An insight into why the Pats' D was so good at the end of the season

PP2 · Jun 20, 2019

Mike the Brit said:
Yes. Very grateful to Lazar, both for his analysis and for putting together the film segments so clearly. Thanks for finding this and sharing!

Been beating his drum since the day he joined CLNS. Major talent, which obviously means neither the Globe or BSPN will hire him.

BelichickFan · Jun 20, 2019

reamer said:
Lazar has turned into one of the best X and O reads on the Patriots beat. Some of his general analysis is less inspiring

Agree on both counts.

Xs and Os excellent. The rest, not so much. His insistance that the past WR class was "awesome" and DK Metcalf was a stud (top guy was my wording, was relative to other drafts not the top guy in this draft) was just wrong. There was depth but it wasn't a good WR group, let alone awsome. I got in a minor twitter fight with him over the Patriots' extra liklihood of drafting Anthony Nelson due to the "Iowa connection". I am well aware of Ferentz and son but the reality is we've never drafted an Iowa player other than one 7th round pick, under Belichick. So there's really no Iowa connection with regard to the draft.

A more mature writer would say "wow, you're right, that is crazy, I'm going to research and write an article about that" (why DIDN'T we draft George Kittle, btw). Instead he insisted he was right.

I'm glad he's around but he needs to learn that admitting you're wrong is a sign of strength not a sign of weakness.

SBLIII · Jun 20, 2019

BelichickFan said:
Agree on both counts.

Xs and Os excellent. The rest, not so much. His insistance that the past WR class was "awesome" and DK Metcalf was a stud (top guy was my wording, was relative to other drafts not the top guy in this draft) was just wrong. There was depth but it wasn't a good WR group, let alone awsome. I got in a minor twitter fight with him over the Patriots' extra liklihood of drafting Anthony Nelson due to the "Iowa connection". I am well aware of Ferentz and son but the reality is we've never drafted an Iowa player other than one 7th round pick, under Belichick. So there's really no Iowa connection with regard to the draft.

A more mature writer would say "wow, you're right, that is crazy, I'm going to research and write an article about that" (why DIDN'T we draft George Kittle, btw). Instead he insisted he was right.

I'm glad he's around but he needs to learn that admitting you're wrong is a sign of strength not a sign of weakness.

He thinks he is an 'expert', knows everything and is never wrong. He is in over his head.

RobertWeathers · Jun 20, 2019

BelichickFan said:
Agree on both counts.

Xs and Os excellent. The rest, not so much. His insistance that the past WR class was "awesome" and DK Metcalf was a stud (top guy was my wording, was relative to other drafts not the top guy in this draft) was just wrong. There was depth but it wasn't a good WR group, let alone awsome. I got in a minor twitter fight with him over the Patriots' extra liklihood of drafting Anthony Nelson due to the "Iowa connection". I am well aware of Ferentz and son but the reality is we've never drafted an Iowa player other than one 7th round pick, under Belichick. So there's really no Iowa connection with regard to the draft.

A more mature writer would say "wow, you're right, that is crazy, I'm going to research and write an article about that" (why DIDN'T we draft George Kittle, btw). Instead he insisted he was right.

I'm glad he's around but he needs to learn that admitting you're wrong is a sign of strength not a sign of weakness.

Not only that but how can someone be right if the topic in question hasn't happened? Lazar is a blogger/enthusiast of the team he should be interacting and driving thoughtful, open discussion with his audience and followers- not putting lines in the sand and protecting his own insecurities.

I like Lazar but I swear some of these writers (see Trollin) have an inflated ego (and attitude) and because of their positions and access think they are the authority (re:" I talk to people. I've been covering the team for 6 years").

Lazar needs to get over himself. Showing humility would serve him well. No one likes a smarty-pants.

Kontradiction · Jun 20, 2019

robertweathers said:
Not only that but how can someone be right if the topic in question hasn't happened? Lazar is a blogger/enthusiast of the team he should be interacting and driving thoughtful, open discussion with his audience and followers- not putting lines in the sand and protecting his own insecurities.

I like Lazar but I swear some of these writers (see Trollin) have an inflated ego (and attitude) and because of their positions and access think they are the authority (re:" I talk to people. I've been covering the team for 6 years").

Lazar needs to get over himself. Showing humility would serve him well. No one likes a smarty-pants.

