THE TALENTED MR. RIDLEY
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Patriots rookies contributing on defense
Patriots defensive rookies C. Jones/D. Hightower/T. Wilson combine for 15 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR for a TD, and 2 PBU’s.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 9, 2012
Patriots Third Down Defense: 5/14 = 35% (solid)
Patriots Red Zone Defense: 0 TDs allowed in 2 attempts = very solid
Hard not to be impressed with the speed and physicality we saw, especially out of the rookie defenders. Maybe it’s a bit early but initially it looks like the Pats D has turned a corner.
The play of the quarter was a strip sack by top draft choice Chandler Jones, who turned the corner on Titans left tackle Michael Roos. The loose football was scooped by fellow first-round pick Dont’a Hightower, who returned it for a score. Not to be overlooked, second-round pick Tavon Wilson forced the first turnover of the season for the Patriots, with an interception of Jake Locker in the end zone. Wilson made the play off of a tip by cornerback Kyle Arrington, a classic example of executing the “tip-drill.” Impressive early returns from the Patriots’ rookies.