Salsalife
Third String But Playing on Special Teams
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.Unchanged?? The folks getting the majority of the snaps at CB and LB will be vastly different than last year. It's possible for both units to be better than last year.Love the thread but we have to address the elephant in the room, we can't stop the run or the pass. Can this Mac Jones offense score enough points to compensate for our unchanged defense. Sad year i see.
Unchanged?? The folks getting the majority of the snaps at CB and LB will be vastly different than last year. It's possible for both units to be better than last year.
The Pats most likely won't be as good at CB1 but should/could be deeper at CB especially with Jones on IR last year.
The LBs will be much faster and athletic as a unit.
Too soon to declare it a success or failure.
Unchanged?? The folks getting the majority of the snaps at CB and LB will be vastly different than last year. It's possible for both units to be better than last year.
The Pats most likely won't be as good at CB1 but should/could be deeper at CB especially with Jones on IR last year.
The LBs will be much faster and athletic as a unit.
Too soon to declare it a success or failure.
Oh really. Let's refresh your last memory shall we; this is what i remember.Unchanged?? The folks getting the majority of the snaps at CB and LB will be vastly different than last year. It's possible for both units to be better than last year.
The Pats most likely won't be as good at CB1 but should/could be deeper at CB especially with Jones on IR last year.
The LBs will be much faster and athletic as a unit.
Too soon to declare it a success or failure.
Oh really. Let's refresh your last memory shall we; this is what i remember.
And I quote "a Buffalo barrage". Buffalo's O-line Dominated the Patriots D-line, full stop. Buffalo rushed for 174 yards (6.0 per carry) and passed for 308 (12.6 per catch). Lots of lanes, lots of time.
Lawrence Guy
Deatrich Wise
Christian Barrmore
Davon Godchaux
Wow that really explains a lot about the mismatch: the Bills with no injuries the Pats with half the starters injured or out. Folks forget that going into December the Pats were the super bowl favorite with some (Football Outsiders for instance). Team collapsed with injuries and ran into a Buffalo buzz saw.The Bills kicked the Patriots’ asses and nothing will change that, but when trying to forecast future performance it’s silly to focus too much on one game whether it’s good or bad.
If you insist on using one game to frame your agenda let’s refresh your memory of some of the details of the game and why one game shouldn’t be used to predict future results:
Pats final injury report:
QUESTIONABLE
C David Andrews, Shoulder (LP)
DL Christian Barmore, Knee (LP)
LB Jamie Collins, Ankle (LP)
DB Cody Davis, Wrist (LP)
DB Kyle Dugger, Hand (LP)
K Nick Folk, Left Knee (LP)
DL Lawrence Guy, Shoulder (LP)
RB Damien Harris, Hamstring (LP)
LB Dont'a Hightower, Knee (LP)
LB Brandon King, Toe (LP)
WR Jakobi Meyers, Thigh (LP)
S Adrian Phillips, Knee (LP)
T Isaiah Wynn, Hip/Ankle (DNP)
Bills final injury report:
No one listed
Patriots COVID reserve list:
CB Wade
CB Mills
The covis list combined with the injuries to Dugger, Phillips, and Davis led to scary snap counts of Pats’ DB’s covering healthy Bills’ receiversve, which included Joejuan Williams, Myles Bryant, Justin Bethel and elevations D’Angelo Ross and De’Vante Bausby.
Barrmore play was obviously affected by his injured knee and Bently was injured after 18 snaps. Collins played on a bad ankle, while Hightower with his knee was a shell of his former self.
I’m not saying that the Bills would have lost if not for the Patriots injuries, but it would have been a lot closer if the injury report was reversed and the Pats were the team that was completely healthy. This lobsided Bills' victory does not invalidate the facts that the Patriots defense had the second lowest points against for the season and the 4th rated defensive DVOA.
And I’ll respond to the easy rebuttal, “It wasn’t just one game and including the playoff loss, they lost 4 out of their last 5 games”: This is true, and the small sample size still applies, but the Patriots seem to be at least trying to address most of the issues (besides chance) that influenced their late season swoon: 1. Slow and ineffective linebackers. 2. CB depth. 3. Predictable offense didn’t adapt and expand enough as the season went on.
If Bill still isn’t happy with the DL, CB or LB groups then I would expect that he would add a couple of FA’s or bring someone in via a trade. They have future draft capital and potential cap space to make it happen.
So yes it’s too soon to judge the defense until we see how the new parts work and what new parts are added…not exactly a controversial take.
Sounds like a movie DC wants to make.The Stoppable force vs the Movable object...
Aside from the WC game (174 rushing yds), the Pats D in the last 6 games allowed:The Bills kicked the Patriots’ asses and nothing will change that, but when trying to forecast future performance it’s silly to focus too much on one game whether it’s good or bad.
If you insist on using one game to frame your agenda let’s refresh your memory of some of the details of the game and why one game shouldn’t be used to predict future results:
Pats final injury report:
QUESTIONABLE
C David Andrews, Shoulder (LP)
DL Christian Barmore, Knee (LP)
LB Jamie Collins, Ankle (LP)
DB Cody Davis, Wrist (LP)
DB Kyle Dugger, Hand (LP)
K Nick Folk, Left Knee (LP)
DL Lawrence Guy, Shoulder (LP)
RB Damien Harris, Hamstring (LP)
LB Dont'a Hightower, Knee (LP)
LB Brandon King, Toe (LP)
WR Jakobi Meyers, Thigh (LP)
S Adrian Phillips, Knee (LP)
T Isaiah Wynn, Hip/Ankle (DNP)
Bills final injury report:
No one listed
Patriots COVID reserve list:
CB Wade
CB Mills
The covis list combined with the injuries to Dugger, Phillips, and Davis led to scary snap counts of Pats’ DB’s covering healthy Bills’ receiversve, which included Joejuan Williams, Myles Bryant, Justin Bethel and elevations D’Angelo Ross and De’Vante Bausby.
