The '01-'05 Pats vs the '13-17 Pats

[WHPats]

Hey guys

So I was watching some old Patriots games from about 15 years ago, and back then we were a much more stout defensive team that relied on consistent, reliable offense. Lots of very good players on both sides of the ball, but no real superstars with the exception of Brady...who back then wasn't a big stat QB, just found ways to win. The defense had lots of real good tough players with Bruschi, Vrabel, Seymour, Harrison, Law and Milloy.

Today's version of the Pats has superstars on offense in Brady and Gronk, and lots of really good players on offense. Some good players on defense too but not quite at the same level. The Patriots back then used to be one of the toughest defenses in the league, now they play a bend but don't break style that, while effective at keeping points off the board, isn't quite as stingy at preventing yardage.

Is it mostly because of the rule changes in the NFL that it's tougher to play defense now? Because if you look around the league there aren't many real tough defenses anymore...back in the early 2000s it seemed like there were a lot more.

Personally I'd like to see the Pats go back to being a defense-oriented team that has a pretty good offense. As long as we win I guess it doesn't matter, but I miss the days when the defense was THE strength of the team. What do you guys think?

 

[luuked]

Personally I'd like to see the Pats go back to being a defense-oriented team that has a pretty good offense. As long as we win I guess it doesn't matter, but I miss the days when the defense was THE strength of the team. What do you guys think?

You will need a time machine because the NFL changed the rules so much that nowadays it is more economical to build through offense. That is unless you are a ****hole of a team for a couple of years and can build your defense with blue chippers from the draft. But even then you have a short window of opportunity before all of those players get their second contract (see Seattle last few years, with Houston soon facing a similar issue without all the success).

While I get that people are nostalgic for those first few seasons I really am more impressed by our 13-17 run where the core of the team has been build through drafts that happened in the late 20s or even 30s.

The Patriots back then used to be one of the toughest defenses in the league, now they play a bend but don't break style that, while effective at keeping points off the board, isn't quite as stingy at preventing yardage.

Who cares ? How many AFCE titles ? How many AFCCG in a row ?

 

[WHPats]

You will need a time machine because the NFL changed the rules so much that nowadays it is more economical to build through offense. That is unless you are a ****hole of a team for a couple of years and can build your defense with blue chippers from the draft. But even then you have a short window of opportunity before all of those players get their second contract (see Seattle last few years, with Houston soon facing a similar issue without all the success).

While I get that people are nostalgic for those first few seasons I really am more impressed by our 13-17 run where the core of the team has been build through drafts that happened in the late 20s or even 30s.



Who cares ? How many AFCE titles ? How many AFCCG in a row ?

Valid point, I guess it's just greed from my perspective haha

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

1. We lost several all pro or better players and some experienced a decline shortly after 05, just the nature of the game and its impossible to replace all that talent from the 03-04 defenses which were stacked on paper. Its gotten back to a sb level d in recent years thanks to great coaching but other than in ‘14 the talent doesnt compare to those years. We need a great offense.

2. Brady was a great qb early on, but wasnt goat level... at one point he just became the major strength of the team and you pretty much have to build around that.

 

[PatsBoy12]

The game is different now.

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

2001, 2003, 2004- average defensive rank in:
Points- 3.3
Yards- 13.3

2014, 2016, 2017 average defensive rank in:
Points- 4.6
Yards- 16.6

Year points rank/ yards rank
2001- 6/7
2003- 1/9
2004- 3/3

2014- 8/13
2016- 1/8
2017- 5/29

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

2001, 2003, 2004- average defensive rank in:
Points- 3.3
Yards- 13.3

2014, 2016, 2017 average defensive rank in:
Points- 4.6
Yards- 16.6

Year points rank/ yards rank
2001- 6/7
2003- 1/9
2004- 3/3

2014- 8/13
2016- 1/8
2017- 5/29

I spent like 6 minutes looking this up. I don't do this for free guys, I do it for thumbs ups and wrenches.