A few thoughts about our defense!! Blitz, Spikes, Francis, Dennard, Wilson, Nink ...

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Let's chill a bit with the praise for the defense, Sam Bradford still went 23-31. They obviously played much better than they had in recent weeks, but St. Louis barely has any weapons in the passing game.

Bradford was not so hot on 3rd downs:

- 2nd drive: intentional grounding at own 47 on 3rd-and-5 (7-7 game).
- 3rd drive:
a. Converted 3rd-and-2 w/6yd pass at own 28.
b. Inc. on short throw on 3rd-and-15 at own 29 (14-7 game).
- 4th drive:
a. Converted 3rd-and-1 w/8yd pass at own 38.
b. 11yd pass on 3rd-and-15 at Pats 46 (21-7 game).
- 5th drive: 8yd pass on 3rd-and-10 at own 20 (35-7 game).
- 6th drive:
a. 9yd pass on 3rd-and-10 at own 22.
b. Converted 4th-and-1 w/1yd pass at own 31.
c. Sacked on 3rd-and-4 for 17yds at own 38 (38-7 game).
- 7th drive:
a. Inc. on 3rd-and-6 at Pats 37.
b. Sacked on 4th-and-6 at Pats 37 (38-7 game).

The only 3rd/4th downs he converted were ones the D had to play the run (2yds or less). He completed three 3rd down passes short of the sticks, leading to two punts. Two drives ended on 3rd/4th down sacks. Two drives ended with incompletes/grounding calls. Team passed midfield twice after the first scoring drive, getting as far as the Pats' 35yd line for that botched FG.

After the 3-for-3 opening drive for 69 yards, he basically rolled up another 130+ yards the rest of the game, mostly on his half of the field and rarely on the all-important chain-moving 3rd downs.

After that, there were no more 3rd downs, but...

- 8th drive:
a. 0-for-1 while driving to Pats 25yd line.
b. Pick to Dennard on next throw on 2nd down (45-7 game).

After that, it was the Kellen Clemens show.

Let's give it up for the D.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Gumby]

The one thing that the Pats D has been consistent about is (and for the internet courtesy patrol - I am not wishing for this) - opposing QB injuries.

Back in the 2001 season I recalled that teams that opposed the Pats consistently had their largest injury lists THE WEEK AFTER playing the Pats. It was a testament to the team physicality and the workmanlike effort they gave. Again not something anybody should be TRYING TO DO; but when used as a measuring stick afterwards....

I like it that Pats have taken out 3 QBs this season by physically getting after the QB. Even if they are not getting as much actual pressure as I would like to see. When they do get there - they lay a lick.

Not sure how much of the lack of pressure is from BB design, that is usually playing a more contain D when the opposing QB is considered a "mobile QB". But that is a factor for sure in at least 2 if not 4 games. So if they guys are developing and we play some less mobile QBs we could certainly see the pressure (sacks-knocked balls-ints) rise to a level commensurate wiht the physicality-effort they are playing with.