Bruschi...Appeared Quicker?

If you're partly relying on last years defensive stats to make your point, I'd just say that Rosie Colvin had something to do with our ability to pressure the QB when the defense was at its best. And losing a true one on one shutdown corner, plus an ILB who is as football-smart as they come and could drop into coverage at times (Seau) could throw your defensive scheme for a bit of a loop. I'm sure in the end BB will remind us of why he's the HC

JMarr said:

If you're partly relying on last years defensive stats to make your point, I'd just say that Rosie Colvin had something to do with our ability to pressure the QB when the defense was at its best. And losing a true one on one shutdown corner, plus an ILB who is as football-smart as they come and could drop into coverage at times (Seau) could throw your defensive scheme for a bit of a loop. I'm sure in the end BB will remind us of why he's the HC

Click to expand...

Again, the team allowed fewer points in the playoffs than in the regular season. Colvin didn't play in the playoffs.

Deus Irae said:

Again, the team allowed fewer points in the playoffs than in the regular season. Colvin didn't play in the playoffs.

Click to expand...

I don't necessarily like to react to stats and rankings. I like to watch the games and trust what I see with one on one matchups.

As last year went on, teams were able to dink and dunk vs our slow LB's. Mayo has improved the speed in our linebacking core, but Vrabel is horrendous in coverage. I just feel like the opposition is able to dictate what they want to do offensively via some bad matchups, especially since we don't get (or want) great pressure through our 2 gap scheme. I hate these 7 and 8 minute drives. This started as the weather got cold last year (Ravens, Eagles, Giants etc)

Samuel wasn't the fastest corner, but he played fast and had great instincts. We have no one that can play his role.

Ichiro said:

I don't necessarily like to react to stats and rankings. I like to watch the games and trust what I see with one on one matchups.

Click to expand...

Yes, when the facts are against you, it's always best to just ignore them....

Ichiro said:

As last year went on, teams were able to dink and dunk vs our slow LB's. Mayo has improved the speed in our linebacking core, but Vrabel is horrendous in coverage. I just feel like the opposition is able to dictate what they want to do offensively via some bad matchups, especially since we don't get (or want) great pressure through our 2 gap scheme. I hate these 7 and 8 minute drives. This started as the weather got cold last year (Ravens, Eagles, Giants etc)

Samuel wasn't the fastest corner, but he played fast and had great instincts. We have no one that can play his role.

Click to expand...

The team played a certain defensive scheme based upon the offense, the defensive personnel, the coaches' styles and the different needs against different teams. It was the #4 defense in the NFL and played better in the playoffs than it did in the regular season. With the new personnel now in the lineup, different plays will be called, and I expect that we may see a somewhat more agressive approach to passing downs. However, the team will not change its basic philosophy, and it would be stupid to do so.

JMarr said:

If you're partly relying on last years defensive stats to make your point, I'd just say that Rosie Colvin had something to do with our ability to pressure the QB when the defense was at its best. And losing a true one on one shutdown corner, plus an ILB who is as football-smart as they come and could drop into coverage at times (Seau) could throw your defensive scheme for a bit of a loop. I'm sure in the end BB will remind us of why he's the HC

Click to expand...

When did we lose shutdown corner? Samuel was not, is not and will never be a true one on one shutdown corner. When did you see the patriots put Samuel in one on one coverage? Probably never.

Deus Irae said:

Yes, when the facts are against you, it's always best to just ignore them....

Click to expand...

The reason I don't like to use stats and ranking is that they don't always reflect actual dominance on the field.

In 2005 and 2007, the Colts had the #2 and #1 ranked defense in the league. Do you really think they had that kind of dominant defense? Or do you think it was more of a reflection of their offense being so good that it forced other teams into a pass only mode, so that the Colts could pin their ears back. Stop the Colts offense, and you can expose their defense. Rankings and stats do not tell the whole story

Ichiro said:

I don't necessarily like to react to stats and rankings. I like to watch the games and trust what I see with one on one matchups.

