WHPats
Third String But Playing on Special Teams
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2017
- Messages
- 562
- Reaction score
- 831
Hey guys
So I was watching some old Patriots games from about 15 years ago, and back then we were a much more stout defensive team that relied on consistent, reliable offense. Lots of very good players on both sides of the ball, but no real superstars with the exception of Brady...who back then wasn't a big stat QB, just found ways to win. The defense had lots of real good tough players with Bruschi, Vrabel, Seymour, Harrison, Law and Milloy.
Today's version of the Pats has superstars on offense in Brady and Gronk, and lots of really good players on offense. Some good players on defense too but not quite at the same level. The Patriots back then used to be one of the toughest defenses in the league, now they play a bend but don't break style that, while effective at keeping points off the board, isn't quite as stingy at preventing yardage.
Is it mostly because of the rule changes in the NFL that it's tougher to play defense now? Because if you look around the league there aren't many real tough defenses anymore...back in the early 2000s it seemed like there were a lot more.
Personally I'd like to see the Pats go back to being a defense-oriented team that has a pretty good offense. As long as we win I guess it doesn't matter, but I miss the days when the defense was THE strength of the team. What do you guys think?
So I was watching some old Patriots games from about 15 years ago, and back then we were a much more stout defensive team that relied on consistent, reliable offense. Lots of very good players on both sides of the ball, but no real superstars with the exception of Brady...who back then wasn't a big stat QB, just found ways to win. The defense had lots of real good tough players with Bruschi, Vrabel, Seymour, Harrison, Law and Milloy.
Today's version of the Pats has superstars on offense in Brady and Gronk, and lots of really good players on offense. Some good players on defense too but not quite at the same level. The Patriots back then used to be one of the toughest defenses in the league, now they play a bend but don't break style that, while effective at keeping points off the board, isn't quite as stingy at preventing yardage.
Is it mostly because of the rule changes in the NFL that it's tougher to play defense now? Because if you look around the league there aren't many real tough defenses anymore...back in the early 2000s it seemed like there were a lot more.
Personally I'd like to see the Pats go back to being a defense-oriented team that has a pretty good offense. As long as we win I guess it doesn't matter, but I miss the days when the defense was THE strength of the team. What do you guys think?