BB disclosed that defense called many of its own blitzes, vs. Jets

I could hear Hightower screaming Linda Linda Linda

Our defenders have Cat like quick minds

This would certainly help explain the ghosts Darnold was seeing, and why the Jets kept setting up the wrong protection. He literally couldn't trust his own eyes.

To give the defense this kind of autonomy on a regular basis requires complete trust in both the LBs and DBs, as individuals as as units. Skill, intelligence and experience are key of course, but so is continuity--these guys know and trust each other. Total cohesion.

Beautiful.

PP2 said:

Rather significant on several levels.

First and foremost being that the defense can reset after protection is called. This would explain why so many of the blitzes last night had an open man with a clear path to the QB.

I think Lazar meant where = were.

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This is what a great coach does. Give credit, take blame.

PP2 said:

Rather significant on several levels.

First and foremost being that the defense can reset after protection is called. This would explain why so many of the blitzes last night had an open man with a clear path to the QB.

I think Lazar meant where = were.

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Cue the various "boing-g-g-g / splat" GIFs

WHPats said:

Are they more like the indestructible T-101 or do they possess more of the shape-shifting abilities of the T-1000??

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T-1000 Amoeba

This is actually incredible and I think a massive massive game changer. Similar to how the Pats adopted the unstoppable option routes starting in 2007, where the receiver runs based on how the defense sets up, and Brady and the WR know what to do seconds before the snap. Impossible to defend when the WR runs to the open part of the field, the option route isn't dictated by the play.

A defense that blitzes based on what the offense does and after they already set protection, seconds before the snap, I feel like is going to be a massive game changing innovation that will end up having a long term impact on the entire league.

Reminded me of being 9 playing Madden on Nintendo and constantly calling "punt block".

vuudu said:

This is so mind boggling that I think something is lost in translation. BB allows his players to do their own thing? What is the world coming to? So if the defense are rather adjusting to what you are doing and for most of the time it is random, how do you study them?

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It's like having a swarm of mini-LTs

tasmlab said:

The level of experience on the D might be getting up to where the Dynasty I squad was. High, DMac and Chung in particular, even Harmon, have played a lot of Patriot football. Collins and Van Noy aren't newbies either. Would love to know what level of decision-making autonomy those guys have.

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Okay, what is feels like, in combination with this nugget, is that a bunch of pieces that have proven themselves in buttoned-up mode are let loose and damn they're good (so far).

Also feels like all the pieces are floating floating floating about to solidify then the last couple come (back) into place... Mayo being the "quarterback" (but of course, it would have to come back with a good solid "CHUNGGGGG" sound.)

Finally also feels like, if it's real, Dynasty 3. Dynasty 2 was the return from the "ashes" of only going to but not winning the AFCCG sometimes... to almost always winning it (lol), and if they lose the SB that's a down year. Dynasty 3 is, "oh man what if Tom's past his peak, he's only 43..." "Oh no problem, BB always did want to win on the other side of the ball, this has been a little 18-year side-trip into Bradyspace..."

Also feels like the grandiose narrative bullsh1t one comes up with right before a decent team makes ya look foolish. Let's hope not.

JetFan79 said:

Reminded me of being 9 playing Madden on Nintendo and constantly calling "punt block".

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Or being any age and playing against the JETE.

203Pat said:

Lots of well deserved trust put into Van Noy, Hightower, and Collins.

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A combination of great coaching, preparation and exceptional players who execute. This defense already has a historic point differential up to this point,

tasmlab said:

The level of experience on the D might be getting up to where the Dynasty I squad was. High, DMac and Chung in particular, even Harmon, have played a lot of Patriot football. Collins and Van Noy aren't newbies either. Would love to know what level of decision-making autonomy those guys have.

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Yep. Can’t wait to see them against tougher offenses. Love this defense.

Ivan said:

Yep. Can’t wait to see them against tougher offenses. Love this defense.

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I'd like to see 'em vs the Saints. Great QB, oline and weapons.

That'd be one hell of a SB.

JetFan79 said:

I'd like to see 'em vs the Saints. Great QB, oline and weapons.

That'd be one hell of a SB.

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Agree, That would be a great SB

n6249c said:

That’s the beauty of it. It’s not random. It’s specific to what you do. On each and every single play. Not to anything you’ve ever seen before. How do you study that?

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Then you study what THEY do when an offense lines up in X formation or Y formation. Then you adjust your plays off that.

DropKickFlutie said:

A defense that blitzes based on what the offense does and after they already set protection,

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I've always wondered what would happen if, after the QB identifies the Mike, that player swaps positions with one of the other backers at the last second.

fnordcircle said:

How atypical is this, though?

If it was the type of unequaled post comms shutoff advantage that you're making it sound I cannot imagine a scenario where BB would divulge it unless forced to.

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Gase actually said something interesting about the Pats D when asked about Darold getting blitzed. He said the Patriots don't disguise anything, they show what they are going to do and it was on Darnold to deal with it /or not.

SlowGettingUp said:

I've always wondered what would happen if, after the QB identifies the Mike, that player swaps positions with one of the other backers at the last second.

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Doesn't have to swap positions, only has to realign himself to mess up how protection is assigned by the center. Even realigning up or down a tech can be enough.

That's one of the reason the amoeba defense is so hard to contain, and also why one rusher always seems to get through.

Rusty Coupe said:

Gase actually said something interesting about the Pats D when asked about Darold getting blitzed. He said the Patriots don't disguise anything, they show what they are going to do and it was on Darnold to deal with it /or not.

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That's unbelievably callous and boneheaded- to literally say something like that after your QB's psyche gets absolutely destroyed. This doesn't help, and oh btw it's all on Gase for his complete lack of adjustment to counter the zero blitzes we were running all day long.

PP2 said:

That's unbelievably callous and boneheaded- to literally say something like that after your QB's psyche gets absolutely destroyed. This doesn't help, and oh btw it's all on Gase for his complete lack of adjustment to counter the zero blitzes we were running all day long.

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He was quick to point out that the team was bad in all three phases in the first question. About ten minutes later after another 5 or 6 questions Gase quietly admits he didn't give the team enough options.