The Defense: Why I'm Relatively Optimistic

[Pessimistic Pete]

When was the last time New England lost two games at Foxboro in one season?

For seasons where Brady started every game

2002 (5-3)
2005 (5-3)
2006 (5-3)
2012 (6-2)

*He lost one home game in 2001/2014, other home losses came with other QB starting

So overall, a rarity during Brady's career, especially 2007+

 

[long distance]

It's time to cut bait on the idea that there is a good defense here waiting to emerge. This unit is dreadful - perhaps historically so - and it will take a Herculean effort for them to become average.

Understand the disappointment . and its not nice to watch D not ready to play in week 4 . but its still so early for any final thoughts.

Communication is #1 reason for historically low numbers (mostly at secondary but also at front 7) and it will be sorted out one way or the other.

The bad news is its not only that. At the moment MP doesn't seem to have an answer to stop even average TEs and outside runs incl. QBs. He tried w Richards, Chung and they don't seem to be able to do it (Chung seems to be playing way under last yr form). Roberts can't do it, KVN misses a bit of speed despite solid efforts, even D-Mac is allowing more TE plays than usual. Have to see how M.Flowers was doing on limited snaps. Langi has the speed, strength and is ok in traffic but they kept him on LOS for most of TC and they keep him inactive now..

3rd down D is almost non-existent outside of red zone. If they don't fix TE and outside run coverage they will struggle on winning 3rd downs even with communication fixed and that's the worrying part. Of course we've seen similar 3rd down worries last early season so Id certainly wait w cutting bait..

 

[Ring 6]

If the D cant be fixed (which some posters are claiming) then should the pats just forfiet the rest of the season and prepare for next year? Or play JG and save TB. I am honestly curious what the answer is.

The answer is people like to whine.

There is the same amount of talent here that was the#1 defense in the NFL last year.
Guess what? Being the #1 defense counted for nothing in the SB they still had to go out and play.
And what had happened in these games so far will have no impact on the ones that follow.
Other than whining ir feeling in a safety zone what people have to say really isn't very relevant to how successful this team is going to be.

If it makes you feel good to say they suck, go for it. I'm sure, like every other season, they will work in getting better and fixing the issues that have come up.

 

[mgteich]

Communication is #1 reason for historically low numbers (mostly at secondary but also at front 7) and it will be sorted out one way or the other.

If the main issue is communications in the secondary (as it seems), then I must point out that the ONE new player in the secondary is Gilmore. The rest are back from last year.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

They've played exactly *one* game against a non-mobile quarterback, on the road, against a good offense. In my opinion the defense looked perfectly fine in that game.

In my opinion there's little evidence to back up the claim that they're "bad" against non-mobile quarterbacks, given that they've played one game against such a team.

They're a historically bad defense against mobile QB's, immobile QB's, legally blind QB's, QB's in wheelchairs, double amputee QB's .....and so on....... and so on......and so on.....

Any team can attack this defense any way they want and have success.
Every game this season will come down to how many points TB and the boys can put on the board and if it's under 30 they will be in danger of losing.

 

[catent]

They're a historically bad defense against mobile QB's, immobile QB's, legally blind QB's, QB's in wheelchairs, double amputee QB's .....and so on....... and so on......and so on.....

Any team can attack this defense any way they want and have success.
Every game this season will come down to how many points TB and the boys can put on the board and if it's under 30 they will be in danger of losing.

I disagree with your assessment and would question how you came to the conclusions you have.

 

[Ring 6]

They're a historically bad defense against mobile QB's, immobile QB's, legally blind QB's, QB's in wheelchairs, double amputee QB's .....and so on....... and so on......and so on.....

Any team can attack this defense any way they want and have success.
Every game this season will come down to how many points TB and the boys can put on the board and if it's under 30 they will be in danger of losing.

Since belichick has been here they rank as a top 3 defense.

 

[ANGR89]

I have not read all the posts, just the subject line so I just have to say to that...are you crazy? lol I'd like to say I'm just kidding but man does this defense bum me out. I know they've always been known to get off to a slow start but this is ridiculous! Score 30 points and can't win, that's depressing!

