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Patriots 3rd down defense showing signs of improvement

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When you look at the 3rd down defense for the 2010 Patriots it was atrocious. Just five times were they better than average (40%) and seven times were they below unacceptable (50%). They finished the year with a dreadful 47% of third down conversions allowed, bad enough for last in the NFL.

It was an area that we discussed for much of last off-season, and a factor in the “we need a pass rusher” craze. Despite all the criticism the 2011 Pats defense has taken they’ve actually been improved on third down.

Let’s look at their 3rd down percentages for the first half of the season:

  • Miami: 2/14: 14%
  • San Diego: 10/12: 83%
  • Buffalo: 4/11 = 36%
  • Oakland: 8/13 = 61%
  • Jets: 3/11 = 27%
  • Dallas: 4/12 = 33%
  • Pittsburgh: 10/16 = 62%
  • Giants: 4/14 = 28%

Through eight games the Pats have already been under 40% as many times as they were in 2010. And while they have three performances of over 50% they are 2-1 in those games.

The 2010 were also elite on third down (under 30%) just once all season, while the 2011 Pats have already topped that mark three times in the first half of the season.

You can conjure up a lot of negative stats about the 2011 Pats defense, but the improvements on third down are not debatable. They still may be 28th (44%) in the NFL on 3rd down, but I expect them to be far closer to the top of the NFL by the end of the end of the season, especially when you look at the numbers in three of the last four games.

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If there really is a Football God up there please let Brandon Spikes have made a miraculous recovery and let him be at practice today. I know it’s probably not going to happen but with the Jets back to their ground and pound way the Pats are going to be in real trouble if they have to rely on Gary Guyton at MLB again. This is the most distressing injury problem of the week for sure. Maybe we can get Dane Fletcher back as a consolation?

https://www.patspropaganda.com/if-there-really-is-a-football-god-up-there-please/

PFF/Palazzolo: Re-Focused Patriots vs. Giants

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PFF/Palazzolo: Re-Focused Patriots vs. Giants

Interesting stuff as always from PFF. Here’s a nugget:

The Patriots are not known for an explosive pass rush off the edge, but the defensive ends came through on Sunday.  DE Andre Carter (+2.1) led the way and continued his pace as New England’s best defender in 2011. He picked up three QB Hits and five Hurries on only 35 rushes, and his pressure on Manning forced an interception in the end zone. Carter wasn’t alone as LB Rob Ninkovich (+1.7 Rush) and DE Mark Anderson (+2.0 Rush) contributed as DEs in the Nickel package.  Anderson also made an outstanding play, swatting a Manning pass while dropping into coverage on a rare zone blitz from New England. In a season of inconsistency, if New England can get the edge rushers to produce at the same time the DTs are pushing the pocket, they may have a chance to protect their young, inexperienced secondary.

Patriots Defensive Drives vs. Giants

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Many will tell you the Patriots have an untalented defense that is the worst in the NFL. However a simple breakdown of the Giants possessions tells a different story. It shows a defense that was dominant for most of the game and overcame four turnovers by their offensive counterparts.

  • 5 plays, 12 yards : PUNT
  • 8 plays, 42 yards: PUNT
  • 4 plays, 5 yards: PUNT
  • 8 plays, 11 yards: PUNT
  • 10 plays, 20 yards: PUNT
  • 4 plays, 6 yards: PUNT
  • 7 plays, 57 yards: FIELD GOAL
  • 1 play, 10 yards: TOUCHDOWN
  • 5 plays, 5 yards: PUNT
  • 6 plays, 35 yards: INT
  • 7 plays, 22 yards: PUNT
  • 8 plays, 85 yards: TOUCHDOWN
  • 8 plays, 80 yards; TOUCHDOWN

The last two drives are glaring, but you can’t look at these numbers and tell me this is the worst defense in the NFL that is incapable of winning games. Consistency in crunch time is all it’s about and they showed some of that against the Cowboys. It’s no assurance they will put it all together at the right time, but I don’t buy that they’re incapable of doing so.

Boston Globe/Bedard: Patriots release Haynesworth

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Boston Globe/Bedard: Patriots release Haynesworth

Not that surprising at all and Bedard does a great job breaking down why it happened and why it doesn’t really matter. It is unfortunate though. Haynesworth showed flashes of being absolutely dominant, but if you’re not making the effort you’ll be gone before you know it in Foxboro.

Now just counting down how long until Haynesworth is signing with the Jets.

Writing off the Patriots is a major mistake

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It probably goes without saying that you don’t quite catch everything that’s going on when you’re up in the All-22 seats at the game, so it was educational to go back and watch the Patriots-Giants on TV.

I’m a big picture guy, the goal is to win the Super Bowl, and I have to say I’m feeling a lot better right now than I was as I trudged out of Gillette on Sunday night.

Let’s not try to extrapolate every single game and try to make it a defining one of the Belichick era or even the 2011 season. The Patriots have lost two games in a row to two good teams by a combined 12 points. Neither game saw the Pats put forth their best effort, and I’ve seen enough flashes to know that this could be a very good team come January if they can just execute consistently.

Fighting through adversity is one of the best ingredients for constructing a Super Bowl team. Yes it’s nice to be 14-2, but it’s more often the unheralded teams that go through ups and downs over the regular season that are able to come together and put together a run for the Lombardi.

First, because I’m a defense guy, I want to start with them. We’ll post later in the day showing just how well they played until those last two possessions on Sunday night, but what we’ve seen from this group in two of the last three weeks is a significant improvement from what we saw in 2009 and 2010. They have been keeping the Patriots in games despite losing the turnover battle.

Some can say they lack talent but what I saw in the re-watch was a defense that consistently pressured Eli Manning forcing him into off-balance and hurried throws. Sadly they fell apart at the end of the game and allowed two 4th quarter touchdowns, but that’s no reason throw the baby out with the bath water. The improvement is apparent.

Devin McCourty is returning to form. Brandon Spikes is becoming the team’s best linebacker (sorry Jerod), and Kyle Arrington continues to be a ball hawk. Brandon Deaderick flashed a lot against the Giants making me question if he doesn’t keep that spot over Shaun Ellis. They were flying to the ball and playing physical the whole game, yet they will continue to get no love from the media because of how the game ended.

As for the offense Tom Brady was off and the execution was sloppy all game. It’s disconcerting to see Brady turning the ball over so much, but if there’s one player I’d expect to turn it around it’s TFB.

I’d also like to defend Chad Ochocinco a bit. He was getting open, Brady was just not hitting him. He exhibited the ability to get off press man coverage that he was brought in for, now Brady just needs to get him the ball and this offense will take a major step forward.

When it comes down to it you can say the Patriots lost this game because of four turnovers and two pass interference calls. It was not their lack of talent. It was not their lack of pressure or lack of a deep threat. It was sloppy play. On offense the chances were there, and on defense it’s just a matter of consistency and making the big stop in the big moments.

I’m even more excited for this weekend’s match-up against the Jets. The Pats backs are against the wall and they now have to go into the biggest hornet’s nest of all. I wouldn’t want it any other way.