Pats run defense is now in historical territory. Statistically worse than 2002

[Bradybranch]

My opinion has nothing to do with scheme. 3-4 is a fine scheme

That 07 defense was big, slow and so-so in man coverage. Different game back then.

Definitly but if we had a stout line like 07 our run defense would be much better. Keep the secondary the same and have some edge rushers and middle linebackers who can cover

 

[RobertWeathers]

Definitly but if we had a stout line like 07 our run defense would be much better. Keep the secondary the same and have some edge rushers and middle linebackers who can cover

I think from that 07 D I would take VW, Sey, Green, AD, Vrabes, Warren and A$ante.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Is it lack of talent or not listening to coaching? If they're this bad it could be both but BB has done more with average talent in the past.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I'm going to continue to blame Bill the GM. This teams talent on both sides of the ball are average at best. Even the bad defenses of the league (Chiefs) have guys that you have to game plan for on the D-Line. The Patriots have not one player you need to account for.

Surprised nobody has challenged you yet and said Trey Flowers. But I agree with you. He's very easy to account for given the way he's wasted on passing downs rushing inside. I think he'd do a lot more damage if he took on tackles on the edge as he's a very good bull rusher. I can't imagine he likes doing that as every defensive end wants to rush the edge. Wouldn't shock me if he walks based on how he's used in the scheme.

I think from that 07 D I would take VW, Sey, Green, AD, Vrabes, Warren and A$ante.

I'd throw Colvin in there. He allowed AD to play more coverage and eliminate TE's. When Colvin got hurt, AD was getting to the QB but TE's were starting to get open like that long catch and run by Kevin Boss in the Super Bowl.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Surprised nobody has challenged you yet and said Trey Flowers. But I agree with you. He's very easy to account for given the way he's wasted on passing downs rushing inside. I think he'd do a lot more damage if he took on tackles on the edge as he's a very good bull rusher. I can't imagine he likes doing that as every defensive end wants to rush the edge. Wouldn't shock me if he walks based on how he's used in the scheme.

I'd throw Colvin in there. He allowed AD to play more coverage and eliminate TE's. When Colvin got hurt, AD was getting to the QB but TE's were starting to get open like that long catch and run by Kevin Boss in the Super Bowl.

I forgot about Rosie. Absolutely.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Definitly but if we had a stout line like 07 our run defense would be much better. Keep the secondary the same and have some edge rushers and middle linebackers who can cover

Their '07 run D actually wasn't very good. It looked good statistically because teams were down 21-0 at the blink of an eye and started throwing all game. When teams were actually able to commit to the run, the Pats cracked.

 

[Kontradiction]

Is it lack of talent or not listening to coaching? If they're this bad it could be both but BB has done more with average talent in the past.

It looks like both, honestly.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I forgot about Rosie. Absolutely.

Not sure if your conversation is based on speed, but I'd also throw in Rodney Harrison. Need an enforcer for the middle of the field and would be perfect to light up a guy like Tyrek Hill. The Pats haven't had a guy that could lay the lumber like him for a long time. Merriweather did it occasionally.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Their '07 run D actually wasn't very good. It looked good on statistically because teams were down 21-0 at the blink of an eye and started throwing all game. When teams were actually able to commit to the run, the Pats cracked.

They had zero speed at LB. If you look at Football Outsiders the 07 run D was 28th in 2nd level yards and bottom 3rd in power success against.

 

[ivanvamp]

Belichick basically employed a SB 25 (Giants v Bills) defensive game plan where we conceded the run and shut down their top receivers. Ben was forced to go to his 3rd and 4th options like MacDonald and Rogers. It worked but our offense simply could not score.

The Steelers scored fewer points than the Bills did in Super Bowl 20. So it worked from that perspective. Too bad the offense managed just 10 points.

 

[TheRainMaker]

They had zero speed at LB. If you look at Football Outsiders the 07 run D was 28th in 2nd level yards and bottom 3rd in power success against.

I was disappointed the Pats didn't address LB in the '07 draft after they got badly exposed in the 2006-07 AFCCG. Seeing the Colts 3rd string TE going off still gives nightmares today. lol.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I was disappointed the Pats didn't address LB in the '07 draft after they got badly exposed in the 2006-07 AFCCG. Seeing the Colts 3rd string TE going off still gives nightmares today. lol.

They did with Mayo....a year too late.

 

[IllegalContact]

The '03 defense would give up even more than 30ppg because their play in 2018 would result in flags for hold after hold after DPI after hold, allowing the opposing offense to trivially march down the field.

whatever you need to tell yourself

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

Healthy scratch for 3 games in a row, Danny Shelton was brought in here specifically to stop the run.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Healthy scratch for 3 games in a row, Danny Shelton was brought in here specifically to stop the run.

This shouldn't come as surprise since we were bad last year too. Yeah it would have been nice if Shelton worked out.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

There's an odd split in the team rushing defense stats for this year.

2018 NFL Team Rushing Stats - National Football League - ESPN

The 6 best teams in terms of yards per carry are playoff teams or in contention: Texans, Saints, Cowboys, Ravens, Bears, Colts, 3.6-3.9 ypc

The 5 WORST teams in terms of yards per carry are playoff teams or in contention: Chiefs, Patriots, Rams, Eagles, Seahawks, 4.9-5.0 ypc

Haves and have-nots alike are making the playoffs. Middle-of-the-road teams in run D are mostly also-rans.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

There is a large, gaping hole on many a big run play next to No. 90 (Malcolm Brown). Why can't this be fixed?

Bring back Vince. By the time a RB runs around his circumference maybe even patriots LBs might get there in time.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I forgot about Rosie. Absolutely.

If he didn't get injured against Dallas we win SB 42

 

[tasmlab]

All in all we should be able to win any game when we only give up 17.

Damn you Super Bowl XLII!

Too soon?

 

[captain stone]

I was disappointed the Pats didn't address LB in the '07 draft after they got badly exposed in the 2006-07 AFCCG. Seeing the Colts 3rd string TE going off still gives nightmares today. lol.

They did with Mayo....a year too late.

Bill should've drafted Jon Beason or Paul Posluszny instead of the Stomper, like many of us in the draft forum wanted him to do.