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

I have not read all the posts, just the subject line so I just have to say to that...are you crazy? lol I'd like to say I'm just kidding but man does this defense bum me out. I know they've always been known to get off to a slow start but this is ridiculous! Score 30 points and can't win, that's depressing!

They had to battle back from 30-16. This defense's terrible.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

I think Patsfans should choose to be optimistic. After all, being either pessimistic or optimistic is a choice for everyone.

We're 2-2 with 12 games left in a division that appears more competitive than recent years. 3 years ago, we had the same record after 4 games and won a super bowl.

I still get angry and yell at the TV when I see a stupid play, but losses don't ruin my week any longer. After 14 division titles, 7 conference championships and 5 SB trophies, I've lost my edge...and I'm ok with that.

Do I want to see the ship turned around and compete for another SB? Of course I do.

The one thing I've learned from this awesome journey is, anything is possible.

As far as I'm concerned the Patriots are playing with house money this year
They go 10 - 6 and struggle all year long I'm not losing any sleep. In fact I would love for everyone to write them off, forget about them and yet when the playoffs roll around we all know that NOBODY will want to play this QB/coach in January.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

As far as I'm concerned the Patriots are playing with house money this year
They go 10 - 6 and struggle all year long I'm not losing any sleep. In fact I would love for everyone to write them off, forget about them and yet when the playoffs roll around we all know that NOBODY will want to play this QB/coach in January.

It has been awhile since they got to the Super Bowl via on the road. If this team has any thoughts of at least a bye they need to start winning games in bunches.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Since belichick has been here they rank as a top 3 defense.

Who cares??? They are really bad this year and while the DB's can definitely improve the LB's and front line are quite mediocre and there is not much room for improvement.

 

[Bruins29]

Who cares??? They are really bad this year and while the DB's can definitely improve the LB's and front line are quite mediocre and there is not much room for improvement.

Why cant the front 7 improve? Typical BB team usually greatly improves later in the year. Why not this year?

 

[Ring 6]

Who cares??? They are really bad this year and while the DB's can definitely improve the LB's and front line are quite mediocre and there is not much room for improvement.

It was a response to the guy who said the defense historically can't stop blind and crippled QBs.

The talent level is really no different than last year. BB picked these groceries, and I have no doubt he will fit them together. He always does.

Las years defense was #1 in points allowed. If this years defense is terrible for the first half then puts it together and plays like #1 over the second half, unless we can't get a bye, it's no big deal other than the hand wringing.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

Who cares??? They are really bad this year and while the DB's can definitely improve the LB's and front line are quite mediocre and there is not much room for improvement.

It's the same defense as last year with some changes. It's inexcusable the way they're playing. They look like a soft bunch right now.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

It has been awhile since they got to the Super Bowl via on the road. If this team has any thoughts of at least a bye they need to start winning games in bunches.

Come on, this is not Super Bowl bound team. This team has a crappy defense and a mediocre OL that is trying to protect a 40 year old QB. I want the Patriots to make the playoffs and then meet up with the media's darling team (the Steelers perhaps??) and crush them and their SB hopes.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

It's the same defense as last year with some changes. It's inexcusable the way they're playing. They look like a soft bunch right now.

No it's not the same defense.

 

[Ring 6]

It's the same defense as last year with some changes. It's inexcusable the way they're playing. They look like a soft bunch right now.

It sucks they don't care about winning as much as you do.

 

[Bruins29]

Are there fans here that remember when you grinded out the season to try to just get in the playoffs where obviously anything goes? Or are there posters who dont remember that because they were 6 the last time it happened?

Steamrolling though the league has often not led to a SB. In fact there have been many stories on how the pats were not in enough "street fights" during a season and it cost them in the playoffs.

Finally ,are there posters here that are so invested in the team that they have to go full ****** when the Pats dont play well. Its a ****ing football team.

 

[Bruins29]

It sucks they don't care about winning as much as you do.

He is certainly going to win the most posts ever award.