Run Defense

[Hyped]

We've actually been seeing that quite a bit. Watch Bolden's run for a good example of it...

...around the 2:50 mark.

Watched the clip and what I saw was Guy's jersey getting turned AFTER he ran down the wrong gap. Bolden ran thru the line unscathed. What happened to two gapping?

 

[PatsFan2]

The article is actually incorrect. The Patriots are allowing 4.9 per carry - the worst in the Belichick era. Not even the lowly 2002 run defense accomplished that. And "the best DT on the team," Brown, is certainly responsible for his fair share. So is/was the total failure of a signing, Shelton. Guy is merely a JAG and has actually been the best DT we have, which should tell you everything you need to know. They need to go DT in the draft and do it early. This year has an excellent crop of them. Until then, that position and the inability to consistently contain the run may be the team's undoing (again) in the postseason.

I was saying same thing myself that L. Guy is becoming a pretty good player but as you said that should tell about this horrid group. Browns play is below average and Shelton just suck two nice former First Rounders there.

 

[PatsFan2]

The only thing that encourages me about the situation is that teams tend to get "scared" (for lack of a better word) running the ball in the playoffs. Something about the pressure makes them abandon it if it isn't working early, especially if you're talking about a coach who tends to fold in pressure situations (aka, Andy Reid). Now, this is not a HUGE encouragement for me, as the Chiefs could run precisely 0 times in a game and still be incredibly dangerous offensively, and I think either of the most likely NFC champs (Rams and Saints) won't fall prey to that trap. But still, I always feel like bad run defenses get a little bit better in the postseason for some reason. We'll see, something has to change between now and then for sure.

Just hope in the Postseason that none of our Games comes down to that D needing to make a stop you know what's coming.

 

[Kontradiction]

Watched the clip and what I saw was Guy's jersey getting turned AFTER he ran down the wrong gap. Bolden ran thru the line unscathed. What happened to two gapping?

I don't think they were two gapping on that play. Looked like they were one gapping. Look at Brown (who also got turned on that play) for proof of that. Furthermore, to be able to two gap means your DTs have to be stout at the point of attack. We don't have a DT on the roster that can consistently do that. I would be absolutely shocked to see them two gapping with any sort of frequency.

 

[Kontradiction]

Every single DL is getting completely controlled on that play.

 

[Kontradiction]

I was saying same thing myself that L. Guy is becoming a pretty good player but as you said that should tell about this horrid group. Browns play is below average and Shelton just suck two nice former First Rounders there.

Guy would be ideal as a rotational piece to have. He's not ideal with the amount of reps he's getting and it's definitely not ideal that he's been the best DT we have this year. If you want to see why the run D is so piss poor, there you go.

 

[PatsFan2]

View attachment 21901

Every single DL is getting completely controlled on that play.

Crap wish Sony had those options on Running plays no fair.

 

[PatsFan2]

Guy would be ideal as a rotational piece to have. He's not ideal with the amount of reps he's getting and it's definitely not ideal that he's been the best DT we have this year. If you want to see why the run D is so piss poor, there you go.

Well I'll say it the next Richard Seymour or Big Vince ain't coming through that door at least not this year.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I miss the days of having Wilfork Seymour and Warren on the front.

Me too.

Dexter Lawerence is the guy we need. Will probs need to trade up to get him but he’s the guy.

He's projected to be a top 5 pick.

Or Big Ted Washington clogging up the middle. Amazing how the Pats run defense went from one of the worst in the league to one of the best after his arrival.

Washington was a beast! While Wilfork was very good, Washington was better.

I thought the drafting of Brown was great, but he has been average at best. But the Cunningham and Easley picks are unforgivable!

Cunngingham over Dunlap, the proven college player, was downright pathetic.

Easley was easily the worst pick in the Belichick era.

He's close, but Ras I Dowling is my #1. The Pats opened day 2 of that draft to take anybody they wanted and they took a guy with major injury histories when Jabaal Sheard was the obvious choice.

I hated the Easily pick from day 1 because of his health issues. He turned out to be the pioneer of "fake pressures".

 

[TheRainMaker]

What's the deal with Teddy Bruschi's photo @KontradictioN has as his signature? PFT has that photo as their avatar as you'll see to the right on the twitter feeds.

 

[Snooky97]

Me too.

He's projected to be a top 5 pick.

Washington was a beast! While Wilfork was very good, Washington was better.

Cunngingham over Dunlap, the proven college player, was downright pathetic.

