Who will stop Dallas Clark?

[Ring 6]

That's a good point. Its true, I never really thought of blitzing that way. I think veentually you need to try to get a big stop, but forcing everything underneath and hitting them would work.

The Pats have played the Colts quite a bit the past few years, so you're right, BB has plenty of material against them. The lats couple times they have played, when they were successful early, it looked like the Pats were confused and not set in their defense, but once the ball snapped it was clear they were just disguising their coverages in a unique way. I can see that happening, and I could also see something new and weird by BB using the versatility of Adalius. Maybe something like the old big nickel from 2002, with AD nailing the underneath receivers?

It depends on your concept.
Some defenses are built based on getting one big play to stop a series. Other are built on being fundamental sound and making them beat you over and over all the way down the field.
There is a clearcut difference between these 2 teams right there. The Colt defensive philosophy is to make big plays (sacks, runs for a loss, turnovers) to stop you. The Pats are built to play each play to a win or draw.
Both are not totally committed every play to either approach, but overall they are that way.

In the mid-90s, most defenses were aggressive, and play for the drive killing big play. It has come around more to, for lack of a better term, bend but dont break being more popular. I think it follows what offenses are doing. As time has gone on (and it seems to be shifting right now) offenses have become conservative, playing take what they give you. If the offense will take what they give you, the best way to defend them in general is to be conservative. If offenses become aggressive, you typically need to match it with aggressiveness.

BB and Dungy are actually both unique in that they have a system they believe in and will not veer far from it, regardless of the opponent. Dungy's defense puts a priority on getting to the QB, and will sacrifice the run to do it. That creates big running plays, but also more than typical amounts of negative running plays.
BB believes you must stop the run. Not in the backfield, but at the point of attack. Along with that he believes you must cover. A BB defense will only dominate in the pass rush with exceptional players, or in situations. On 1st down, or 2nd and medium, the DL are required to take on the defender to play 2 gap run D BEFORE rushing the QB. Dungy's DL in those situations, are rushing the QB and hoping the run into the ballcarrier on the way to the QB.

It is really a stark contrast in philosophy.

What is really interesting is that Dungy's defense is at its best when you control the clock on offense, and frustrate the other team into becoming one-dimensional, and BBs is designed for a conservative offense that relies on the defense dominating against long fields. Ironically, these guys have the 2 most explosive offenses in the NFL.

 

[PSU]

I think he plays inside 'backer for us....what's his name? Oh yeah, AT?

 

[FrontSeven]

In last year's AFCG, Clark was an assassin, burning us time and again with clutch catches. The simple fact was our old, tired LBs could not play with him.

They didn't look too old against the Chargers and the Chargers' TE isn't too shabby. How would that happen?

The team was hit by the flu, and had played an extreme game followed by time-zone travel the week before. The Colts turned up the heat in the dome (to their credit) and the Pats' D just didn't have any more to leave on that field. It's our tough break, but the breaks go the other way at times.

Not this time though.

I thought AD would play a role against Clark, but others here seem to think that Gay will cover him (although it wasn't Gay that got dragged into the end zone last week.)

We'll see. AD is versatile, and we know they're going to throw some new looks at the Colts.

 

[N.Eman]

Does anyone know how fast clark is in terms of 40 time? He doesn't look that fast when he is running with the ball, but he always seems to have seperation from the defender, regardless if it is a DB or a LB.

He finds holes in the coverages and with manning having time and not being rushed he goes to him (3rd Option). Then by the time the corners or safties come at him he's gained 10-15yards or the endzone. Stopping him would be like taking away Witten from Romo. Pats did good work against Dallas and should take care of Clark.

 

[Pujo]

BB and Dungy are actually both unique in that they have a system they believe in and will not veer far from it, regardless of the opponent. Dungy's defense puts a priority on getting to the QB, and will sacrifice the run to do it. That creates big running plays, but also more than typical amounts of negative running plays.
BB believes you must stop the run. Not in the backfield, but at the point of attack.

I do believe Belichick is more gameplan-oriented than just "stop the run". Remember that article recently about the Giants Super Bowl win against the Bills in '90? Belichick told his team to focus on the pass and force them to run, and if the Bills rush for 100 yards he could guarantee the Giants a win. The Bills ran for 104 yards and the Giants won, or so the story goes.

That, I say, is the big difference between the two teams. Indy has its very-good way of doing things, but it's based more on execution than gameplanning. Belichick-coached defenses have to be ready for a new plan each week.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

Adalius will jam and stuff and Rodney will lay an licks and provide coverage if he bust through a lil deeper.

 

[sebman2112]

I agree but if I see what I usally see from Clark he like to catch passes over the middle and most of the time LBs are in on the play,Seau and Bruschi better have thier running shoes on sunday.

I don't think Brandon is quite ready yet, but likely for different reasons.

Seriously, does that one play make you forget Meriweather's hitting and tackling during earlier games this season? I'm just saying Meriweather did stuff TJ Houshmandzadeh in the backfield.

Anyways, hopefully Brandon starts showing signs of development by the playoffs, where he could prove usefull. That being said, I don't believe Meriweather will be starting until until 2008, unless there's a few injuries to current starters.

 

[sebman2112]

Are you saying a LB can cover Dallas Clark?

Believe it or not, AD is faster than Dallas Clark, and he's covered a number of top level TE's in the past.

 

[sebman2112]

Wes is only a 4.6 40 himself. The guys in the middle have to be quick, not fast. Both Welker and Clark are that. They also run great routes and can get open. Neither one is going to win a gold medal in the olympics.

I believe Welker's short shuttle was pretty nice.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

Believe it or not, AD is faster than Dallas Clark, and he's covered a number of top level TE's in the past.

good points seb...

Adalius will keep up!

We see so much of Indy's game everyweek at practice.

 

[TommyD4207]

The Patriots have locked down Gates, Witten and Cooley this year.

The reason? Adelius Thomas.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Colvin had Clark covered until he left the game last year. Clark was a non factor in the 1st half while Colvin was on the field. Now fast forward to to the present and you now have AD covering him. Forget about it. Clark will be a non factor.

The players I'm most concerned with is Joseph Addai and Mr Keith. They are averaging 5 yards a carry or close to it. They must be contained for victory.

 

[dryheat44]

I'm sure we'll vary up coverages on clark. I'm sure AD Thomas, James Sanders, and Blue Gay will all have coverage at times.

Frankly, I hope the Colts throw to Clark every play. That's how turnovers happen.

 

[Lansdowne]

Adalius Thomas was brought in to stop guys like Clark. He'll get the nod.

 

[solman]

I think that taking away Wayne and Addai at the expense of giving Clark some room is the way to go.

Other teams have tried this, but we can obviously execute better.