Unsung Hero vs the Dolphins: Steve Gregory

[Ozymandias]

First and foremeost, I just want to say I owe Steve Gregory an apology. Coming off his play last season, I had zero confidence in his ability to play competently on defense, and I was one of many that wanted him cut.

I'm glad I was completely wrong about him. Gregory has been a model of consistency this season. No game exemplified that more than today. His assignments went beyond just playing safety, he was the defensive playcaller in the huddle and a leader on the field today.

Moreover, his tackling has improved mightily this season, and he's playing like a human homing missile. He's instilling some fear in the hearts of WRs and QBs alike. His coverage and run support have been far beyond anything I could imagine of him.

I got give a guy a ton of credit for his play on the field, and for gaining the trust of the coaching staff to be the on field leader of the defense, That shows a lot of maturity of a player, and it's showing a lot on the field.

Even though he's not getting the press he deserves, cheers to Gregory for stepping up and shutting up the doubters (like me) and proving that he's a key cog in the back-end and to the defense as a whole.

 

[mgteich]

Steve Gregory is the unsung hero for the whole first half. We have threads discussing our great secondary, without a mention of Gregory.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Were you just looking for an excuse to post that GIF?

 

[Rob0729]

Gregory has had a solid season this year. He isn't the most physical safety, but he has a good nose for the ball and has done a very good job in coverage.

Overall, the secondary has gone from a liability to a strength this year.

 

[Sticky Caulk]

He showed flashes with the Chargers. He would come out of no-where and deliver a giant hit knocking the ball loose from a receiver or stuffing a runner short of a first. But usually he was one of the worst tacklers I've ever seen. He also sucked at choosing the angle to attack a play from. He has, over his time with New England, learned how to do both things much better. He was better than Spikes against the run at the beginning of the season.

 

[Ozymandias]

Were you just looking for an excuse to post that GIF?

 

[102 Pat]

He seemed to do a good job with the green dot today, could be big going forward...

 

[Sciz]

I'm still trying to figure out who is wearing Gregory's uniform on Sundays. I don't see how it can possibly be the same guy as last year.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

I'm still trying to figure out who is wearing Gregory's uniform on Sundays. I don't see how it can possibly be the same guy as last year.

He wasn't nearly as bad last year as people make it out to be.

 

[jsull87]

He wasn't nearly as bad last year as people make it out to be.

Look the guy had some glaringly bad plays that let people jump on him. Same could be said for the Buffalo game this season. But the guy has really tightened it up and become a big part of this secondary. Good on him.

His partnership with devin is a big reason for our Defenses success and contributes to our ability to do what we did today. I.E blitz consistantly trusting the coverage.

 

[ALP]

i still wonder though why he, instead of Devin had the green dot today?

 

[Sciz]

i still wonder though why he, instead of Devin had the green dot today?

My guess is because he plays closer to the line. The communication goes until 15 seconds left on the play clock or the ball is snapped, so on those plays where McCourty is 20 yards back and everybody else is within 5, he'd have an awfully tough time doing too much communication with the other players. Gregory seemed to be playing up in the box quite a bit, including a few blitzes from him.