Tedy Bruschi’s Breakdown — New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals – ESPN Boston
This is what scares me, Bernard especially vs. the sub defense.
I don’t know how you don’t attack the interior of the Patriots defense after the loss of Vince Wilfork. I think you have to recognize what type of scheme Bill Belichick will come up with in the first series – will he use Joe Vellano at defensive tackle, will he use Chris Jones? Do they line up in a 3-4 and just send Brandon Spikes in running-down situational plays, almost as a defensive lineman into the line of scrimmage. With A.J. Green on the outside and the running game on the inside, it’s a good combination for the Bengals. Green-Ellis is that downhill-type runner who can exploit the loss of Wilfork. This defense knows how hard he runs, the lower-body strength he has, the balance and how he can turn a 2-yard run into a 4- or 5-yard gain just based on his strength, balance and how he runs with forward lean. And Bernard is the change-of-pace running back, but he can also hit the hole or take it outside.
