defense

Good stuff from NESN’s own Doug Kyed…

Last year’s Patriots finished with 43 sacks, 54 QB hits and 164 QB hurries for 261 total QB pressures in 1134 plays according to Pro Football Focus. They were able to generate a QB pressure on 23 percent of plays. Carter was the most successful at rushing the passer – despite missing 2 ½ games – with 51 total pressures and Anderson was close behind with 45.

This season, the Patriots are on pace for 36 sacks, 48 QB hits and 130 QB hurries for 214 total QB pressures in 1096 plays. They’re generating a QB pressure on 19 percent of plays. Jones is the leading pass rusher, on pace for 62 total pressures, while Ninkovich is second, on pace for 31. Nink finished last year with 39. The problem is, the Patriots have filled Carter and Anderson’s roles with Jones and Ninkovich, but they simply aren’t blitzing linebackers like they did last year with Nink. The Patriots will have to start blitzing their linebackers, and rushing five or six players more often.

That puts the seven-game total at 54.9 percent in sub packages (298 of 542, including penalties). These numbers are actually lower than anticipated at the halfway point. In 2011, the Patriots were in sub more than 60 percent of the time, but the last three games have trended toward the Patriots playing more base.

Given that the new 4-3 features more athleticism I’m not surprised the numbers are skewing more toward the base defense this year. That’s by design to help stop the pass over every down.