@Tunescribe @50-yard-line and others this is what I was talking about. Sorry been busy and falling asleep almost any time I hit the bed. Nothing ground breaking but scheme & talent are at a crossroads of sorts imo. We definitely need an upgrade at 0/NT and another 5T.
The Pats are multiple and obviously do a lot of different things on both sides of the ball. I just wanted to take a look at few things we run, ask of our players and what's needed to succeed in that scheme.
Feel free to add or bring up something I haven't that you want to talk about.
Defense - old school / new school - Odd / single high
DL / IDL - To me, this group needs a lot of attention going forward. I think there's a good case for priority #1 in either FA, the draft or even a trade going forward for a few different reasons.Talent and scheme, as they often are. Are really tied together here imho. We've always used an okie front but the task and talent is causing execution to suffer. Okie and Tite are similar, we and others use both as "go-to's" at times to stop the run. Okie = outside the tackles shoulders (below) and Tite = inside the tackles shoulders. They're ways to stop the run while giving up a little pass rush.
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In okie (above) 505 we'll usually play contain / 2 gap with one DT while slanting or rushing the other inside or outside the tackle. Same for the OLB, usually contain and rush. NT will two gap or be reading the backfield. LB's take on the G's / pullers while we have a Saf rotate down. For the most part, almost everything has a variation. It's
@patfanken old old school and a tough ask. We're like top 3-5 playing in an odd front with single high. Not many teams are playing an odd front with single for volume.
The problem(s), for starters, is our IDL - across the board aren't holding up.
Certain players always get singled out, its inevitable but that's why the A22 is great even though it's a **** product to watch. Honestly our whole IDL was inconsistent all year but at least we know Barmore is trending up. We couldn't beat combo blocks, got washed against zone - guys got turned around way too easy against zone runs and couldn't recover. Besides Barmore none have a big tackle radius.
I mentioned this in my other post and I could be off but I definitely feel like I notice something against certain types of teams. It's not black and white. We don't win against this type and lose against another. It's not that simple and I could be wrong. We tend to handle and excel against certain types, maybe smaller OL's, teams that run spread (Falcons, Chargers, Jete)? And have been struggling against more bully types. Ones that are used to setting a tone, making it a fight. You'll tend to struggle more against better comp, more physical teams but thought I'd bring it up in any case if anyone else had a similar thought. Again not black & white it's not an every time thing. And I could be wrong but I think it speaks to the DL / IDL a little bit.
Let's take the Tennessee game for example. We played base almost half the snaps. Like 45% that game give or take. And we still had backups running for 200+ yards when we put our big boys up front in okie. Sure some things are like a barter system - give & take but again we obviously put all our run stoppers out there and played base almost half the game. Can't ignore the obvious there.
One of the problems, again imo is playing teams that have a real identity in certain areas. Tough physical teams that run and excel at running duo or inside zone will double our 0 and 5T and it's a downhill battle after that bc we simply don't have guys that can consistently beat combo blocks / double teams. Again this goes back to scheme & talent in some regards. We're asking guys who can't consistently beat doubles to do so often. Guy, God & Davis aren't bad players. They're really not, they're average players that teeter on that cusp going a little over and under. They're just not tier 1 or 2 types and not guys you'd see starting on a SB roster right now. Solid players that contribute but you're asking backups to be features and the foundation on a very tough defense.
Davis is inconsistent when asked to 2 gap. Gets moved a little bit too much out his lane but is serviceable. Gets washed on occasion when he tries to come off his block. Same with God and Guy. Both get turned around too easy. And all three have trouble moving laterally while trying to shed blocks. That's when you'll see them get walled off. Again none besides CB have any real tackling radius.
Barmore has been fantastic for a rookie but definitely can improve his tackling a bit. He can move very well. It actually was a plus in college but is very noticeable now. He seemed to miss some easy ones. He's been great though so I don't want to be to harsh on a rookie. He's like the one guy we have that knows how to beat doubles. Can rush half man. Our most complete IDL even if he's still putting everything together. It's all there for him. Get him a little stronger, hope he stays on the right track and we have a pro bowl player.
Whether we're in 335, 236, 245. Two down linemen or three, we absolutely have to get help beside Barmore.
If this is what we're going to keep asking of our players and I don't see that changing considering we've ran it for so long. We need a real rock up front that can reset the los and eat doubles with ease. Right now we're simply asking too much of backups in a physical system that is quite unforgivable. I'll wait on the FA talk for now, I know
@long distance has a thread on it. I believe B Williams, L Joesph, Suh and a few decent options might be available but again I won't get too much into that here rn. We definitely need a real 0/1T and 5T if we want to dominate the DL again in the okie, tite, odd front. We're hurting and it should be a priority.
I'll bring up just a few names from college since that's my expertise and we need to hit on another draft.
Jordan Davis, who you'll pay a premium for. Is a monster at 6'6/350 with length and knows how to use it. He'll never be a consistent pass rusher but has plus play strength, grip strength and flexibility for a dude his size. He can move and has light feet. Great job at utilizing his length. Benches players off him win ease. He won't be overwhelmed by anything "physical" in the NFL. Surprisingly flexibility, nimble with good lateral movements for his size not great but good. He's like your top fighter you send out in a group fight to intimidate the other side. Has some position flexibility as well esp for us and what we do. Powerful hands. Very rarely moved back. Inconsistent but very nice first step for his size. Super intriguing for us. Made a huge jump from 3rd round to potential top 20 pick.
Travis Jones is a kid I've had my eye for a few years. Local guy. Excels against the run. Resetting the line. Head and eyes are always up. Seems to know what type of run is coming and heads that way before others. Smooth fluid movements doesn't look stiff moving around at all. Plus anchor / base and lower half strength. Both of these guys should help immediately against the run and might be 1-2 for 0/1T in the draft.
For 4i/5T
I think Logan Hall is super intriguing for us. He's like 6'6/290 definitely could add on some weight. Tone setter that likes a fight. Violent active hands. Big time anchor. Plus block recognition. I think he'd be a great project for Bill. Eventually 4i/5T. 2nd round value imo.
Lined up at 3T
Love this rush here. Again lined up inside shows up some athleticism. Nice hand work. Gets inside placement, disengages and uses a club swim to finish.
I think Demarvin Leal would be quite the get. He still has to develop some and get a little stronger to hit his true potential but he's freaky dude we could play him anywhere if he hits. Mainly 6-3-5T in college and I see the same in the pros. He's an animal that gave Evan Neal all he could handle. Explosive. Incredible movement skills at 6'4/290. Late 1st - 2nd
Look at the hesi shake. Nice little chop before the spin.
Phidarian Mathis is another guy I could see in the part. Plus run defender that was a natural at holding his ground / resetting while keeping his eyes in the backfield. Seems to know what's coming at him. Has a long way to go before he's pressuring the QB next level but definitely fills a few needs and has some versatility. 3rd-4th round
Travon Walker is another guy that just screams 3/4/5T for us. Has a lot of God's attributes for defending the run. Plus play strength upper & lower. Violent hands. Smart and uses good technique against the run. Better movement skills than Mathis. 3rd round
Also mention these guys as
Jayden Peevey
Zach Carter
Eyioma Uwazurike
@Kontradiction @patsfanfromoversea @Username @patsinthesnow
Anyone else have any favorites for these roles? Feel free to jump in.
