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Is New England Patriots Defensive Rebuild Nearly Complete? | Bleacher Report/Frenz

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Is New England Patriots Defensive Rebuild Nearly Complete? | Bleacher Report/Frenz

Epic breakdown from Frenz here breaking down the nuts and bolts of the transition from the last days of the dynasty defense to what we saw on the field this past Sunday.

This has really been one of my main focuses since I started blogging about the Pats during the 2007 season. The most interesting thing to me is how the current incarnation of the defense was not built in the model of what worked in the early 2000’s, it’s something completely of it’s own.

Still they have a lot of similarities. The nose tackle is arguably the most important piece of the old 3-4 defense, and while that’s no longer the base defense Vince Wilfork is still the most vital piece on the board.

Chandler Jones is a different kind of player than Richard Seymour was, but just as vital in a Willie McGinest-type role at defensive end.

Finally Rodney Harrison was absolutely vital to the old defense as the safety who was most commonly employed in the box or as a “robber”. The biggest question the Pats will have to face next on this defensive evolution is whether or not Patrick Chung is the player that can fill that role long term.

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Nearly impossible….

https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-unbeaten/

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So I wore my Bruschi Blue on Sunday & Hightower had a monster day. I think I gotta keep wearing it. Thoughts?

https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-bruschi/

Notes on PFF’s Patriots grades: Week 1Titans

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The grades are out from ProFootballFocus.com for the Patriots vs. the Titans, and here are some notable tidbits:

Best offensive grade: Rob Gronkowski 4.3 (including a dominant 2.6 in run block)

Best defensive grade: Dont’a Hightower 5.0 (high marks in run d, pass rush, & pass coverage, including 3 QB hurries)

Biggest offensive disappointment: Dan Connolly -3.6 (low marks in both run and pass blocking)

Biggest defensive disappointment: Brandon Spikes -2.5 (slight below average on everything and credited with only one tackle)

Devin McCourty got a 2.9, which was better than any single score he had for all of 2011.

Jerod Mayo had 7 stops and 12 tackles, getting a 2nd place 4.5 score. Dominant in run defense and pass coverage.

Chandler Jones scored the best run defense score with a 2.9.

Ryan Wendell graded out as the best offensive lineman (1.6), the rest were about average, except Connolly.

Hernandez had a rough day run blocking, garnering a -2.4 score.

Ridley most successful off the left end where he picked up 51 yards and a 10.2 average. Second best was up the middle behind Wendell (19 yards on 2 carries).

Runs were least successful behind Connolly at RG. Seems like they were aware of this and only tried 3 times to Connolly’s B gap, and 0 times to his A gap. Clearly they were able to exploit the edges.