He's close, but Ras I Dowling is my #1. The Pats opened day 2 of that draft to take anybody they wanted and they took a guy with major injury histories when Jabaal Sheard was the obvious choice.

I hated the Easily pick from day 1 because of his health issues. He turned out to be the pioneer of "fake pressures".

Lawerence won’t go top 5, as offensive players will be drafted higher than they should. I have him as a mid round to late pick depending on the combine

 

[TheRainMaker]

Lawerence won’t go top 5, as offensive players will be drafted higher than they should. I have him as a mid round to late pick depending on the combine

McShay had him around top 5 last night. We'll see.

 

[Kontradiction]

What's the deal with Teddy Bruschi's photo @KontradictioN has as his signature? PFT has that photo as their avatar as you'll see to the right on the twitter feeds.

See the ESPN "expert" thread on here.

 

[oldrover]

We've actually been seeing that quite a bit. Watch Bolden's run for a good example of it...



...around the 2:50 mark.

I can't watch Bolden's run again...


https://imgflip.com/gif-maker

...I ran out of bleach.

 

[Kontradiction]

Would anyone be surprised if the team double dipped at DT in the offseason? Either one draft pick and one FA signing/trade or double dipping in the draft?

 

[Gumby]

Me too.


Washington was a beast! While Wilfork was very good, Washington was better.".

You sir, are nuts.

Just 1 example:
Wilfork is the source of the BUTTFUMBLE!!!

Washington was a beast, yes, and maybe a better beast than wilfork for ONE maybe Two years (for Pats at least). Wilfork was a beast for his [entire] career.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

I don't think they were two gapping on that play. Looked like they were one gapping. Look at Brown (who also got turned on that play) for proof of that. Furthermore, to be able to two gap means your DTs have to be stout at the point of attack. We don't have a DT on the roster that can consistently do that. I would be absolutely shocked to see them two gapping with any sort of frequency.

Sometimes our DL plays a "NO GAP" defense.

 

[Kontradiction]

You sir, are nuts.

Just 1 example:
Wilfork is the source of the BUTTFUMBLE!!!

Washington was a beast, yes, and maybe a better beast than wilfork for ONE maybe Two years (for Pats at least). Wilfork was a beast for his career.

Washington was a beast, no doubt. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong as I was very young at the time, but I don't think I remember Washington having a game like the one Wilfork had against the Ravens in the 2011 AFCCG. That was Wilfork's finest game (by far) as a pro.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

The team has one of the worst DL in football and easily a bottom 3 DT pairing.

Come on, bottom 3? They're not great, and on bad days they're below average -- I'm certainly not championing them -- but bottom 3? I have a tough time believing that.

The good news is that the DL draft this year is absurdly good. Here's a nice resource for tracking all the players, btw. Best database online, in my opinion.

Spreadsheet Link

 

[TheRainMaker]

Washington was a beast, no doubt. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong as I was very young at the time, but I don't think I remember Washington having a game like the one Wilfork had against the Ravens in the 2011 AFCCG. That was Wilfork's finest game (by far) as a pro.

You sir, are nuts.

Just 1 example:
Wilfork is the source of the BUTTFUMBLE!!!

Washington was a beast, yes, and maybe a better beast than wilfork for ONE maybe Two years (for Pats at least). Wilfork was a beast for his career.

He only played for the Pats for one year and he was immovable and was the reason they were able to actually run a 3-4. 2003 was their best run D.

Washington's career in Buffalo as a NT:

"He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an unrestricted free agent on February 24, 1995. Playing nose tackle, Washington lined up next to defensive end Bruce Smith in Buffalo's 3-4 defense. In his first season, he posted 86 tackles in 16 regular season games and two post season ones. In his second season with the Bills he recorded career numbers with 130 tackles. In the 1997 season, he recorded 124 tackles and four sacks. He was also selected to his first Pro Bowl. The following season, he was again selected to the Pro Bowl after finishing the year with 101 tackles and 4.5 sacks, which was a career high. In 1998, he again started in all 16 games and finished the season with 87 tackles. Washington was selected to do his third Pro Bowl in the 2000 season after recording 86 tackles and 2.5 sacks."

Wilfork's best years don't even come close to Washington in his prime. He had more tackles and twice as many sacks as Wilfork. He was only cut in Buffalo because he won't take a pay cut at his age and they had a really good, young and cheap NT that could replace him in Pat Williams.