Post game - instant reaction .....relatively

[borg]

My headlines...

1) "Coverage Sack"..........considering Carolina's passing game is about where NE's passing game was at this time last year (young/new), I'll temper my excitement a little....BUT....a little extra "attack the QB" time goes along way. Can't wait to see Collins get deployed in the attack

2) "Fountain of Youth".....Brady never looked better. Sure unlimited time in the pocket hurts no QB, but Tom was near perfect....and physically, he looked 27. Think about Marino's mid 30's, time hit him hard and fast. Not our boy. Sign me up.

3) "BB's Feisty....and I like it"......love the constant verbal jousting with the refs. I'm feeling a 2007 Part Deux is on its way. He's committed....He's all in. The chip is on his shoulders and he'll take it out on his opponents. Run up those scores BB....run 'em up!!
His "NO Mercy" tour of '07 was epic.....but this time his smash mouth defense will carry the load.

 

[Pats-Phan]

RE: 3-4 vs. 4-3

I too feel that we are better suited to run a 4-3. I prefer having less 300+ lb guys and more speed and athleticism on the field. However if we ran an attacking 3-4 instead of a 2 gapping 3-4 things make a little more sense. Have Wilfork 2 gapping at NT and everybody else one gaps. Food for thought.

RE: point 4 - a focus-less pass catching group

I disagree with this. Edelman and Gronk will be the primary reads when they are out there. That said I think Brady will have SIGNIFICANTLY more trust in options 3-5 than any time in recent memory. I expect our offense to be better than last year.

And one observation I had that I haven't seen mentioned in here. Collins can HIT. He drilled Newton and injured him and he also demolished a running back on one play.

 

[Galeb]

Nink is a better fit as a 3-4 OLB than as a 4-3 DE.

Although Nink was an adequate linebacker, he is a good, versatile DE in a 4-3. Not only did the press and the board make note of Nink's improved play after the move to DE, both Nink and BB mentioned it in interviews/pressers as well.

Chandler is a beast at DE and DT in a 4-3.

This D has the versatility and athletisism to play either at a high level, but the lack of talent/depth at 3-4 DE is a potential problem.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

"Better built for the 3=4????!!!!" What are you talking about, K. Its the exact opposite. That's what makes this change so interesting. We are totally built to play a 4-3. Outside of having one prototypical NT (Vince)the rest of our DL screams 4-3. Both Worthy and Easley are protypical FOUR-THREE DT's as is Kelly, and CJones. Only Kelly has the length and size to be a true 2 gap DE, and its really not his forte. Plus we haven't even BEGUN to talk about the complete lack of LB depth needed to run a 3-4 like we did back a decade ago.

Sorry, K, this roster is NOT built to run a 3-4......at ALL. Yet here we are going into the tail end of the preseason and pretty much all we've seen so far from the D is the 3-4. Curious, eh. There are some thoughts that are percolating as to the reasoning behind this move, but I think they need some time to come to the surface before I can articulate them cogently. Fortunately its a beautiful day for a long walk.

I tend to agree, but only if we're talking a BB 3-4, where the two 5-tech DEs 2-gap, but the Pats run a hybrid 3-4 that is not so different in principal from a 4-3, where Wilfork 2-gaps from 1-tech and one of the DEs 2-gaps, while the other 1-gaps. The main difference is that with Nink and Jones standing-up at OLB, one of our LBs is subbed out for another DT, but I don't feel like the trade of Hightower for Easley is that bad, especially when HT can rotate in at OLB to spell Jones and Nink.

The question to me is whether there are enough 2-gapping players there, but I don't think that question is any different if the Pats run their 4-3 Under. Wilfork, Kelly, and Siliga can all 2-gap, but Kelly is more often at 3-tech, which as I understand it, has a 1-gap responsibility in these hybrid schemes. Worthy looks like he is built for 2-gapping, but reportedly he had issues adapting to it at GB. Vellano played 5-tech early on last night, but I could see that spot becoming a weakness against off-tackle runs, much like our interior was last year without Kelly or Wilfork around. Still, if players rotate through at that spot and Wilfork/Siliga and Kelly/Easley hold down the inside spots, it looks workable. Having the option to drop Chandler or Nink into coverage on base defense pass plays could generate some uncertainty in opposing offenses.

Am I missing something? I don't think we've seen that much of a traditional 4-3 1-gap approach to the base defense in recent years Ken, you were a line coach at one point, right? What do you say?

Miami will see a fair bit of base defense in week one. I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like.

 

[shmessy]

Dennard is the one that fought through the pick and laid the block just as he intercepted it and Ryan had the second block.

The Pick

Dennard's Block

Ryan's Block

Dennard fought through the pick nicely also, but the post-interception "block" by him wasn't a conscious move, just momentum. Ryan's play was the heads up read and react.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Lots of good comments in this thread.

