Uptown
Standin' Pat
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.Does that % represent 7 DB looks? Pats couldn't have been in very many 3 DB looks unless during goal-line stands/4th & inches situations...
- 2-4-5: 29.3%
- 2-3-6: 21.6%
- 3-3-5: 18.5%
- 2-2-7: 10.0%
- 3-2-6: 6.8%
- 1-3-7: 6.7%
- 3-4-4: 2.1%
- 2-5-4: 1.6%
- 1-4-6: 1.1%
- 3-1-7: 0.6%
- 4-4-3: 0.5%
- 4-3-4: 0.5%
- 3-5-3: 0.4%
- 4-2-5: 0.1%
- 1-2-8: 0.1%
Lots of new faces on the DL but I see biggest improvement on the edge which was embarrassing last season.With the resources invested in Defensive Linemen this off-season in free agency and with Barmore, it is my hope and expectation to see more 3 or even 4 real DL alignments this season.
Bill has always liked the versatility of linebackers, but football is about matchups, and the Patriots matchup much better on early downs with at least 3 fatties on the field. It would make them stouter against the run and upgrade their interior rush which are both essential to improving their early down defense.
Lots of new faces on the DL but I see biggest improvement on the edge which was embarrassing last season.
That might be the thinking, but I think it’s wrong. Dlinemen and edge players are not tasked with defending the length and width of the field. Their task is run defense and pushing the pocket on pass plays. 4 defenders are usually holding their gaps or rushing on every down. I just prefer 3 of them be 300 pounders matching up with the offenses’ 5 300 pounders rather than just 2. It’s about matchups. You don’t ask a 4.8 guy to cover a 4.5 guy. And, it’s foolish to think a 250 lbs. player can wrestle with a 320 pound guy in a phone booth.Agreed. The days of "3 fatties" on the field, except in a goal line stand, are over. Too easy to pass horizontally, stretch the width, when the interior is plugged with the 3 fatties.
That might be the thinking, but I think it’s wrong. Dlinemen and edge players are not tasked with defending the length and width of the field. Their task is run defense and pushing the pocket on pass plays. 4 defenders are usually holding their gaps or rushing on every down. I just prefer 3 of them be 300 pounders matching up with the offenses’ 5 300 pounders rather than just 2. It’s about matchups. You don’t ask a 4.8 guy to cover a 4.5 guy. And, it’s foolish to think a 250 lbs. player can wrestle with a 320 pound guy in a phone booth.
Few teams will commit to running the ball these days. But, when you play a team that does, you need to be able to match up to it and combat it. I think the Pats can do that now unlike the last two seasons.
Lots of new faces on the DL but I see biggest improvement on the edge which was embarrassing last season.
Agreed. The days of "3 fatties" on the field, except in a goal line stand, are over. Too easy to pass horizontally, stretch the width, when the interior is plugged with the 3 fatties.
Please see below.Where is this "3 fatties on the field" coming from? There's no excuse not to have at least one of them on the 53, and we still don't have that.
Bill has always liked the versatility of linebackers, but football is about matchups, and the Patriots matchup much better on early downs with at least 3 fatties on the field. It would make them stouter against the run and upgrade their interior rush which are both essential to improving their early down defense.
In this context, I suspect that 3 players at 308 or more is fine. I have been guilty of wanting to field 3 fatties., including a true NT (320+).Please see below.
My guess is Judon and Van Noy.Yes it was, and Judon will help, but we still need at least one of Wise, Wino & Perkins to step up in a really big way.