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The optimism thread

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Little if any big nickel will be played. The nickel back will be the third CB. Depending on matchups, they will play J. Jones as CB2 and move him inside when in the nickel.

I believe that when I see it given BBs hard-on for big nickel. But I hope you are right.
 
I need a series of games to trust this to be a trend.
Well there was really not a big nickel option last week with no Chung.

Personally I think we are in the midst of a scheme change. The big nickel base from 2014-2016 was innovative. We were able to be good and at times dominant defending the run from nickel, which is much harder than it sounds.
You could see last year that against teams who were catching on with his to attack it, B.B. moved away from it. Teams that tried to attack it with speed (including TEs that are glorified WRs) he morphed into the 4 safety defense. Theoretically it was a smart innovation but in practice it just didn’t work.
This year through 3 games what we have seen is experimentation. The defense has looked different every week. And it’s not just opponent based. We are literally trying things to develop a defensive identity. Last week was the unveiling of a 3-4 look which we really havent used regularly in many years.
I am sure part of it is personell driven and there are a lot of new players to mild together into a unit.
I am confident he will figure it out though.

An example of what I am talking about is lb playing time.
Week 1 170 lb snaps in 74 plays 2.3 per play
Week 2 156 in 71 2.2
Week 3 219 73 3.1

We had an extra lb on the field essentially on 63 of the 73 plays compared to the week before against a team that throws more and uses the TE less.
 
The biggest concern is the defense. That's now three of the last four games in which they've looked like utter garbage.
It amazes me how so many posters think they can have a serious discussion calling things “garbage” “trash” “worthless” etc.
 
Well there was really not a big nickel option last week with no Chung.

Personally I think we are in the midst of a scheme change. The big nickel base from 2014-2016 was innovative. We were able to be good and at times dominant defending the run from nickel, which is much harder than it sounds.
You could see last year that against teams who were catching on with his to attack it, B.B. moved away from it. Teams that tried to attack it with speed (including TEs that are glorified WRs) he morphed into the 4 safety defense. Theoretically it was a smart innovation but in practice it just didn’t work.
This year through 3 games what we have seen is experimentation. The defense has looked different every week. And it’s not just opponent based. We are literally trying things to develop a defensive identity. Last week was the unveiling of a 3-4 look which we really havent used regularly in many years.
I am sure part of it is personell driven and there are a lot of new players to mild together into a unit.
I am confident he will figure it out though.

An example of what I am talking about is lb playing time.
Week 1 170 lb snaps in 74 plays 2.3 per play
Week 2 156 in 71 2.2
Week 3 219 73 3.1

We had an extra lb on the field essentially on 63 of the 73 plays compared to the week before against a team that throws more and uses the TE less.

This is what people mean when they say September is the extension of the preseason. Those were all things that before the CBA changed TCs were figured out earlier in the year. But now you have a situation where contact is minimal in Spring and Summer.

I definitely agree that they are still trying to find an identity that fits the pieces that we have best. And I am curious what it will end up especially with Bielema on board. To me this is an attempt at being prepared better against all the college concepts that are creeping up. Having him on board full time beats the 1-2 meals BB can have with Saban each year.
 
This is what people mean when they say September is the extension of the preseason. Those were all things that before the CBA changed TCs were figured out earlier in the year. But now you have a situation where contact is minimal in Spring and Summer.

I definitely agree that they are still trying to find an identity that fits the pieces that we have best. And I am curious what it will end up especially with Bielema on board. To me this is an attempt at being prepared better against all the college concepts that are creeping up. Having him on board full time beats the 1-2 meals BB can have with Saban each year.
Good points.
Remember Belichick had always been an innovator, ahead of the curve and has always had close ties to college coaches.
 
Good points.
Remember Belichick had always been an innovator, ahead of the curve and has always had close ties to college coaches.

You should really check out Lombardi's new book. It is really detailed about many of those things.
 
Especially in an "optimism" thread.
I mean honestly, you are posting on a fan board of a team and you can’t be mature enough to be disappointed with it using terms like garbage and trash.
Think about that. Who calls people trash?
 
I mean honestly, you are posting on a fan board of a team and you can’t be mature enough to be disappointed with it using terms like garbage and trash.
Think about that. Who calls people trash?

I try not to rant any more, there’s no point to it. Guys are blowing off steam is all
 
stat to make you feel A LITTLE better

If the Patriots were to lose the next 26 games with Tom Brady as starter, TB12's career winning percentage in the regular season would STILL be higher than Peyton Manning's.

Brady 197-57, 0.776
Fivehead 186-79, 0.702

Brady after 26 more losses and no wins: 197-83, 0.704

Another variation, even more impressive:

If Tom Brady were to retire today and Peyton Manning were to UNretire today, and if Peyton won 87 consecutive starts (more than 5 perfect 16-0 seasons, plus 7 more wins), he would still trail Tom Brady's career regular winning percentage!

Brady 197-57, 0.77559
Fivehead 186-79, 0.702
Teabagger after 87 more wins and no losses: 273-79, 0.77557
 
Another variation, even more impressive:

If Tom Brady were to retire today and Peyton Manning were to UNretire today, and if Peyton won 87 consecutive starts (more than 5 perfect 16-0 seasons, plus 7 more wins), he would still trail Tom Brady's career regular winning percentage!

Brady 197-57, 0.77559
Fivehead 186-79, 0.702
Teabagger after 87 more wins and no losses: 273-79, 0.77557
Come on now. We all know that if that happened the media would report Brady’s win % as .775 and round up goobers to .776
 
Come on now. We all know that if that happened the media would report Brady’s win % as .775 and round up goobers to .776
They would rely on Exponent as a math consultant!
 
It amazes me how so many posters think they can have a serious discussion calling things “garbage” “trash” “worthless” etc.


Wow, you are taking sensitivity to an all new level.

Are you suggesting the defense hasn't played like garbage in three of their last four games?
 
Wow, you are taking sensitivity to an all new level.

Are you suggesting the defense hasn't played like garbage in three of their last four games?
Yes i am suggesting it is juvenile to use the term garbage.
 
Don't forget the lone bright spot on the team. The special teams unit seems to be pretty good this year.
I was amazed with Patterson. Thought he might break one. He caught the ball in the end zone and brought it out past the 25.
 
This loss to Detroit was 57-61% played as a gift 1st win for Matt Patricia.

Didn't you see that hug after the game? Awww
 
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