This and That (Bend but Don't Break)

[Kontradiction]

The first tenet of BBDB is to not give up the big play, something this team has done remarkably well (see point #7 in the OP). Implicit in this is a greater chance during a longer drive for the offense to make a drive killing mistake - penalty, missed block, dropped pass etc. But, putting such an emphasis on defending the big play makes it difficult to defend the middle of the field, an area in which this team has not performed well at all.

Secondly, play in the red zone is critical. While you want to prevent a score altogether, giving up FGs rather than TDs can often be the difference between winning and losing.

Since BB has coached here, his teams have consistently ranked higher in Points Allowed than Yards Allowed (2007 is the exception where they were ranked 4th in both categories). As BB says himself, Points Allowed is the most important measure. BBDB ain't pretty, but it can work well enough to win a few games.

However, there's no question that the defensive performance has declined dramatically since 2007 and that this team is the most defensively challenged of the Belichick era. Yet somehow, the team is in the middle of the pack in Points Allowed. Whether this is a tribute to BB's coaching and defensive philosophy (and possibly the tenacity of an undertalented group of players), an optical illusion or pure dumb luck - well, I'll leave that for greater football minds to figure out.

Bottom line is that this defense is not good but improving. They are mentally tough, coachable and have overcome a lot of adversity. BB has shown them that they can be competitive despite their shortcomings and limitations. Whether it's going to be good enough, I can't say. What I do know for sure is that they are going to scare the bejeezus out of us along the way.

It's a mixture of good red zone defense and opponents shooting themselves in the foot. It's pretty simple, when our opponents haven't shot themselves in the foot throughout the game, we've lost. Ideally, you want your defense to limit T.O.P. and yards allowed on top of points. That's everything you want in a defense. I expect that's what BB is trying to strive for on that side of the ball.

 

[RayClay]

We didn't play BBDB in 2003 and 2004. Maybe if we got up to big leads, but those defenses were Belichickian defenses that didn't allow a ton of yardage on a regular basis on the ground or through the air. On top of that, those defenses were some of the most aggressive defenses in the NFL when it came to blitzing the safety.

Like i said, i don't even like the term. we certainly didn't start out games taking risks, we kept teams from making the big play and tried to stop them from doing what they did best. after keeping them in front of us and surrendering only plays to secondary targets, or short passes, they dialed it up and attacked the tendencies other teams fell into.

The difference now and recently is not the idea, but the execution. we're lucky to stop the big plays and not coordinated enough to attack tendencies once they present themselves.

I'm not a football expert, but they basically have played similar. They keep the offense in front of them and gradually pick them apart.

The difference is the ability and coordination of the personnel involved.

 

[alvinnf]

I suppose you're going to tell me that I'm actually looking at a great defense? I hope you're right. The garbage games against garbage teams are fun, but I hope I'm wrong when the playoffs come around. Sadly, I've been right the past two seasons.

What is a great defense. Are they the 86 Bears or the 2000 Ravens, no. I don't care if they are great. They need to have the backbone to show up when it counts. They are moving in that direction. Their story is unwritten yet.

 

[Willie55]

This would be true if the secondary wasn't giving up a ton of passing yards from the get go. I give them a pass for last week because the gameplan was obviously to shut down McCoy. But it's still never good to give up that kind of yardage to the almighty Vince Young.

You do realize the Eagles got 96 yards on those first two passes, the defense then stiffened. The Eagles then got 90 yards on that garbage time TD drive. That's 186 yards off of two passes and one garbage time touchdown drive. For the majority of the game the Pats held the Almighty Vince Young to 214 yards.

