Defense?

[CreepCreep2014]

I would say for your first part there the team has more athleticism rather than the word talent. Long/Sheard/Nincovich all brought veteran leadership and understanding of the game. Athleticism can only get you so far in this league. And while those guys didn't put up huge numbers they also fully understood the system and what was required of them. Because the struggles are not just in the secondary here and the pass game with missed assignments. Right now the Patriots are bottom-5 against the run as well. They are 31st in yards per rush giving up 5.1 yards an attempt and 26th in yards rushing allowed. So the front-7 cannot stop the run to help set up the secondary. Some of that is just guys not fully understanding what they are called upon on a given play then as you pointed out the athleticism in the LBing core is very much lacking. So open lanes with a lack of speed to make up for it with the LB's. I'm honestly not sure what can be done to fix these issues because communication is only part of the problem with this team.

I think they are more talented. Long (1 year)/Sher (2 years)/Nink (how many??) vs Wise (1 year)/Flowers(3 year)/Marsh (1st yr in NE), I am going the young kids. They look like the know the system and Flowers is in yr 3 now (so he knows it). If they didn't know the system, they would not be out there. These 3 have not been out of place or made a glaring mistake like others. Sure two of them are still learning the system, but they are getting to the QB and collapsing the pocket, I can't say I saw the same thing on a consistent basses with the group from last yr. They are bigger, faster, younger. OK, fine.... the others were vets, but there are plenty of vets on this defense (HT, DMC, Chung, Harmon, Branch, Butler, Ebner) to not have the problems they are having.

As for the front 7.....I got nothing on that other than Guy needs to move back inside and Wise needs to be on the edge.

 

[redseat]

welp, it stepped up last night for sure! Phew!

And that blocked fg... thing of beauty.. Don't think I've ever Seen BB so happy!

 

[NWPATSFAN]

welp, it stepped up last night for sure! Phew!

And that blocked fg... thing of beauty.. Don't think I've ever Seen BB so happy!

It's not very often, basically never you see BB show any emotion during the game. We always get a smirk or two after SB wins though.

 

[nefansince75]

It's not very often, basically never you see BB show any emotion during the game. We always get a smirk or two after SB wins though.

The smirk showed through after the block and ruined that poster showing all of Bill's emotions with the same face.

 

[SDGuy73]

The smirk showed through after the block and ruined that poster showing all of Bill's emotions with the same face.

That "banner" with Bills face all over it was pretty funny.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

The smirk showed through after the block and ruined that poster showing all of Bill's emotions with the same face.

He even had a fist pump. Armegedon is upon us.

 

[redseat]

It's not very often, basically never you see BB show any emotion during the game. We always get a smirk or two after SB wins though.

No it is not. Heck, even during Super Bowl wins he doesn't show that much emotion

 

[nefansince75]

No it is not. Heck, even during Super Bowl wins he doesn't show that much emotion

That's just not true. He hugs players, smiles and "acts" like he's human. He does that for at least and hour, then on to the next season.

 

[redseat]

That's just not true. He hugs players, smiles and "acts" like he's human. He does that for at least and hour, then on to the next season.

Not that much emotion

 

[Yankee Traveler]

then on to the next season.

It's tough coming from behind when you win the SB.
All those other teams have had an additional 2-5 weeks preparation.

 

[nefansince75]

It's tough coming from behind when you win the SB.
All those other teams have had an additional 2-5 weeks preparation.

True but that's a little over rated given that the team is starting (with a Super bowl caliber team) where most teams want to finish. I know it's more complicated given the amount of roster turnover and the cap constraints, it's still a pretty darn good place to start.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

True but that's a little over rated given that the team is starting (with a Super bowl caliber team) where most teams want to finish. I know it's more complicated given the amount of roster turnover and the cap constraints, it's still a pretty darn good place to start.

Forgot to use the sarcasm font...my bad.

 

[nefansince75]

Forgot to use the sarcasm font...my bad.

Funny, rereading your comments with the sarcasm goggles on and it reads quite differently, haha.

 

[BigKen]

Two tings were being discussed last night ................

1. There is a possibility that Rob Ninkovich will come out of retirement to help the Patriots. If he does, he will start practicing and go through conditioning next week and will be ready to play for the Denver game.

2. The Patriots and Detroit Lions are discussing a trade for Ezekiel Ansah. The hang-up is that the Lions want a third round pick for the former pro bowler but the Patriots are only offering a 6th round pick. Ansah is 28 years old, 6'5" and weighs 275 lbs. He plays DE/OLB. His performance has fallen off this year, but through 7 games he has 4 sacks.

 

[BigKen]

Just some Hightower stats for 2017.

Games played 5 of 7
Tackles 12
Sacks 2

He honestly didn't make a ton of difference in the performance of the defense

 

[cdumler7]

Two tings were being discussed last night ................

1. There is a possibility that Rob Ninkovich will come out of retirement to help the Patriots. If he does, he will start practicing and go through conditioning next week and will be ready to play for the Denver game.

2. The Patriots and Detroit Lions are discussing a trade for Ezekiel Ansah. The hang-up is that the Lions want a third round pick for the former pro bowler but the Patriots are only offering a 6th round pick. Ansah is 28 years old, 6'5" and weighs 275 lbs. He plays DE/OLB. His performance has fallen off this year, but through 7 games he has 4 sacks.

I have quite a bit of doubt that Detroit lets Ansah go for anything less than at least a 2nd round pick. Yeah he had a down year last year and hasn't lit the league on fire this year but athletically speaking he is still elite.

 

[Southieinnc]

Just some Hightower stats for 2017.

Games played 5 of 7
Tackles 12
Sacks 2

He honestly didn't make a ton of difference in the performance of the defense

He really isn't the same - trying to save his pectoral.

 

[redseat]

Well the defense seems to be getting better but the offense is going in the other direction

 

[Southieinnc]

I don't know how good are defense is but everybody we play seems to get the Coordinator fired.

Even KC who beat us is now not letting Andy Reid call the plays......

Andy Reid reportedly cedes play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Matt Nagy

OC Lazor latest coach fired by 'anemic' Dolphins

Oakland Raiders fire defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. after loss in Mexico

Broncos fire offensive coordinator McCoy

Jaguars fire offensive coordinator Greg Olson

 

[cheerupcharlie]

Damn! Never even thought about that. Defense has definitely turned the corner though.(hope I didn’t just jinx them)