Vindicate
2nd Team Getting Their First Start
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2015
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I dunno if anyone is super guilty of overestimating, in fact a lot of us were cautious entering a season without Gilmore. The defense is truly another level with him. His effect can cover up woes on the front 7 to an extent. Also, as has become a league-wide narrative, the lack of preseason reps is really hard to overcome in terms of conditioning - and the defense is affected most by that.
I still see the hope, this defense could be very good. Not lights out every game, but a lot of defensive woes over the past two seasons can really be attributed to the lackluster offense. If we had even a typical Brady offense with some decent skill players, they'd be relied on way less, they'd play less snaps, be more rested for each game, etc.
The Dolphins are a hard team. They may not have all the W's, but they certainly are always a threat with intimate knowledge as to how the Patriots play, plan, and execute. BB proteges have a history of doing well against him, or at least maintaining competition. And it makes sense. We were one of McDaniel's few W's. One of Patricia's few W's. I think any dismissal of our defense after one game where they held a team to 17 pts and the offense fumbled away the W is overreaction.
And again, the effect of Gilmore is big. Pushing Jones into the CB2 position has him in overly favorable matchups. It solidifies the secondary, which creates time for the front 7.
Also, I think of years like 2010 and am like "this defense would have been able to keep that team nearly unbeatable."
I'll never forget the days of being more scared of 3rd and long than 3rd and shorts.
I still see the hope, this defense could be very good. Not lights out every game, but a lot of defensive woes over the past two seasons can really be attributed to the lackluster offense. If we had even a typical Brady offense with some decent skill players, they'd be relied on way less, they'd play less snaps, be more rested for each game, etc.
The Dolphins are a hard team. They may not have all the W's, but they certainly are always a threat with intimate knowledge as to how the Patriots play, plan, and execute. BB proteges have a history of doing well against him, or at least maintaining competition. And it makes sense. We were one of McDaniel's few W's. One of Patricia's few W's. I think any dismissal of our defense after one game where they held a team to 17 pts and the offense fumbled away the W is overreaction.
And again, the effect of Gilmore is big. Pushing Jones into the CB2 position has him in overly favorable matchups. It solidifies the secondary, which creates time for the front 7.
Also, I think of years like 2010 and am like "this defense would have been able to keep that team nearly unbeatable."
I'll never forget the days of being more scared of 3rd and long than 3rd and shorts.