We Seem To Finally Have A Dime Back

[mgteich]

Some thoughts on the defensive reps
=======================
1) 8 players were on the field for at least 70 of the 76 defensive reps.

2) We've had a 3 safety rotation in the past, with the 3rd safety getting significant reps. There is no such rotation this year. The backup safeties played a total of exactly one rep.

3) The 3 top corners played almost every rep. However, Ryan got some reps as our dime back, helping to cover Hernandez at the end.

4) Mayo, Hightower and Collins are trusted in pass coverage.

5) After Vellano replaced Wilfork as a starter, Chris Jones got significant reps on the line as the rotational backup DT.

6) Buchanan continued in his pass-rushing sub role.

7) Some players were noticeable because of their few reps: Spikes (6), Harmon (1), Wilson (0). IMHO, Spikes is very unlikely to be here next year.

Defensive Reps (per Reiss)
---------------------------
S Steve Gregory – 76 of 76
DE Chandler Jones – 76 of 76
LB Jerod Mayo – 76 of 76
S Devin McCourty – 76 of 76
DE Rob Ninkovich – 76 of 76
CB Aqib Talib – 76 of 76
CB Alfonzo Dennard – 75 of 76
CB Kyle Arrington – 70 of 76
3) DT Tommy Kelly – 59 of 76
LB Dont'a Hightower – 49 of 76
DT Joe Vellano – 33 of 76
DE Michael Buchanan – 25 of 76
DT Chris Jones – 20 of 76
CB Logan Ryan – 20 of 76
LB Jamie Collins – 12 of 76
DT Vince Wilfork – 10 of 76
LB Brandon Spikes – 6 of 76
S Duron Harmon – 1 of 76

 

[patchick]

3) The 3 top corners played almost every rep.

...

7) Some players were noticeable because of their few reps: Spikes (6), Harmon (1), Wilson (0). IMHO, Spikes is very unlikely to be here next year.

Think about those 2 items together: 5 db's played virtually every snap, and the run-stuffing LB played almost none. Don't they go hand-in-hand, regardless of how good Spikes is?

The Falcons threw 54 times and ran just 15. Not a game that screams "Spikes!"

 

[BradyFTW!]

Think about those 2 items together: 5 db's played virtually every snap, and the run-stuffing LB played almost none. Don't they go hand-in-hand, regardless of how good Spikes is?

The Falcons threw 54 times and ran just 15. Not a game that screams "Spikes!"

Hence the value of Hightower: a 270 pound guy who's athletic enough to stay on the field in these formations. I'm becoming even more confident that he's our MLB of the future.

 

[scout]

Hence the value of Hightower: a 270 pound guy who's athletic enough to stay on the field in these formations. I'm becoming even more confident that he's our MLB of the future.

Isn't this the guy we thought we were getting in Adalius Thomas?

 

[Mike the Brit]

3) The 3 top corners played almost every rep. However, Ryan got some reps as our dime back, helping to cover Hernandez at the end.

Really? Really!

 

[Oswlek]

Think about those 2 items together: 5 db's played virtually every snap, and the run-stuffing LB played almost none. Don't they go hand-in-hand, regardless of how good Spikes is?

The Falcons threw 54 times and ran just 15. Not a game that screams "Spikes!"

I hear that happens a little more often on certain roulette sites....

 

[BadMoFo]

Really? Really!

Caught myself doing that last night also. Blame it on the booze.

 

[jmt57]

I would assume that Logan Ryan's playing time is a reflection of the Patriots being up by 2+ scores late in the game and the opponent is in panic mode, attempting a comeback. If you know the opposition is going to pass then why not put a cornerback on the field rather than safety. I would much rather have Ryan in coverage than Tavon Wilson.

Ryan's playing time thus far:
2 snaps at Bills
0 snaps vs Jets
20 snaps vs Bucs
20 snaps at Falcons

Other than the top five defensive backs (Talib, Dennard, Arrington, McCourty, Gregory) these are the snap counts through four games:

42 - CB Logan Ryan
15 - S Duron Harmon
1 - S Tavon Wilson

Defensive snaps - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston

 

[pencilneckgeek]

Think about those 2 items together: 5 db's played virtually every snap, and the run-stuffing LB played almost none. Don't they go hand-in-hand, regardless of how good Spikes is?

The Falcons threw 54 times and ran just 15. Not a game that screams "Spikes!"

Unfortunately, 2 out of 3 games in today's NFL aren't games that scream "Spikes!"

I would assume that Logan Ryan's playing time is a reflection of the Patriots being up by 2+ scores late in the game and the opponent is in panic mode, attempting a comeback. If you know the opposition is going to pass then why not put a cornerback on the field rather than safety. I would much rather have Ryan in coverage than Tavon Wilson.

Ryan's playing time thus far:
2 snaps at Bills
0 snaps vs Jets
20 snaps vs Bucs
20 snaps at Falcons

Other than the top five defensive backs (Talib, Dennard, Arrington, McCourty, Gregory) these are the snap counts through four games:

42 - CB Logan Ryan
15 - S Duron Harmon
1 - S Tavon Wilson

Defensive snaps - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston

Right. We were up by a lot in the last two games, went to our dime defense, and used our new dime back, Ryan. We're all in agreement on the facts.

I've been impressed with Ryan in coverage. He's tight on his man and challenges for the ball. He's going to be a good addition, but hopefully, he doesn't get too much playing time subbing for Denard in the near future and can continue his growth as a player gradually.

 

[Fencer]

Think about those 2 items together: 5 db's played virtually every snap, and the run-stuffing LB played almost none. Don't they go hand-in-hand, regardless of how good Spikes is?

