beginning of training camp, just about everyone had the starting backfield as McCourty, Bodden, Chung, and Meriweather. What is he supposed to do when suddenly all of those 4 are not who he thinks they are?

So BB is at no fault when drafting. That's what you're saying, oh well BB didn't think they were bad...ok? what's your point? They were bad and he's every bit responsible.

Oh the agony, Barrett got hurt. That must be why our defense is last. That and the fact Meriweather began to suck, as opposed to his normal sucking.

Starting to think your post was a goof, let me know if it was.

 

[PATSNUTme]

It's not relevant, either.

It's not? Maybe in your world, but the record is the record and that is the only thing that is relevant.

But you and a few others can deny 10-3 if you want. In the world of the gloom and doomers the record must be 6-7.

 

[Sciz]

So BB is at no fault when drafting. That's what you're saying, oh well BB didn't think they were bad...ok? what's your point? They were bad and he's every bit responsible.

Oh the agony, Barrett got hurt. That must be why our defense is last. That and the fact Meriweather begin to suck, as opposed to his normal sucking.

So what would you have done differently, not having perfect hindsight?