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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.And that's different from ANY of the Patriots LBs how? Similar to the "the defense has to have a 4 down NT" narrative like they grow on trees and just there for the taking without impacting any other position need, there's also one that assumes that there hundreds of LBs that are shut down coverage guys on RBs and TEs as well as being stout against the run.I couldn't believe that the Pats kept having Bentley in coverage. Anytime he gets matched up against a running back in coverage that is a loss for the Pats.
I have been busting Bentley's balls for awhile, but insofar this season, he's been our best off-line LB.And that's different from ANY of the Patriots LBs how? Similar to the "the defense has to have a 4 down NT" narrative like they grow on trees and just there for the taking without impacting any other position need, there's also one that assumes that there hundreds of LBs that are shut down coverage guys on RBs and TEs as well as being stout against the run.
Hightower, a #25 pick, is probably the best LB in coverage (more because of smarts and technique than athleticism BTW) and even then it's a mismatch that most offenses will exploit. It's why Phillips and Duggar get as many snaps as they do - to have more coverage in there accepting some risk versus the run. And if the Pats pick at #12 or something in the near future and they take a four down LB - they'll be absolutely savaged for not taking a WR - book it.
No, Bentley isn't a star, he's a serviceable player and better than the current alternatives. He is WAY better than last year; more in line with his rookie season when he had a specific role that suited his skills rather than having to try and run the entire defense and cover for the issues all over the rest of the defense that last year had.
I have been busting Bentley's balls for awhile, but insofar this season, he's been our best off-line LB.
We should be worrying that HT is clearly a step behind, and maybe that's why we're seeing him handle those cover assignments more often.
I will add also that Van Noy was pretty good on some cover schemes , even if he wasn't all that good in Miami (Im withholding judgment on his return - Pat Chung is still vivid in my memory), but getting a good Offline LB is going to be a priority next offseason, since Jennings has shown nothing out of ordinary.
Sorry, i meant lessNot sure I follow the logic that Hightower being a step behind would lead him to playing more coverage. Wouldn't they not want to expose him in space if he was a step slow?
Hightower has always needed several games to ramp up, I think what we're seeing (after a year off, no less) is par for the course. I thought he looked a lot better in week 2 than week 1. They had him doing a good bit of blitzing and a little pass rushing off the edge. He looked good, I thought.
As with all BB defenses - the roles are rotated so that offenses cannot specifically target (especially via pre-game scheming) any one player. Notice that HT went from off-ball LB to on the line from one week to the next. Now not having KVN likely also contributed, but it just shows that the Pats will often change coverages so that one player's weaknesses are not a constant to be targeted over and over again.We should be worrying that HT is clearly a step behind, and maybe that's why we're seeing him handle those cover assignments (edit - thank u dreighver) less often.
Uche = beast!!!!
I agree. Get us a Devin White. Easier said than done.I have been busting Bentley's balls for awhile, but insofar this season, he's been our best off-line LB.
We should be worrying that HT is clearly a step behind, and maybe that's why we're seeing him handle those cover assignments (edit - thank u dreighver) less often.
I will add also that Van Noy was pretty good on some cover schemes , even if he wasn't all that good in Miami (Im withholding judgment on his return - Pat Chung is still vivid in my memory), but getting a good Offline LB is going to be a priority next offseason, since Jennings has shown nothing out of ordinary.
What I like about uche is his he finishes the pass rush. If he beats his man he isn’t trying to GET TO the QB, he is focussed in bringing him down. He had a nice sack, don’t remember which one, where he was still engaged with the blocker but reached out, grabbed the Qb with one hand and three him to the ground.This is a special pass rusher. Not many players in the NFL with that explosion on the first sack.
2019 lead the NCAA in pressure rate
2020 lead NFL rookies in pressure rate
present lead the NFL in pressure rate (small sample)
The difference is that Bentley is the slowest laterally of all the Pats LB. In terms of man to man coverage I'd rather have any of the other backers in coverage to Bentley. I'm not saying the Pats need to get a pass coverage LB that won't be available, I'd just like to see them limit their slowest linebacker in coverage.And that's different from ANY of the Patriots LBs how? Similar to the "the defense has to have a 4 down NT" narrative like they grow on trees and just there for the taking without impacting any other position need, there's also one that assumes that there hundreds of LBs that are shut down coverage guys on RBs and TEs as well as being stout against the run.
Hightower, a #25 pick, is probably the best LB in coverage (more because of smarts and technique than athleticism BTW) and even then it's a mismatch that most offenses will exploit. It's why Phillips and Duggar get as many snaps as they do - to have more coverage in there accepting some risk versus the run. And if the Pats pick at #12 or something in the near future and they take a four down LB - they'll be absolutely savaged for not taking a WR - book it.
No, Bentley isn't a star, he's a serviceable player and better than the current alternatives. He is WAY better than last year; more in line with his rookie season when he had a specific role that suited his skills rather than having to try and run the entire defense and cover for the issues all over the rest of the defense that last year had.
And what evidence is there that they aren't? He wasn't in coverage on every snap where coverage was required. The offense also gets a vote.I'd just like to see them limit their slowest linebacker in coverage.
This is a special pass rusher. Not many players in the NFL with that explosion on the first sack.
2019 lead the NCAA in pressure rate
2020 lead NFL rookies in pressure rate
present lead the NFL in pressure rate (small sample)
What in the world is a "shuck" lol ???These moves look different to me. One looks like a bull rush and the other looks like a shuck.
He's been in coverage a lot and doesn't look out of place. Where he is getting yanked is vs. the run.He's beginning to have an impact.....they're obviously not comfortable putting him in coverage yet
This is the flip side of my earlier post. It's pretty scary now how big the mismatches can be for LBs versus offenses. On one hand, they have to be 240-260lb edge setters and penetrators able to take on 300+ pound blockers while at the same time run with guys streaking along at 4.49 (a common avg for rbs) 40 times. Then on top of that be able to harness quickness and fundamentals of basically its own martial art in pass rushing. Sure, guys like that just grow on trees!He's been in coverage a lot and doesn't look out of place.
What in the world is a "shuck" lol ???
1)Clubs with left hand before finishing with ripping through. Rip is simply that uppercut motion to put your man on your back.
2)Sets up and wins with hesi-move. This is a big go-to for him since hes small it really helps get his guy off balance. After that quick swipe (you can see him use double swipe) before just knifing through. Can't see if he uses anything else but I don't think he does.