Keeping track of the defense.

[mgteich]

They are where I basically thought they would be... which is middle of the pack. If the offense is a juggernaut, that should *hopefully* be good enough.

The offense couldn't be much better. We have 9 targets for Brady (5 WR's, 1 TE, 2 RB's and a FB). And we have an excellent OL that is playing very well, in pass protection and in the run game. And yes, we have a top quality blocking TE who has been very important in the offense.

 

[Soliel]

They are where I basically thought they would be... which is middle of the pack. If the offense is a juggernaut, that should *hopefully* be good enough.

It’s worked before so yeah. I’d like to see them get into the top ten

 

[WaterfallJumper]

For the first four games this season, it sorta looked like Reddick might have been on his way out. He'd played a total of 30 snaps (never appeared on the injury report) and hadn't contributed much. I was thinking that he may have been yet another casualty of the off-season switch from James Bettcher's 3-4 to Al Holcombs 4-3.

Then, Riddick played 100% of the D-snaps yesterday and doubled his tackle and sack totals for the season (8 tackles and 1 sack) in the win over SFO.

So, who knows? He's not expensive; his remaining 2018 salary is only about $518k.

I can't see them giving up on him so early, but I was a HUGE fan pre draft. I had him as a 1st rounder before he blew up at the Senior Bowl, although I figured he needed a year or two to transition to off the ball LB full time. What I liked best was his ability in man coverage -- for his size, he's incredibly gifted in space. If he is available, I'd happily trade for him, but I'm not in charge around here (yet).

 

[Kontradiction]

The offense couldn't be much better. We have 9 targets for Brady (5 WR's, 1 TE, 2 RB's and a FB). And we have an excellent OL that is playing very well, in pass protection and in the run game. And yes, we have a top quality blocking TE who has been very important in the offense.

Pretty different from where we were sitting at after Week 2, eh?

 

[Uptown]

 

[maineman209]

The offense couldn't be much better. We have 9 targets for Brady (5 WR's, 1 TE, 2 RB's and a FB). And we have an excellent OL that is playing very well, in pass protection and in the run game. And yes, we have a top quality blocking TE who has been very important in the offense.

If Hollister is back to 100% by Sunday, it may be two TEs as potential targets.

 

[captain stone]

The numbers are showing progress

The #s for our run defense still suck, though they could be skewed because of the two recent blowouts and the defense going into prevent mode...our 3rd-down % still sucks, though again that could be related to the previous 2 games when they traded yards for time. Overall though I'm still not impressed, not by a damn sight. Exactly as last year, we have played terrible offenses, and that makes people believe that our defense is actually good.

 

[captain stone]

That's absolutely disgraceful. Danny Shelton is a feckin Thief; he ought to be ashamed of himself if he had any pride whatsoever, which he clearly does Not. No wonder Cleveland was more than happy to be rid of his fat lazy ass.

 

[1960Pats]

Pats were basically 32nd in every category after September last year. Kontra will update it but look as if most stats are in the 10-14 range after 4 weeks.

The Pats are always a work in progress on both sides of the ball. IMHO that's why we see Brady playing in blowouts during the season. The problem this year has been the slow start of the offense because of a lack of receiving weapons.

 

[Soliel]

The #s for our run defense still suck, though they could be skewed because of the two recent blowouts and the defense going into prevent mode...our 3rd-down % still sucks, though again that could be related to the previous 2 games when they traded yards for time. Overall though I'm still not impressed, not by a damn sight. Exactly as last year, we have played terrible offenses, and that makes people believe that our defense is actually good.

True enough but positive movement anywhere on defense is better than nothing

 

[captain stone]

If Hollister is back to 100% by Sunday, it may be two TEs as potential targets.

Why do you constantly pimp this stiff? Are you his agent or something?

 

[Clonamery]

Why do you constantly pimp this stiff? Are you his agent or something?

He's just balancing out your sunshine of a personality.

 

[maineman209]

Why do you constantly pimp this stiff? Are you his agent or something?

"Constantly pimping?" LOL! You must have me confused with someone else. I was one of his harshest critics here all last season. I was pretty certain all summer that he wouldn't make the roster except for his special teams contributions.

Anyway, how is saying that he may be a second TE target "pimping"?

His receiving ability appeared to have improved in the pre-season, and he caught 3 of 3 targets for 35 yards in his one (healthy) game appearance so far in the regular season. He caught 4 of 12 targets for 42 yards total last season. I don't see it as "pimping" to suggest that he may see more targets (IF he's healthy).

 

[Kontradiction]

That's absolutely disgraceful. Danny Shelton is a feckin Thief; he ought to be ashamed of himself if he had any pride whatsoever, which he clearly does Not. No wonder Cleveland was more than happy to be rid of his fat lazy ass.

Shelton has been pure, unadulterated garbage so far. Thursday night was no exception.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

The #s for our run defense still suck, though they could be skewed because of the two recent blowouts and the defense going into prevent mode...our 3rd-down % still sucks, though again that could be related to the previous 2 games when they traded yards for time. Overall though I'm still not impressed, not by a damn sight. Exactly as last year, we have played terrible offenses, and that makes people believe that our defense is actually good.

What's crazy is that the Patriots are still only one of three teams in top ten for scoring offense and defense this season, along with the Rams and Bears. That tells me that the league in general has a major problem with defense.

 

[RobertWeathers]

What's crazy is that the Patriots are still only one of three teams in top ten for scoring offense and defense this season, along with the Rams and Bears. That tells me that the league in general has a major problem with defense.

It's been that way for years.

 

[luuked]

Shelton has been pure, unadulterated garbage so far. Thursday night was no exception.

Looked average against the Texans, bad against the Jaguars, awful against the Lions. Better the last two weeks. Disagree that he looked like garbage on Thursday.

 

[Kontradiction]

Looked average against the Texans, bad against the Jaguars, awful against the Lions. Better the last two weeks. Disagree that he looked like garbage on Thursday.

Shelton was still getting handled one on one. Sometimes with ease, other times he puts up a bit more of a fight. One of the best runs the Colts had the other night was right through his gap as he was getting blown off the LoS by the RG.

 

[luuked]

Shelton was still getting handled one on one. Sometimes with ease, other times he puts up a bit more of a fight. One of the best runs the Colts had the other night was right through his gap as he was getting blown off the LoS by the RG.

And I remember plays like the one where Shelton blew up a run by producing inside pressure.

Point being that he looked better than in the absolute garbage performance against Detroit. But whatever we are splitting hairs. He needs to improve a lot more before he becomes a consistent plus.

 

[DarrylS]

IMO this is a tad premature, need more games to assess how good or bad this D is.. singling out one player as the cause is begging the issue in a team sport, particularly as we do not know the specific assignments of the defense.. always go back to the days of Seymour when he was lambasted on this board by fans for his lackadaisical play as he did not show up in the box score only to have BB ascend to the dais to tell us what a great game #93 had.