Great article on Patriots' amazing defense (Bleacher Report)

patfanken said:

I think that Bill has given Mayo AND Steve Bellichick quasi-equal roles in the development of the week's defensive game plans.

I would suspect early in the week Bill gives them a basic foundation of what he thinks will work best for that week's opponent. They go off and put it together with the rest of the D staff. By the end of the week they have the plan, as well as plans B and C). BB gets final say so when they make final decisions. They know what they want to do vs various personnel packages and game situations. Mayo makes the calls based on what they have planned as a group. BB probably pipes in a few times per game

I think the key thing that Mayo and Steve have to get squared away is their OWN personnel packages. It's not like they have a group of starters and occasionally sub someone in. They are constantly running 20 odd guys in and out depending on so many factors the logistics have to be daunting.

BTW- I don't think the initial play call is all that critical, since any change in a personnel package, formation, or motion probably changes what was called anyway.

Click to expand...

He does the same with McD and Brady as far as the offense, so it's a no-brainer that he would also do that with the defense, albeit a much more hands on approach since that's his background.

This was covered in one of the many documentaries- can't remember which but there was a scene where Brady and BB were discussing the offense plan for an upcoming game against Baltimore and Brady wanted to throw in a couple crossers to screw with Ed Reed and force him to stop freelancing.

The only redeeming factor Jordan Richards has is that we can cut him to make room for a better player that we acquire via trade.

That 65 yard rushing TD in Washington... who took the initial bad angle at the RB... Richards!

I think that the talent in the secondary allows everything to work. They started drafting/signing CBs that are good in man coverage. They still play some zone, but the ability to play man-to-man has led to lots of pressure.

I would have at least mentioned Stephon Gilmore, Devin McCourty, and Patrick Chung before remembering Elandon Roberts plays great on special teams.

micronin127 said:

The only redeeming factor Jordan Richards has is that we can cut him to make room for a better player that we acquire via trade.

That 65 yard rushing TD in Washington... who took the initial bad angle at the RB... Richards!

I think that the talent in the secondary allows everything to work. They started drafting/signing CBs that are good in man coverage. They still play some zone, but the ability to play man-to-man has led to lots of pressure.

I would have at least mentioned Stephon Gilmore, Devin McCourty, and Patrick Chung before remembering Elandon Roberts plays great on special teams.

Click to expand...

what are you talking about?

Richards isn't even in the defensive rotation.

The bad angle you are talking about was from JC Jackson and afterwards JMac and DMac whiffed on the tackle.

BlueThunder said:

I thought Mayo was a LB coordinator

Click to expand...

I have heard that this is the type of linebacker play he wanted to bring but was not really allowed to. I think the LB are playing at a high level because of him and his coaching.

betterthanthealternative said:

A measurable portion of this success that the coach is having can be attributed to the GM getting him a historical amount of talent.

Click to expand...

100% agreed and I don’t know why people over look this simple fact all the time. Bill Belichick would be nothing without Bill Belichick.

mosi said:

I have heard that this is the type of linebacker play he wanted to bring but was not really allowed to. I think the LB are playing at a high level because of him and his coaching.

Click to expand...

Back then Mayo needed to be in 15 places at once because the defense was a sieve.

I bet if he was in his prime and had a healthy High, Jamie 2.0 and KVN he'd be Patrick Willis (that's right, digging up a bone here)

The most impressive thing to me is the depth. Every level has had a starter or two hobbled during a given game at various times, yet they really haven't skipped a beat.

robertweathers said:

Back then Mayo needed to be in 15 places at once because the defense was a sieve.

I bet if he was in his prime and had a healthy High, Jamie 2.0 and KVN he'd be Patrick Willis (that's right, digging up a bone here)

Click to expand...

That dude had insane tackle numbers. Which is reflective of your point, everyone sucked so he had to clean up. Glad he got a ring, even if it was a season where he was on IR. He already paid his dues and then some.

EddardSnow67 said:

The most impressive thing to me is the depth. Every level has had a starter or two hobbled during a given game at various times, yet they really haven't skipped a beat.

Click to expand...

In the book of Bill this is key.

Be good everywhere. Dont sell out for anything. If you're good everywhere, you can compete everywhere.

Certain players/groups will rise. Like our LB/DB groups but the whole team is extremely balanced.

Always a constant throughout Bill's tenure. Offense, defense, ST. He wants the best all around team.

The secondary being so amazing really opens things up and is what takes this D from being very good, to being historically good at this point. Each level of the defense is quality regardless.

My thoughts exactly. Even Bentley has has had a bigger impact than Roberts, who basically has been relegated to cheerleader, just where he belongs.

DropKickFlutie said:

Hahahaha Elandon Roberts.

Sorry Van Noy.

.

Click to expand...

ashley1992 said:

My thoughts exactly. Even Bentley has has had a bigger impact than Roberts, who basically has been relegated to cheerleader, just where he belongs.

Click to expand...

15-20 snaps is perfect for him just not 40-50 starter snaps

Ghost of Ben Dreith said:

How much credit goes to Mayo and play calling? Isn’t he a quasi Defensive Coordinator with, i’m sure, significant input from BB.

Even with the Defensive Coordinators in the past 20 years...I don’t recall any having the aggressiveness I see in this team. Is it a function of talent allowing it or just a philosophy change. I don’t buy just talent since in the early years of the greatest Dynasty in NFL history, you had McGinest, Bruschi, Law, etc.....very talented defense.

This Pats defense is a different breed for sure though.

