The Patriots Defense ~ A Return To Dominance

[Insaneirish]

I love our front seven and think it's the best we've had since 2007. It's all up to the secondary to see how much the defense can improve.

I agree.... Only thing I'm worried about is the one-on-one coverage in the secondary.

I really don't see the Cardinals doing anything this week. They will struggle running the ball, and those QB's are so suspect. This game shouldn't be close.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

I feel like the offense was restored in 2010. The defense is finally restored in 2012. With the HOF QB and Coaching staff, I think there is an insatiable appetite for destruction with the NEP.

 

[Kontradiction]

I agree.... Only thing I'm worried about is the one-on-one coverage in the secondary.

I really don't see the Cardinals doing anything this week. They will struggle running the ball, and those QB's are so suspect. This game shouldn't be close.

Actually, I think this will be the first good barometer to see how much the secondary has improved since last year. In 2011, guys like Skelton or Kolb would have lit us up for at least 325 through the air. For christ's sake, Vince Young hung 400 yards on that secondary. The first REAL test, though, is in Week 3.

 

[The Gr8est]

...And as crazy ~ as irresponsibly ludicrous ~ as it will sound to the more conservative element, hereabouts:

I still maintain that Nate Ebner will prove to be the best of'm all.

I remember reading somewhere that BB was surprised by how good Ebner's instincts are, and that it is something that is difficult to determine given Ebner's few defensive reps in college.

So did the Pats just get lucky with Ebner, or did they in fact, devise a way to get a clue that Ebner had superior instincts?


You may also be correct about Ebner's future; we all know about how unreliable Chung's health has made him, as well as it being a contract year, and I wasn't overly impressed with Steve Gregory in game 1. It IS only one game, and the reports were promising in TC, but I am rewatching the NE-Tenn game, and Gregory just took a horrible pursuit angle allowing Nate Washington to score.

 

[Off The Grid]

I remember reading somewhere that BB was surprised by how good Ebner's instincts are, and that it is something that is difficult to determine given Ebner's few defensive reps in college.

So did the Pats just get lucky with Ebner, or did they in fact, devise a way to get a clue that Ebner had superior instincts?


You may also be correct about Ebner's future; we all know about how unreliable Chung's health has made him, as well as it being a contract year, and I wasn't overly impressed with Steve Gregory in game 1. It IS only one game, and the reports were promising in TC, but I am rewatching the NE-Tenn game, and Gregory just took a horrible pursuit angle allowing Nate Washington to score.

Not to detract attention from your posts, Brother Cassius ~ for yours are among my very favorite of them all ~ but I have an hard time resisting smacking the Like Button every single time I read your Signature!!

 

[Steve102]

I am cautiously optimistic, but it's only been one game. I am not ready to give 'em some cool Steel Curtainesque nickname just yet. If they keep Larry Fitzgerald from putting up gaudy numbers, make Joe Flacco look less than Canton worthy week 3 and bring us Manning-face sightings week 5, I'll be thinking we're ok.

We do not have a slew of elite QB's on the schedule this season, which may skew the numbers. As Bill says, we play the teams on the schedule, it is what it is.

 

[Dingleberry]

I am cautiously optimistic, but it's only been one game. I am not ready to give 'em some cool Steel Curtainesque nickname just yet. If they keep Larry Fitzgerald from putting up gaudy numbers, make Joe Flacco look less than Canton worthy week 3 and bring us Manning-face sightings week 5, I'll be thinking we're ok.

We do not have a slew of elite QB's on the schedule this season, which may skew the numbers. As Bill says, we play the teams on the schedule, it is what it is.

Yup. Nobody likes a Debbie Downer, but am I the only one who is not even close to declaring this D as ready to dominate?

A QB in his first start, #1 WR out, not a real passing threat on the team.....

Of course, in recent years, the Pats D have made QB's like Locker look like Pro Bowlers, so there is that to hang your hat on.

I want to see how this D holds up to teams with real passing games. I am optimistic, but holding the Titans to 13 points is not proof of anything.

I hope all you optimists are right though! We'll see.

 

[JMarr]

Yup. Nobody likes a Debbie Downer, but am I the only one who is not even close to declaring this D as ready to dominate?

A QB in his first start, #1 WR out, not a real passing threat on the team.....

Of course, in recent years, the Pats D have made QB's like Locker look like Pro Bowlers, so there is that to hang your hat on.

I want to see how this D holds up to teams with real passing games. I am optimistic, but holding the Titans to 13 points is not proof of anything.

I hope all you optimists are right though! We'll see.

We already know that Chandler Jones and Donta Hightower are studs. :singing:

And if Cunningham and Wilson continue to play well this D is going to be the best we've fielded in years. Sure there are some question marks, but the talent level is definitely there.

 

[coolguy]

These 2 games are good training for this young defense before they get truly tested..

 

[Off The Grid]

It's been so long since I could say this that the words sound strange to me, even in my own mind...especially in light of last year's performance...But this Defense is so loaded with heavily talented and intelligent young Dogs who're reaching the Acceleration Point of their young careers, and so loaded with Impact Rookies, so loaded, in fact, with talented young Ballers who seem to be entering that Quickening phase of their careers where it all slows down for them...and, above all, we seem to be so rich with young guys who truly get it ~ Synergy, TeamWork, and how much more 11 guys working together can do than 11 guys working alone ~ that I believe that a Quantum Leap from the bottom of the league to its top...is not only in the offing, but is happening in front of our very eyes.