The Falcons threw 54 times and ran just 15. Not a game that screams "Spikes!"

Right.

But if there's even one team with a scheme that makes Spikes more useful and an opening for a player at his position in the scheme, he'll be worth a lot more money to them than to the Patriots.

Maybe thumper LBs are like FBs now, and simply not worth a lot of money. In that case, Spikes could stay. But otherwise, he's on the way out.

 

[Fencer]

Not a game that screams "Spikes!"

Nor will there be such a game until Gronk is back.

 

[Nunchucks]

Spikes played significant snaps against the Bucs, I think it depends on the opponent, whether the Patriots want to dedicate a defender specifically to stopping the run or blitzing if the offense goes pass. Spikes can be very effective.

As for Ryan, he was not seen until the second half and a lead was built, most likely trying to get him some experience...at least until Dennard went out with an injury.

I agree that Spikes playing for the Patriots next season is up in the air, but I still love his physical play.

 

[mgteich]

Ok.

So, Spikes is virtually useless against all passing teams? he is not a 1-down LB. Is he is zero down LB in most games, except against the few running teams in the NFL?

In any case, my primaty point is not about how well Spikes has performed. My main point is that Spikes will likely be gone. Someone else will find a way to use him more than we do.

This is good news. We have Mayo, Hightower and Collins. We will be looking to replace a run-stuffing LB, one who plays very sparingly.

Think about those 2 items together: 5 db's played virtually every snap, and the run-stuffing LB played almost none. Don't they go hand-in-hand, regardless of how good Spikes is?

The Falcons threw 54 times and ran just 15. Not a game that screams "Spikes!"

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Think about those 2 items together: 5 db's played virtually every snap, and the run-stuffing LB played almost none. Don't they go hand-in-hand, regardless of how good Spikes is?

The Falcons threw 54 times and ran just 15. Not a game that screams "Spikes!"

My exact thoughts.

With that said I think Spikes will see a 'spike' in playing time. It would be shocking to me if teams don't try to exploit the loss of Vince by attacking the Patriot D more heavily using their run game. The D will need to show teams that a Vince-less team is not one you can now run on (the D did ok against ATL without Vince but that isn't a worthy sample whatsoever). If and until that statement is made, it seems logical that Spikes's number is going to be called more frequently.

 

[VrabelJr]

I envision Spikes suiting up for either the Titans, Raiders, Giants or Bears next season.

 

[Bhelmet]

Hence the value of Hightower: a 270 pound guy who's athletic enough to stay on the field in these formations. I'm becoming even more confident that he's our MLB of the future.

Hightower has a way to go. He was single-handedly responsible for one of Gonzalez' TD's. That little chip and then letting him go was piss-poor. He is still developing, but he has to do much better than that. He leaves something to be desired in coverage right now, so I hope he improves in that area.

 

[Sciz]

Hightower has a way to go. He was single-handedly responsible for one of Gonzalez' TD's. That little chip and then letting him go was piss-poor. He is still developing, but he has to do much better than that. He leaves something to be desired in coverage right now, so I hope he improves in that area.

I didn't get a chance to watch that play to see what else was going on, but that chip and then release didn't at all look like the kind of play where he was at all responsible for Gonzalez after the first hit. The Pats seem to do the chip and pass a lot more than most teams, including chipping with defensive ends who then rush the QB. I also think Hightower's issues with the pass are far overstated, as he has been in coverage on just 74 of the Pats' passing yards allowed (7.7%), and just 18 yards (3.2%) of the passing yards allowed through the first three games. For all the complaints about how bad the LBs are in coverage, only two players have allowed more than 100 passing yards through four games, and those are Arrington at 142 and Dennard at 265. Dennard has allowed 3.6 times as many yards as Hightower, and there's no way he's been in coverage on that many more snaps.

(Stats from Doug Kyed at NESN)
Aqib Talib's Coverage, Rob Ninkovich's Pass Rush Among Five Takeaways From Patriots-Falcons | New England Patriots | NESN.com

 

[patsfaninpa]

Hightower has a way to go. He was single-handedly responsible for one of Gonzalez' TD's. That little chip and then letting him go was piss-poor. He is still developing, but he has to do much better than that. He leaves something to be desired in coverage right now, so I hope he improves in that area.

Call me crazy. But, in 3rd and plus 10. I'd consider my front four this; Ninkovich - DE, Hightower - DT, C. Jones - DT and Buchanan - DE. Linebackers become Mayo and Collins. Obviously, only want to do when a pass is certain. And, run stunts/twists with Hightower/Ninko to take advantage of their athleticism. I know. I'm crazy.

 

[Fencer]

With that said I think Spikes will see a 'spike' in playing time. It would be shocking to me if teams don't try to exploit the loss of Vince by attacking the Patriot D more heavily using their run game. The D will need to show teams that a Vince-less team is not one you can now run on (the D did ok against ATL without Vince but that isn't a worthy sample whatsoever). If and until that statement is made, it seems logical that Spikes's number is going to be called more frequently.

That was my initial thought too.

But I'm not seeing how that works schematically.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

That was my initial thought too.

But I'm not seeing how that works schematically.

I really hate when people ask for details when I have no idea . Seriously, I don't know. BB and staff are going to have to hit the conference room, pull out their Smartboard, look at the personnel, find the right mix/scheme. I only know that run stopping, especially given our new found pass defense potency, is probably going to be more critical now that Vince and the double-teaming he sometimes gets, the immovable presence that he sometimes brings will not be there. If I'm an O coordinator I am seeing that as the Patriots' soft spot to attack. And with Spikes, arguably, the stoutest run stuffer, it appears his services may be needed on a potentially desperate level.