3rd and short defense

[Fencer]

The Pats had lousy stats on third and short defense. Why?

The obvious thought is a personnel issue. Siliga was hurt much of the year. Wilfork was healthy, but one has to wonder about him. Branch aside, there wasn't that much other DL beef on the roster. Hightower is stout but was injured half the year. Mayo was out most of the year.

But without looking the stats up, I don't recall it being great in other recent years either. What did change big from previous years was overall 3rd down defense.

And by the way, a big 3rd & 1 stop in the Super Bowl was Ninkovich blowing up the read option, rather than a more conventional play.

 

[supafly]

I personally don't see it as that big of an issue, although I do believe that they'll need to continue to address the position of DL with a draft pick or two, which is also the main reason why many have us taking a DL in the first round again this spring.

 

[JMC00]

Who won the SB?

 

[pctronics0072]

I see the team as a whole trying to stop the pass more than the run.