Defensive snaps, Game 2

[Fencer]

Patriots defensive snaps: Michael Buchanan chips in - ESPN Boston

DE Rob Ninkovich – 74-of-74
LB Jerod Mayo – 74-of-74
S Devin McCourty – 74-of-74
CB Aqib Talib – 74-of-74
LB Dont’a Hightower – 71-of-74
DE Chandler Jones – 71-of-74
CB Kyle Arrington – 67-of-74
S Steve Gregory – 66-of-74
DT Vince Wilfork – 64-of-74

CB Alfonzo Dennard – 50-of-74
DT Tommy Kelly – 46-of-74
LB Brandon Spikes – 31-of-74
DT Joe Vellano – 24-of-74
DE Michael Buchanan – 16-of-74

S Duron Harmon – 8-of-74
LB Jamie Collins – 4-of-74

Notes on that include:

• There are 9 guys who play almost the entire game when they can.*
• Arrington is one of the 9 guys, ahead of Dennard.
• Hightower is one of the 9 guys, ahead of Spikes.
• Buchanan rotates in for Kelly on some sub package snaps, but not all of them, kicking Jones inside.
• Vellano evidently gives breathers to both starting DTs.
• Harmon is ahead of Wilson on the safety depth chart.

Overall I make it 9 guys nearly full-time plus 5 on a strong planned rotation. The rest are injury backup or play in niche situations.


*Gregory and Arrington did take short injury breathers; Wilfork takes some planned breathers; Reiss says Arrington took one series of breather as well (but I'm guessing that may have been injury-related -- he only missed 7 snaps overall).

 

[goheels22002]

Patriots defensive snaps: Michael Buchanan chips in - ESPN Boston

DE Rob Ninkovich – 74-of-74
LB Jerod Mayo – 74-of-74
S Devin McCourty – 74-of-74
CB Aqib Talib – 74-of-74
LB Dont’a Hightower – 71-of-74
DE Chandler Jones – 71-of-74
CB Kyle Arrington – 67-of-74
S Steve Gregory – 66-of-74
DT Vince Wilfork – 64-of-74

CB Alfonzo Dennard – 50-of-74
DT Tommy Kelly – 46-of-74
LB Brandon Spikes – 31-of-74
DT Joe Vellano – 24-of-74
DE Michael Buchanan – 16-of-74

S Duron Harmon – 8-of-74
LB Jamie Collins – 4-of-74

Notes on that include:

• There are 9 guys who play almost the entire game when they can.*
• Arrington is one of the 9 guys, ahead of Dennard.
• Hightower is one of the 9 guys, ahead of Spikes.
• Buchanan rotates in for Kelly on some sub package snaps, but not all of them, kicking Jones inside.
• Vellano evidently gives breathers to both starting DTs.
• Harmon is ahead of Wilson on the safety depth chart.

Overall I make it 9 guys nearly full-time plus 5 on a strong planned rotation. The rest are injury backup or play in niche situations.

[/I]

Thank you for doing this. I don't even know where to go to find playing time data like this, so it is a big help.

The guy that sticks out to me is the rookie Collins not getting any snaps really. He's got such amazing versatility that I thought we'd see more of him. But, as we're seeing with the rookies on offense, the NFL is a whole different enchilada, and one bad play can turn the game around.

My sense of Collins was that we'd see him in coverage on TEs due to his cover experience as a safety in college and his athleticism and jumping ability. The Jets don't have a tight end (Winslow sucks) so maybe this is not the featured game for him.

 

[mgteich]

Thank you for doing this. I don't even know where to go to find playing time data like this, so it is a big help.

The guy that sticks out to me is the rookie Collins not getting any snaps really. He's got such amazing versatility that I thought we'd see more of him. But, as we're seeing with the rookies on offense, the NFL is a whole different enchilada, and one bad play can turn the game around.

My sense of Collins was that we'd see him in coverage on TEs due to his cover experience as a safety in college and his athleticism and jumping ability. The Jets don't have a tight end (Winslow sucks) so maybe this is not the featured game for him.

I too appreciate Fencer's analysis and his posting of the game info. You might bookmark the following. Most of us read it at least once a day (or get similar info on twitter).

New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

BTW, Buchanan is doing fine as a rookie, as did Chandler and Hightower last year. Vellano is getting even more reps. However, I agree that the NFL is difficult to adapt to, with much to learn. And yes, Collins has lots to learn.

 

[Italian Patriot]

Where are Bequette and T. Wilson?

2nd and 3rd round pick last year?

 

[mgteich]

some further thoughts

A) Dennard is behind Arrington in the depth chart.

B) Arrington and Gregory are playing very well.

C) Fletcher got no reps yet again. It seems that he is a Ster, and will play defense only in emergencies.

D) Was Ryan active?

E) Congrats to Harmon on moving up on the depth chart.

Patriots defensive snaps: Michael Buchanan chips in - ESPN Boston

DE Rob Ninkovich – 74-of-74
LB Jerod Mayo – 74-of-74
S Devin McCourty – 74-of-74
CB Aqib Talib – 74-of-74
LB Dont’a Hightower – 71-of-74
DE Chandler Jones – 71-of-74
CB Kyle Arrington – 67-of-74
S Steve Gregory – 66-of-74
DT Vince Wilfork – 64-of-74

CB Alfonzo Dennard – 50-of-74
DT Tommy Kelly – 46-of-74
LB Brandon Spikes – 31-of-74
DT Joe Vellano – 24-of-74
DE Michael Buchanan – 16-of-74

S Duron Harmon – 8-of-74
LB Jamie Collins – 4-of-74

Notes on that include:

• There are 9 guys who play almost the entire game when they can.*
• Arrington is one of the 9 guys, ahead of Dennard.
• Hightower is one of the 9 guys, ahead of Spikes.
• Buchanan rotates in for Kelly on some sub package snaps, but not all of them, kicking Jones inside.
• Vellano evidently gives breathers to both starting DTs.
• Harmon is ahead of Wilson on the safety depth chart.

