pass rush

Thanks to the stats kept over at Pro Football Focus I broke down the pressures and blitz percentages per offensive pass play. The results aren’t overwhelmingly alarming but there is a bit of evidence why the Patriots defense has been better this year than they were last year.

In 2010 the Patriots blitzed on 24% of the opponents drop backs, and got pressure on 29% of the total drop backs, (that includes when they only rushed four).

In 2011 the Patriots have blitzed slightly less (21% of the dropbacks) and have actually gotten more pressure (32%).

What does this mean? That the Patriots have been able to rely more consistently on a four man pass rush and the positive effects have trickled down through the defense, where improvements on third down and in the red zone have been more notable.

In case you missed the last day in Patriots news they’ve been stocking up on defensive linemen. Here are some one liners to get you up to speed with some minor commentary….

– Gerard Warren is back in the fold, bringing the Pats to 21 defensive linemen right now in camp. I agree with Mike Reiss’ analysis:

So unlike 2010, when the Patriots were in their base 3-4 alignment about 40 percent of the time and might have been easier to game-plan against, this currently has the makings of a much more “multiple” defense, one that is being set-up to morph into a different look at any time. They have personnel to play 3-4. But they’re also set up to go 4-3.

Of course things will be a little more clear after the roster needs to be cut down, but it seems that the Pats now have quite a few guys who should help the pass rush out whether it’s from a 4-3, 3-4 or subpackages.

– The funny thing is that looking back imagine how we would’ve been looking at the 2011 draft prospects had we known the Patriots would be ready to bring in a bunch of 4-3 type guys. I think it’s pretty clear that BB thinks it’s a better way to improve the pass rush with veteran guys than rookies.

– Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe is hearing it’s not an injury but conditioning that’s keep Haynesworth out of practice. This is fine by me. Just don’t get the big fella hurt. Let him ease his way back in and he’ll still be paying dividends in January.

– If I was Ron Brace or Brandon Deaderick I’d be trying to get off the PUP list asap or they’re going to no longer be Patriots a month from right now.

– Even BB is taking notice of Taylor Price’s improvement this year. When asked what was different about Price this year BB responded: “Everything.”

– Matt Roth allegedly was negotiating with the Pats then suddenly upped his offer and pissed the Pats off. Now his reps are emailing everyone saying he can be had on a 1yr, $3 million dollar deal. After giving Shaun Ellis $4 million I’d be the Pats are out of the running now on Roth. Not that I care.

– I think we’ve seen a pretty clear trend with the Patriots over the last decade. When they have a weakness the best way they like to deal with it is to sign a bunch of mid-range veteran free agents and see who can stick. We saw it in 2003 (DL/DB), 2007 (WR) and 2009 (CB) and now we’re seeing it on the defensive line.

The criticism of the Pats not being a dominant front 7 team was apt. They have great young linebackers but their defensive linemen were lacking after the losses of Richard Seymour, Jarvis Green and Ty Warren. The 2011 Patriots defensive line will have a new look in both alignment and players, let’s just hope the results are different too, especially on third down.