The Safeties Have Never Been Good Enough

[Christian]

No question this D needs more of a physical presence on the back end.

We only have so many draft picks though and not a ton of money. You have to really address what our BIGGEST needs are. I think our D line needs the most work (and O-line) and TE. Those 3 spots in my eyes are what we need to address first. Then, we can look to Safety.

Someone already said it in this thread but our Safeties can play much more aggressive if we have a better pass rush. I think we need to add another DT as well as a DE who can make plays and get after the QB, BEFORE adding another S. I like Ninkovich alot, but he doesn't get near the QB enough, and he certainly doesn't scare people. I think if we could get another guy who can play opposite Chandler Jones...be able to set the edge AND get after the QB would be huge. I love the idea of Nink being a 3rd rusher/OLB who plays in coverage.

 

[Deus Irae]

What a revelation T.J. Ward would be on this team.

Does BB change his M.O., though? Middle of the road is one thing that BB rarely is. Does he look at all the blown choices he's made at safety and finally demonstrate that he's acknowledging his mistakes, or does he maintain that stubbornness that serves him so well when it works and so poorly when it doesn't?

 

[Deus Irae]

Hobbs? You're kidding right? I would go with Samuels and his hit on Ricky Williams.

Samuel is the softest tackling CB (of note) this team's had in the BB era.

 

[Danger Zone]

Does BB change his M.O., though? Middle of the road is one thing that BB rarely is. Does he look at all the blown choices he's made at safety and finally demonstrate that he's acknowledging his mistakes, or does he maintain that stubbornness that serves him so well when it works and so poorly when it doesn't?

I think the odds of Belichick admitting he's wrong are in fact much better than you ever doing the same.

This defense and this offense have evolved and changed over the last twelve years probably more than any other team.

Not exactly indicative of a rigid, unadaptive thinking coach.

Drafting star players just isnt as sure-fire as you want to pretend it is.

 

[yopats]

What a revelation T.J. Ward would be on this team.

Amen brother!

HE would be PERFECT! :rocker:

 

[DocHoliday]

No question this D needs more of a physical presence on the back end.

We only have so many draft picks though and not a ton of money. You have to really address what our BIGGEST needs are. I think our D line needs the most work (and O-line) and TE. Those 3 spots in my eyes are what we need to address first. Then, we can look to Safety.

Someone already said it in this thread but our Safeties can play much more aggressive if we have a better pass rush. I think we need to add another DT as well as a DE who can make plays and get after the QB, BEFORE adding another S. I like Ninkovich alot, but he doesn't get near the QB enough, and he certainly doesn't scare people. I think if we could get another guy who can play opposite Chandler Jones...be able to set the edge AND get after the QB would be huge. I love the idea of Nink being a 3rd rusher/OLB who plays in coverage.

Exactly. There's a reason Gregory looked worse as the front seven started dropping like flies.

 

[PATS68]

Samuel is the softest tackling CB (of note) this team's had in the BB era.

Hobbs what are you talking about, at least I gave you a play where a DB blew up a RB. You gave me a name of Hobbs and I can't think of one play bud!

 

[All22PatsFan]

Patriots play a ton of Cover-1. Dmac playing the single high safety (No QBs throw at him over the middle). Gregory almost strictly played an a short zone or robber role. Gregory plays that role perfectly. T Wilson man up vs TEs when needed and Harmon can play more Cover-2 this year, taking over Gregory role gradually.

The real problem is pass rush not enough "hard hitters" Collins, Mayo and Hightower are hard hitting, Dmac rarely missing tackles and Gregory plays the run really well better then most Safety's. Pats could use a DT and a DE that can get to the passer. I would guess they sign a big name DE (Johnson, Houston, Tuck ect.) and sign a pass rushing DT a guy like Aaron Donald. In order to add that DE the patriots need to free up some cap , releasing Wilfork would make the most sense coming off the torn achillles and at his age'\size tougher to recover. But that is not the problem with the emergence of Silver Siliga. I'm sure your not sold on him, but I've watched all the film of him and he is a beast he dominated Vasquez, the colts guards in thje playoffs and all thourghout the regular season. He was the reason of the rush defense drastically improved later in the season. Read any of Kyeds work and he would agree with me. I know most of you hate PFF but he had the 3rd highest grade of all DTs when he came in and started.

Here is what the Dline could look like
RDE: Jones, Michael Johnson,
DT: Aaron Donald, Armstead
DT: Siliga, Vellano, Jones
LDE: Ninko, Buchanan, Bequette

 

[Deus Irae]

Hobbs what are you talking about, at least I gave you a play where a DB blew up a RB. You gave me a name of Hobbs and I can't think of one play bud!

