So... What's wrong with the Pats' defense?

[Rob0729]

Re: So... What's wrong with PATs Defense?

short memories or what? the 2005 defense was much worse

injuries and inexperience have piled up......it happens......

They were worse the first half the year, but great the second half the year. When Belichick and Mangini stopped playing it safe and allowed the front seven to pressure the QB in 2005, the Pats defense was stifling.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: So... What's wrong with PATs Defense?

It should be worth mentioning that our DB's were covering against one of the most decisive and accurate QB's in the league. He has enough lacking qualities to keep out of the top tier, but you can't underestimate how hard he is to trick.

I think it was the right call keeping the play in front of them and keeping the middle safe against pu$sy-play.

They might actually look better against the Steelers. They're a good team, but they've allowed a lot of sacks and Big Ben holds the ball too long. What he has in power and accuracy he some times compromises by being indecisive.

I think the Pats match up well overall with the Steelers. They have a good run defense. The Steelers before they played the Cincy hadn't scored an offensive TD in 2 or 3 games. Their offense is a shambles.

 

[Dagg]

Re: So... What's wrong with PATs Defense?

Because we have such a piss poor pass rush, our piss poor DBs are exposed as they mediocre to below avg talents they are.

Not to mention anytime gets inside the 5 we dont stop anybody, heck inside the 20. We give up 7's like they are free candy. Nobdy has kicked any fg against us because its so easy to get tds

 

[Scouse Patriot]

Re: So... What's wrong with PATs Defense?

Lack of effective talent in the DB's, injuries and a bit of inexperience doen't equal good things.

 

[p8ryts]

Re: So... What's wrong with PATs Defense?

Totally agree about the lack of pressure on the QB. In the Pat's scheme that was meant to come from Vrabel and Thomas. AT is out and Vrabel is having a down year. That exposes the DBs who are not the strength of this unit. I have a harder time explaining the softness up the middle;I think they were trying to address it with a converted Safety but couldn't find the right guy. There is a lot of speculation that they will target that position in the draft (which means they will take a tight end).

I agree, however, the middle has always been open in the Pats scheme. The pressure just hasn't been there most times, Mayo and Guyton are inexperienced, I'm actually ok with the corners, clearly they could be better but the safeties concern me especially Sanders. Merriweather is improving in coverage but I think they miss Rodney's tackling. Do the defensive calls have any impact here?

I'm in favor of a more attacking defense but the coach has been running this system pretty successfully for several years and I'm sure he is coaching as hard as possible.
If the defense can improve the team can be pretty tough.

We need a victory over Pittsburgh for tie breakers.

 

[cstjohn17]

Re: So... What's wrong with PATs Defense?

how do you see it?
Is there anything that can be done this late in the season?
Do you think it will change before the end of the season?

My list of made up stuff...

1) The defense has gotten a lot younger and a lot less experienced. It is hard to tell if these guys are good and young or just young.

Grades so far
B plus + Mayo looks really good against the run but not as sure in coverage, to be expected for a rookie ILB.
B - Guyton - seems to be improving
B - Merriweather, doesn't drop the sure interceptions, good hitter, seems to be out of position frequently
B minus - Sanders - pretty much average across the board
B minus - Woods - seems like a Bunta-Cain type, good special teamer, below average starter, good depth
C- Wilhite

My the end of the year we should know if they are JAGs or players.

2) No elite players in coverage - Putting any of the CBs 1:1 against a WR or a LB 1:1 versus a TE is a recipe for disaster. This doesn't give the defense very much flexibility, they pretty much have to play a zone with the Safeties helping the CBs and LBs. The Safeties are not spectacular either so there are open spots in the zones as players get handed off.

3) Pass rush from OLB - Pretty much non-existent, the OLBs get paid their money to get pressure on 3rd downs. Thomas was pretty good but Colvin was a more consistent pass rusher. Without either of these two the rush stinks.

4) Slow veterans - Vrabel looks like a vet with too much damage to consistently get to the QB and Bruschi is on fumes. Thank god they are both smart and tough otherwise it would be worse.

5) Scheme - BB really stays the course, the 3-4 create some confusion on which blitzers are coming but ultimately BB relies on someone beating a block rather than exotic schemes. With the current talent this may be difficult.

Some of the issues are systemic, I don't expect that a lot will change throughout the season. In the off season an honest assessment of the talent with some upgrades coming. At least we are getting a chance to evaluate some of the younger players.

 

[mgteich]

Re: So... What's wrong with PATs Defense?

I think this defense is comparable our SB defenses, or will be when Thomas is back. I certainly believe that the defense is as good as last year's. However, the team still doesn't take its flu shots.