I know this game was a disaster but after re-watching a little bit I came away amazed with Mayo’s instincts. If you go back and look at the interception he dropped it was really an amazing play by Mayo, he faked the blitz then dropped right into the zone where the QB was about to throw the pass. This happened a couple times. I think Mayo is going to take the reigns as one of the top linebackers in the NFL.
Hey I found a tolerable way to rewatch the Patriots - Lions game… 28 seconds of time lapse photography from a distance.
I really enjoy Greg Bedard’s breakdowns of the games, he always finds some interesting nuggets. Here he timed how long the respective QBs had before pressure got to them. Some telling stuff throughout the article, but here’s one interesting nugget…
Why did the Patriots’ defense have zero pressure against Stafford and the other quarterbacks? For one, they didn’t bring much pressure. The Patriots blitzed the Buccaneers on 48.6 percent of dropbacks. Against the Lions, the Patriots blitzed 27.5 percent of time total (11 times on 40 dropbacks). Against Stafford, the percentage was even less (18.8 percent, 3 of 16).
As I spend more and more time trying to find the perfect 53 man roster it’s becoming clearer where the real competition for jobs will be. Here are the guys that I see in direct fights for roster spots. These will be great areas to watch against the Lions.
Darius Butler vs. Jonathan Wilhite: There have been some reports from camp that Butler has performed better in practice than he has in games. Some even going so far to say he’s had a really good camp. I’m not totally sold. I think he was better versus the Bucs, but I still lean Wilhite for the 4th CB slot.
Sergio Brown vs. James Ihedigbo: Leaning Brown here as the 4th safety/special teams guy. Showed up really well in limited action last year. I do like what Ihedigbo brings to the table, wish I could figure out a way for him to make the 53-man.
Eric Moore vs. Mark Anderson: Could see both of these guys make it, but I don’t think Moore is the lock he once was. Might come down to whether he or Anderson are more capable on special teams/run downs. I’d give Anderson the pass rush edge, but Moore seems more versatile by a nose.
Brandon Tate vs. Taylor Price: Most projections have both these guys making the roster, but I know a lot of people pause for thought on Tate given the new kickoff rules. I think both should make it, but another performance by Price showing he’s ready for primetime could put Tate even more in the cross-hairs.
A couple other interesting guys that are on the bibble in my view but should make it are Tracy White and Matthew Slater. Neither would have to be relied upon in non-Special Teams roles (hopefully). But they certainly are facing competition from guys like Malcolm Williams, Niko Koutivides and Jeff Tarpinian.
Ultimately I think BB values reliable veteran presences on special teams, hence I think White and Slater should stick.