Anyone who followed the team saw it.

 

[PATS68]

No question this D needs more of a physical presence on the back end.

We only have so many draft picks though and not a ton of money. You have to really address what our BIGGEST needs are. I think our D line needs the most work (and O-line) and TE. Those 3 spots in my eyes are what we need to address first. Then, we can look to Safety.

Someone already said it in this thread but our Safeties can play much more aggressive if we have a better pass rush. I think we need to add another DT as well as a DE who can make plays and get after the QB, BEFORE adding another S. I like Ninkovich alot, but he doesn't get near the QB enough, and he certainly doesn't scare people. I think if we could get another guy who can play opposite Chandler Jones...be able to set the edge AND get after the QB would be huge. I love the idea of Nink being a 3rd rusher/OLB who plays in coverage.

Well if you look at who BB brought in for FA visits last year, Freeney, Abraham and the other player I can't think of his name he too would agree that he has not gotten enough pressure out of the LDE.

 

[PATS68]

Anyone who followed the team saw it.

Mr. Lawyer the evidence please? Name a play do something to support your view.

 

[Deus Irae]

Mr. Lawyer the evidence please? Name a play do something to support your view.

Wait..... You named a Samuel play, which was meaningless because he's been known as being tackle averse for his entire career, yet you insist I do so for Hobbs in response to an Asante tackle?

Feel free to Google it.

 

[PATS68]

Wait..... You named a Samuel play, which was meaningless because he's been known as being tackle averse for his entire career, yet you insist I do so for Hobbs in response to an Asante tackle?

Feel free to Google it.

Asante Samuel Destroys Derek Hagan (HD) - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiWilD5eXtM

They both sucked that's my point I could only think of one play. Looked on Youtube and nothing for Hobbs my friend a couple for Samuel.

 

[Mack Herron]

Talib and Dennard are both better tacklers than Gregory (who is bad) and McCourty (who is okay). Pretty unusual situation that speaks mostly to our softness up the middle.

 

[ausbacker]

Sign T.J. Ward away from Cleveland and pair him with Devin McCourty. That is a wide range of varying skills right there.

I've said for some time that there isn't enough physicality and punishment dished out by the Patriots Defense. That needs to change in 2014.

 

[Brady6]

Spikes is the only big hitter on that defense, and the consensus is that he's gone.

On the positive side, though, this defense is ready for when Goodell completes the move to flag football.

Spikes really wasn’t a big hitter this past season either, in 2012 he was a beast just destroying players and blowing up plays in 2013 he was not much of a playmaker at all. This was indicative in his 5 forced fumbles in 2012 and 0 in 2013.

 

[Brady6]

Sign T.J. Ward away from Cleveland and pair him with Devin McCourty. That is a wide range of varying skills right there.

I've said for some time that there isn't enough physicality and punishment dished out by the Patriots Defense. That needs to change in 2014.

Would love to sign Ward and move away from this 2 deep safety look that we spend so much time in. TJ Ward had 10 stuffs in 2013, from the safety position that is getting it done on a completely different level.

 

[mgteich]

I presume that you are fine paying Ward the $6M-$8M AAV that he will likely get. The top 14 current contracts for safeties are all $6M AAV or higher.

Would love to sign Ward and move away from this 2 deep safety look that we spend so much time in. TJ Ward had 10 stuffs in 2013, from the safety position that is getting it done on a completely different level.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Does BB change his M.O., though? Middle of the road is one thing that BB rarely is. Does he look at all the blown choices he's made at safety and finally demonstrate that he's acknowledging his mistakes, or does he maintain that stubbornness that serves him so well when it works and so poorly when it doesn't?

BB knows when to cut his losses. He cut Meriweather even though he was a 1st round pick coming off a Pro Bowl, didn't he? If TJ Ward is as good as people say, hopefully he'll accept a middle of the road contract for a chance at a ring with the Pats.

The Pats really need to free up some cap space if they are to sign any decent free agents though. I think if they retain Talib, add a good SS, and a good DT they will be in very good shape. Like many, I believe that Spikes is gone. Love his ferocious hitting but he's an absolute liability vs the pass. Hightower will turn into a more mobile playmaker at the MLB position for us.

 

[Sticky Caulk]

If the Patriots go after Ward and upgrade the line, can they still afford Talib? I would assume most of these scenarios would include a Wilfork cut and giving Edelman a low-ball, take it or leave it deal.