This will be my final post on the Steelers loss as we turn the page to a challenging Giants squad. Just some quick hit thoughts and we’re burying the football on this one.
– Even with two days perspective I’m not going to try and sugar coat anything, the glaring softness of the Patriots defense that we’ve become horribly familiar with was back in all its non-glory and it’s justifiable for us to wonder if this defense has the talent to win when it’s all on the line.
– The only point of positivity that I will cling to is that this is a young defense, and in a scheme where communication is vital it has to be expected to have bumps in the road. Still, with 3 of 4 starters back from last season in the base secondary this excuse won’t last forever.
– I’m surprised more teams haven’t gone directly after Guyton and Ninkovich in pass coverage. I’m really starting to question if we’ve already seen Ninkovich’s ceiling. If he’s going to play SLB in the 4-3 and he is a liability in coverage teams will continue to attack him.
– If Fletcher can get back healthy I’d love to see him take some snaps from Guyton.
– I’m not overly concerned with the offense though their point totals have declined each and every week of the season. But one thing that does concern me is the amount of man coverage they’re seeing more and more of each week. This is where you need explosive playmakers who can gain separation off the line, and this was the real reason we saw Chad Ochocinco brought in. The receiver group is going to have to show they can beat tight man coverage and that someone can bust the top off the defense.
– Bill O’Brien spoke today about getting Taylor Price more involved and with his speed I couldn’t agree more. He could be the answer instead of Ochocinco, but he needs experience in games. Keep putting him in there.
– Brandon Spikes might be a liability at times in pass coverage but I will take him over Guyton everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. I think he and Mayo are the only linebackers on the roster I’m convinced are building blocks for the future.
– If you thought the third down performance was bad against the Steelers (10/16 = 62%) don’t forget what Peyton Manning did to this defense last year: 11/14 = 78%. Though the Pats D were able to get 3 interceptions and that was the difference in the game.
– Ultimately this was the 7th game of the season, and I’m not going to make overarching judgements of BB’s personnel moves until the season is over. Each Patriots team is judged by how their season ends, and until we see where the defense and offense are in January I’ll hold off on the report cards for who should and shouldn’t have been acquired or let go.
– Sometimes losses like this are a good thing in the long run, but let’s just say the defense is absolutely on double secret probation. If they don’t start putting together some consistent efforts there will have to be some major personnel moves made this off-season.
