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Patriots show 4-3 Under Defense vs. Jaguars

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I was up well into the wee hours of the morning last night researching the defense that the Patriots showed against the Jaguars in their first preseason, and I’ve uncovered a lot of interesting information. Now I don’t claim that this is the defense that they fully intend on running during the regular season. Whatever they plan on doing this was just a basic vanilla version of it. But based on what we saw last night it looks like the Patriots are moving from a 3-4 to a 4-3 Under defense.

The 4-3 Under is an interesting defense, and having dedicated that past few years getting to know the Fairbanks-Bullough 3-4 I’m kind of excited to tackle a new system.

The 4-3 Under has it roots with Monte Kiffin at Nebraska in the 70’s where he won a National Championship with it. It’s also the defense that Pete Carroll has run for his entire career after learning it from Kiffin. So for pre-Super Bowl band wagon Patriots fans, you’ve seen this before in the late-90’s.

The 4-3 Under is known to be possibly the best pass rushing base defense, but also to be stout against the run. It can be run from one-gap or two gap principals, and knowing the Patriots their version is likely to be a mixture of both. It is perfect in it’s simplicity and allows players to play fast and aggressive without over-thinking.

Let’s take a look at some diagrams:

Now you’ll notice some slight tweaks to what the Pats are doing above compared to the 4-3 under diagram, notably that they interior gap responsibilities have been flipped and they’re a little more spread out due to the fact that the Jags are in a 3-WR set, but otherwise the Patriots ran the 4-3 Under exclusively on early downs.

The most obvious advantage of this defense is that there are really only two traditional defensive lineman, and five athletic linebacker-types. This formation also has a straight up pass rusher on every down from the RDE spot.

Let’s discuss how specific players will fit into the roles in this defense.

  • This defense will make it hard to double team both Albert Haynesworth* and Vince Wilfork, assuring at least one of them has a one on one match-up every down. Me likey.
  • As we’ve said before Jerod Mayo will be completely protected at the WLB spot (where we saw Guyton last night). He should make another buttload of tackles.
  • Jermaine Cunningham is really one of the biggest keys now to the defense. Being the strong side defensive end he will have to line up head on against a tackle, but also face a constant threat of a down block from the tight end. That’s why you saw Cunningham in a four point stance, he’ll have to stay low and battle. The Strong DE is the key to stopping the run, and Cunningham will have to be extremely stout at the point of attack. He won’t be pass rushing as a lot of people might’ve expected after last season, and that’s probably why he hasn’t flashed a lot in training camp thus far. But the good news is that when the offense does go strong to the other side he’s a solid enough pass rush guy they’ll be able to bring pressure with him. Clearly the Pats chose him over Ty Warren for that spot for the pass rush he can bring.
  • At the other side will be the Weak Defensive End and his job is to rush the passer almost exclusively. The only thing that can’t happen is for him to get hooked and lose contain.
  • We all saw what Dane Fletcher did from the MLB spot last night. Now imagine what Brandon Spikes will do there. Wow. However the 4-3 Under is susceptible to pass in the middle zone, Spikes being able to instantly read play action and drop into coverage in the middle flat will be a huge developmental step that he will need to take.
  • If Gary Guyton is going to be the Strong Side Linebacker in this defense we’ll need a huge year out of him. He will be playing on the line where you see Ninkovich above. This is a hugely important position as he’ll be pretty much taking on the tight end every down. I wonder if Ninkovich is still in contention for this spot as well.
  • Patrick Chung will make a ton of tackles in this defense as well. He is another one of the key people for this system to run correctly.
  • It will also take advantage of stout, physical corners like McCourty, Bodden and Dowling.

If you had to generalize why the Patriots are moving to this defense (assuming this is really what they’re moving to) the simple explanation is that they want to get more athletes, more speed and more pass rush on the field for all downs.

The biggest question will be whether or not they can stop the run consistently from this formation. They are clearly giving something up in the run defense department as we saw last night, though I expect Wilfork and Haynesworth* to be hugely effective in causing havoc on the interior line.

My early feeling is that against a run heavy team they’d remain in the 4-3 Under but go with bigger stouter defensive ends. That will depend on how well Jermaine Cunningham can win at the point of attack.

I know BB thinks it’s a media fabrication about him changing defensive fronts but it’s obvious that changes have been made to the base defense, and the evolution of BB D 2.0 has clearly taken a new turn.