As last year went on, teams were able to dink and dunk vs our slow LB's. Mayo has improved the speed in our linebacking core, but Vrabel is horrendous in coverage. I just feel like the opposition is able to dictate what they want to do offensively via some bad matchups, especially since we don't get (or want) great pressure through our 2 gap scheme. I hate these 7 and 8 minute drives. This started as the weather got cold last year (Ravens, Eagles, Giants etc)

Samuel wasn't the fastest corner, but he played fast and had great instincts. We have no one that can play his role.

Click to expand...

We don't necessarily need someone to fill Asante's role. We don't have anyone with the instincts that Samuel has true, but we do not have to scheme the same way as we did with Samuel. We can be successful in different ways, there isn't only one way that works. I expect to see much more man coverage this year than last year, and the personnel is a major reason why we can/will.

Ichiro said:

I don't necessarily like to react to stats and rankings. I like to watch the games and trust what I see with one on one matchups.

Click to expand...

The fact that most people, including many professionals, are poor at forming thorough and complete evaluations going by "what they see" is a driving force behind statistical analysis. It is also a reason why it is so successful. We tend to focus on some plays while ignoring others. We tend to value some things more than they're really worth while unfairly devaluing others. We tend to see what we want to see and rationalize away things which disagree with out views.

Granted, NFL stats tend to suck but at least I know what the issues are with them. I have no clue what your issues are.

As last year went on, teams were able to dink and dunk vs our slow LB's. Mayo has improved the speed in our linebacking core, but Vrabel is horrendous in coverage. I just feel like the opposition is able to dictate what they want to do offensively via some bad matchups, especially since we don't get (or want) great pressure through our 2 gap scheme. I hate these 7 and 8 minute drives. This started as the weather got cold last year (Ravens, Eagles, Giants etc)

Click to expand...

I don't disagree with you about the dinking and dunking vs slow linebackers. I do disagree though that the frustration of watching that (I felt it too) should override the fact that last year's defense was good at preventing points. They made teams work for three rather than playing tight and sometimes giving up seven (no doubt partly due to the fact that they lack the speed to play tight very well).

Ichiro said:

The reason I don't like to use stats and ranking is that they don't always reflect actual dominance on the field.

In 2005 and 2007, the Colts had the #2 and #1 ranked defense in the league. Do you really think they had that kind of dominant defense? Or do you think it was more of a reflection of their offense being so good that it forced other teams into a pass only mode, so that the Colts could pin their ears back. Stop the Colts offense, and you can expose their defense. Rankings and stats do not tell the whole story

Click to expand...

Nothing tells the 'whole story'. However, it's pretty clear that the defense has worked for years, despite what you claim your eyes saw.

Only a fan base which mixes Red Sox and Patriots fans would be so absurdly pessimistic about an 18-1 team. Then again, New Englanders may be the most miserable people on the face of the earth. As for the outside fans who are in such a tizzy, perhaps studies are needed.

Deus Irae said:

Nothing tells the 'whole story'. However, it's pretty clear that the defense has worked for years, despite what you claim your eyes saw.

Only a fan base which mixes Red Sox and Patriots fans would be so absurdly pessimistic about an 18-1 team. Then again, New Englanders may be the most miserable people on the face of the earth.

Click to expand...

The defense has worked for years, but the league is changing, I believe we must change too.

I'm not overly pessimistic, just self-critical, which is something BB stresses.

TomBrady'sGoat said:

The fact that most people, including many professionals, are poor at forming thorough and complete evaluations going by "what they see" is a driving force behind statistical analysis. It is also a reason why it is so successful. We tend to focus on some plays while ignoring others. We tend to value some things more than they're really worth while unfairly devaluing others. We tend to see what we want to see and rationalize away things which disagree with out views.

Granted, NFL stats tend to suck but at least I know what the issues are with them. I have no clue what your issues are.

Click to expand...

I agree that statistical analysis is valuable when it comes to football, but I think the best way to evaluate football players and teams is through video. Thats really how I form my opinions

Ichiro said:

The defense has worked for years, but the league is changing, I believe we must change too.

