LOL, I am not arguing vs. the formula...it works, but to be honest...how much is it Brady driven? Say we didn't have Brady...I am not so sure BB's defenses would work as effectively. Then again BB's game plan vs. the K-Gun is in the HOF...and that Giant team limited the Niners to 13 points as well....
Was speaking as a fan there...sitting on my couch on Sundays and hating how we are reading/reacting vs. just shooting the gaps. Yes, I understand the concept of forcing an offense to march down the field for 10+ plays to increase the chance of errors...and keeping points off the scoreboard while giving up yardage...just that it is very stressful on Sundays.
I agree that it can be stressful some times.
And of course TB is a major reason why this dynasty has been a dynasty- probably THE major reason. BUT... .....
..Go back and study all the D's BB has had since 2001. For most of that time, Pats have had at least good defenses, year after year.
Ive really come to appreciate what BB has done with his D's. He's really not locked into one philosophy. He makes the most of the personnel he has.
For example, there's a big argument going on right now here about Flores being more aggressive. Well, Flores is a BB disciple. Pats WILL be more aggressive this year simply because they have better personnel to do it with. Clayborn,Rivers,Shelton, High,etc. Better run D means more 3rd and longs.
I believe Flores has all the tools to be a great dc and eventually,great hc. He's highly intelligent, not just football-smart. Similar to Matty P in that regard. But he played at a high level. BB encourages his coaches to challenge him- he'll listen to other ideas but bottom line is- they have to actually work in a game.
Bend don't break does not accurately describe how most of BBs D's have worked. It's lowrisk but highly aggressive in the red zone. It's mostly about limiting big plays, which has been statistically proven to be one of the surest ways to lose a game.
It's about making teams go on long,sustained drives over and over again. Not something many teams can do.
One question: if Hightower had been healthy for the SB, do you think the result might have been different? And if it was, would we even be having this conversation?
The only way you can successfully run the kind of of D you're talking about is with probowl level talent at all 3 levels.
If you constantly pressure the qb but your dbs suck,you'll be burnt big-time.
Then you also have to have great dts and lbs to stop the run and force passing situations.
Then you'd need kuechly type lbs who can cover.
You could do that, but your offense would suck because all your $ would be invested in the D.
I look at BBs overall approach-not just D, but everything- and liken it to America- our system is far from perfect- but it's the best one out there.
The results speak for themselves.
