Finally, [tentative, begrudging] validation of Big Al

[Kid~Brady]

New England's defense starting to gel after rough start to 2011

Don't look now, but the New England Patriots are starting to find their championship swagger on defense.

That's right. The much-maligned unit that ranked near the bottom of the charts in nearly every statistical category after three weeks has started to show signs of life, and the rest of the league should start to worry.

Here are a few reasons for the sudden defensive surge from the Patriots:

The return of Albert Haynesworth
The acquisition of Haynesworth was met with great expectations, but numerous injuries during the preseason kept him from making a significant impact. However, he has started to get more playing time in recent weeks, which has coincided with the Patriots' dramatic defensive improvement.

Although Haynesworth has yet to crack the starting lineup, he has certainly made his presence felt as a situational player. He has been an integral part of their sub package as an interior rusher and his ability to attract double- and triple-team attention has resulted in isolated matchups for the Patriots' edge rushers. Andre Carter, in particular, has benefitted from the attention Haynesworth commands.

Thought this was a nice read about our defense
Link: NFL.com news: New England's defense starting to gel after rough start to 2011

 

[Lurks_All_Day]

NFL.com news: New England's defense starting to jell after rough start to 2011

Even from those Froot-Loops (tm) at nfl.com.

And I thought Vince was a giant among men...

 

[Fixit]

NFL.com news: New England's defense starting to jell after rough start to 2011

Even from those Froot-Loops (tm) at nfl.com.

And I thought Vince was a giant among men...

Me to wife just now: "Honey look at this."

Wife: "What?"

Me (pointing): "That's Vince Wilfork."

Wife: "That's Vince-? OMG, then who's the other guy???"

 

[Horace's Ivories]

look how happy big al is.. warms the heart I tell you...

 

[Fixit]

Even from those Froot-Loops (tm) at nfl.com.

At last...a worthy pattycake partner. I'm truly where I belong.

 

[Lurks_All_Day]

At last...a worthy pattycake partner. I'm truly where I belong.

Not funny, man.
Don't answer your door tonight

 

[Ron Sellers]

For all the gloom and doom analysis of the Pats defense it's nice to see a rational counterpoint for a change.

Against the Cowboys on second-and-goal, the Patriots utilized a three-man rush with Haynesworth aligned head up over left guard Bill Nagy. He pushed the pocket on a powerful bull rush, which forced the Cowboys to commit three blockers in his direction. With only one blocker (Tyron Smith) left to handle Carter on the edge, the 11-year veteran easily notched his second sack of the game.

Haynesworth's impact is not only reflected in Carter's production, but in the improvement of the Patriots' third-down defense since his return. The Patriots have held their last two opponents to a 30.4-percent conversion rate, which is well below their 42.4-percent total for the season.

Given the importance of winning on third down, the fact that the Patriots are playing well with Haynesworth on the field bodes well down the stretch.

 

[Bigatrop]

The fact that Haynesworth required a Triple-Team (!!!) should speak volumes to his skill, size, and effectiveness. If teams are committing 3 players to him when he is in the game, we will start seeing significantly more QB pressure from guys on 1-1 battles and others left alone.

 

[vyrago]

That picture is shocking--in a very good way.

 

[resdubwhite]

looks like Vince has taken Albert under his (very substantial) wing.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

looks like Vince has taken Albert under his (very substantial) wing.

Based on the picture above, I'm not sure that's possible.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Wow, that Haynesworth acquisition is looking to be another stroke of genius by BB!

 

[Lurks_All_Day]

Wow, that Haynesworth acquisition is looking to be another stroke of genius by BB!

While I'm not quite there yet, myself, I am truly optimistic about our D personnel in general, especially up front. I hope Haynesworth's 100% ready to blow 'em up after the bye!
The best we, as fans, can hope for is that the head coaches that our team will be facing in the near future (before the stats settle down) will "pfffffttt" on our "sad sad defense" and pay the price!!!

 

[Hael]

Al has been great. IMO better than Wilfork, who is somewhat overrated. More often than nought, Haynesworth is the one generating a push and commanding a double team.

It's more visible now that he's playing more reps and not gassing as much.

 

[LetsGoPats36]

As long as Al stays healthy he's going to be a force. Back problems can't be something that's particularly easy to deal with when you're that mammoth.

 

[Deus Irae]

Al has been great. IMO better than Wilfork, who is somewhat overrated. More often than nought, Haynesworth is the one generating a push and commanding a double team.

It's more visible now that he's playing more reps and not gassing as much.

Wilfork is the best NT in the NFL, and is certainly not overrated at that position. Right now, however, he's not playing NT. Right now, he's an overweight tackle in a 4-3 system.

 

[satz]

For all the gloom and doom analysis of the Pats defense it's nice to see a rational counterpoint for a change.

Hold on to your cherrios bud . that was a bad protection setup. It actually happened twice in the game. the other one did not end in a sack and it was against Gerald warren so what you say about that.

Ninkovich showed a inside rush and the center stayed to pick it up when he dropped in coverage he went to help gaurd and tackle on the haynes side instead of double vince wiht the right gaurd.

they actually did the same dumb call when spikes showed a inside blitz and dropped and tripled warren.

 

[everlong]

NFL.com news: New England's defense starting to jell after rough start to 2011

Even from those Froot-Loops (tm) at nfl.com.

And I thought Vince was a giant among men...

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man.
Bake me a cake as fast as you can;
Pat it and prick it and mark it with B,
Put it in the oven for baby and me.

Patty cake, patty cake, baker's man.
Bake me a cake as fast as you can;
Roll it up, roll it up;
And throw it in a pan!
Patty cake, patty cake, baker's man

Damn Vince now I'm as hungry as Rex, let's go get an F'IN snack.

 

[patsfan-1982]

watch the video on the link there are 3 cowboys bocking haynesworth wow, the pats have 10 sacks in the 3 games he played in and 0 in the 3 games he did not i would say he's haveing a big impact on the defense

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

NFL.com news: New England's defense starting to jell after rough start to 2011

Even from those Froot-Loops (tm) at nfl.com.

And I thought Vince was a giant among men...

Last time Al had a smile that big,Dunkin Donuts had buy 6 Donuts get 6 Free sale