Matt Chatham - Need to get Back to Basic Execution

[SlowGettingUp]

The best of the analysts here (by far) picks apart the Patriot's sorry defensive performance - and concludes it's all about poor execution. Not scheme, not man vs. zone, not the amount of blitzing, not the lack of playmakers:

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Great piece, i love getting perspective from players and people who actually understand what's going on when plays break down

I noticed there were no plays in his analysis that involved McCourty being a screw up like half the board has suggested this week

 

[mgteich]

This should be required reading for everyone.

 

[Geezer Butler]

Thanks for the post. This is a great example of how watching the TV broadcast just doesn't give you enough information visually to really breakdown what is actually happening. The broadcast is fun to watch but it's just for entertainment.

Claiming you know what is fully going on with a team from watching the broadcast is like claiming to be a great guitarist from playing Guitar Hero.

 

[archstanton543]

This should be required reading for everyone.

It's a video presentation.

 

[luuked]

I have been waiting for his take on this game since Sunday night. It pretty much matches up with what I have been arguing since then. No reason to panic, individual's just need to play better and do their job.

Especially, like that the Ryan/Chung play was in there that @KontradictioN and I been discussing in the Vanilla - preseason defense thread.

Like always I wish Chatham would do longer pieces than that.

 

[archstanton543]

"No reason to panic, individual's just need to play better and do their job."

I think that is reason to panic. I think this group is like the 2009 squad where Belichick famously said "I just can't get these guys to play the way they need to."

It's just over mid-season and the D is still playing like crap despite not having a rash of injuries and supposedly being put in the right spots to succeed by the coaches.

 

[Sicilian]

I think there's a lot of truth in Chatham's breakdown, certainly much more than my amateur eyes can assess through my Cheeto-stained glasses on my couch. However (and I'm sure BB would be the first to say this as well), just because a play wasn't executed properly, doesn't mean there isn't a scheme adjustment to be made at the coaching level. A player missing a hand off in zone because the QB had too much time may have been an execution mistake by the DB, but at what point do you say, "He just had to make too many reads for too long."

Along the same lines, the coaches have to assess on an individual basis, "Does this particular player have the mental aptitude to make these reads on this play? Or was this failed execution doomed to happen regardless?"

I don't have the answers to these questions, but I don't think it's quite as easy just to dismiss it as, "Players just need to make better plays." That's true, but I highly doubt Belichick would ignore the other factors that may be more in his control.

 

[luuked]

"No reason to panic, individual's just need to play better and do their job."

I think that is reason to panic. I think this group is like the 2009 squad where Belichick famously said "I just can't get these guys to play the way they need to."

It's just over mid-season and the D is still playing like crap despite not having a rash of injuries and supposedly being put in the right spots to succeed by the coaches.

The reason not to panic is that there is still sufficient time to fix most of those issues. We have a stretch of 3 pretty easy games now followed by one that is a bit challenging (Ravens) and a real test (@denver). That's more than enough time to start to trend into the right direction and be an above average defense in January.

Not saying it is gonna happen, but there is more than enough time to right the ship.

 

[luuked]

I think there's a lot of truth in Chatham's breakdown, certainly much more than my amateur eyes can assess through my Cheeto-stained glasses on my couch. However (and I'm sure BB would be the first to say this as well), just because a play wasn't executed properly, doesn't mean there isn't a scheme adjustment to be made at the coaching level. A player missing a hand off in zone because the QB had too much time may have been an execution mistake by the DB, but at what point do you say, "He just had to make too many reads for too long."

Along the same lines, the coaches have to assess on an individual basis, "Does this particular player have the mental aptitude to make these reads on this play? Or was this failed execution doomed to happen regardless?"

I don't have the answers to these questions, but I don't think it's quite as easy just to dismiss it as, "Players just need to make better plays." That's true, but I highly doubt Belichick would ignore the other factors that may be more in his control.

You are not wrong but in the end it all boils down to the kind of mistakes that were made. If we take the infamous, botched Ryan/Chung exchange as an example then there is not much mental aptitude necessary to make sure it doesn't happen again. Similarly, the play where Hightower got the signal that Sheard (?) was going inside but then ended up giving up the edge anyway.

Those are breakdowns on the most fundamental level which on the one hand is a bit disconcerning because we know those players to be better than that but on the other hand also give me a bit of relief because they are fixable.

To be honest I have not seen many complex/exotic scheme plays so far this year that would be mentally taxing. I think we can all agree that e.g. players that are regular NFL defensive backs generally are mentally prepared enough to play zone on a fundamental level. Now whether they make plays in the zone or not is a different question but most of the breakdowns we have seen on Sunday were not about that.

 

[Deus Irae]

The best of the analysts here (by far) picks apart the Patriot's sorry defensive performance - and concludes it's all about poor execution. Not scheme, not man vs. zone, not the amount of blitzing, not the lack of playmakers:

If he's going to claim that scheme wasn't part of the problem, he needs to take another look at the film, and then a look into the mirror for some reassessment.

 

[Ring 6]

"No reason to panic, individual's just need to play better and do their job."

I think that is reason to panic. I think this group is like the 2009 squad where Belichick famously said "I just can't get these guys to play the way they need to."

