2025 Patriots Defensive Identity: "Unwavering Violence"

[Vindicate]

Saw this piece in the ticker today: Patriots defense looking to be defined by its ‘unwavering violence'

Some interesting quotes I found -

DC Williams: “You gotta play violent, and you gotta play with effort,” Williams said at the time. “The violent element of it, that’s a big part of playing that position. You want guys that accept that...."

Zak Kuhr, LB coach: “I think any style that we’ve been a part of, unwavering violence is a huge part of that,” Kuhr said. “I don’t think size so much (matters). If you’re 6-foot-3, 250 pounds and you have that unwavering violence attribute, it could be the same as a 5-foot-11, 220-pound guy. I’m a firm believer, your actions speak for everything...."

Continuing, “Being aggressive. Being violent. Not turning down blocks. Having a good toolbox of tools to defeat the offensive player, but it’s not just always finesse, but there is some physicality and some violence. We’re huge into guys that don’t mind playing violent football.”

If you read the piece, the staff, at least on defense, is again looking to build from a style-first idea, rather than just measurable.

I do appreciate the language, personally. It's nice to see something that confirms that they're piercing together an identity.

Thoughts?

 

[signbabybrady]

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Here come the penalties. Hit on defenseless receiver, roughing the QB, hit out of bounds.

 

[signbabybrady]

Here come the penalties. Hit on defenseless receiver, roughing the QB, hit out of bounds.

Let the paramedics sort them out

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

 

[ViperGTS]

Keion White is drooling right now lol

​

 

[ViperGTS]

Wait when did Phil Perry start writing for Yahoo lol. Nevermind, it's via SportsBoston.

 

[Uptown]

I love it. Just as long as it’s controlled chaos without too many penalties.

 

[Lansdowne]

 

[Vindicate]

Keion White is drooling right now lol

​

Keion is just waiting for a good coach. I think had Bill had more time he'd be looking better, but I hope Vrabel & Co. can make it happen. His bullish tendencies just need to be wrangled in the right way.

 

[Vindicate]

I love it. Just as long as it’s controlled chaos without too many penalties.

This is the key, but I think we'll see some growing pains. If this team can play hard and overcome a few calls here and there, that's a beautiful thing. I'll take a call here and there if it keeps offenses skittish.

 

[Vindicate]

Here come the penalties. Hit on defenseless receiver, roughing the QB, hit out of bounds.

Eh. I think this means: missed tackles, bad tackles are not acceptable. Not "be stupid."

This is a violent sport, and regardless of rules, acting like you need to make it less violent only makes your defense worse. Not being afraid goes a long way in understanding how far you can go with the rules.

 

[Vindicate]

Wait when did Phil Perry start writing for Yahoo lol. Nevermind, it's via SportsBoston.

It's a new song writing style he's been taking up.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

All winning teams play tough defense. No matter what the coaches say the team needs to play within the rules. This is just the coaches pumping up their players while damaging the opposing teams psyche by threatening violence before the ball is snapped.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

I heard Jerod Mayo say the same thing while he was eating a box of donuts and playing cards with the gang.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Saw this piece in the ticker today: Patriots defense looking to be defined by its ‘unwavering violence'

Some interesting quotes I found -

DC Williams: “You gotta play violent, and you gotta play with effort,” Williams said at the time. “The violent element of it, that’s a big part of playing that position. You want guys that accept that...."

Zak Kuhr, LB coach: “I think any style that we’ve been a part of, unwavering violence is a huge part of that,” Kuhr said. “I don’t think size so much (matters). If you’re 6-foot-3, 250 pounds and you have that unwavering violence attribute, it could be the same as a 5-foot-11, 220-pound guy. I’m a firm believer, your actions speak for everything...."

Continuing, “Being aggressive. Being violent. Not turning down blocks. Having a good toolbox of tools to defeat the offensive player, but it’s not just always finesse, but there is some physicality and some violence. We’re huge into guys that don’t mind playing violent football.”

If you read the piece, the staff, at least on defense, is again looking to build from a style-first idea, rather than just measurable.

I do appreciate the language, personally. It's nice to see something that confirms that they're piercing together an identity.

Thoughts?

A defense tends to play better when it can attack and has clearly defined roles. Also it feels more rewarding to pin your ears back and attack. I believe Rex Ryan defenses were of the attacking mentality and they were pretty successful.

This would also mark a departure from the Patriots traditional 'bend but don't break' defenses of the past couple of decades under BB. Both styles can be successful but require different mentalities and perhaps skillsets as well.

 

[Vindicate]

A defense tends to play better when it can attack and has clearly defined roles. Also it feels more rewarding to pin your ears back and attack. I believe Rex Ryan defenses were of the attacking mentality and they were pretty successful.

This would also mark a departure from the Patriots traditional 'bend but don't break' defenses of the past couple of decades under BB. Both styles can be successful but require different mentalities and perhaps skillsets as well.

This is why I was saying Flores would have a field day with this personnel a few weeks back, it's an aggressive unit. Give them the tools to be disciplined and they'll thrive. I think Keion's play will be an X factor.

 

[Vindicate]

I heard Jerod Mayo say the same thing while he was eating a box donuts and playing cards with the gang.

Did he actually say this? I don't remember him saying **** about identity at all. Just... Honestly I don't remember a single thing he said lol.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I’ll take a few penalties, as long as they aren’t stupid. I wantvteams to dread playing the Patriots, and I want them all to feel like they got hit by a truck the next day.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

Bring it on
I’ll take pride in “OUR team” being the team that every other team dreads playing
As each quarter passes they get closer and closer to tap out