Recent content by miDeuce

Hey guys, it's Mike D, just wanted to say thanks for posting this here and I appreciate all the really good discussion, including the smart counter arguments. PatsFans was the first place on the internet I started getting Pats obsessed and will always have a special place in my heart. So many...

The 3-4 will no longer be anything more than BB's teaching defense and only used in games in a handful of run-stopping situations as necessary. Nickel is the new base defense, they have multiple defensive backs on the field 70% of the time now. They essentially run a 2-5 "regular" package now...

I don't know whether to be pissed or proud of this. I first wrote a satirical take on this a month ago (link), and then last week in the lead up to the Dolphins game I tweeted out some of the updated stats again. Some of the Boston beat guys jumped on it and then it pops up in the Boston Globe...

I'd say being overly aggressive often gets you burned for big plays, i.e. unearned. Instead their philosophy is to be conservative, play within the defense, wrap up and tackle.

Never explicitly, but when you look at these figures along with the general lack of interest in blitzing much it's certainly the picture that is painted.

Thanks! I should specify that it needs to be updated with the stats of 2013 and 2014. BB has gotten away from cutting the sleeves, hasn't done it since 2013 vs. Saints. Nowadays he's all in on blue 1960 uncut. And for those who think I have too much time on my hands -- I've heard it a lot in...

The loss of Nick Underhill hurts as well. I really thought he picked up Bedard's slack last year and his Tuesday film analysis was really solid. So far Mark Daniels of the ProJo seems promising.

Seems like even the other beat reporters aren't quite sold on Volin either... Pats Propaganda, Sensing a trend...

It's certainly maddening to watch at times, but BB is a conservative defensive coach and would prefer to force the other team to beat him than to send an array of blitzes that could get torched like we've seen Brady torch Rex's Jets more times than not. I think the traditional...

This is true. More specifically the Pats are playing PRESS man now, where even last year against the Broncos they were playing primarily OFF man. PRESS is the toughest physical technique for a CB. They have to get hands on the WR and then match his route depending on what technique they're...

There are ways to beat man coverage just like they are ways to beat zone. The best defenses can mix and match. In the first Denver game the Pats played almost exclusively Cover 1 Robber or Cover 2 Man. It's a smart coverage vs. Peyton because it makes it more about his receivers getting open...

I don't really see the 3-4 being that prevalent anymore, only in specific situations like in Denver last year where they whipped it up on the fly after getting gashed by Tebow. They just don't have the 5-techs anymore. Deaderick is the closest thing. Outside of him it's basically nosetackles and...

That is a credentialed member of the media. The vest is what shows that he's legit. It's probably somebody recording for a show like Patriots All Access. They always have their own cameramen on the sidelines. Also there's no more signals to be taped now that defensive players have wireless...

As I said in the twitter debate last night I think it's a stretch to think Fletch is going to be a base 3-4 OLB. I view his strengths as speed and sure tackling, and these make him a great fit as a sub defense linebacker. We saw a lot of him as a spy early on, with occasional blitzing, and he...

Thanks to Ian for allowing us a little self-promotion, as Erik and I are excited to announce that Mike Reiss will be joining our podcast this Sunday. There are many great, insightful fans here so we wanted to open the door to any questions you'd love to hear Reiss' take on. Please post them...