Great film review of Pats D in Denver by Mike D

[long distance]

Patriots vs. Broncos Film Review: Defense Edition

Quotes:

Should’ve known it would be a big day for Trey Flowers when he tossed aside a double team from the guard-tackle aside on the first snap, then dropped into coverage and should’ve had a pass defended on the second. Everyone is singing his praises for his seven sacks, but that undersells how much he can do — pass rush from inside, play defensive end against the run, drop into coverage line an outside linebacker.

On that third down, Van Noy was in running back coverage, initially lining up over the right guard. As the running back motioned to the other side, Van Noy followed and at the snap had to run through traffic to pick him up in coverage. But he did so perfectly. Again, all that was talked about with him coming in was pass rush potential, when his biggest contribution has been covering running backs.

Van Noy had an impressive play, meeting the lineman in the hole, stacking and forcing the running back to stop dead in his tracks. I had to rewind it a couple times because Van Noy’s power was so unexpected, especially considering they were trying to attack him with the run since he’s been a primarily passing-down coverage/rusher.

Van Noy sniffed out what looked like a half assed screen on third down to take the Broncos out of field goal range. Siemian should’ve just thrown it away. If you’re not noticing, Van Noy is becoming an every down player.


Yep. My man Elandon was lost again early in coverage. Harder and harder for him to see the field with all-round emergence of Van Noy. He can still be deadly in specific situations like both goal lines ..
_

Lots of love for resurrected Sheard as well.



And here a difference in pass rush. Still 4-men, but they are in a whirlwind mode now
(there's a better angle in the article)

 

[70Dart]

Patriots vs. Broncos Film Review: Defense Edition

Quotes:

Should’ve known it would be a big day for Trey Flowers when he tossed aside a double team from the guard-tackle aside on the first snap, then dropped into coverage and should’ve had a pass defended on the second. Everyone is singing his praises for his seven sacks, but that undersells how much he can do — pass rush from inside, play defensive end against the run, drop into coverage line an outside linebacker.

On that third down, Van Noy was in running back coverage, initially lining up over the right guard. As the running back motioned to the other side, Van Noy followed and at the snap had to run through traffic to pick him up in coverage. But he did so perfectly. Again, all that was talked about with him coming in was pass rush potential, when his biggest contribution has been covering running backs.

Van Noy had an impressive play, meeting the lineman in the hole, stacking and forcing the running back to stop dead in his tracks. I had to rewind it a couple times because Van Noy’s power was so unexpected, especially considering they were trying to attack him with the run since he’s been a primarily passing-down coverage/rusher.

Van Noy sniffed out what looked like a half assed screen on third down to take the Broncos out of field goal range. Siemian should’ve just thrown it away. If you’re not noticing, Van Noy is becoming an every down player.


Yep. My man Elandon was lost again early in coverage. Harder and harder for him to see the field with all-round emergence of Van Noy. He can still be deadly in specific situations like both goal lines ..
_

Lots of love for resurrected Sheard as well.



And here a difference in pass rush. Still 4-men, but they are in a whirlwind mode now
(there's a better angle in the article)

Good read and videos. Van Noy and Flowers have been money for us. and we forget about Roberts, but he was playing really well for us a few weeks back.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

Patriots vs. Broncos Film Review: Defense Edition

Quotes:

Should’ve known it would be a big day for Trey Flowers when he tossed aside a double team from the guard-tackle aside on the first snap, then dropped into coverage and should’ve had a pass defended on the second. Everyone is singing his praises for his seven sacks, but that undersells how much he can do — pass rush from inside, play defensive end against the run, drop into coverage line an outside linebacker.

On that third down, Van Noy was in running back coverage, initially lining up over the right guard. As the running back motioned to the other side, Van Noy followed and at the snap had to run through traffic to pick him up in coverage. But he did so perfectly. Again, all that was talked about with him coming in was pass rush potential, when his biggest contribution has been covering running backs.

Van Noy had an impressive play, meeting the lineman in the hole, stacking and forcing the running back to stop dead in his tracks. I had to rewind it a couple times because Van Noy’s power was so unexpected, especially considering they were trying to attack him with the run since he’s been a primarily passing-down coverage/rusher.

Van Noy sniffed out what looked like a half assed screen on third down to take the Broncos out of field goal range. Siemian should’ve just thrown it away. If you’re not noticing, Van Noy is becoming an every down player.


Yep. My man Elandon was lost again early in coverage. Harder and harder for him to see the field with all-round emergence of Van Noy. He can still be deadly in specific situations like both goal lines ..
_

Lots of love for resurrected Sheard as well.