God help the Cardinals Offense, today.

I presume nothing, of course...But I just don't think those poor Bastards have a chance.

38-10.

 

[mayoclinic]

It's been so long since I could say this that the words sound strange to me, even in my own mind...especially in light of last year's performance...But this Defense is so loaded with heavily talented and intelligent young Dogs who're reaching the Acceleration Point of their young careers, and so loaded with Impact Rookies, so loaded, in fact, with talented young Ballers who seem to be entering that Quickening phase of their careers where it all slows down for them...and, above all, we seem to be so rich with young guys who truly get it ~ Synergy, TeamWork, and how much more 11 guys working together can do than 11 guys working alone ~ that I believe that a Quantum Leap from the bottom of the league to its top...is not only in the offing, but is happening in front of our very eyes.

God help the Cardinals Offense, today.

I presume nothing, of course...But I just don't think those poor Bastards have a chance.

38-10.

Well, hopefully we'll outscore than 32-4 after the half.

The defense is doing their part. 6 points. 111 total yards. But Arizona has a defense, too, and is getting a huge assist from a Pats' offense that is way out of sync.

Lots of humble pie coming up after the game, regardless of the outcome. Team looks flat. But the D looks for real.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Wrong thread... but I might as well add in now that this defense rules

 

[Off The Grid]

Wrong thread... but I might as well add in now that this defense rules

This is absolutely the Correct Thread, Sir!!

The team's obviously not having their best day...

But the D has been STAUNCH, and there is a LOT of FootBall left to be played.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

The defense is really good. Really only let up 9 points... All Field Goals.

Cant blame that TD on them. It was due to a blocked punt giving the Cardinals the ball on our 3 yard line.

 

[Off The Grid]

When you're as good as Mad Bill is, the entire 16 Game season is no more than an extension of the exhibition season, Brothers and Sisters.

This is just a developmental stage...and a usefull one.

Honestly, there is absolutely nothing to fret about.

What we need to concern ourselves with is what Mad Bill concerns himself with...and that, I promise you, is not whether we win or lose a particular Game...but, rather, how the 20 Game Exhibition Season is progressing.

And a Loss, here and there, is good for Training Purposes.

Believe me.

Yes, it's almost insanely bizarre that what I've just put down is true.

But...true, it nevertheless is.

So...Chill, Brothers and Sister. I beseech you.

It's only a step on our Path.

And while I presume that we Win It All no more than you...

Could we possibly have our team's fate in better hands??

 

[mayoclinic]

When you're as good as Mad Bill is, the entire 16 Game season is no more than an extension of the exhibition season, Brothers and Sisters.

This is just a developmental stage...and a usefull one.

Honestly, there is absolutely nothing to fret about.

What we need to concern ourselves with is what Mad Bill concerns himself with...and that, I promise you, is not whether we win or lose a particular Game...but, rather, how the 20 Game Exhibition Season is progressing.

And a Loss, here and there, is good for Training Purposes.

Believe me.

Yes, it's almost insanely bizarre that what I've just put down is true.

But...true, it nevertheless is.

So...Chill, Brothers and Sister. I beseech you.

It's only a step on our Path.

And while I presume that we Win It All no more than you...

Could we possibly have our team's fate in better hands??

It's hard to argue that a loss is "better" than a win in any situation. But an early non-conference loss is about as "good" as a loss can be. Lower expectations, take some pressure off early, give BB some ammo to work on correcting things, and with minimal impact on the final standings.

It's also worth pointing out the following:

- Number of times in the past 10 years that the #1 seed in either conference has won the SB: 2 (New England in 2003, New Orleans in 2009)
- Number of times in the past 10 years that the #1 seed in either conference has made it to the SB: 8 (New Orleans and Indy in 2009, New England in 2003, 2007 and 2011, Phialdelphia in 2004, Seattle in 2005, Chicago in 2006)

Losses count, as the Pats proved in 2008 when they were playing as well as any team in the NFL over the last 8 games but failed to make the playoffs based on tiebreakers. But dominating the regular season and getting HFA for the playoffs doesn't guarantee post-season success.

 

[captain stone]

...And as crazy ~ as irresponsibly ludicrous ~ as it will sound to the more conservative element, hereabouts:

I still maintain that Nate Ebner will prove to be the best of'm all.

I hope he becomes a better Safety than he currently is a punt-protector.

 

[captain stone]

The defense is really good. Really only let up 9 points... All Field Goals.

Cant blame that TD on them. It was due to a blocked punt giving the Cardinals the ball on our 3 yard line.

2 FGs, 2 TDs: one of the TDs was, as you said, on Ebner and not the defense;
the other TD, unfortunately, was on them - especially that awful 60-yd play that should never have been -
and on Ninko & the DB who missed the tackle & Gregory's PF penalty in particular.

Ninko absolutely sux at wrapping-up. He flew right off Kolb; inexcusable.

 

[BradyFTW!]

2 FGs, 2 TDs: one of the TDs was, as you said, on Ebner and not the defense;
the other TD, unfortunately, was on them - especially that awful 60-yd play that should never have been -
and on Ninko & the DB who missed the tackle & Gregory's PF penalty in particular.

Ninko absolutely sux at wrapping-up. He flew right off Kolb; inexcusable.

FWIW, it was Arrington who missed the tackle.

 

[captain stone]

It was indeed Arrington, who at least didn't give up on the play.
And after further re-watching, Love also should have buried Kolb in the backfield.