I took another look at the defensive possessions for the Patriots against the Jets and here some quick notes.
– I think people are severely underestimating the impact that Albert Haynesworth had in limited action. Usually Thursdays are 3rd down day in practice so when Albert was back last Thursday we had an inkling he might be used in those situations. They clearly wanted to limit his snaps, and while he didn’t show up in the stat sheet like some might hope, he was consistently pushing offensive linemen into the backfield. On two first quarter third downs it was Hayneswoth’s disruption that caused Sanchez to hesitate and make a mistake.
– We’ve been saying it for weeks now, interior disruption is what this team needs most on the defensive line and Big Al brought that yesterday. When Mike Wright gets back they should be even better off.
– Kyle Love had one of the best games I’ve seen him play yesterday. He was holding his ground, taking on double teams and still able to get off and make some tackles. Looks like he’s learning a thing or two from Vince Wilfork. So far in this young season he looks like one of the Pats most improved players.
– The Pats consistently got great jams on Dustin Keller, especially by Ninkovich.You could tell Sanchez wanted to go to Keller, but the Pats were so physical with him it totally disrupted all timing.
– Speaking of Ninkovich he’s really turned into a swiss army knife for the Pats. He does a little of everything, and seems to be building on his solid 2010 season.
– He doesn’t get much press but Andre Carter has been the reason the Patriots have had success playing a 4-3 defense so far this year. He’s been tough both in the run game and rushing the passer on early downs. He’s exactly the kind of player they needed to get to make the defensive front transition and was an absolute beast against the Jets. Let’s hope he can keep it up.
– Looks like the Pats too a page out of the Jets defensive game plan in last year’s playoff game by playing a lot of short zones. When there were reports from Jets practice about a horn being sounded to force Sanchez to get the pass out quickly it was pretty obvious what the Pats were going to see. For the first time in a long time they were ready for the short passing game, making immediate tackles even when they did give up a catch.
– Who thought we’d see multiple corner blitzes out of the Pats yesterday? Clearly they bought into the Baltimore game plan of sending DBs against the Sanchez.
– Kind of surprised not to see Dane Fletcher yesterday. Gary Guyton had a pretty solid day, but clearly the Pats don’t see Fletcher as being ready for a tough team that wants to run the ball first and foremost. I’m sure we’ll see more of Fletcher versus the Cowboys.
– I certainly didn’t expect to see that much of Brandon Spikes, but I loved it. He might still be a liability in pass coverage but it looks like he has the instincts to be okay there eventually. Usually when a pass is completed to his guy he’s right there, he just needs the confidence to stop thinking and make a play on the ball. Mayo’s absence could be the best thing possible for Spikes development, though I’m sure we won’t see much of him against the heavy passing team.