What are the patriots biggest concerns on defense so far?

[RobertWeathers]

I'm not using yesterdays game as a gauge for anything........they appeared not too interested in playing the game......

Thats my takeway too.

I'm convinced they were looking past it in anticipation of God re-joining the team

 

[FourierSeries]

I don't have any concerns on defense. The only possible concern going forward would be potential injuries. I posted stats in another thread detailing how Belichick defenses start off slow but get stronger as the season goes on. This year, in terms of PPG allowed, we've had the 3rd best start since he's been coaching here. I'm content with that, and I expect the defense to continue to get even better.

 

[RobertWeathers]

To me the third down conversion rate is the most problematic. No wonder buffalo dominated TOP yesterday.

It was pathetic.

Sloppy coverage + controlled rush + poor tackling & technique = bad defense.

With that said, the offense went 1-12 on 3rd down and had 13 the entire game.

Horrific.

 

[Nehalem]

The CBs are left out on their own, they have ZERO help from the safeties. McCourty was again absent for the entire game yesterday! He makes no plays, for a guy with a 9.5 million dollar salary, maybe he could at least break up a pass now and then. He had 5 INTs his rookie year, and has 4 since! Think about that, easily one of the highest paid players at his position and he makes no game changing plays! Sacks, forget about it, Tackles for loss? He has averaged one a year for the last four years!!! Every shot downfield you can see him coming into the frame at least three steps too late. I fail to see how anyone thinks he is a difference maker, all he is, is a bloated knee jerk overpayment after they lost out on Revis.

He had 7 INTs his rookie year, and has 11 INTs since.

 

[jah]

Just frustratingly inconsistent.

 

[VectorPrime]

I know there's no chance in any change but I wish to god Bill would adjust how he handles mobile QBs. Everytime we just play contain we get ripped apart through the air, even against garbage QBs. Tyrod murdered us with his arm all day and it's just another example in a long list of mediocre mobile QBs who tear us apart. Geno Smith comes to mind as someone who looked all world against us every time we faced him.

Our corners just aren't good enough to pass protect without accompanying pressure on the QB. Simple as that.

 

[mgteich]

It's kind of weird because i know statistically we rank as one of the top units in the league as far as points allowed, but to me, it seems like we just have a really difficult time getting off the field on 3rd down.

We are 4th in points allowed, yet we allow 1st downs. This has been called bend but don't break.

 

[mgteich]

I know there's no chance in any change but I wish to god Bill would adjust how he handles mobile QBs. Everytime we just play contain we get ripped apart through the air, even against garbage QBs. Tyrod murdered us with his arm all day and it's just another example in a long list of mediocre mobile QBs who tear us apart. Geno Smith comes to mind as someone who looked all world against us every time we faced him.

Our corners just aren't good enough to pass protect without accompanying pressure on the QB. Simple as that.

In the past we've used a spy. Collins could have played that role.

 

[Ring 6]

It was pathetic.

Sloppy coverage + controlled rush + poor tackling & technique = bad defense.

With that said, the offense went 1-12 on 3rd down and had 13 the entire game.

Horrific.

We have seen this over and over again with an offense like this.
The game plan is opponent specific. This game plan was against a running QB who's success comes escaping the rush, extending the play and throwing deep. It was against a QB that if asked to be precise on tight short throws, he will not be extremely accurate. It was against a team who's biggest threat was a RB.
We bottled up the RB, we allowed no deep plays, and we allowed a total of 16 points with this gameplan.

People seem to say that a gameplan that ignored their strengths and weakness and just did a really good job at the things that this game plan sacrificed, it would have been wonderful.

With any kind of offensive performance, the D was more than good enough to win.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

He had 7 INTs his rookie year, and has 11 INTs since.

4 INT in the last 4 years!

Please tell me the last game changing play he made???? None this year. His 1 INT last year.

 

[Patstopia]

We have seen this over and over again with an offense like this.
The game plan is opponent specific. This game plan was against a running QB who's success comes escaping the rush, extending the play and throwing deep. It was against a QB that if asked to be precise on tight short throws, he will not be extremely accurate. It was against a team who's biggest threat was a RB.
We bottled up the RB, we allowed no deep plays, and we allowed a total of 16 points with this gameplan.

People seem to say that a gameplan that ignored their strengths and weakness and just did a really good job and the things that this game plan sacrificed, it would have been wonderful.

