The Defense Looked Really Good

[TommyD4207]

So your saying Boyce just needs to use stickum since it worked wonders for Rice.
Boyce has too much class for that.

Or it just wouldn't help him.

 

[ashley]

Tarrell Brown, which according to camp reports seems like he could be the other starting CB didn't play.

Is there any word as to why Brown didn't play, curious if it's injury related.

 

[manxman2601]

That's ability, not potential. Lots of guys have that ability and some become NFL players.

My point is, he hasn't demonstrated the other things I hoped he would, at least in my opinion. Jerry Rice ran a 4.59. Of course he would have been even better with speed, but he played fast.

Firstly, Jerry Rice was an exception, not the rule. And secondly, if you re-read the original post, I said I was disappointed in Boyce. I saw potential to his game coming out of TCU and he's failed to live up to that. By the way, I wasn't alone in that, so did BB otherwise he wouldn't have drafted him.

Not sure what's controversial about saying he had potential that he failed to live up to.

 

[patsinthesnow]

@NEPD_Loyko: Had a conversation with a scout this morning who had high praise for Malcolm Butler (not Patriots).. lots of hype..

@NEPD_Loyko: He basically said Butler is the best UDFA CB to enter the league since Chris Harris and has has legit #1 CB potential.

 

[Love The Drake]

Ten bucks say it was a Colts scout
They'd be the only ones to be pompous or ignorant enough to call any team with Belichick and Tom Effing Brady hype.

 

[Love The Drake]

Come to think of it might of been a Denver scout you know Elway has a big head and I'm sure their staff is the same way.
Also the direct comparison to Harris.

 

[JMC00]

Is there any word as to why Brown didn't play, curious if it's injury related.

Probably same reason why Mayo and Hightower were dressed but didn't play. Proven veteran that is coming back from an injury that required surgery. Plus think it was another one of BB's "see what you got" decisions by throwing Roberts out there against a great offense.

 

[RayClay]

Firstly, Jerry Rice was an exception, not the rule. And secondly, if you re-read the original post, I said I was disappointed in Boyce. I saw potential to his game coming out of TCU and he's failed to live up to that. By the way, I wasn't alone in that, so did BB otherwise he wouldn't have drafted him.

Not sure what's controversial about saying he had potential that he failed to live up to.

I misunderstood then. I didn't have much of an opinion, but in year three he looks a bit lost out there.

 

[manxman2601]

I misunderstood then. I didn't have much of an opinion, but in year three he looks a bit lost out there.

I agree. I still like what I see when he has ball in hand but the issue is getting it there. He's the same size as Shane Vereen. He should learn to block and try to become a 3rd down back.

 

[RayClay]

Note the word "depth."

Our depth will be undersized special teamers,if anything. They asren't carrying a LB to just play the run. They took a shot at Spiked, because he's Spikes.

 

[A man named Brady]

An great front 7 can hide secondary

 

[mgteich]

An great front 7 can hide secondary

While true, I don't see it as relevant to last night. We didn't have a great front seven without Hightower, Mayo, Siliga and Branch. We were quite vulnerable up the gut. Brown, Easley and Freeny are not really enough.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Firstly, Jerry Rice was an exception, not the rule. And secondly, if you re-read the original post, I said I was disappointed in Boyce. I saw potential to his game coming out of TCU and he's failed to live up to that. By the way, I wasn't alone in that, so did BB otherwise he wouldn't have drafted him.

Not sure what's controversial about saying he had potential that he failed to live up to.

No one ever accused Fred Belitnikov or Ray Berry a having speed, either.

 

[Canuck]

It looked to me that they had Ryan playing Revis old spot for the play he got beat. Man to man coverage with safety shaded to the other side. I think by that point Butler must have been on the sidelines with the rest of the 1's.

 

[TommyD4207]

No one ever accused Fred Belitnikov or Ray Berry a having speed, either.

We don't need to bring in the leather helmet brigade, do we?

Larry Fitzgerald - 4.63
Alshon Jeffrey - 4.48
Victor Cruz - 4.47
Anquan Boldin - 4.71
Marques Colston - 4.50
Dwayne Bowe - 4.51
Julian Edelman - 4.52
Brandon Lafell- 4.54
Hakeem Nicks - 4.63

Josh Boyce's 4.34 with zero hands and zero instincts isn't really that impressive. You may as well bring back Jeff Demps.

 

[manxman2601]

No one ever accused Fred Belitnikov or Ray Berry a having speed, either.

And this demonstrates what? There are always exceptions to any rule. But that's just what they are, exceptions.

 

[Marinlik]

While true, I don't see it as relevant to last night. We didn't have a great front seven without Hightower, Mayo, Siliga and Branch. We were quite vulnerable up the gut. Brown, Easley and Freeny are not really enough.

I think most teams will have problems in their front seven if you remove their two starting linebackers and starting DTs. I thought the defense looked good without them. They got some good pressure on the QB with the players we had. Add Mayo, Hightower, Siliga, and Branch to that and we should be able to hold against the run too.

 

[BTTA]

A handful of posters have expressed concern about Easley against the run. Here's an alternative view:

http://www.patspulpit.com/2015/8/16/9161115/film-breakdown-the-possible-return-of-dominique-easley

If I had to grade Easley's performance in the first game, I would say that he was greatly effective as a run defender and less-than effective as a pass rusher. When the Patriots line up against quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Eli Manning, it's possible that the Patriots will uncork Easley's pass rushing ability, but based on the first game there was still something to be desired.

But against the run? Easley was truly special and flashed on play after play after play. If and when he aligns with a stronger group of linebackers, Easley "doing his job" could result in plenty of tackles for loss by Mayo, Hightower, and Collins.

The growth of the 23-year-old Easley is still just beginning after his return from injury and he showed enough in his first snaps back to warrant excitement for his encore performance.

Apologies if this has already been posted.