I was saying that last year and took some heat for it from his fan base. His X’s and O’s stuff, while not Gospel if you’ve played the game or coached it, is really good. His analysis after that needs a lot of work. I could be wrong, but I would doubt that he’s ever played the game at a competitive level. He could stand to learn a bit more and until then would be best served telling people the what instead of the what AND the why. That said, this is a solid breakdown and a breath of fresh air.

Wozzy · Jun 20, 2019

robertweathers said:
Supposedly McVay is empowering Goff to do more at the LoS this year. Good luck with that.

Their offense took a major hit when Cupp went down. His return is huge for Goff

If Gurleys knee is as sketchy as they are reporting that'll be detrimental to their PA game.

It's a copycat league, teams will employ the same scheme the Patriots used against Goff and other young QB's who run an NFL version of an air raid offense going forward. McVay has to make Goff a Pro Style QB by default, or he has to draft somebody else. I can see teams throwing this stuff at Wentz, Trubisky and others.

Wozzy · Jun 20, 2019

BelichickFan said:
Agree on both counts.

Xs and Os excellent. The rest, not so much. His insistance that the past WR class was "awesome" and DK Metcalf was a stud (top guy was my wording, was relative to other drafts not the top guy in this draft) was just wrong. There was depth but it wasn't a good WR group, let alone awsome. I got in a minor twitter fight with him over the Patriots' extra liklihood of drafting Anthony Nelson due to the "Iowa connection". I am well aware of Ferentz and son but the reality is we've never drafted an Iowa player other than one 7th round pick, under Belichick. So there's really no Iowa connection with regard to the draft.

A more mature writer would say "wow, you're right, that is crazy, I'm going to research and write an article about that" (why DIDN'T we draft George Kittle, btw). Instead he insisted he was right.

I'm glad he's around but he needs to learn that admitting you're wrong is a sign of strength not a sign of weakness.

DK Metcalf was the most overrated WR in that draft class that's for sure.

He's the modern version of Vincent Jackson. Big, tall, inline fast with the mobility of a train on tracks, he runs three routes that are all versions of a fly pattern and is easily defended.

denverpatsfan · Jun 20, 2019

Thanks for posting this. More Pats stuff to pass the off season.

Kontradiction · Jun 20, 2019

Wozzy said:
DK Metcalf was the most overrated WR in that draft class that's for sure.

He's the modern version of Vincent Jackson. Big, tall, inline fast with the mobility of a train on tracks, he runs three routes that are all versions of a fly pattern and is easily defended.

Reminds me a bit too much of David Boston.

Simpelton · Jun 20, 2019

Honestly think that a lot of the new strength on the D line is born out of a newfound trust in the secondary.

It's a lot easier for the line to play vertical and gain pressure, when they know the secondary will keep the ball in front of them. In that sense, JC Jackson and Jason McCourty really helped solidify the secondary, especially McCourty but I want to make sure the rookie gets his due, because Jackson had an excellent season and performed well in some pretty high leverage situations.

With the defensive staff being able to trust the reorganized secondary, they could use the linebackers more aggressively to attack the quarterback or the ball carrier. If they didn't trust the secondary they'd have to drop the LBs back in coverage more often, which reduces their ability to get pressures and penetration and LBs aren't really the best in coverage to begin with. This was a huge issue the year prior, especially against the Eagles.

Hyped · Jun 20, 2019

Comments:

- I like Lazar's stuff.....a lot of it was posted in our "Game Tape Review" threads.

- I also liked Metcalf during the draft and think he's a great fit in Seattle.

- The D reminds me of what BB has said in the past about sacks being overrated and wanting to generate consistent pressure vs. sacks.

- We were VERY fortunate to beat the Chiefs....but they also were fortunate to get back into the game in the 4th as well.

- Man....5 weeks to camp (sigh)....dog days of the off-season...thanks for the link @patfanken ...helped pass the time.

RobertWeathers · Jun 20, 2019

Simpelton said:
Honestly think that a lot of the new strength on the D line is born out of a newfound trust in the secondary.

It's a lot easier for the line to play vertical and gain pressure, when they know the secondary will keep the ball in front of them. In that sense, JC Jackson and Jason McCourty really helped solidify the secondary, especially McCourty but I want to make sure the rookie gets his due, because Jackson had an excellent season and performed well in some pretty high leverage situations.

