Reiss: Patriots Defensive Trends

[JSn]

Patriots defensive trends - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

Along with Josh's PC, this might be the weeks most interesting bit of reporting (besides the impending signing of Ty Law and Junior Seau ).

Very nice breakdown of our defense.

Excerpt:

• Adalius Thomas is part of every personnel package, as no defender has played more (99 percent of the team's snaps). He is one of two players who has been spotted leading the defensive huddle, along with Mike Vrabel (81 percent). While he's an outside linebacker in the base 3-4, he will play off the line at times in sub packages.
  
• Jerod Mayo has scaled what was supposed to be a steep learning curve for a rookie linebacker in the Patriots' defense. He's been a starter from Day 1, playing more than any defender other than Adalius Thomas and James Sanders (93 percent), and leads the team in tackles (65).

Jerod may well be a lock for DROY. My question is, can a rookie win DPOTY?

 

[signbabybrady]

Jerod may well be a lock for DROY. My question is, can a rookie win DPOTY?

I dont see why not.

But I am also pretty sure Mayo isn't playing like the best defensive player in the confrence.

 

[JSn]

I dont see why not.

But I am also pretty sure Mayo isn't playing like the best defensive player in the confrence.

Maybe not, but he might be the only guy left by the end of the year, hehe.

 

[Rob0729]

Mayo looks to be almost a sure bet for DROY, but DPOTY? Let's not go overboard. There are plenty of guys who are ahead of him in that race. I think Joey Porter would be defensive player of the year for the AFC East (if not the NFL).

A rookie can win DPOTY, but I am guessing he won't.

 

[BradyManny]

Mayo looks to be almost a sure bet for DROY, but DPOTY? Let's not go overboard. There are plenty of guys who are ahead of him in that race. I think Joey Porter would be defensive player of the year for the AFC East (if not the NFL).

A rookie can win DPOTY, but I am guessing he won't.

Yeah, DROY is one thing. But Mayo isn't the best defensive player on his team. Mayo's made his fair share of rookie mistakes, to be expected, yes, but it's important to remember just that - he is a rookie. I doubt he makes the Pro Bowl this season, for instance. But so far, DROY is within his sights.

Adalius is the Defensive MVP on our squad so far

 

[JSn]

Yeah, DROY is one thing. But Mayo isn't the best defensive player on his team. Mayo's made his fair share of rookie mistakes, to be expected, yes, but it's important to remember just that - he is a rookie. I doubt he makes the Pro Bowl this season, for instance. But so far, DROY is within his sights.

Adalius is the Defensive MVP on our squad so far

I wasn't really aiming to send the convo that way, lol.

Anyway, those breakdowns are interesting. Do you guys see Bruschi phasing out this year or playing again next year?

 

[Ice Cold Bruschi]

He's already been phased out this year since Guyton is taking the majority of his snaps

 

[BradyManny]

I wasn't really aiming to send the convo that way, lol.

Anyway, those breakdowns are interesting. Do you guys see Bruschi phasing out this year or playing again next year?

LOL, fair enough - I've never found a tangent I'm not willing to go on and derail a good thread. I very much enjoyed Reiss' breakdown.

As for Bruschi - I'm not sure I'm qualified to give my opinion on him b/c every time I count him out, he comes back and has a good game or makes some plays. He had his best game of the year against the Rams and was all over the place.

But, what I found interesting in Reiss breakdown is the fact that last year, his role was going to be the WILB on running downs. Now he's playing SILB on running downs, and he has looked physically overmatched at times. I've long read on this site that WILB is the better fit for him. My guess is Guyton continues to have a larger role this season and into next, and Bruschi just becomes good depth and a rotationally player at either ILB position.

 

[satz]

Brushi is part of our base 3-4 .Guyton is part of the sub package which we run against coverage package. so depending on matchup he gets snaps.

i am always confused when bru is claimed to be bad when he is in running downs and we have been doing good against the run. yet the coverage lb gets no bad rep when we are not good against the pass.

 

[BradyManny]

Brushi is part of our base 3-4 .Guyton is part of the sub package which we run against coverage package. so depending on matchup he gets snaps.

i am always confused when bru is claimed to be bad when he is in running downs and we have been doing good against the run. yet the coverage lb gets no bad rep when we are not good against the pass.

It's worth noting that Guyton did play in the base D vs. the Colts. As I mentioned in the other thread, that may have a lot to do w the Colts going no huddle.

As for the coverage LBs vs. the pass - it really hasn't been the issue so much. A) I'd hesitate to say we're not good against the pass, the defense overall has been effective all season save for two games B) The damage isn't coming against Guyton, and save for a few rookie mistakes, is not coming against Mayo. Nor is it coming against Adalius when he drops into coverage. Harrison was giving up a lot of completions to the slot receiver and TEs, and Wilhite was continuing that difficultly vs. the Colts. In any defense, there will be an area where the opposing offense has a chance to strike - you can't cover the entire field all the time.

 

[mgteich]

Bruschi will be in the leat year of his contract in 2009. I see no reason to cut him. He is valuable as a veteran backup, or as a contributer is various formations. we should ahve Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi and one more for 2009. The one more would replace Alexander. I'm not sure why Alexander isn't on IR now.

Anyway, those breakdowns are interesting. Do you guys see Bruschi phasing out this year or playing again next year?

 

[Fencer]

Bruschi will be in the leat year of his contract in 2009. I see no reason to cut him. He is valuable as a veteran backup, or as a contributer is various formations. we should ahve Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi and one more for 2009. The one more would replace Alexander. I'm not sure why Alexander isn't on IR now.

I think Bruschi will be good enough to be a backup on this team for at least 2 1/2 more seasons. I also think he'll play for as long as he's good enough to be a backup.