Film Review: Patriots vs. Saints Defense Edition

This morning I took a look at the overall defensive performance via the coaches film for the Patriots defense vs. the Saints after yesterday breaking down two specific plays that really allowed the offense to pull away at the end of the first half.

Overall I think this was a vastly improved performance by the Patriots defense. They mixed and matched coverages as well how many rushers they sent after the quarterback and the gameplan was pretty effective. If you can hold Drew Brees to 13 points through three quarters, you’re doing something right.

There were a few big plays again, but as I said in the gameplan, this isn’t the week to panic about those. Yes, the opener against the Chiefs was bad, but big plays via Drew Brees is something you just kind of have to live with. The biggest difference? Not giving up long scores. The big plays hurt, but they weren’t fatal. That’s the bend don’t break.

Here’s a bunch of rapid fire thoughts on the film review…

— Trey Flowers was moved to the left side for a good chunk of the snaps in this one, the old defensive end role formerly occupied by Rob Ninkovich. They still moved him back to the right side at times, especially as a pass rusher. He also had snaps inside as a pass rusher, including over the center. Overall Flowers had a very solid game, especially setting the edge which was a critical correction from the Chiefs game. Flowers also looked pretty fluid in space. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him stay there at LDE as his primary role rather than the right side. He might get less early down pass rush opportunities, but his versatility to lock down the left side of the line was a key stabilizing factor to the overall defense.

— As has been discussed many times, the secondary had trouble sorting out bunch sets, especially on Stephon Gilmore‘s side. My early impression of Gilmore is that he’s very good manned up on a receiver. When he has to pattern read and drop into a zone, he’s been a bit of a weak link early. The dropoff in physicality between Logan Ryan and Gilmore is noticeable as well. I’m not off the Gilmore bandwagon but let’s just say of the new parts of the defense, the young pass rushers have stepped up more than the secondary (including everyone) has. Something to focus on as we go forward, especially against a team like the Panthers where the QB is a big dual threat that will require more zone coverage AND need to be tackled in space.

— Malcolm Butler is the best cornerback on the Patriots. He’s the most physical tackler, he closes on the ballcarrier the quickest and he brings great energy. I think the message from the reduced role is “start playing like our number one corner.”  I would never jettison Butler at this point, but of course, you never know.

— There was some really great team defense in this game despite the holes you can pick in small individual performances. Many times the coverage flowed perfectly, like here on a big third quarter third down. There’s just nowhere to go with the ball.

— Dietrich Wise brought pressure early and often and I’m trying to contain my excitement. If opposing coaches are already mentioning you in your second game it’s scary to think what Wise’s ceiling might be. Is it crazy that I already like him more than I did Chandler Jones? Wise already seems to have a veteran understanding of pass rushing.

— The Saints ran at the weakside edge of the defense a couple times with success. With Adam Butler and Kyle Van Noy out there it’s an attractive target. The toss sweeps gave the Pats problems against the Chiefs but they were better this time, mostly because of the perfect pursuit of the secondary. Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty were excellent in sealing off the runs from breaking free down the sideline.

— Chung is such a key piece of the defense. He might get targeted in the passing game, but he’s competitive in all phases and tackles so well. He’s such a calming presence in the middle of the defense in all kinds of roles, I hate to think of how limiting things would be without him.