Curran: 'D' not Brady's knee biggest worry for the Patriots

[BradyManny]

But that was with our scoring down. 2009 should be more like 2007 not 2008 and the defense, game winning drive included, isn't why we lost the game; the OL's inability to protect was.

Not just game winning drive excluded, the entire 4th quarter. The defense on the Giants first TD drive was abysmal. The Giants really had nothing doing, and never looking even adequate offensively in that game, save for a couple big plays.

In 2007, I really can only credit with the defense playing an integral part in two victories, the game against the Colts & the game against SD in the playoffs.

Anyway, I think our defense has a chance to be much better than it was either of the last two seasons. The running game improved a great deal in 08 from 07, and there's no reason to think that can't continue. Welker & Moss continue to improve in this offense. Therefore, the offense could be better. Scary.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Not just game winning drive excluded, the entire 4th quarter. The defense on the Giants first TD drive was abysmal. The Giants really had nothing doing, and never looking even adequate offensively in that game, save for a couple big plays.

You're right but I think you understand my point, IMO we should win the SB with a below average (but not inept) defense if the OL kicks butt. Had the offense done what it did most of the season against the NYG we'd have been up by 24 points heading into the 4th quarter.

 

[DarrylS]

Think BB was embarassed to have his D somewhere near the bottom in red zone defense, anticipate that with all of his idle time it has really eaten at him.. one thing for sure it will not happen this year..

this team will present some very unique Defenses this year.. and again gain prominence... there are a lot of parts to this, and many upgrades...

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Think BB was embarassed to have his D somewhere near the bottom in goal line defense, anticipate that with all of his idle time it has really eaten at him.. one thing for sure it will not happen this year..

this team will present some very unique Defenses this year.. and again gain prominence... there are a lot of parts to this, and many upgrades...

More than just Goal-Line

The 2008 Patriots defense was HORRID in the Red Zone and I read somewhere that NE had the worst Red Zone defense percentages of any NFL team since 2000 and the last Patriots team to do worse was back in 1972

Thats a HUGE reason why last years team sat home in January,They could stop no one from scoring something inside the 20

 

[BradyManny]

You're right but I think you understand my point, IMO we should win the SB with a below average (but not inept) defense if the OL kicks butt. Had the offense done what it did most of the season against the NYG we'd have been up by 24 points heading into the 4th quarter.

Absolutely, I agree with your point completely. Still, I think what the Giants did to us was not just an indictment of our OL and how they played, but a real testament to their D-line...as in, if we happen to meet the Giants on February 7th, 2009 (and I sure hope we do), even with a better showing from the OL, there's no guarantee of victory. They might be the only team that truly scares me, besides a healthy & functional SD & a healthy & functional Indy.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Absolutely, I agree with your point completely. Still, I think what the Giants did to us was not just an indictment of our OL and how they played, but a real testament to their D-line...as in, if we happen to meet the Giants on February 7th, 2009 (and I sure hope we do), even with a better showing from the OL, there's no guarantee of victory. They might be the only team that truly scares me, besides a healthy & functional SD & a healthy & functional Indy.

"Functional SD!"

 

[RayClay]

They need to muster a more explosive pass rush ...


...but they found a gem in Jerod Mayo, the 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year. The return of Adalius Thomas, who was starting to hit his stride when he got injured last season, should help. On the defensive line,

Did he leave out a chunk?

 

[RayClay]

You're right but I think you understand my point, IMO we should win the SB with a below average (but not inept) defense if the OL kicks butt. Had the offense done what it did most of the season against the NYG we'd have been up by 24 points heading into the 4th quarter.

Right. You know what they say Bfan, offense wins championships...oh wait. [Greatest Rams, Colts, Pats offenses...]

 

[Patriotic]

I see no obstacles to 19-0........

Love your optimism but you should put down the bong.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Love your optimism but you should put down the bong.

It's the only thing that keeps him coherent.

 

[Rob0729]

Well, the difference between the Super Bowl winning years and the past four years is the quality of the defense. I believe defense wins championships and the Pats' defense still concerns me. Not as much as it did all last year, but it still has most of the concerns for this team. The return of AD will improve the pass rush, but that is still a concern. If there is no pass rush, the improved secondary might not make that much of a difference.

I agree with Curran on his overall theory although I disagree with some individual points. I'm actually more concerned about the Pats' out of division offenses (Colts, Saints, Falcons) than in division opponents. I don't think there is an above average offense in the AFC East other than the Pats.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Right. You know what they say Bfan, offense wins championships...oh wait. [Greatest Rams, Colts, Pats offenses...]

Lots of great offenses have won championships. Joe Montana says "hi". Yes I know they had good defense too but the offense turned the dials on that team. Same with the Patriots now.

 

[RayClay]

Lots of great offenses have won championships. Joe Montana says "hi". Yes I know they had good defense too but the offense turned the dials on that team. Same with the Patriots now.

Don't blame me, someone else coined the phrase "defense wins championships".

 

[BradyFTW!]

Lots of great offenses have won championships. Joe Montana says "hi". Yes I know they had good defense too but the offense turned the dials on that team. Same with the Patriots now.

Not to mention that all three of the teams that RayClay mentioned did win championships...

 

[RayClay]

Absolutely, I agree with your point completely. Still, I think what the Giants did to us was not just an indictment of our OL and how they played, but a real testament to their D-line...as in, if we happen to meet the Giants on February 7th, 2009 (and I sure hope we do), even with a better showing from the OL, there's no guarantee of victory. They might be the only team that truly scares me, besides a healthy & functional SD & a healthy & functional Indy.

Lack of balance on offense. Establishing the run would have punished their almost exhausted line and linebackers. Effective running mixed with short passing would have made their pass rushers hesitate.

Plus we had a lead and could have worn them down and killed some clock. We did it with Antowain Smith. You don't need Jim Brown, just will and persistence.

Plus just ask any OLineman how much running over the defense recharges them.

The middle of our defense has been wearing down in the second half of games and seasons for about 4-5 years now. All but the DL (when Seymour's been healthy)..

 

[RayClay]

Not to mention that all three of the teams that RayClay mentioned did win championships...

The Colts had between 10 and 14 wins 6 years in a row.

They only went to the Super Bowl because their opponents defense fell apart in the second half of the Conference Championship.

I'll take our three championships based on defense, thank you very much.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Don't blame me, someone else coined the phrase "defense wins championships".

Perhaps, but you've been guilty of spreading the rumor. :snob:

 

[RayClay]

Perhaps, but you've been guilty of spreading the rumor. :snob:

That rumor wasn't spread, it was pounded.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Not to mention that all three of the teams that RayClay mentioned did win championships...

Yeah, I know. I think it's because defense is more consistent through different weather, etc, but the reality, obviously, is that scoring more points than your opponent wins championships. And it's clear to me that the OL playing well with a mediocre defense gives us a better chance than the defense playing well with a mediocre OL. A mediocre OL would crush our big advantage.