PFW: Why BB is Coach of the Year
PFW: Why BB is Coach of the Year
This year is neck and neck with 2001 and 2007 in terms of BB’s greatest coaching seasons, and we won’t know where it ranks until the end.
Let’s remember in 2001 he did it with a back up quarterback. Granted that quarterback ended up being Tom Brady, but at the time he wasn’t the legend he turned out to be yet. He also shut down one of the greatest offenses in history with a great game plan to win the Super Bowl.
2007 is close behind because it was an impossibly difficult schedule and they rewrote the record books. But by not winning the Super Bowl I can’t put that above the 2001 season.
I’m not sure if this season could top 2001 yet. What he’s done with such a young defense has been remarkable, but surely having Tom Brady has given them some leeway. Put a lesser quarterback on the Pats and they’d probably have lost at least three more games.
But the game plans and execution in 2010 have been nearly flawless as we’ve come down the stretch and this schedule has been just as difficult as 2007’s.
ProFootball Focus: Patriots vs. Bears Re-Focused
Here are some of the numbers that PFF graded for the Pats in their win over Da Bears.
Deion Branch (+3.1) continues to excel since coming over from Seattle, and he had his best grade of the year against the Bears (3.1). While many people struggled with footing, Branch used it to his advantage to make opposing corners slip on cuts as he collected eight balls for 151 yards.
While the Bears’ offensive line struggled, the Patriots line as a whole posted an across-the-board spectacular effort. The big strength came on the left side, where LT Matt Light (+4.0) and LG Logan Mankins (+5.3). Mankins in particular is hitting his stride, and approaching the form that has made him the most consistently good guard in the league since the start of the 2008 season.
Perhaps the Bears couldn’t establish the running game because of the Mack truck lined up in front of them. Vince Wilfork (+1.5) made sure the Bears had no room to run when they tried. He anchored himself in the snow nicely and wasn’t giving the Bears blockers any push off the line for the running game. In games like this, it’s imperative for your defensive linemen to eat up blockers so linebackers can focus more on their footing and finding the ball carrier. Wilfork did just that.
Rookie report
Patriots CB Devin McCourty was having another big game (+2.8) before he was forced to leave with an injury. … Jermaine Cunningham (-0.8) struggled getting pressure on the quarterback against a line known for giving up pressure. … TE Rob Gronkowski(+1.9) continues to see more time than fellow rookie TE Aaron Hernandez (49 snaps to 17) and had another solid game.
Random note
Tom Brady was only under pressure 9 times and posted a 63.2 quarterback rating and was sacked three times. When under no pressure his passer rating skyrocketed to 122.3.
Football Outsiders: Devin McCourty-Palooza
Wow, this is one of the most in depth articles you’ll find about a single player. These numbers just make it even more comical that so many fans and pundits were outraged the Pats passed on a passrusher for McCourty.
The reality that we now know is that none of the pass rushers who were drafted in the low first round would’ve made the same impact that McCourty has made. When you have a chance to take a potential shut down corner you take him, no matter what your needs are.
I try not to look to far ahead but the thought of Leigh Bodden and McCourty in 2011 has me salivating.
Blueprint to Beat the Patriots?
Usually it takes until after a good team that looks unbeatable gets beaten that we hear the “blueprint” song and dance, but this week NFL Network busts it out on the Patriots. Not that anyone actually believes there is a blueprint that the Packers minus Aaron Rodgers are capable of executing since they don’t have Peyton Hillis.
I’m going to let everyone in on a little secret. As someone who follows the Patriots as closely as anyone the blueprint to beating them is actually quite simple.
- Don’t Turn The Ball Over
- Force Turnovers
It’s really that simple. Of course it’s easier said than done, but the Patriots do not have a suffocating defense by any stretch of the imagination. They probably will in 2011, and definitely should by 2012, but right now in 2010 you can move the ball on them.
If/when the Patriots lose again you’ll see it coming because Brady will throw an interception, somebody will fumble, and the Pats defense won’t get any turnovers of their own.
Yes, as with any team, the key is running the ball on them like the Browns did. I chalk that performance by the Pats D up to just being a really bad day. Anyone who’s played sports knows that some days you just don’t have it. And that day in early November the Pats just didn’t have it. But generally the Patriots run defense has been solid despite what the statistics say.
But let’s remember that this weekend the Patriots starting down lineman in the 3-4 base defense, the one they use to stop the run, will likely feature Vince Wilfork with two rookies, Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick. There’s a chance we see Gerard Warren out there, but Ron Brace was concussed against the Bears and we haven’t seen Mike Wright or Myron Pryor in weeks.
The presence or absence of Warren could really be a huge factor in the game. Especially if Brace is out.
They’ll also be without their 3-4 Strong Inside Linebacker (aka the “Mike”) Brandon Spikes. So if ever there was a time that the Patriots might be a little weakened in their run defense this could be the game.
Even with Matt Flynn at the helm the Packers scare me. How many times have we seen a backup quarterback tear it up against our defense? Just off the top of my head I can remember the Eagles and Ravens in 2007, the Seahawks in 2008, the Panthers in 2009, and the Bills, Browns and Lions in 2010. Of course the Pats were 6-1 in those games but it was scary every time!
I don’t know how good Flynn is, but I’ve seen enough know that even backups can elevate their games against New England. So don’t take Rodgers sitting out as a sign it’s going to be an automatic domination.
There is a blueprint to beating the Pats, but it’s the blueprint to beating any good team. Don’t make mistakes.
Guess who was back at practice today? That’s right, McCourty. Just don’t ask who wasn’t… oh no big deal, just every impact defensive lineman we have except big Vince.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/guess-who-was-back-at-practice-today-thats/