 

[IllegalContact]

enough of this bend, but don't break crap........that happened in 2001, and this defense is nothing like that one......they had their weaknesses in 2001, but they could scheme the crap out of any game.......these defense can't adjust and really can't do anything other than play straight up with an occaisional blitz because there are consistently too many holes all over the field. on top of that, this defense lacks the physicality to scare anyone into making a mistake. can't punish to save its life.

all of a sudden this defense is improving? I don't think so......the results are based on the fact that they've played mark sanchez, tyler palko and vince young the last 3 weeks. one starter, and we're using that term pretty loosely.

so what we have now is the rounding out of the regular season with not one game against a QB who might help this defense prepare for an actual playoff QB

right now, this season smells like last season

 

[IllegalContact]

What is a great defense. Are they the 86 Bears or the 2000 Ravens, no. I don't care if they are great. They need to have the backbone to show up when it counts. They are moving in that direction. Their story is unwritten yet.

forget great defense.....how about one that does not have to depend on the offense to be on its game in order to have a chance to win?

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

forget great defense.....how about one that does not have to depend on the offense to be on its game in order to have a chance to win?

The Pats defense had an excellent game against Dallas and did exactly what it takes to win as that 20-16 score indicated

The offense was mediocre,Brady was not that good and the defense kept Dallas offense in check

Those types of games by our defense HAS got to be repeated in the playoffs if they are going to go far...those games are exactly what you want to see in January from our D.

 

[alvinnf]

forget great defense.....how about one that does not have to depend on the offense to be on its game in order to have a chance to win?

Recently, they have been good on third down and in the red zone. When I see a defense give up 400 passing to Vince Young but eliminate the run game. I am reminded of all the great performances they have had on that side of the ball. This team used to hang it's hat on stopping what you do best. So when Vince goes off I can only come to one conclusion. He got what they gave him. That is an encouraging sign. They won't make every play and they'll look rough at times. But, if they limit other teams I am happy. They were never a lock down D. More like pick and choose and by the time you figured it out it's too late.

 

[supafly]

Recently, they have been good on third down and in the red zone. When I see a defense give up 400 passing to Vince Young but eliminate the run game. I am reminded of all the great performances they have had on that side of the ball. This team used to hang it's hat on stopping what you do best. So when Vince goes off I can only come to one conclusion. He got what they gave him. That is an encouraging sign. They won't make every play and they'll look rough at times. But, if they limit other teams I am happy. They were never a lock down D. More like pick and choose and by the time you figured it out it's too late.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the single-handed reason why the NYGiants (under DC Belichick in the late 80's/early 90's) won one of their Super Bowls?

The premise was to allow Thurman Thomas (IIRC, apologies if it wasn't him) to gain yardage and chew up the clock, by taking away many of the deep passing targets that the Buffalo Bills had at the time. In other words, just like you said, they force the other team to take what they give you. I would imagine that many times, they are likely figuring that there will be some yardage somewhere.

 

[supafly]

forget great defense.....how about one that does not have to depend on the offense to be on its game in order to have a chance to win?

We are giving up 20 points a game. Over the past 8 games the defense has allowed an approximate number of points around 18/per.

If this offense doesn't score in the early-mid 20's, I wouldn't imagine that we'd win, no. The same could be said for many teams that are likely going to the playoffs.

I agree with you that the competition (or lack thereof) should be taken into account; but I also think that the defense has obviously improved a lot.

If you're top 10 in scoring and top 10 in rushing allowed (or right around those numbers, I have not checked them this week), that is somewhat meaningful. Yes, the secondary is where all of our concerns are..and will likely remain. But the addition of a pass rush has helped that last line of defense out greatly too.

I don't think that the 2011 Patriots will go down as a "good" defense, but I think that it does seem like more positions and players are communicating, doing their jobs, and taking care of their responsibilities/assignments a lot better.

 

[AzPatsFan]

We didn't play BBDB in 2003 and 2004. Maybe if we got up to big leads, but those defenses were Belichickian defenses that didn't allow a ton of yardage on a regular basis on the ground or through the air. On top of that, those defenses were some of the most aggressive defenses in the NFL when it came to blitzing the safety.

BB has always espoused BBDB principles. Next fib you will tell is that we didn't play 2 gap in 03 and 04.

Two gap is the very essence of Read and React, which is intrinsic starting premise to BBDB.