Overall I make it 9 guys nearly full-time plus 5 on a strong planned rotation. The rest are injury backup or play in niche situations.


*Gregory and Arrington did take short injury breathers; Wilfork takes some planned breathers; Reiss says Arrington took one series of breather as well (but I'm guessing that may have been injury-related -- he only missed 7 snaps overall).

 

[Ian]

Where are Bequette and T. Wilson?

2nd and 3rd round pick last year?

He was active but didn't play, while Wilson's snaps were all on special teams.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Where are Bequette and T. Wilson?

2nd and 3rd round pick last year?

Beaten out by Harmon and Buchanan, from the looks of it. Personally, I'd love to see both of those guys get some more snaps. Gregory played a good game last night, but when he briefly went out when he was shaken up, Harmon looked pretty capable stepping in for him. As for Buchanan, I just really like the guy, and I think he could be a real player if the Pats stick with him and give him reps. He was making plays last night, although it seems that he might still need a bit more coaching on avoiding hits to the QBs helmet.

 

[mgteich]

and Ryan, a 3rd this year.

Where are Bequette and T. Wilson?

2nd and 3rd round pick last year?

 

[Ian]

Special teams snaps:

McCourty 9 plays
Talib 6 plays
Ninkovich: 6 plays
Mayo: 3 plays
Hightower: 11 plays
Jones: 7 plays
Arrington: 15 plays
Gregory: 14 plays
Wilfork: 3 plays
Kelly: 3 plays
Vellano: 3 plays
Buchanan: 9 plays
Harmon: 5 plays
Collins: 30 plays
Wilson: 27 plays
Fletcher: 27 plays
White: 27 plays
Slater: 27 plays
Cole: 16 plays
Ebner: 16 plays
Aiken: 15 plays
Allen: 15 plays
Ryan: 12 plays

 

[BradyFTW!]

some further thoughts

A) Dennard is behind Arrington in the depth chart.

B) Arrington and Gregory are playing very well.

C) Fletcher got no reps yet again. It seems that he is a Ster, and will play defense only in emergencies.

D) Was Ryan active?

E) Congrats to Harmon on moving up on the depth chart.

I think it has more to do with having different roles in the defense and personnel matchups than anything else, but we'll definitely see in the coming weeks.

 

[mgteich]

Welcome back Ebner.

Special teams snaps:

McCourty 9 snaps
Talib 6 snaps
Ninkovich: 6 snaps
Mayo: 3 snaps
Hightower: 11 snaps
Jones: 7 snaps
Arrington: 15 snaps
Gregory: 14 snaps
Wilfork: 3 snaps
Kelly: 3 snaps
Vellano: 3 naps
Buchanan: 9 snaps
Harmon: 5 snaps
Collins: 30 snaps
Wilson: 27 snaps
Fletcher: 27 snaps
White: 27 snaps
Slater: 27 snaps
Cole: 16 snaps
Ebner: 16 snaps
Aiken: 15 snaps
Allen: 15 snaps
Ryan: 12 snaps

 

[RayClay]

Thank you for doing this. I don't even know where to go to find playing time data like this, so it is a big help.

Fencer's a copy boy for some writer at ESPN.

 

[Fencer]

I think it has more to do with having different roles in the defense and personnel matchups than anything else, but we'll definitely see in the coming weeks.

I disagree. When there are 2 CBs, Arrington is likely to play while Dennard sits, notwithstanding all the discussion for the past year of Arrington supposedly being excellent in the slot but toastable outside.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Pleased to read that Buchanan is getting reps.

I was at the Bills game last week and watched him every time he stepped on the field. From what I saw .... he looks to be the best pure pass rusher on the team in terms of quickness, and speed, around the edge. Bettering Jones even in this respect.

What he lacks is power and explosion and, of course, experience.

I am VERY excited to see how the Pats nurture him along.

 

[The Scrizz]

and Ryan, a 3rd this year.

Um, I take it as a pretty good sign that our #4 CB isn't getting any snaps. I hope our corners are excellent and healthy all year and Ryan gets his reps in practice.

 

[Mack Herron]

Impressed with Gregory. Unimpressed with McCourty (0 passes defensed), Spikes and Wilfork; 4 tackles between them vs Jets isn't enough from core guys in the middle.

 

[Sciz]

Welcome back Ebner.

And people said he couldn't make the club from the tub!

 

[pencilneckgeek]

Impressed with Gregory. Unimpressed with McCourty (0 passes defensed),

McCourty had at least one pass defended, when he dropped into the slot and covered a crossing pattern - reached in and took the ball away, put in a pretty good hit on a go route where Dennard got beat but didn't get the ball free until after the play was over. Seemed like good timing, but not quite enough. He needs to arrive 0.5 seconds sooner on that, but I'm not going to be unimpressed. He made some solid tackles, too, as did Gregory. (He really seems to have toughened-up over the off-season. I wonder if he was nursing a shoulder or something last year.)