Top 5 Patriots things to watch vs. Jaguars

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And just like that Patriots football is back tomorrow. Of course the Boston media will enjoy overanalyzing every play of the preseason as if it’s some sort of predictor of how things will shake out in the regular season. Anyone who remembers the 0-4 2008 preseason knows how that goes. No one in a million years would’ve thought we’d win 11 games with Matt Cassel after that preseason.

For a game plan specific team like the Pats you really can’t read too much of anything into preseason performance. I’d call the schemes and plays the Pats will run “vanilla” but I like vanilla ice cream too much. The Pats aren’t going to tip their hand to anything they plan to do in the regular season, but they will want to be strong in their fundamentals and base plays.

So here’s what I’ll be watching tomorrow night.

1. Defensive Scheme: you can bet this is one area that will be beaten to death after this game. While the Pats will try to keep as much of their planned defensive tweaks close to the vest they will need players to get experience running a new front. I expect to see some of this 4-3 front we’ve been hearing about, but I also expect it to be as basic as they can make it. This is probably good for us as it will be a bare bones view of what changes are coming. We should also see a lot of basic nickel and dime packages running simple man and zone coverages. Players who are exposed when things are this straight forward can hardly be counted on when complicated game plans are installed.

2. Rookies:As expected it’s been a rough training camp for rookies. Both Ras-I Dowling and  Shane Vereen haven’t been seen on the field since their first and second practices respectively. But there are a handful of rookies left that I am excited to see in game conditions. They are:

  • Stevan Ridley: Ridley has been one of the most consistent Pats at practice, hasn’t missed any time, and has impressed with his receiving skills. He should get a lot of carries.
  • Lee Smith: Smith has also been a bright spot of camp so far. It’s hard to say definitively if he made Alge Crumpler expendable, but Smith has shown better than expected receiving skills, and as-advertised blocking skills.
  • Nate Solder: I think they’re going to throw Solder right in the fire to see how he does. Can’t wait to see how the big fella looks out there.
  • Ryan Mallett: Mallett has a ways to go, but I’m most interested to see his rifle arm in live NFL action. Expect him to rocket a short pass or two that drill his intended receivers in the chest.

3. Development of 2nd/3rd year players: The key to the Patriots Super Bowl hopes will depend largely on the development of many 2nd and 3rd year players. The guys I’ll have my eyes on the most:

  • Butler vs. Wilhite: In nearly every 53-man roster prediction it comes down to one or the other. Based on what I saw last year I lean Wilhite though Butler still has a lot of fans for his high ceiling. It will be interested to see how they’re being used.
  • Patrick Chung: As anyone who reads this blog knows I loves me some Patchung!. After a full year  as a starter I expect to see even more out of Chung this year, hopefully he’ll emerge as a real leader of the secondary.
  • Brandon Tate vs. Taylor Price: I think Tate’s spot is safe for what he brings on kickoff returns but it sounds like Price has had a great camp. If the Pats like someone else as a kickoff returner and Price outperforms Tate as a WR could it make Tate expendable?

4. Brady/Ochocinco Chemistry: It’s still early and I’d prefer to keep how they truly plan to use Chad a secret like they did with Moss in 2007 (thanks to a hamstring tweak for Moss), but it will be interesting to see how this relationship is developing. I’ll tell you what, one dropped easy catch and the Boston media will be all over Chad like white on rice.

5. Gostkowski: You can’t understate the effect that losing Gostkowski’s kick off distance had on field position last year. It sounds like he’s completely healthy, but seeing a booming kickoff that goes deep into the end zone would be a nice reassurance that The Ghost is back.

Players I’m disappointed we probably won’t see:

  • Brandon Deaderick – picking up where he left off last year, and that’s not a good thing. Needs to get back asap if he wants to keep his job.
  • Albert Haynesworth – not too worried about him… yet. I’m just excited to see him and Wilfork dominating together. Patience…
  • Ron Brace – Could be in real danger of getting cut if he doesn’t get out there soon.
  • Ras-I Dowling – Still don’t know how the Pats plan to use him.
  • Josh Barrett – Pats were using him as a Safety/Linebacker hybrid.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDnbNLAkFx0

Patrick Chung Highlights

The quality of this video early on isn’t too great but it gets better, as do the highlights. Going into 2010 no one knew for sure what we’d get out of Chung. I was predicting big things for him, and had it not been for a injury against the Chargers, he would’ve exceeded what even I predicted for him.

