Couple things to share as I re-watched the Pats’ defensive series against the Chiefs.
– I need to click a picture of it but the Pats went into the exotic 6-1-4 defensive formation we saw in 2009 for one snap. It featured the standard four man line with Ninkovich and Cunningham standing up at the ends. Mayo was the sole linebacker. It looks to me like this is a pure run stopping formation. Strange that Cunningham would come in on just a couple plays, one of which being this formation.
– Cunningham did see some snaps at OLB, but it was more in the 3-4 front that they went into quite a few times against the Chiefs. Sometimes they’d just have Andre Carter stand up, while having Wilfork at 5-technique, Brace at nose and Deaderick at the other 5-technique.
– Using Julian Edelman as a spy on the waterbug Dexter McCluster was a deft stroke by BB. Edelman drew a crucial holding penalty as well. I wonder if he’ll continue in this role if/when Dane Fletcher comes back.
– Gary Guyton actually took on a couple blocks in this one. Still just isn’t physical enough for my liking. It says a lot that they’re using Tracy White as the nickel pass coverage LB over Guyton now. When Spikes comes back it will be interesting to see what becomes of Guyton. If Fletcher comes back to it could bump Guyton from the game day roster.
– Of the three scrub d-backs (Molden, Adams, Moore) I think Molden has the most long term potential. Adams had a really solid game though and Moore showed up with that big hit that helped Arrington make an interception. All three will add quality depth when Chung/McCourty get back.
– Some people can write about what an expensive disappointment Shaun Ellis has been, but I prefer to look at what the low round/undrafted Deaderick and Love have done. Doesn’t matter how you get to New England, only matters what you do once you’re there.
– Still not sure what to make of Ron Brace. Saw a couple good things, and a few bad things out of him in limited action, though seeing him at nose tackle was a bit interesting after he worked at mostly LDE in the 3-4 last year.
– Will Jerod Mayo ever make a big play? Can’t recall the last time he had a sack/interception. He looked unstoppable in preseason and I really thought this was his year. But it seems like all he does is make tackles 3-5 yards down the line of scrimmage. And he continues to struggle in pass coverage.
– If you put Myron Pryor and Mike Wright back in the mix with their interior pass rush skills it’d make Andre Carter and Mark Anderson even more deadly. Another year without an interior rush, at least we’re getting by this time around.
– Ninkovich was horrible against the Steelers but he’s been on a tear ever since. He has to be one of the most under-appreciated Patriots defenders and he’s been doing it all, playing a majority of the snaps every week. You never know where you’re going to find building blocks and Ninkopoop is a great example of that.
– Let’s close this out with Kyle Arrington, your NFL interceptions leader. I’ve always liked his tenacity and his physical play, but he’s really taking it to the next level this year with his ball skills. Who’d have thunk it? Such an impressive progression, from special team stand out to all around stand out.