My 2 cents:

one cent: Revis not only puts about half the secondary off limits, but he also makes the whole D better...Chandler Jones looked like he was cut loose to wreak havoc.

two cent: Folks who have read my posts over the years know that I'm the last person to go overboard (positive or negative) based on one game, preseason or whenever, but, watching Brady and the O last night, I really like what I see. To paraphrase the beer commercial, "Stay healthy my friends."

 

[Brady6]

Offensive thoughts:

· Brady is going to have a great year; he looks leaner and younger than he has in years. He has always been in great shape but he seems to be even better this season.
· Edelman is outstanding; he has really developed into a player that could rival Wes Welker during his tenure here. Last night he was targeted 8 times, had 8 catches for 99 yards.
· LaFell will be a big part of the offense, he only had 2 catches, but he also drew multiple pass interference calls that resulted in first downs.
· Thompkins worries me when he makes those wide-open drops, but overall he looks bigger, faster, and more explosive this season.
· Vereen is an outstanding player, he looked like the player that played opening day last season, and if he can stay healthy, I am confident he can be that player for a full season.
· Amendola made a good play when the Panthers blitzed and Brady hit him on the hot read. He has been more of a complementary piece in the offense, this preseason.
· James White had his best preseason game, it still was not spectacular but he seems to be coming along, the one play that was negated by the BS penalty by Amendola was a nifty play with White and Vereen on the field together.
· Tyms will make the team because of his suspension and that will give us more time to evaluate him, that is a good thing, because since his great opening game he has not been that good having been targeted 10 times resulting in just 4 catches for 44 yards.
· Ridley held onto the ball, I thought that was important, I think posters overact to his fumbling but I was glad to see him run strong with no ball security issues.

Defensive thoughts:

· I am not a huge fan of the 3-4, I understand why it is being worked on but I think when all of the players are on the field we are better suited for a 4-3.
· Chandler Jones could throw down 20 sacks this season. He is playing with a swagger he never had in prior years, looks to be having more fun out there too. He ran onto the field to greet Vereen on his first touchdown catch just to celebrate.
· Michael Buchanan can get on the QB as well as any pass rusher in the league; he is just undisciplined especially against the run.
· Will Smith is all done.
· Collins is a monster, he is all over the field, constant playmaker, we have not had a LB like him in the Belichick era.
· I thought Butler came back to earth a bit last night. I still think he makes the roster but I do not see him as a starter on opening day.
· Jake Bequette seems less interested in football than any player I have ever seen, as if he takes a valium before every game.

 

[shmessy]

· Chandler Jones could throw down 20 sacks this season. He is playing with a swagger he never had in prior years.....,.

He's playing with LEGS he never had in previous years!

 

[patchick]

It's obvious BB values special teams more than most coaches from having core STers to using stars like Gronk and Jones on the FG unit to having starters return punts.

I'd actually go further than that and say that coaches leaguewide value special teams more than fans do. We just don't notice the roster impact elsewhere because we don't pore over other rosters the way we do the Pats'.

For instance, the top PRs in the league last year (by total yardage) were Dexter McCluster, Golden Tate, Antonio Brown and Edelman, all of whom are big parts of their teams' offenses. And the top gunners in the league (subjective by reputation) are pretty much all ST specialists: Marcus Easley, Justin Bethel, Darrell Stuckey and Slater.

 

[Marqui]

I'm so glad they're switching back to a 3-4 base. IMO most of their front 7 players don't really fit a 4-3.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

I'm not surprised at all. The team is better built for the 3-4 than the 4-3. That said, I wouldn't put too much stock in it. They'll be in the nickel for the highest percentage of snaps this season.

I'm so glad they're switching back to a 3-4 base. IMO most of their front 7 players don't really fit a 4-3.

Either of you care to offer your thoughts on why you say this? The conventional meaning of that distinction on this forum has been that 3-4 = 2-gapping and 4-3 = 1-gapping, which as I noted above is not necessarily the case. Are you working from that understanding; are you simply referring to who looks good standing-up versus being in a 3-point stance; or are you getting at something else?

 

[Ring 6]

Here are the top 10 seasons

1966- Charley Taylor- 1119
1999- Marshall Faulk- 1048
1985- Lionel James- 1027
1985- Roger Craig- 1016
1995- Larry Centers- 962
2002- Charlie Garner- 941
1992- Ronnie Harmon- 914
1998- Marshall Faulk- 908
1993- Terry Kirby- 874
1986- Gary W. Anderson- 871

I thought Charlie Taylor was a WR

 

[strngplyr]

I'll say this, I think we're more built for a 4 man line, however, as long as we don't play a "let it develop" or "wait and see" reactionary defense I'll be happy.

