Content Post The Patriots defense to this point

[DoubleDeluxe]

Marcus Jones has been fantastic.
For those of you that said we should use him on O and I argued he was far too important to the D and returns to use on O, can we finally put that to rest (You know who you are).

 

[signbabybrady]

Marcus Jones has been fantastic.
For those of you that said we should use him on O and I argued he was far too important to the D and returns to use on O, can we finally put that to rest (You know who you are).

Hey, I'm one of those guys. But I take exception I also agree he's extremely (more than that even) important to the defense. I like to think I'm the head of the Marcus fan club he's awesome. I just think he's such an athletic freak we should use him everywhere and anywhere we can. Kick returns too.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Hey, I'm one of those guys. But I take exception I also agree he's extremely important to the defense. I like to think I'm the head of the Marcus fan club he's awesome. I just think he's such an athletic freak we should use him everywhere and anywhere we can. Kick returns too.

I understand that, but he's a small guy and he's just too valuable on D. We haven't had a lot of problem moving th ball this year and Diggs is continuing to get better/impress. Just too big of risk compared to the reward imho.

 

[signbabybrady]

I understand that, but he's a small guy and he's just too valuable on D. We haven't had a lot of problem moving th ball this year and Diggs is continuing to get better/impress. Just too big of risk compared to the reward imho.

He plays physical. Good tackler and he's even adding pass rush to his game.

The reward is still worth it.

 

[palialka]

To me it’s certainly steady improvement BUT they don’t seem capable of generating significant pressure consistently without blitzing, and even then they don’t often get home.

That may just be an open personnel box that still needs “checking” in the offseason as they don’t have a “dude” who can single-handedly wreck a play on the edge.

Add that to this team, better safety play, bit more LB range, and you have the ingredients for a very solid defense.

The pass rush has been decent this season but yes, you’re right, it has been more of a collective effort. We don’t have a dominant edge rusher like we had a few years ago with Judon. This is something that’ll have to be addressed in the off season.

Our safeties are average. Duggar is barely playing and will be gone after this season. Hawkins can definitively be upgraded but not this year. Woodson is a nice rookie addition who’ll continue to get better. We’re gonna roll with what we got.

At LB, Spillane has been underwhelming so far but I do see signs of improvement. Elliss is a JAG and Gibbens is better suited as a back up. Tavai will supplant Elliss as the starter which is an addition by subtraction although TE coverage will still be lacking. I was hoping that Mapu would step up and take on the roll of coverage LB but it seems like he’s just a bottom of the roster type guy. There’ll be changes to this position in 2026.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

He plays physical. Good tackler and he's even adding pass rush to his game.

The reward is still worth it.

Sorry man, we will have to agree to disagree on this one.
Pats are tied for the 7th passing offense in the league (yards/game), and getting better.
I just don't see the need for Marcus to be used on O ever if we keep throwing the ball like we have.

 

[SONS_OF_BELICHICK]

What were the expectations for this year??? I would say be competitive ...win a few good games and lose a few ...but to see what we really have in the cupboards. Anything above that is gravy! We have alot of cap space to build on ...so enjoy this season ...but next season...watch out!

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

What were the expectations for this year??? I would say be competitive ...win a few good games and lose a few ...but to see what we really have in the cupboards. Anything above that is gravy! We have alot of cap space to build on ...so enjoy this season ...but next season...watch out!

I'm definitely more greedy than that.
Maye is turning into that guy.
We have great coaching
Diggs is starting to look like the Diggs that killed us for years.
D will bend, but overall stout against the run and much better against the pass with Gonzo back.
STs have been decent, kicker is coming along.
Running game needs to improve for sure.

I can guarantee you that if we continue to play like this, no team will want to see us in the playoffs.
Playoffs this year is really the goal right now.

 

[Uptown]

Wtf? Really?

 

[ralmat55]

I agree with this except the slot corner Blitz. I find that to be more in line with a LB blitz just teams run in nickel so much that it makes sense to blitz that nickel every now and again.

Agreed. That’s why I said “outside CB blitzes”. Same with Safety blitzes where the Safety is more than 1 level from the LOS at the snap. Too far to travel to impact the play most of the time. I got really tired of the upfront passivity of the “Belichick Family “ defense but always appreciated that it did not do the stupid things that you see all over the NFL and always have.

 

[TommyD4207]

Come on now.

If you're 'come on now' ing me, you haven't watched Baker Mayfield this year.

 

[TommyD4207]

Wtf? Really?

Yes really. And he's usually the field safety in most alignments.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

If you're 'come on now' ing me, you haven't watched Baker Mayfield this year.

Tommy you're one of the posters I really like talking with. I appreciate your opinions and level-headiness, but please don't tell me I haven't watched Baker this year, because I most certainly have.
He's been very good and he is a dog, I think all those down years and doubters really fired him up and he plays like he's not only trying to, but actually proving all his doubters wrong.
That said, he is not Josh Allen.
Not slight on him, I think Allen is the best QB in the world, and Baker is playing at a similar level, but over the long haul Allen is the superior player.

 

[mgteich]

I'll put our best 5 defenders up against anyone else's best 5 (especially having done zero research to validate my opinion lol)

Gonzo, Williams, Barmore, Davis, and Marcus Jones are as good as a core defense than anyone else has.

Landry is a very nice veteran piece, Woodson is very nice rookie, and Tonga is a very nice role player.

Thats 8 players that I really like. I hope I didn't forget someone.

I don't really love our linebackers but they are playing well vs the run not so much vs the pass. Kind of the norm for linebackers in the pass happy league.

I'd add Tonga

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

It stinks just imagine this defense if you add the white from early last year

We would still have Hawkins and Elliss.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Baker has always been a gamer, it's too bad he got drafted by The Factory Of Sadness.
I bet the Dawgs wish they still had him.
Fkn BIG Mistake giving away all that $ and draft capital for the LOSER that isn't even playing.
They actually porked the entire league with that garbage.
NFLPA Loved that idiocy.

 

[BobDigital]

Wtf? Really?

With all these AIs pouting over mountains of data points, we get to see some really interesting but likely not terrible important connections.

That bring said, Woodson has been good this year.

 

[goheels22002]

The pass defense should have a good week in New Orleans against QB Spencer Rattler.. The rushing defense will have its hands full trying to contain Kendre Miller and Alvin Kamara. That's a good offensive line down there plus Tayson Hill at TE. I expect a rock fight and a low score unless the Patriots can get some key turnovers.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[n1997y]

Seems Vrabel’s attacking defense may be paying off