Barrmore play was obviously affected by his injured knee and Bently was injured after 18 snaps. Collins played on a bad ankle, while Hightower with his knee was a shell of his former self.
I’m not saying that the Bills would have lost if not for the Patriots injuries, but it would have been a lot closer if the injury report was reversed and the Pats were the team that was completely healthy. This lobsided Bills' victory does not invalidate the facts that the Patriots defense had the second lowest points against for the season and the 4th rated defensive DVOA.
And I’ll respond to the easy rebuttal, “It wasn’t just one game and including the playoff loss, they lost 4 out of their last 5 games”: This is true, and the small sample size still applies, but the Patriots seem to be at least trying to address most of the issues (besides chance) that influenced their late season swoon: 1. Slow and ineffective linebackers. 2. CB depth. 3. Predictable offense didn’t adapt and expand enough as the season went on.
If Bill still isn’t happy with the DL, CB or LB groups then I would expect that he would add a couple of FA’s or bring someone in via a trade. They have the needed future draft capital and potential cap space to make it happen.
So yes it’s too soon to judge the defense until we see how the new parts work and what new parts are added…not exactly a controversial take.
Many elements influence total rushing yards against besides the DL including LB, S and CB play, game plan, and quality of opponents.Aside from the WC game (174 rushing yds), the Pats D in the last 6 games allowed:
1. MIA 195 rushing yds
2. BUF 114 rushing yds
3. IND 226 rushing yds
4. TEN 270 rushing yds (w/o Henry)
Yet, they're putting out the exact same DL. I would've put money on them drafting a DL player in the early rounds. Thankfully, I'm not much of a gambler (unless it's @Dingleberry bucks).
The offense can help the defense though with complimentary football. It doesn't always have to be by putting up a ton of points, if the Pats can string long drives together and control time of possession the offense can make up for defensive issues. The run game and short passing game on offense is going to be incredibly important in helping the defense. I expect the running game to be one of the best in the league, and Mac will only improve in the short passing game.Love the thread but we have to address the elephant in the room, we can't stop the run or the pass. Can this Mac Jones offense score enough points to compensate for our unchanged defense. Sad year i see.
The offense can help the defense though with complimentary football. It doesn't always have to be by putting up a ton of points, if the Pats can string long drives together and control time of possession the offense can make up for defensive issues. The run game and short passing game on offense is going to be incredibly important in helping the defense. I expect the running game to be one of the best in the league, and Mac will only improve in the short passing game.
Unfortunately, I think the Pats might be daring teams to run against them all season with a focus on stopping the pass. With how often teams in the current NFL throw the ball, it might be the smart strategy. Also, in terms of the defense I expect it to improve as the season goes along with young players replacing older players at LB, and CB. Last season it seems like the defense lost it's legs at the end of the year, I don't expect that to happen this year, but they could have issues to start the year while young players get more reps
OUCH!!Aside from the WC game (174 rushing yds), the Pats D in the last 6 games allowed:
1. MIA 195 rushing yds
2. BUF 114 rushing yds
3. IND 226 rushing yds
4. TEN 270 rushing yds (w/o Henry)
Yet, they're putting out the exact same DL. I would've put money on them drafting a DL player in the early rounds. Thankfully, I'm not much of a gambler (unless it's @Dingleberry bucks).
Aside from the WC game (174 rushing yds), the Pats D in the last 6 games allowed:
1. MIA 195 rushing yds
2. BUF 114 rushing yds
3. IND 226 rushing yds
4. TEN 270 rushing yds (w/o Henry)
Yet, they're putting out the exact same DL. I would've put money on them drafting a DL player in the early rounds. Thankfully, I'm not much of a gambler (unless it's @Dingleberry bucks).
1) I expect an addition between now and the trading deadline. That being said, there were improvements made in our run defense. I think that the contributions from the LB's will be more, and perhaps even from the safeties.Many elements influence total rushing yards against besides the DL including LB, S and CB play, game plan, and quality of opponents.
That being said, there is room for improvement. Barmore should build off of his rookie year, and the Pats drafted Roberts and signed Ray as an UDFA. If the Pats don’t strike gold with either, or if they are developmental projects that can’t help right away, I expect them to sign or trade for an experienced player, like Flowers.
The offense can help the defense though with complimentary football. It doesn't always have to be by putting up a ton of points, if the Pats can string long drives together and control time of possession the offense can make up for defensive issues. The run game and short passing game on offense is going to be incredibly important in helping the defense. I expect the running game to be one of the best in the league, and Mac will only improve in the short passing game.
Unfortunately, I think the Pats might be daring teams to run against them all season with a focus on stopping the pass. With how often teams in the current NFL throw the ball, it might be the smart strategy. Also, in terms of the defense I expect it to improve as the season goes along with young players replacing older players at LB, and CB. Last season it seems like the defense lost it's legs at the end of the year, I don't expect that to happen this year, but they could have issues to start the year while young players get more reps and learn.
I still think that we need to add a biggie. HOWEVER, I've wanted one more than Belichick almost every year.
How many more super bowls would Belichick have won if he listened to this board?Me too. Maybe we will draft one next year? But OT seems like the 1st round 2023 pick, so maybe 2nd or 3rd round?
Hope springs eternal. Maybe BB will listen to us some day if we keep waiting. Haha.
Your question should be a separate thread.How many more super bowls would Belichick have won if he listened to this board?
Please no! I don't doubt that it's been exhaustively discussed in the Tompa Bay sub forum, which I've never visited and never will. But I'm sure the answer is that BB cost TB at least 14 super bowlsYour question should be a separate thread.