We're built to attack now, several smaller, quicker lineman and athletic LB's, this defense could be as good as the early decade teams, but they won't look anything like them.

3 man front, 4 man front, I'm giving up caring, it's going to be the same players mostly playing the same role, just lining up in new spots. As long as the result is a hurried QB more often than not then I won't argue which is better or why.

...and on that note, I want to see a lot more blitzes than in the past, the coverage looks like it'll be good enough to support a lot of exotic things with the front 7 this year.

 

[JMC00]

I thought Charlie Taylor was a WR

Ya. But he played RB his first few years. I guess this list considered him a RB in 1966 and not a WR/RB which was what he was that year.

 

[Bonzo]

- Man, Vereen looks fast in pads.
- Speaking of which, yeah Vereen did most of the lifting on that 40yd TD, but Brady put that ball exactly where it needed to be for Vereen to catch it in stride. Don't know if Mallett makes that throw on his best day.
- With Gronk & Dobson still to work their way back into the mix, Pats have to feel better about their depth this year if another rash of injuries hits the receivers.

 

[VJCPatriot]

offense looks much improved. defense was pitching a shutout until the final drive of game when it didn't matter anymore. Chandler Jones looks like the Total Package - dominant run defense and making impact plays vs the passing game as well.

I like what I saw a lot. Hopefully preseason game 4 will be the final tuneup and we come out of that healthy and build momentum for the regular season.

 

[BobDigital]

Just a quick thought i wanna throw out. Butler is going to be our teams #2 CB till proven otherwise.

We are not just taking a look anymore. We are preparing him to play outside starting CB opposite Revis.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I am still in shock after watching Ghost kick a FG from 60 yards out. 60 YARDS! The team record up to now was 57, and Vinatieri's longest with the Patriots was 54, Frikkin' amazing.

I know it was preseason, and the weather damned perfect, but it also shows what he might be able to do in a dome, if needs be. He's still one of our moneymakers.

It cleared by two or three yards which means it could have been a 62 or 63 yarder.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Agreed. And he has looked the part. Doesn't look out of place at all as the #2 CB. It will make our team that much better when Browner comes back and we have all that depth in the secondary. Actually if Butler continues to standout, BB is going to have a dilemma on his hands. A nice problem to have.

Just a quick thought i wanna throw out. Butler is going to be our teams #2 CB till proven otherwise.

We are not just taking a look anymore. We are preparing him to play outside starting CB opposite Revis.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Fascinating stuff. Please don't forget your promise.

Here you go:

Putting a Value on Explosive Plays, and Why Brandon Marshall Is a Dolphin | Fifth Down Blog - NYTimes.com

Advanced Football Analytics: Packers Demonstrate Value of Explosiveness Against Bears

The five factors: College football's most important stats - Football Study Hall

These aren't the links I remember reading so I will continue to look for those. And I don't think these are as expansive as they should be. But last night's game was a really good example of the impact of big plays.

The first FG was set up by a 30-yard Edelman return. The offense would only gain 22 yards on 6 plays and a 5-yard penalty, but walked away with points because Edelman put them near mid-field to start the drive.

On the next drive, Carolina would start at their own 20 yard line, but use a 20-yard catch and run (where Anderson ran by Stewart) to get close to scoring range, finally bogging down at the NE 40.

On the following drive, Brady would connect for 21 yards on 3rd and 19 from our 11 yard line to move the chains. Vereen would finish the drive by stretching a short pass into a 40-yard TD.

Brady would later lead a FG drive in the 2-minute drill with no big gains, but that required a 60-yard FG from Ghost.

In their first drive of the second half, Brady would use a 35-yard pass to Edelman to gain a chunk of yards on his way to Vereen's second TD of the night.

Carolina's next drive would feature a 21-yard completion from journeyman Derek Anderson, a drive which should have ended in points until Anderson threw an INT on 3rd and goal from the NE 7-yard line.

Beauharnais would run 61 yards the other way, flipping the field. The offense would plod 32 yards in 9 plays but have to settle for a FG which was pretty much guaranteed thanks to Beauharnais's runback.

The next time the Patriots touched the ball, Garoppolo would drive 82 yards for a TD, aided by a 31-yard pass to Johnson, as well as completions of 17, 15, 13, and 11 yards. They also had a 25-yard run called back on a holding penalty.

Carolina would finally score on their next drive, using two big completions (31, 30 yards).

For the Patriots, 5 scoring drives included at least one explosive play of 20+ yards. 1 scoring drive didn't include an explosive play. There were no drives with explosive plays that didn't result in points.

For the Panthers, they only had 3 explosive plays. 1 would result in points, 1 should have resulted in points, and the last left them just short of scoring territory.

I'll keep digging because there are better links out there.