I'm not overly pessimistic, just self-critical, which is something BB stresses.

Click to expand...

Riiiight. You just keep looking at the sky and waiting for those chunks to fall. Pittsburgh plays the style of defense being called for here. The last I checked, that wasn't getting the job done.

Deus Irae said:

Riiiight. You just keep looking at the sky and waiting for those chunks to fall. Pittsburgh plays the style of defense being called for here. The last I checked, that wasn't getting the job done.

Click to expand...

So you think the defense is just fine? No concerns?

Ichiro said:

So you think the defense is just fine? No concerns?

Click to expand...

In life, nothing is perfect. However, #4 out of 32 is a pretty good place to start, and completely changing #4 is a good way to screw everything up.

Deus Irae said:

In life, nothing is perfect. However, #4 is a pretty good place to start, and completely changing #4 is a good way to screw everything up.

Click to expand...

Heh, deep down I agree with you. I have faith in Bruschi, Harrison, the DLine and the coaches. I guess I'm just still being overly reactionary post Super Bowl and three ugly preseason games

Ichiro said:

Heh, deep down I agree with you. I have faith in Bruschi, Harrison, the DLine and the coaches. I guess I'm just still being overly reactionary post Super Bowl and three ugly preseason games

Click to expand...

Well, you've got plenty of company in that, and it would have made for a more settled fan base if BB had taken this preseason games seriously. However, one thing we all know is that BB doesn't really worry about anything but the team.

May I humbly suggest that you just refuse to get negative until after the first regular season game? There's only one exhibition left, plus cutdowns, so enjoy what's left of your summer. And, if this team gas-pipes it against the Chiefs, I promise that I'll join the "WTF?" people. Fair enough?

Our front 7 this year will eclipse that of last year. Bruschi looks a few years younger as does Seymour. Ty Warren and Wilfork are in their prime. Vrabel will be Vrabel a model of consistency. AD back in the OLB position with a year of the system under his belt will be a monster out there.

The only question mark is what will we get out of Mayo and I highly doubt that will be negative. With the ability of the other 6 already mentioned Mayo will be able to get lots of snaps as he matures. Throw in pass rushers Jarvis Greene and Shawn Crable into the mix gives Belichick lots of options.

When was the last time we had 4 rushing type of LB's on this team? Belichick can if he wants to will be able to put Crable, Vrable, AD, and Jarvis out there if he so chooses and 2 of those are DE hybrids who can play on other downs if needed ... we have not had that luxury in a very long time.

I rate our front seven at least an A ... and they will be A+ if they saty healthy IMO. There may be younger 7's out there and bigger 7's out there but I doubt there are 7's as versatile as this one out there.

Start with Wilfork .. best NT in the league and if he goes down Warren or Seymour can fill in because Jarvis Greene and Vrabel or AD can fill in for them. Vrable inside/outside as for AD. Mayo eventually will be an inside/outside guy ... lots and lots of options on every down. Anyone pessimistic about these guys is blind.

Deus IRA said:

Well, you've got plenty of company in that, and it would have made for a more settled fan base if BB had taken this preseason games seriously. However, one thing we all know is that BB doesn't really worry about anything but the team.

May I humbly suggest that you just refuse to get negative until after the first regular season game? There's only one exhibition left, plus cut downs, so enjoy what's left of your summer. And, if this team gas-pipes it against the Chiefs, I promise that I'll join the "WT?" people. Fair enough?

Click to expand...

Deus....you are a voice of reason and I am totally in your corner versus all of these doomsday, sky is falling folks. I am really surprised at their inability to trust BB and realize the simple fact that the games do not count and with no gameplans, vanilla defenses, or for whatever reason, we're not trying to win these games.

For that matter, if for some reason TB needs an extra month to heal up, we would still be at least 2-1 headed into the bye. NO reason to panic folks, none at all.


We'll be fine this year.....we'll win the division, home field, go deep into the playoffs and hopefully snare that elusive #4 banner.

Bruschi worked out extra hard this offseason (winning the workout award). It looks so far that it has paid off.