Lotta Pats fans with major Andre Carter man crushes right now, myself included. What a perfect fit for the defense both on and off the field. Here are my thoughts from earlier about the future for Andre with the Patriots.
Football Outsiders: Patriots drop to 6th overall in DVOA
Here’s the breakdown for all things Patriots with Football Outsiders’ DVOA rankings this week.
Overall: 6th
Offense: 1st
- Pass: 2nd
- Run: 3rd
Defense: 27th
- Pass: 26th
- Run: 21st
- Vs. #1 WR: 31st
- Vs. #2 WR: 18th
- vs. Other WR: 15th
- vs. TE: 28th
- vs. RB: 11th
Special Teams: 12th
Chances of making playoffs: 86%
I think it’s really inaccurate to think that all of a sudden it’s been something great because he had two sacks (Sunday), because that’s the stat that it really seems all defensive linemen get measured by,” Belichick said. “I think it’s very inaccurate. I think he’s played consistently week in and week out. He had a couple big plays (Sunday), but he’s had good plays for us every week.
Bill Belichick on Andre Carter (via WEEI)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/i-think-its-really-inaccurate-to-think-that-all/
NESN/Howe: Light’s gutsy play a critical part of Patriots comeback drive
NESN/Howe: Light’s gutsy play a critical part of Patriots comeback drive
Thanks to Jeff Howe for mentioning this, I didn’t catch Light’s injury while watching the game, but clearly he knew the situation and knew his options and how they would affect the team. Matt Light will never get the true love and respect he deserves for protecting Tom Brady’s blind side for the last decade, but this is just another example of what a warrior the guy is.
The Patriots do a good job of attacking you were you are weakest personnel or scheme wise. During the bye week, I think they’ll look at the efficiency of players in that offensive scheme,” he said. “Two, how they get better at third-down conversions on defense. And three, try to find ways to improve the run game in personnel groups and formations in which they have had success throwing the ball, in an effort to become more unpredictable and give Brady more options to adjust based on opponents adjustments.
NFC Scout via Chris Price/WEEI
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-patriots-do-a-good-job-of-attacking-you-were/
The future of Andre Carter and the Patriots
Andre Carter has been arguably the Patriots best player on defense over the course of the first six games of the season but his arrival in New England was somewhat of a perfect storm.
Bill Belichick decided during the off-season that it would be easier to install their four man nickel front as the base defense instead of the complicated three man front due to the lockout-shortened prep time. Belichick had always been a fan of Carter’s but did not see a fit for him the 3-4 defense, so when they made the move to a four man front it opened the door for Carter to come to the Patriots.
Carter has been the proverbial straw stirring the drink for the Patriots revamped 2011 defense. His ability to play both the run and get a pass rush has enabled the Patriots to become far less specialized. Instead of whole sale substitutions between run and pass defense the Patriots can now leave most of their personnel in place regardless of down and distance.
Carter’s stat line (via Pro Football Focus) has been impressive: 3 sacks, 5 QB Hits, and 9 QB pressures tell the story of his pass rush and 15 stops show what he’s done on run defense.
But with Carter only on a one year deal, and a full off-season in 2012 awaiting with the chance to return to Belichick’s favored 3-4 defense just what is the future of Andre Carter in New England?
If he truly doesn’t fit as a outside linebacker in the 3-4 would the Pats consider remaining in a four man front in 2012 based on the production they’re getting from him?
From my perspective the answer is clear. Carter has brought everything that this defense has missed over the past few seasons, and the results, especially in the last two games have been evident. The return to the 3-4 defense would not only put Carter’s future with the Pats in question but also Albert Haynesworth’s, and those are two impact players the Patriots should value.
While the switch to the 4-3 might have been based on lack of preparation time, it has also been an effective way to get pressure when offenses throw on early downs. The Patriots no longer have any 3-4 outside linebackers that can attack the edge like Carter can.
From both a schematic and personnel standpoint it seems like a no brainer to re-sign Carter to an extension and continue to roll with the 4-3. Of course what seem like no-brainer’s to us the fans are far from as cut and dry for Bill Belichick. But clearly, whatever move the Pats make with Carter will be a signal where the Pats defense is headed schematically in 2012.
