Reiss: 'Interchangeable' defense sparks Patriots

[luuked]

One of my favorite schemes. I'll look forward (hopefully) to your film analysis.

In some ways the loss of Mayo makes running a 2-4-5 easier. Ninkovich, Hightower, Collins and Ayers all fit in that scheme, as does Chandler Jones. I think even Easley has the ability to play in that scheme.

Stupidly asked, what are the drawbacks of using a 2-4-5 ?

 

[hwc]

That's how I saw it. 2 block eaters on the line and then 4 linebackers who blitzes and covers interchangeably.

Pat Kirwin said on Sirius this afternoon that he had just finished watching the game film. The Pats used a 3-man rush for most of the game. The trick was that it was never clear which 3 would rush as they routinely brought inside linebackers up to the line pre snap showing blitz. Then, at the snap, the two DTs would rush along with ONE of the two DE/OLBs or ONE of the two ILBs. Everyone else would drop into coverage.

I don't think the idea was to confuse the blocking schemes and sack Manning, not rushing 3. The idea was to use the blitz looks to disguise the coverages (see Ninko interception).

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BTW, I don't think Belichick's genius lies in figuring out what opponents are doing any better other coaches figure it out. I think his genius lies into distilling that into three or four "actionable items" for his team to use in the game. For example, an "actionable item" might be: let them have the short crossers, don't get beat on the over routes.

 

[hwc]

Stupidly asked, what are the drawbacks of using a 2-4-5 ?

Light against the run. Especially with Niko and Ayers as the outside guys and Collins as an inside LB, the Pats were very heavy pass defense last night. A light, fast defense to try to deal with all the receivers.

 

[luuked]

Light against the run. Especially with Niko and Ayers as the outside guys and Collins as an inside LB, the Pats were very heavy pass defense last night. A light, fast defense to try to deal with all the receivers.

Thanks for the quick answer. I almost assumed that answer and was wondering if there are any other subtle problems apart from being light against the run I guess. Should have phrased the question better I guess.

 

[Bombdog]

Ayers has been a great addition. The people over at the Titans forum are not happy with the trade. They think that BB snookered their GM in the trade. BB is the man when Jones went down he went and filled a need and did not give up much.

 

[Big-T]

One thing that stood out to me was just how quickly and well Hightower communicated audibles to the defense when Manning was doing the "flap my arms and shout Omaha" routine pre-snap.

 

[mayoclinic]

Thanks for the quick answer. I almost assumed that answer and was wondering if there are any other subtle problems apart from being light against the run I guess. Should have phrased the question better I guess.

A couple of great reads on the 2-4-5:

http://www.fanaticalyankee.com/asso...the-245-amorphous-d-is-the-next-great-defense (from our own Off the Grid)
http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/25/n-f-l-evolution-how-defenses-will-respond/?_r=0
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2009/9/21/1047264/the-2-4-5-and-1-5-5-revealed

 

[Gwedd]

Is Ninkovich giving out too much information here? These teams may meet again in the postseason. No need for him to divulge that kind of intelligence now.

Not really. By the time we see them in the playoffs ( hopefully) there will be no more real secrets. Both teams will have a full season of game tapes to look at, plus all the historical data they've compiled over the years in their stat bunkers.