With the defensive staff being able to trust the reorganized secondary, they could use the linebackers more aggressively to attack the quarterback or the ball carrier. If they didn't trust the secondary they'd have to drop the LBs back in coverage more often, which reduces their ability to get pressures and penetration and LBs aren't really the best in coverage to begin with. This was a huge issue the year prior, especially against the Eagles.

Agree. Strong man coverage DBs help the pass rush.

Additionally Gilly evolving from "really good" CB to sticky, suffocating, ball vacuum has been huge.

Uptown · Jun 20, 2019

Wozzy said:
DK Metcalf was the most overrated WR in that draft class that's for sure.

He's the modern version of Vincent Jackson. Big, tall, inline fast with the mobility of a train on tracks, he runs three routes that are all versions of a fly pattern and is easily defended.

You are correct. He’s more athletic, but I’m willing to bet that SEA wouldn’t mind Vincent Jackson type production from Metcalf.

Vincent Jackson

Wozzy · Jun 20, 2019

UptownPatsFan said:
You are correct. He’s more athletic, but I’m willing to bet that SEA wouldn’t mind Vincent Jackson type production from Metcalf.

Vincent Jackson

Agreed, Vincent Jackson landed in the perfect place with Rivers, we'll see if Metcalf has that kind of success.

All the predraft talk about him going early in the 1st was absurd, I get that he's big and fast, but he did next to nothing in college.

SBLIII · Jun 20, 2019

The secondary is the key to success. It's the 2nd most important position group in football.

Our pressure rate wasn't great or came there all that fast to the QB. The problem for opposing QBs is just that our DBs did hold up in coverage very well for a long time so that the pressure got home and it allowed us to send more blitzes.

And even without pressuring the QB, there were times where the QB just couldn't find anyone and thought someone was open, but then was not and the ball got deflected from by a DB.

RobertWeathers · Jun 20, 2019

SBLIII said:
The secondary is the key to success. It's the 2nd most important position group in football.

Our pressure rate wasn't great or came there all that fast to the QB. The problem for opposing QBs is just that our DBs did hold up in coverage very well for a long time so that the pressure got home and it allowed us to send more blitzes.

And even without pressuring the QB, there were times where the QB just couldn't find anyone and thought someone was open, but then was not and the ball got deflected from by a DB.

Pats were 11th in pressure rate last year. You can certainly attribute that to quality man coverage but also the schematic changes we've been discussing.

Patstastic · Jun 20, 2019

borg said:
I can’t help myself.

Vs San Diego.... Pats played a wildcard team that showed their offensive game plan the week before. Pats traditionally beat up their first opponent.

Vs KC......Pats gave up 31 points. Does allowing 11 more points than the defense’s season average truly qualify as “outstanding”?
“Contained” might be a better description.
Labeling the Pats 1st half defense “outstanding” works for me but then I would have to describe their 2nd half as “awful”.
Half outstanding half awful doesn’t equal outstanding.
Just saying
Colts only gave up 31 vs Chiefs in playoffs, were they outstanding too? Or just the Pats?

Vs LAR....relinquishing only 3 points was outstanding. Knowing Gurley was simply a decoy allowed NE to concentrate on other weapons and they did an outstanding job as one would expect when facing a RB-centric team without their star. Still 3 points allowed was crazy good

Agree with you on the KC game. The defense gave up 24 points in a quarter. They were getting shredded left and right. They were fortunate that the Patriots won the coin toss.

Am I the only one that thought the offense should've killed more time on their last possession in regulation? Yes, I realize that they needed a TD. But they could've killed about 15 more seconds or so.

Oh well. Past is the past. I'm happy that they won it all. This season they are playing with house money in my eyes.

fnordcircle · Jun 20, 2019

Belichick was really into Seinfeld and had just watched "The Opposite" and decided to try the same principle on the field.

hellolin · Jun 21, 2019

Basically this worked very well against 2 very inexperienced, young QBs. Try this with old foxes like Manning or Rodgers who can read defences pre-snap and we would be revert back to normal.

TommyD4207 · Jun 21, 2019

hellolin said:
Basically this worked very well against 2 very inexperienced, young QBs. Try this with old foxes like Manning or Rodgers who can read defences pre-snap and we would be revert back to normal.

Mahomes, you may have an argument, although he did play the same team a couple of months earlier.

Goff's a 3-year starter. I'd hardly call that 'very inexperienced'.

An insight into why the Pats' D was so good at the end of the season

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