Excellent Reiss piece about the trade

[Mack Herron]

I fail to comprehend how a defense that is top 5 on points against in this league is terrible.

I think by "terrible" some folks just mean "not good enough."

 

[Tuck]

Imagine if Bill had just cut Jamie Collins which I'm sure would have been a possibility. It would have really sent a message to the rest of the team.

Fortunately we get some type of pick instead and we make sure Collins can't play for a rival against us in the play-offs.

I don't think the other players really care what type of compensation the team received. He wasn't playing well so he's gone. Message sent. Message received.

 

[Pats2000]

In general, I agree. They are #3 in points allowed. I'll take that all day. In recent weeks their 3rd down and red zone has also improved. Always room for improvement. IMO they need to force more fumbles.

I think for the detractors of the D they cannot stand they style in which they play which is passive, risk-adverse and containing.

BB is on record as saying he was disappointed in the D v BUF. Whether he was speaking about Collins's play is a question.

I'm rather surprised they are playing less aggressive but are being rewarded with holding the other team to the amount of points they have. It almost seems like BB goes against conventional wisdom to throw looks that confuse the opponent and try to force mistakes. Rather than a straight up execution D with ano amazing pass rush. it's worked so far...we'll see how it holds up against some of the better offenses.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'm rather surprised they are playing less aggressive but are being rewarded with holding the other team to the amount of points they have. It almost seems like BB goes against conventional wisdom to throw looks that confuse the opponent and try to force mistakes. Rather than a straight up execution D with ano amazing pass rush. it's worked so far...we'll see how it holds up against some of the better offenses.

Rich Hill had a nice perspective on why they are playing this way.

His contention was that a vast majority of the QBs they face this season are mobile and less accurate QBs that make either the same or more plays from outside the pocket than in. Because of that, the NEP feel that containment (as opposed to DLs charging up the field and blitzing a lot) is not as beneficial as making a QB stay in the pocket, read a D and make throws. Hes kinda right

Statues: Palmer, Flacco,
Mobile: Tannehill (2), Roeth (Landry) , Taylor (2), Fitzy (2), Ossie, Dalton, Seimen, Kapernick, Kennum (tweener), Goff
Exception: Russell Wilson as he can do both but hes less mobile this year b/c of his ankle/leg.

He also said that throws to RBs was down this year compared to other years so they are taking that away as well.

 

[Love The Drake]

collins said he never asked for Miller Money was never offered 11 Mill and the Browns were more of a family feel than the Patriots lmao.
New coach every other year traded half their team yeah real family feel.

 

[BobDigital]

Also one other note.

The Pats in 2013 got Talib on a deal for 7 games for a for a 4th round pick (we got a 7th back for what it is worth)

So judging by that this is right in line with that deal for what a player like this is worth for half the year.

 

[RobertWeathers]

collins said he never asked for Miller Money was never offered 11 Mill and the Browns were more of a family feel than the Patriots lmao.
New coach every other year traded half their team yeah real family feel.

...and he also never knew/heard of Mike Lombardi when Lombardi claims to have had numerous conversations with him about how good he can be.

Jamie is just ducking and diving.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Also one other note.

The Pats in 2013 got Talib on a deal for 7 games for a for a 4th round pick (we got a 7th back for what it is worth)

So judging by that this is right in line with that deal. for what a player like this is worth for half the year.

yes but IIRC Aquib has some off-the-field concerns so that impacted his value.

But your point is a good one. At the end of the day, a high end talent acquired for 1/2 a year without any contractural control is not going to net you a high-round draft pick

 

[cmasspatsfan]

In general, I agree. They are #3 in points allowed. I'll take that all day. In recent weeks their 3rd down and red zone has also improved. Always room for improvement. IMO they need to force more fumbles.

I think for the detractors of the D they cannot stand they style in which they play which is passive, risk-adverse and containing.

BB is on record as saying he was disappointed in the D v BUF. Whether he was speaking about Collins's play specifically is a question i have.

He mentioned a couple of other guys for that specific game, Hightower being one.

 

[BobDigital]

I think by "terrible" some folks just mean "not good enough."

They are not terrible but i see them not as good as they seem on the PPG sheet.

I have them as the 5th or 6th best D in the NFL not the 3rd. That is all.

The fact is the Pats have faced relatively easy competition compared to other Ds and have put their D on the whole in good positions throughout the year. They had to only deal with 6 turnovers on the year as well which is pretty low too boot.

So while i like this D okay I think they are not playing up to their potential and that they had had an easier time than a lot of other Ds.

I rank the Ds #1 Denver, #2 Minn, #3 Seattle, #4 Philly, #5 AZ, #6 Pats

 

[RobertWeathers]

He mentioned a couple of other guys for that specific game, Hightower being one.

BB said publicly that he was disappointed in Hightower?

 

[PatsBoy12]

Truly disappointing.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

BB said publicly that he was disappointed in Hightower?

I was surprised to hear it too, I think it was Curran that said it, he didn't say it in a pc.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I was surprised to hear it too, I think it was Curran that said it, he didn't say it in a pc.

I was listening to Curren on EEI with Mutt tonight and he never brought it up.

I'd be floored if BB pulled a Ariens and threw a team captain and well respected player like High under the bus for poor performance.

 

[bbobbo]

I fail to comprehend how a defense that is top 5 on points against in this league is terrible.

In general, I agree. They are #3 in points allowed. I'll take that all day. In recent weeks their 3rd down and red zone has also improved. Always room for improvement. IMO they need to force more fumbles.

I think for the detractors of the D they cannot stand they style in which they play which is passive, risk-adverse and containing.

BB is on record as saying he was disappointed in the D v BUF. Whether he was speaking about Collins's play specifically is a question i have.

They are not terrible but i see them not as good as they seem on the PPG sheet.

I have them as the 5th or 6th best D in the NFL not the 3rd. That is all.

The fact is the Pats have faced relatively easy competition compared to other Ds and have put their D on the whole in good positions throughout the year. They had to only deal with 6 turnovers on the year as well which is pretty low too boot.

So while i like this D okay I think they are not playing up to their potential and that they had had an easier time than a lot of other Ds.

I rank the Ds #1 Denver, #2 Minn, #3 Seattle, #4 Philly, #5 AZ, #6 Pats

some context on the patriots #3 defensive ranking on points:

• the only teams the patriots have faced that are in the top half of the league in scoring offense are buffalo twice (#8) and a steelers team without roethlisberger (#13)
• the dolphins average 13.7 points on the road but scored 24 against the patriots
• the texans only score 7.3 points on the road, so the shutout against them seems less impressive
• the patriots were playing against the browns' 3rd and 4th (and 5th, at times) string QB
  
• the bengals only score 17.5 points on the road, so 17 points scored against the patriots is average

Through Week 8


(home/away average is the opposing team's scoring average where the patriots played them)