Interesting development in New England (1 Viewer)

[Aaron Rudnicki]

How did this happen? Two basic elements helped shut down the Bengal offense. First, the Patriots shifted from a base 3-4 defense to a quasi-base 4-3, which explains why Jarvis Green had three sacks and one forced fumble. In the 4-3, the Patriots played five defensive backs (including Troy Brown) and two linebackers (primarily Mike Vrabel and Rosevelt Colvin), making it actually a 5-2-4. The four down linemen helped slow down Rudi (14 carries, 65 yards, 41 of those yards in the first half).

Meanwhile, the nickel package in the secondary did perhaps the most important defensive job of the game, that being taking the vaunted Bengal receivers out of the game. Of special mention here is Hank Poteat, who shows up occasionally on the Patriot roster and seems to come up with big plays at the right time. He made three key defensive plays including one pass defensed. Poteat, along with Chad Scott and Brown, helped neutralize the strong Bengal pass attack.

http://www.patsfans.com/bob/display_story.php?story_id=3015According to this, the Patriots nickel package did not include Tedy Bruschi, but did include a pass rush specialist like Colvin. So, they basically had 5 down linemen, 1 LB (Vrabel), and 5 DBs (including Troy Brown).

I figured Bruschi was their best cover LB and would be unlikely to leave the field. I also figured Seau would be in for a good week against the Bengals running game but it looks like he barely played. Obviously, the Patriots are the type of team who will change their entire defense from week to week, so we can't read too much into this. But, I just thought it was interesting and worth passing along.

 

[Jene Bramel]

How did this happen? Two basic elements helped shut down the Bengal offense. First, the Patriots shifted from a base 3-4 defense to a quasi-base 4-3, which explains why Jarvis Green had three sacks and one forced fumble. In the 4-3, the Patriots played five defensive backs (including Troy Brown) and two linebackers (primarily Mike Vrabel and Rosevelt Colvin), making it actually a 5-2-4. The four down linemen helped slow down Rudi (14 carries, 65 yards, 41 of those yards in the first half).

Meanwhile, the nickel package in the secondary did perhaps the most important defensive job of the game, that being taking the vaunted Bengal receivers out of the game. Of special mention here is Hank Poteat, who shows up occasionally on the Patriot roster and seems to come up with big plays at the right time. He made three key defensive plays including one pass defensed. Poteat, along with Chad Scott and Brown, helped neutralize the strong Bengal pass attack.

http://www.patsfans.com/bob/display_story.php?story_id=3015According to this, the Patriots nickel package did not include Tedy Bruschi, but did include a pass rush specialist like Colvin. So, they basically had 5 down linemen, 1 LB (Vrabel), and 5 DBs (including Troy Brown).

I figured Bruschi was their best cover LB and would be unlikely to leave the field. I also figured Seau would be in for a good week against the Bengals running game but it looks like he barely played. Obviously, the Patriots are the type of team who will change their entire defense from week to week, so we can't read too much into this. But, I just thought it was interesting and worth passing along.

Good stuff.I think it was a tale of two halves, actually. In the first half, Tedy Bruschi played in some of what became a base 5-2-4 package (first downs, rushing downs), but went off on clear passing downs as it really looked as if the Pats wanted to pressure Palmer to protect their secondary. There were five coming on nearly every play.

I think your assessment is dead on. I think Bruschi is their best cover backer too. But there really wasn't anybody for Bruschi to cover yesterday -- the Bengals hardly ever throw to a TE or RB (without Perry around). I was begging for some more draw plays and screens at halftime yesterday -- never saw them.

 

[redman]

If anything this shows you how much the Pats' alignment is flexible depending upon their opponent and game situation. Pretty amazing that they can (and are willing to) change that adventurously.

 

[cracKer]

I think it was a tale of two halves, actually. In the first half, Tedy Bruschi played in some of what became a base 5-2-4 package (first downs, rushing downs), but went off on clear passing downs as it really looked as if the Pats wanted to pressure Palmer to protect their secondary. There were five coming on nearly every play.I think your assessment is dead on. I think Bruschi is their best cover backer too. But there really wasn't anybody for Bruschi to cover yesterday -- the Bengals hardly ever throw to a TE or RB (without Perry around). I was begging for some more draw plays and screens at halftime yesterday -- never saw them.

This is the formation that they opened with (4-3 nickel, Bruschi and Vrabel at LB). It amazes me that the Patriots are able to get away with this and you have to believe that at some point their lack of talent in the secondary will be exploited. How BB gets these guys to continually play above themselves is a true testament to the scheme.

 

[Jestefarean]

Green continues to have good weeks. Thoughts on him? Is he coming into his own, or just a good couple weeks?

 

[Jene Bramel]

Green continues to have good weeks. Thoughts on him? Is he coming into his own, or just a good couple weeks?

Production is entirely dependent on how much time they spend in the 4-3. He doesn't see the field otherwise. And Belichick is a master of doing the opposite of what you expect. There's going to be more 4-3 this season when compared to previous seasons until the corner situation settles down and Rodney Harrison/Tedy Bruschi enough prove healthy enough/are expendable enough in pass coverage/etc to handle the run responsibilities they once did in the 3-4 front.I'd have thought the Pats would've spent more time in the 4-3 last week -- little more pressure on Harrington, stack against Ronnie Brown -- but they used more 3-4 looks.