And here a difference in pass rush. Still 4-men, but they are in a whirlwind mode now
(there's a better angle in the article)

 

[venecol]

Love to finally see all this love for the D. So much negativity all year. Sometimes I wonder if BB and his coaches hold back on plays they don't want to show during the year (mainly on offense). Some of the teams they played I believe the Pats could've dropped way more points on them or allowed less but BB doesn't care about stats, just keeps on piling on Ws.

 

[70Dart]

Love to finally see all this love for the D. So much negativity all year. Sometimes I wonder if BB and his coaches hold back on plays they don't want to show during the year (mainly on offense). Some of the teams they played I believe the Pats could've dropped way more points on them or allowed less but BB doesn't care about stats, just keeps on piling on Ws.

A lot of it for me was the fact that mediocre QB's were looking like Pro Bowlers against our secondary. It wasn't all on the secondary though, there was a lack of pressure to the QB's. which is always a potential recipe for disaster. But as I said somewhere else, people see the yards allowed and think how bad the Pats D was. They don't realize the scoreboard. If a team racks up 500 yards of offense but can only muster 15-17 points against us, I don't see how the D is considered bad. My biggest issue was the lack of pressure on opposing QB's. Teams would be down late in the game and have no choice but to air it out, and Patricia would go into a prevent defense, which IMO is a useless coverage. It allows too many underneath passes which can gain a ton of yards.

 

[n1997y]

Love to finally see all this love for the D. So much negativity all year. Sometimes I wonder if BB and his coaches hold back on plays they don't want to show during the year (mainly on offense). Some of the teams they played I believe the Pats could've dropped way more points on them or allowed less but BB doesn't care about stats, just keeps on piling on Ws.

I've been thinking for years that BB keeps his cards close to the vest during the early season. At least until he knows whether he has a team that's got the right stuff to go all the way. And he's constantly tinkering with the chemistry and alignments to find out what he can do with them that works best. Amazing to watch.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Man, Denver's OL sucks. Just watch Schofield (79, RG) on that play - it's like he's trying to not block anyone. Between him and Paradis' sad attempt at blocking Flowers, that's two guys who between them made zero meaningful contact with anyone over the course of the play. Garcia got eaten for breakfast by Van Noy, and he somehow comes out of this looking okay by comparison because he managed to make an obstacle of himself, even if it was for maybe a second and his guy ended up getting to the QB pretty easily anyway Okung didn't even hold his block for very long, but at least that was something you can call a block.

And I don't say that to take anything away from the Pats - that's exactly what a solid DL would do to a bunch of JAGs.

 

[patfanken]

The Pats have several times seemed to wait until the second half to institute aspects of their game plan. I think the same thing happened on Sunday. I was getting pissed that we didn't see any of the "guess which 4 are rushing" defense early in the first game, since it was so effective vs the Ravens. Well it finally showed up in the 2nd half, and after thinking about it, I know why they waited.

It was clearly effective vs the Ravens and I'm sure the Broncos worked hard to figure out what the Pats might do. So even if the Pats had been successful early in the game with that strategy, it was likely that by half time the Broncos would be able to figure out what iterations the Pats were using, and begin to block it better. Remember, ultimately they are only rushing 4, so it CAN be blocked if you know who's coming. By waiting until the 2nd half they made it that much more difficult to adjust.

I doubt we see anything over the next 2 games that isn't already on tape in some game. You KNOW that Josh and Matty have some ideas that they've been holding back for the playoffs that no one has seen yet.

 

[luuked]

Love Dussault and his PatsPropaganda page.

I dont think BB and Patricia held anything back because of gametape concerns but generally BB coached teams don't introduce the exotic stuff until they have settled on a rotation AND have worked out most fundamental issues. This year communication seemed to be the biggest culprit which manifested itself in the early season in many missed tackles, blown schemes and wrong coverages.

The addition of KVN and him catching up to the point where he could wear the green dot and make corrections took pressure away from Hightower doing it all. Everyone now can really focus on doing their job and it makes the defense look more fierce and decisive.

 

[TomPatriot]

Note Sheard's bull rush on Stephenson. Good tech by Sheard. Got his hands up inside the pads, stood him up, legs churning, pushed straight through him. One of Von Millers two favorite moves, but he couldn't do it all day because Cannon kept low and loose, arms flexible and extended. Miller could never get to his body the way Sheard did on that play.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

If a team racks up 500 yards of offense but can only muster 15-17 points against us, I don't see how the D is considered bad.

Because the time the opposing team's offense spent getting those 500yd is time the NE offense isn't on the field, making the game closer than it'd be if the defense had given up fewer yards.

