Can We Settle Down Regarding The Defense?

[Bcc66duece]

We need a LB with speed so badly. A team could go to the RB or TE every play and we would never stop them.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Pat's D is allowing 15.5ppg in their last two games

 

[Deus Irae]

Pat's D is allowing 15.5ppg in their last two games

That doesn't mean it's playing well (it's not).

 

[RobertWeathers]

That doesn't mean it's playing well (it's not).

Not even close.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Pat's D is allowing 15.5ppg in their last two games

I wonder where that puts us among the league rankings for the best defenses in the 3rd 1/8th of the season

 

[RobertWeathers]

I wonder where that puts us among the league rankings for the best defenses in the 3rd 1/8th of the season

Not sure but on average still allowing 27 a game

 

[jimnance]

That doesn't mean it's playing well (it's not).

True but showing some improvement.
Long way to go.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

A need to "settle down" implies running around, ranting and raving.
I'm neither ranting nor raving and am sitting down as I write this.
But, I'll feel a lot better when this Defense starts playing like the Defense we "thought" we had.
Holding the Jetes under 20 points at Home today would be a good place to start.

OK. That's a good place to start!
Now, we're On to Atlanta.

 

[Adam Seward]

Run numbers are excellent, let's reel in the coverage issues next. I think with health and time it is reasonable to expect improvement. Depending on our IR returns, this could really get going as we run our divisional gauntlet leading up to the playoffs.

 

[mgteich]

Run numbers are excellent, let's reel in the coverage issues next. I think with health and time it is reasonable to expect improvement. Depending on our IR returns, this could really get going as we run our divisional gauntlet leading up to the playoffs.

Yes, Mcclellan and Valentine will help the front seven.

What we need is to get Gilmore and Rowe back, and our corners to play somewhere near acceptable. The talent should OK in Butler, Gilmore, Rowe Bademosi and Jones, especially since we have three solid safeties.

 

[SalemPats]

The concerning thing for me is that our D-Line is having trouble creating pressure and holding that pocket.

 

[supafly]

What we need is to get Gilmore and Rowe back, and our corners to play somewhere near acceptable. The talent should OK in Butler, Gilmore, Rowe Bademosi and Jones, especially since we have three solid safeties.

Considering the fact that many were "insulted" if they saw preseason secondary rankings that didn't include our team in the top 3, I think it's fair to expect the talent to be OK.

Like you said, the first step is getting back two key members. Certainly hoping to see Gilmore out there next week.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

The concerning thing for me is that our D-Line is having trouble creating pressure and holding that pocket.

For me the most concerning thing is the number of enemy receivers that pop up completely wide open.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Looks like the D is way better with Hightower in there.

McCourty has stepped up, as he should.

Van Noy had a good game.

Butler had a key INT before the half that lead to 7 points for us, and he caused that fumble-touchback, saving 7 points.

 

[Adam Seward]

Yes, Mcclellan and Valentine will help the front seven.

What we need is to get Gilmore and Rowe back, and our corners to play somewhere near acceptable. The talent should OK in Butler, Gilmore, Rowe Bademosi and Jones, especially since we have three solid safeties.

Hopefully we won't have to dig this deep into the CB depth chart again but good to see Bademosi comfortable with a quality start. Won't hold my breath if he is next man up in the future.

 

[Kdo5]

For me the most concerning thing is the number of enemy receivers that pop up completely wide open.

That's the main problem to me. If we could shore up that issue it would go a long way in helping this defense.

Over the last few years, our defense has done its share of bending but where we excelled was in preventing chunk plays. That was our specialty. We know that Belichick likes to force a team to take what is given and try to patiently drive down the field. But with the way we give up big plays, that is just out of the window. All too often teams are finding their way into Pats territory in 2-3 plays.

The game should never have been in doubt once we had the 10 point lead, but of course we let up a 40-50 yard pass play where the receiver was so wide open it was jarring and let the Jets right back into it. Well maybe not so jarring to us considering the clown show our defense has been for much of the season.

 

[Joey007]

We had Bademosi starting at CB today, so I can't complain too much about their performance. Eager to see the defense play with Gilmore and Rowe and then see what progress they've hopefully made.

 

[Kdo5]

We had Bademosi starting at CB today, so I can't complain too much about their performance. Eager to see the defense play with Gilmore and Rowe and then see what progress they've hopefully made.

Aside from Gilmore on Evans, what have Rowe and Gilmore done to suggest they are the keys which will shore up the defense?

Gilmore is great when given his assignment and playing man. But both he and Rowe have been just as confused and mixed up as the rest of the secondary.

 

[JMC00]

The concerning thing for me is that our D-Line is having trouble creating pressure and holding that pocket.

Nope. It creates pressure. Just because it isn't a sack doesn't mean it's not pressure

 

[luuked]

Gilmore is great when given his assignment and playing man. But both he and Rowe have been just as confused and mixed up as the rest of the secondary.

Except the majority of his snaps against TB were not in man either but who cares, right ?