Why are people still trashing the defense?

[Jackson 2]

If a high-powered, successful offense is held to fewer than 20 points by the NE defense, it will be determined by many "fans" and media members that the high-powered, successful offense suddenly sucks and/or was never very good to begin with. You can bank on it.

Mark my words. Watch the columns tomorrow and wait and see what Shaugnessy writes and Vulgar and Mazz spew tomorrow: Atlanta sucks!! We know nothing about this team!

 

[ivanvamp]

Great showing by the defense last night. Missing Wilfork essentially the entire game, they held Atlanta to 23 points in their building in what was nearly a must-win game for the Falcons. They had to make two humongous defensive stops in the last 5 minutes of the game as well. First, after the Falcons scored to make it 30-20, they got an onside kick, putting the defense right back on the field. They allowed Atlanta to get into the red zone, but held them to a field goal, cutting the lead to 30-23.

Then, after the Pats got screwed on a terrible spot (and subsequent non-reversal on replay) and then an inexplicable turnover trying to put the game away, the D was back on the field trying to keep Atlanta at bay. And they did. After a huge play to Jones (simply a great throw and catch, and McCourty had great coverage), they once again stiffened in the red zone and kept Atlanta out.

The Falcons got 97 yards on those last two drives, neither of which should have even existed. But the Pats' offense and special teams mistakes allowed Atlanta to get the ball back twice when they never should have. So the final stats look a little worse than the defense actually played.

Great job by the Patriot defense. Now if they can just figure out how to replace Vince....

 

[State]

The defense is like a see-saw. We've got depth and talent--finally--in the secondary. The LBers are a very solid group. Jamie Collins looks only to improve.

But the front is weak. Nincovich played uncharacteristically quietly and we're not seeing the dominant pass rush from Chandler Jones.

And if Kelly goes down then the interior becomes cat guts and bailing wire. It pretty much already is. All those picks in the second on DBs have allowed that unit to degrade over a two- or three-year period.

But the playmaking ability of Talib is what we've been looking for for a very long time. And McCourty at safety is very nice. His athleticism is working very well there. And Dennard? Gosh, I love his physicality and toughness. He doesn't back down from anybody. And Arrington is the perfect nickel. I like the Rutgers guys to be incorporated more and more.

The question mark is Tavon Wilson. I wonder if he'll see the field again as a starter after his huge gaffes in Seattle last year, that essentially cost us the game. Time will tell, but his hips are so stiff I don't think he's more than a STer and nickel package guy--way too mediocre production out of a high second-rounder.

 

[State]

The Giants beat a team that had gotten worn out with injury and the strain of going for an undefeated season, yet would likely have still lost had the officials not blown the in the grasp and holding non-calls.

The Giants sold out everything to pressure Brady and double cover a couple of receivers. The obvious comeback was a running game, but Laurence Maroney was our pitiful back.

'Nuff said. With anyone of our current backs on the 2007, we win that SB.

 

[ivanvamp]

As of this morning, here's where the Pats' defense ranks:

#6 in scoring (14.3 ppg allowed...that includes a TD scored by Buffalo's D, so it's more like 12.5 ppg)

#16 in yardage (346.0 ypg allowed)

#13 in rush yds allowed (105.0)

#19 in rush yds per attempt (4.1)

#17 in pass yds allowed (241)

#6 in pass completion % allowed (54.8%)

#8 in opp yds per pass attempt (6.5)

#8 in opp QB rating (70.0)

#12 in 3rd down conversion % allowed (35.6%)

#1 in 4th down conversion % allowed (0.0%; other teams have also not allowed a 4th down conversion, but none have as many stops as the Pats' 6)

#8 in takeaways (8)

On the whole, the D certainly has been plenty solid.

 

[Deus Irae]

With Wilfork down, the defensive line has now become a major issue, as it's not just a depth problem anymore, and the team needs to find two DTs. On the other hand, and for the first time since 2007, the secondary clearly has solidified itself, and this team is now capable of dealing with top level WRs that have a decent receiver opposite them. They still need a second safety moving forward, but they've got 4 of 5 positions (CB1/CB2/S1/slotCB) set as long as they can retain Talib.

 

[ivanvamp]

With Wilfork down, the defensive line has now become a major issue, as it's not just a depth problem anymore, and the team needs to find two DTs. On the other hand, and for the first time since 2007, the secondary clearly has solidified itself, and this team is now capable of dealing with top level WRs that have a decent receiver opposite them. They still need a second safety moving forward, but they've got 4 of 5 positions (CB1/CB2/S1/slotCB) set as long as they can retain Talib.

Yep. This is the first time since the Ty Law days, IMO, that the Pats have had a good secondary. Talib is first-rate, and Dennard is pretty darned good. Arrington does a nice job in the slot, and McCourty is a terrific coverage safety. Hard not to like this bunch.

They'd be even better if they had a better pass rush. It's possible that the pass rush will improve without Wilfork, because as stout as he is against the run, he really doesn't get a lot of pressure on the QB. That's not a knock - Vince is a great, great player, but his pass-rush isn't his strength. So maybe another DT could come in and provide a lift there.

But who to get? Hampton? Everyone is talking about Seymour, but I don't think that's happening.

 

[Rob0729]

As of this morning, here's where the Pats' defense ranks:

#6 in scoring (14.3 ppg allowed...that includes a TD scored by Buffalo's D, so it's more like 12.5 ppg)

#16 in yardage (346.0 ypg allowed)

#13 in rush yds allowed (105.0)

#19 in rush yds per attempt (4.1)

#17 in pass yds allowed (241)

#6 in pass completion % allowed (54.8%)

#8 in opp yds per pass attempt (6.5)

#8 in opp QB rating (70.0)

#12 in 3rd down conversion % allowed (35.6%)

#1 in 4th down conversion % allowed (0.0%; other teams have also not allowed a 4th down conversion, but none have as many stops as the Pats' 6)

#8 in takeaways (8)

On the whole, the D certainly has been plenty solid.

If it wasn't that the Pats had some breakdowns in all phases of the game with a 17 point lead last night, most of those numbers would be much higher.

 

[ivanvamp]

If it wasn't that the Pats had some breakdowns in all phases of the game with a 17 point lead last night, most of those numbers would be much higher.

Yep. Two plays - the non-recovered onside kick and the bad spot by the refs (followed by the fumbled snap on 4th down) - added 3 points and nearly 100 yards to these numbers.

 

[Deus Irae]

...But who to get? Hampton? Everyone is talking about Seymour, but I don't think that's happening.

I've suggested that they call

Seymour
Hampton
Pouha


I can think of a couple of others that might be worth a phone call, but I'd start with that trio. The Seymour situation is obviously a complicated one that might be beyond salvaging, but he's probably the best overall choice.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Mark my words. Watch the columns tomorrow and wait and see what Shaugnessy writes and Vulgar and Mazz spew tomorrow: Atlanta sucks!! We know nothing about this team!

Shaughnessy, for one, would be contradicting himself* with such comments. From the Sunday Globe:

I want to know if the Patriots are any good. I want to see a game that tells me something about this team. Sunday night, the conga line of Tomato Cans comes to an abrupt halt in Atlanta. The Patriots are on the road, against a team that played for the NFC Champioship back in January. Sunday night, we finally see what the Patriots’ defense will do against a legitimate quarterback, Matt Ryan. Beating the Falcons in the Georgia Dome is hard; it’s like beating the Patriots at Gillette on CBS with Les Moonves sitting in the Kraft box. The Falcons are 34-7 in the Georgia Dome since 2008.

*Not that that would stop him.