It's just over mid-season and the D is still playing like crap despite not having a rash of injuries and supposedly being put in the right spots to succeed by the coaches.

They had a poor game. You act as if we are talking about a defense that has let up 30 points a game.

 

[Tunescribe]

The $64,000 question is: if it's not personnel or scheme, WHY aren't they executing? I think BB has put this defense in preseason mode with all the personnel switching around (including departures of Jones and Collins, Sheard being limited, CB3 in flux with Rowe, Coleman, incorporating Roberts and Van Noy, etc.). Chemistry and communication are off. Hopefully time is the answer. Heaven help them if one of McCourty, Butler, Hightower ever go down.

 

[Ring 6]

The $64,000 question is: if it's not personnel or scheme, WHY aren't they executing? I think BB has put this defense in preseason mode with all the personnel switching around (including departures of Jones and Collins, Sheard being limited, CB3 in flux with Rowe, Coleman, incorporating Roberts and Van Noy, etc.). Chemistry and communication are off. Hopefully time is the answer. Heaven help them if one of McCourty, Butler, Hightower ever go down.

Sometimes players don't execute. Sometimes the other team executes better. Sometimes the right scheme against an opponent isn't what you are best at. No question Seattles offensive style and makeup are the kind that the Patriots tend to have trouble against.
I'm not sure why the sky is falling, they aren't getting it done, mentality is dominating the board after one poor game. Prior to this game the Patriots were allowing 16.5 ppg, which would now lead the league.
If you think 16.5 ppg was terrible defense then every team in the NFL has a terrible defense, and I would rather have the terrible one that lets fewer points on the board.
Ultimately, what we have here is a coach who has seen things on the way to that 16.5 ppg that told him he can do better. This is why there is a revolving door at CB2 and CB3 and at LB2 and LB3, as well as across the DL. This is why Collins is gone.
Belichick knows how to win. Win games, win divisions, win playoff games, win Championships. What he is doing with the defense is his belief on what will help win a championship, and no doubt this is a work in progress that no doubt will be better when it has to be. One bump in the road bad game is not something to worry about and part of the reason BB wins like he does is that he is not afraid to make the moves that will get him where he needs to be, even if it is a step back at first.
I will guarantee that by January the reps at DL LB and CB will not be the same as they were vs Seattle. The defense will evolve over the season. Personally, I think the proof is resoundingly clear that if BB says this is what I need to do to get my D where it needs to be, he is right. Does anyone want to claim they can challenge his track record?

 

[BTTA]

...I think BB has put this defense in preseason mode with all the personnel switching around ....

This seems to be a big part of it, hopefully. It is all about getting the D ready for the playoffs, and hopefully not losing games along the way. But they made a decision that with Jones, Collins, and the CB rotation they had, it wasn't going to get there, so they've shaken things up and now the unit is learning to get its act together.

But having mental errors from the vets is still disconcerting.

 

[Jimke]

"No reason to panic, individual's just need to play better and do their job."

I think that is reason to panic. I think this group is like the 2009 squad where Belichick famously said "I just can't get these guys to play the way they need to."

It's just over mid-season and the D is still playing like crap despite not having a rash of injuries and supposedly being put in the right spots to succeed by the coaches.

I just think that these players have given up playing hard for Belichick. They knew weeks ago when
they were given low ball extension offers that they would be elsewhere in 2017.

 

[Ring 6]

I just think that these players have given up playing hard for Belichick. They knew weeks ago when
they were given low ball extension offers that they would be elsewhere in 2017.

So they realize they are playing for a contract and decide to not play hard?

 

[SlowGettingUp]

This piece by Volin adds another perspective. One issue he draws attention to is the number of different schemes they played - perhaps too many given the rookie Roberts (who made a number of mistakes) in the middle of the defense.

Complicated scheme — The Patriots’ defense seemed to have a lot going on Sunday night. They rushed from two to six defenders. They played Cover 2, Cover 3, Cover 4, and man-to-man. There was lots of presnap shifting and pointing and waving. On some snaps, it appeared as if some defenders were in man and others in zone.
​

Upon further review, give credit to Seattle - The Boston Globe

 

[ViperGTS]

I just think that these players have given up playing hard for Belichick. They knew weeks ago when
they were given low ball extension offers that they would be elsewhere in 2017.

Takes 2 to tango. BB should have a good read on the room. If you are bucking any extension talks as a player, AND I see you half assing it out on the field...goodbye. He should have jettisoned near everyone he could like that at the deadline.

If the players came at him with a reasonable offer, and they said kiss my ass go out and play...well they get what they deserve. So who knows what it is, but it's something and they aren't playing for the coach. Either Matty P or BB.

And moreso, they aren't playing for each other. On D of course.

 

[Ring 6]

Takes 2 to tango. BB should have a good read on the room. If you are bucking any extension talks as a player, AND I see you half assing it out on the field...goodbye. He should have jettisoned near everyone he could like that at the deadline.

If the players came at him with a reasonable offer, and they said kiss my ass go out and play...well they get what they deserve. So who knows what it is, but it's something and they aren't playing for the coach. Either Matty P or BB.

And moreso, they aren't playing for each other. On D of course.

They played 8 games at 16.5 ppg before a bad game, and this means they aren't trying? My God the crap posted on this board is mind numbing.