With any kind of offensive performance, the D was more than good enough to win.

This!!!!!

If TB or even JAG was the QB we would have scored more. Briskett was a banged up rookie and Rex is always a tough defense for us.

I only wish Ghost had hit the FG so I don't have to hear all the shutout talk.

 

[Sciz]

4 INT in the last 4 years!

Please tell me the last game changing play he made???? None this year. His 1 INT last year.

The Pats join the Broncos and Vikings (who haven't played yet his week) as the only teams to not allow a 40-yard passing play this season. You're looking for "game changing plays," when really you should be looking for the ability to prevent opposing game-changing plays. The Pats' deep safeties have been very good at that so far this season.

(For comparison, the Jets alone have allowed seven 40+ yard passing plays.)

 

[archstanton543]

The Pats join the Broncos and Vikings (who haven't played yet his week) as the only teams to not allow a 40-yard passing play this season. You're looking for "game changing plays," when really you should be looking for the ability to prevent opposing game-changing plays. The Pats' deep safeties have been very good at that so far this season.

(For comparison, the Jets alone have allowed seven 40+ yard passing plays.)

Good job. Still lost by over 2 scores.

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

This defense's what it is. Wish we could put more pressure on the QB and get an interior rush. I think our d line's ok not great. It won't matter if our offense put's up more points.

 

[SEA_Pat]

Sorry, is this a game thread? The Chicken Littles have a lower than usual sky today.

 

[archstanton543]

Sorry, is this a game thread? The Chicken Littles have a lower than usual sky today.

Sorry but those guys in the game thread for yesterday saying "Game ova!" and whatnot were correct. The game was basically over once the Bills went up two scores.

 

[RobertWeathers]

We have seen this over and over again with an offense like this.
The game plan is opponent specific. This game plan was against a running QB who's success comes escaping the rush, extending the play and throwing deep. It was against a QB that if asked to be precise on tight short throws, he will not be extremely accurate. It was against a team who's biggest threat was a RB.
We bottled up the RB, we allowed no deep plays, and we allowed a total of 16 points with this gameplan.

People seem to say that a gameplan that ignored their strengths and weakness and just did a really good job and the things that this game plan sacrificed, it would have been wonderful.

With any kind of offensive performance, the D was more than good enough to win.

Yes. With a Brady-led offense, allowing only 16 points is enough.

Yesterday it was not.

 

[Ring 6]

Yes. With a Brady-led offense, allowing only 16 points is enough.

Yesterday it was not.

That doesn't mean the defense sucked.
That's like saying if we lost 3-0 it wouldn't have been good enough.

And we didn't need a Brady led offense. A mediocre offense with a QB we weren't scared to let play would have been fine.
Answer me this, honestly. If Jimmy G came in at halftime, and was able to play like he was healthy, is there any doubt we win that game?

 

[SEA_Pat]

Sorry but those guys in the game thread for yesterday saying "Game ova!" and whatnot were correct. The game was basically over once the Bills went up two scores.

Blind squirrels and nuts. And how many times were those same ones saying the same thing in games that we ended up winning? And which do you think occurs most often?

But I'm sure you're right, our poor defensive performance in one game where the whole team was flat and the offense couldn't get it together under a third-string rookie was the beginning of the end and the harbinger of doom. So what do you reckon, do we make the playoffs Arch or do we look forward to when we can finally rid ourselves of this putrid coaching staff, dreadful defensive secondary and idiotic rocket scientist of a coordinator?

 

[RobertWeathers]

That doesn't mean the defense sucked.

That's like saying if we lost 3-0 it wouldn't have been good enough.

Look- I get the defensive strategy BB and Matt implemented. While the D only allowed 16 points, yesterday it was 16 points too many. Thats my philosophy with sports. You can play well but if you lose you lose. Same thing in reverse, you can play like complete garbage and still pull out a victory. It happens.

Yesterday they allowed way too many completions, too many missed tackles and too many critical 3rd down conversions.

And we didn't need a Brady led offense. A mediocre offense with a QB we weren't scared to let play would have been fine.

I thought BUF came to play yesterday. What I do know is Tom vs that D would have put up 2-3 TDs.

Answer me this, honestly. If Jimmy G came in at halftime, and was able to play like he was healthy, is there any doubt we win that game?

I think Jimmy would have played better than Brissett because A) he is better and B) he would have had more of the playbook at his disposal. Would they have put up 17 points? I would assume so.