Now sure, I'd rather have NE give up 15-17 and 500yd than give up 27 and 200yd. But given how good the NE offense is I'd (say) take giving up 17-20 and 250yd over both of those. That would lead to a bigger margin of victory and less chance of a loss when the inevitable fluky things happen.

There's a reason that inferior teams often try to slow the game down and minimize the number of possessions each team has -- it increases their chances of winning. So why do you want the team to do that to itself?

 

[n1997y]

Because the time the opposing team's offense spent getting those 500yd is time the NE offense isn't on the field, making the game closer than it'd be if the defense had given up fewer yards.

Now sure, I'd rather have NE give up 15-17 and 500yd than give up 27 and 200yd. But given how good the NE offense is I'd (say) take giving up 17-20 and 250yd over both of those. That would lead to a bigger margin of victory and less chance of a loss when the inevitable fluky things happen.

There's a reason that inferior teams often try to slow the game down and minimize the number of possessions each team has -- it increases their chances of winning. So why do you want the team to do that to itself?

That kind of ToP thing could also result from the offense scoring quickly with quick strikes so the defense has to go back on the field too soon. Think of the Ravens scoring late, when we all thought we needed a clock killing drive to ice the game and instead Brady hits Hogan. One play drive. Eighty yards for the TD, but not much time off the clock before the defense was back out there with the Raves ticking off more time of possession without scoring.

 

[n1997y]

Yes it would be even better if the D kept taking the ball away or getting three and outs while the O racks up quick strike scores. But every game can't be an epic fifty-plus point blowout.

 

[The Gr8est]

Good read and videos. Van Noy and Flowers have been money for us. and we forget about Roberts, but he was playing really well for us a few weeks back.

In Roberts defense I think he has been injured.

Concussion?

 

[DefenseRules]

I am loving what I am seeing from the defense. But I am very excited by the special teams play lately. I hope they keep it up.

 

[The Gr8est]

Love Dussault and his PatsPropaganda page.

I dont think BB and Patricia held anything back because of gametape concerns but generally BB coached teams don't introduce the exotic stuff until they have settled on a rotation AND have worked out most fundamental issues. This year communication seemed to be the biggest culprit which manifested itself in the early season in many missed tackles, blown schemes and wrong coverages.

The addition of KVN and him catching up to the point where he could wear the green dot and make corrections took pressure away from Hightower doing it all. Everyone now can really focus on doing their job and it makes the defense look more fierce and decisive.

So if Collins was still here and playing like Van Noy is wouldn't we all be happy?

I love watching BB rummage through other teams trash cans and produce four course gourmet meals, while the original team is eating meatloaf again.

 

[Ross12]

Van Noy has been a real treasure and Flowers is getting better every single game. Sheard responded extremely well to his benching and playing the way he always was capable of. The DTs are very solid, Hightower is more "free" with Van Noy wearing the dot, and the secondary is solidifying very well with Rowe seeming to gain confidence and Ryan settling into the 3rd CB role.

The offensive competition hasn't necessarily been elite, but this defense really is starting to turn the corner and could be a force in the postseason. If they can handle the offenses of Pitt and Oakland (which I think they can), Brady will shred those teams' defenses. The AFC will be a bloodbath.

 

[luuked]

So if Collins was still here and playing like Van Noy is wouldn't we all be happy?

I love watching BB rummage through other teams trash cans and produce four course gourmet meals, while the original team is eating meatloaf again.

I'd argue that KVN has a considerably lower physical ceiling than Collins, but he seems to be more mentally tough than Collins was towards the end. This means the floor of KVN is higher than the one of Collins.

This is pure speculation but it seems to me that because of his elite athleticism Collins rarely had to really grind at hard as other team mates. Add in his alleged lack of interest in the game of football and all the praise he had coming towards him in the past two years. This makes for a dangerous combination in a contract year.

Either way I am over Collins and am happy that BB & co found KVN for cheap..

 

[mosi]

Note Sheard's bull rush on Stephenson. Good tech by Sheard. Got his hands up inside the pads, stood him up, legs churning, pushed straight through him. One of Von Millers two favorite moves, but he couldn't do it all day because Cannon kept low and loose, arms flexible and extended. Miller could never get to his body the way Sheard did on that play.

On that play by Sheard, he pushed Stephenson back so far that he could have knocked the QB over but Sheard threw him aside like a rag doll and sacked the QB. Was a thing of beauty. I have watched the game again and the play of the front 7 stood out.

 

[TomPatriot]

I'd argue that KVN has a considerably lower physical ceiling than Collins, but he seems to be more mentally tough than Collins was towards the end. This means the floor of KVN is higher than the one of Collins.

I thought this too but watching film has convinced me that KVN, while not as physically talented as Collins, is a better physically than I expected and a pretty good football player overall.