“Young. The defense is a lot different compared to when I was here in 2011. We’re young,” Carter said. “It’s a talented group of guys, a real talented group of individuals. I’m sure they’re trying to find their niche, their place. Like any young team. But they’re just as talented as any other group. I think the most important thing is to remain consistent and understand how this game is played. “There’s a little learning curve, just like any young defense. They’re constantly developing. I’m sure where there are times in certain schemes where a younger guy may not understand where he fits. And that happens. I think the most important thing, like any other defense, is communication. You have to constantly communicate and make sure we’re all on the same page.”
https://www.patspropaganda.com/young-the-defense-is-a-lot-different-compared-to/
Patriots musings at the start of Dolphins week
Big game this weekend for the Pats, with a divisional win over the Dolphins they’ll maintaing at least a one game lead over the Jets. Jets are playing the Bengals, that should be a good one.
Taking a look at the point spread on NFL action this weekend and the Pats are favored by seven. Sounds about right. I think this matchup with the Dolphins, a team many though might overtake the Pats this year, is coming at the perfect time. It’s a division game so there won’t be many surprises, but the Pats also know how important these games are, so they’ll be no lack of focus.
I liked what I saw out of Jamie Collins getting a chance to rush the QB a bit against the Jets. Belichick seemed to like it as well, saying today:
“We know he’s athletic, but I thought other parts of his game showed up. I thought he played hard and made some plays, played aggressively and played with good power. He’s getting better every week.”
Collins could be a real wild card in the second half of the season.
Really like the Andre Carter signing. He should bring some good calm leadership to the defense. Not sure how much he has left but he did have 3 sacks last year with the Raiders and was generally solid against the run (2.4 rating from PFF). He’ll ease the burden on NInkovich and Chandler a bit, and help out on passing downs especially. He was a beast in 2012 and really, losing him to injury might’ve cost the Pats the Super Bowl.
Sounds like Vereen is close to practicing and Amendola was out at practice today. If these two can get back in lineup (and stay in the lineup) the Pats offense is going to have a completely different complexion in just a couple weeks.
I feel the same way about Armond Armstead and Tommy Kelly. Their impact on the defense will have a hugely positive trickle down effect. Not to mention that Joe Vellano and Chris Jones have played far better than I ever thought either would. Both could stick in Foxboro for a long time. Jones is already getting me hot and bothered with some of his timely interior rushes. If only Wilfork and Kelly had stayed healthy, the Pats might’ve never been in the position of need to pick Chris Jones up, but I think he’s quickly becoming a building block for the defense.
Pats must win at least one of these last two before the bye. If they win both they will be in great position, but neither will be easy games.
Good to see @mr_carter93 back in class with the #Patriots
https://www.patspropaganda.com/lolpats-good-to-see-mrcarter93-back-in-class/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WISERp4gck
1994 Miami vs New England (by appstar1983)
Because what else do you have to do for the next two hours on a Wednesday morning? It’s Dolphins week!
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/1994-miami-vs-new-england-by-appstar1983/
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: 2013 TEAM EFFICIENCY RATINGS thru Week 7
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: 2013 TEAM EFFICIENCY RATINGS thru Week 7
Latest rankings are out and I feel like I don’t even know who these Patriots are anymore. A top-10 defense!? And bottom half offense!? What the hoodie?
Overall: 12th
Offense: 19th (21st pass, 13th rush)
Defense: 8th (5th pass, 21st rush)
- vs. #1 WR: 6th
- vs. #2 WR: 32nd
- vs. Other WR: 5th
- vs. TE: 4th
- vs. RB: 6th
Special Team: 1st (!!!!)
These rankings are pretty interesting to me. How are you top-10 covering everyone except #2 WRs who are torching you worse than anyone? I don’ think Dennard has been that bad, though I’m sure Arrington has factored into those ratings as well.
Also worth pointing out that while the Pats’ run defense has been okay without Wilfork and Kelly, when you look at these kinds of rankings they’re not doing so hot. While the Jets didn’t tear up the stat sheet with their yards-per-carry, they consistently won the down when they ran.
As for the special teams, bravo! Gostkowski is having a Pro Bowl year, and Ryan Allen is really starting to show why they kept him over Zoltan Mesko.
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Cover-2: The No-Huddle Defense
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Cover-2: The No-Huddle Defense
Interesting stuff about why the “walk about” is always tough to dissect. Makes sense why we see a lot of quick snaps against the Ryan’s to offset the effectiveness of it.
I asked Greg why these line sets and specific pressure concepts can throw off any quarterback –- even one as alert and proven as Brady. “It’s really common sense, if you think about it,” Greg said. “Tom Brady sets the protection at the line of scrimmage, and here’s how you set the protections -– you have to choose the five players the offensive linemen are going to block. And then, when you get to six and seven rushers, backs and tight ends become responsible for them. When there’s no defensive linemen, and nobody with their hands on the ground –- they’re kind of milling around in undefined amorphous positions –- who do you designate as the five defensive players to be blocked by the five offensive linemen? "So now, Brady comes to the line, and he sees seven or eight people [at least] standing up. How does he set the protection? How does the offensive line know who to block?”