Click to expand...

BB's Patriots defenses have been widely misunderstood by many people over the years.
It has NEVER been " bend but don't break". NEVER.
That is a hot take made up my a few dumbass media who don't understand what they're seeing.
BBs defenses have always been about winning. They've been versatile. They maximize talent by putting guys in situations they can succeed. They've been tough,physical and smart.
Matt Chatham had one of the best things I've ever read on this subject quite a few years ago. He laughed his ass off at the know-nothings who said it "bend but don't break". And went into a superb, detailed analysis of what was REALLY going on.
I strongly suggest some of you google and try to find it. It is well worth it. You'll be much smarter afterward.

Ghost of Ben Dreith said:

How much credit goes to Mayo and play calling? Isn’t he a quasi Defensive Coordinator with, i’m sure, significant input from BB.

Even with the Defensive Coordinators in the past 20 years...I don’t recall any having the aggressiveness I see in this team. Is it a function of talent allowing it or just a philosophy change. I don’t buy just talent since in the early years of the greatest Dynasty in NFL history, you had McGinest, Bruschi, Law, etc.....very talented defense.

This Pats defense is a different breed for sure though.

Click to expand...

They showed a stat on tonight's broadcast late in the 4th quarter, Detroit has blitzed on 9% of their snaps. I think it's safe to say Patricia is not high on blitzing.

robertweathers said:

Back then Mayo needed to be in 15 places at once because the defense was a sieve.

I bet if he was in his prime and had a healthy High, Jamie 2.0 and KVN he'd be Patrick Willis (that's right, digging up a bone here)

Click to expand...

Amazing how underrated Mayo was by many Pat's fans. Just goes to show that a lot of folks who watch football really don't fully comprehend what they are watching.

BB's belief that he could turn JAG's from the street to great DB's was a testament to his and his coaching staff's egos, we all remember the experiments with two way players or the Tiquan Underwood's.. they were not all that bad, but do not come close to our current compliment of players. IMO this is the greatest philosophical change of BB during his tenure here, great DB's make the defense better..

Joejuan Williams, can't even make the playing field, not that they are good or bad, but the D backfield quality and depth is the best I can remember..

I agree on Mayo, he was a great player, and will make a great coach/coordinator..

DarrylS said:

BB's belief that he could turn JAG's from the street to great DB's was a testament to his and his coaching staff's egos

Click to expand...

Huh?

{Imagine scratching head GIF here}

mgcolby said:

Amazing how underrated Mayo was by many Pat's fans. Just goes to show that a lot of folks who watch football really don't fully comprehend what they are watching.

Click to expand...

That's a given when compared to NFL caliber coaches, and in particular, the greatest one of all time. I love when I read breakdowns here because guys who know a lot more than me are watching all-22 tape like I watch porn, and I get the benefit. But that said, it's a matter of degree. That's actually a good thing. If several self-appointed Beautiful Minds of football say diametrically opposed things, it means "go ask coach" really was the right answer. It just doesn't help, because coach understands the value of closely holding information (although he is always thrilled to expose reporters who really really don't know what they're looking at by talking in jargon about basics.)

So, I am really happy I have some musical instruments around my house. I might have a better idea than someone who never played anything what it's like to play onstage. That doesn't make me (your favorite musical act here.) But it does help me, when I hear something truly amazing, to say "OMG, same species my ***." I know enough to know that I don't know anything.

So all that to say... I am glad to see that you figure you do fully comprehend... but my bet is that "fully comprehend" is a movable feast.

I'm down here in the shallow end, not trying to pick a fight.

Vindicate said:

That dude had insane tackle numbers. Which is reflective of your point, everyone sucked so he had to clean up. Glad he got a ring, even if it was a season where he was on IR. He already paid his dues and then some.

Click to expand...

Yeah, and he was a warrior. I remember at one point, BB was sending Mayo back in with an injured shoulder (he played with it most of the game) and Vrabel basically told BB no to putting him back in. BB listened. I also remember Bruschi saying that he knew it was time to retire when he compared his play to that of Mayo. BB has always spoken of his intelligence and I personally, am really glad he is here as a coach.

PatsFanInVa said:

That's a given when compared to NFL caliber coaches, and in particular, the greatest one of all time. I love when I read breakdowns here because guys who know a lot more than me are watching all-22 tape like I watch porn, and I get the benefit. But that said, it's a matter of degree. That's actually a good thing. If several self-appointed Beautiful Minds of football say diametrically opposed things, it means "go ask coach" really was the right answer. It just doesn't help, because coach understands the value of closely holding information (although he is always thrilled to expose reporters who really really don't know what they're looking at by talking in jargon about basics.)

So, I am really happy I have some musical instruments around my house. I might have a better idea than someone who never played anything what it's like to play onstage. That doesn't make me (your favorite musical act here.) But it does help me, when I hear something truly amazing, to say "OMG, same species my ***." I know enough to know that I don't know anything.

So all that to say... I am glad to see that you figure you do fully comprehend... but my bet is that "fully comprehend" is a movable feast.

I'm down here in the shallow end, not trying to pick a fight.

Click to expand...

Yeah, not going to have that long of a response. Nothing self appointed. I have coached football for 13 years, not a pro, so your music analogy sort of works. It works in the sense that I know enough when watching live, without knowing the calls, individual assignments etc..its more often than not difficult, if not impossible to know who "made the mistake". The all 22 helps you figure that out, at least to the educated guess level. Either way I stand by what I said.