I truly hope that the fans and Chung himself are able to forget the little botched fake punt in the playoffs, which was undoubtedly devastating. But I applaud the balls that Chung demonstrated in making the call. But if you make the call you gotta make the play, and he didn’t. But we’re moving on and I think he’ll be even better in 2011 in a variety of roles at all levels of the defense.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/patrick-chung-highlights-the-quality-of-this/

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SS Patrick Chung — Chung proved he was a special-teams playmaker in 2010, and the third-year pro could be primed for a big season in the Patriots’ defensive backfield in ‘11. He started 13 games last season and had three picks, including an interception returned for a score. Chung might be ready to take his play to the next level, assuming he can improve in coverage. The Patriots need to improve upon last year’s 30th ranking in pass defense, and a breakthrough campaign by Chung could help make that happen. He is generally better in the box and has been used on blitzes, but Chung could take the athleticism he has displayed near the line of scrimmage and on special teams to the passing defense as well. Chung’s days of being overlooked by his Pro Bowl safety mate Brandon Meriweather could be over. Someone on New England’s defense needs to take the next step to get New England back to the Super Bowl, and it could be Chung’s turn.

Pro Football Weekly

https://www.patspropaganda.com/ss-patrick-chung-chung-proved-he-was-a/

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Why the Patriots will win the AFC

The brilliant Bs — Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. The coach and the quarterback have already combined to win three Super Bowls. Neither has lost his fastball and both are driven to get back to the top.

Offensive firepower — The Patriots led the NFL in scoring last season, averaging 32.4 points per game. Brady has an array of targets like wide receivers Wes Welker and Deion Branch, and tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The addition of rookie running backs Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen could make the offense even more potent.

Rising talent — Linebacker Jerod Mayo, cornerback Devin McCourty, and safeties Brandon Meriweather and Patrick Chung are all young, smart, and improving. The Patriots’ defense will make more big plays.
Super Bowl edge

It’s hard to repeat, but it’s easier when you’re as good as the Packers. Rodgers and company will be too much for the Patriots.

Sporting News

Hopefully since we haven’t had free agency yet the Pats can sign some players who won’t let the Packers be too much in the Super Bowl.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/why-the-patriots-will-win-the-afc-the-brilliant/

Brady and Patriots get their group workout on

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Maybe it’s just my lockout depression but I’m having a hard time really caring about the Pats all working out together. I think the Patriots are arguably the best prepared team to deal with a prolonged lockout especially if games are missed.

There aren’t major free agency questions, they have a coaching staff and systems that have long been in place, and they really shouldn’t have to be overly reliant on rookies. 

So they’re working out together. Great. A good bunch of them have been working out together all off-season. Brady’s there now, that’s good for the young guys, but most of the team are self-starters anyways so I’m sure one way or another everyone has been working out, staying in shape, and doing their best to stay football sharp.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to know they’re all together and building some team camaraderie. But I’m not one of those people clamoring for them to make a media spectacle of it, or have t-shirts made or any of that stuff like a certain other team.

The best news to come out of today is:

There are between 40-60 players in attendance, including several rookies (Nate Solder, Ras-I Dowling, Shane Vereen and Ryan Mallett).

It appears just about every starter is in attendance, including Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Jerod Mayo, Devin McCourty, Rob Gronkowski, Patrick Chung, BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Also of note: Ty Warren, Mike Wright and Aaron Hernandez are working out. Warren and Wright ended the season on the disabled list, and Hernandez had post-season hip surgery. This is the first group football activity for them in some time.

Having those injured guys back out there is really good to hear, especially in Wright’s case since most people fail to acknowledge him at all when they get into the “Patriots pass rush sucks” observations. Would be nice to know if Myron Pryor was back yet for the same reasons.

I’m sure this will be the talk of all things Patriots on the internet for the next couple days. Hopefully we hear more about the formerly-injured and rookies that were in attendance. Otherwise, it’s like mini-camp without pictures which is hard for me to get too pumped up about, because who knows when football will even start for real.

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Patriots Draft Flashback: Patrick Chung

The Pats clearly weren’t in love with too many guys in 2009, at least not enough to spend a first round pick on any of them. I remain a huge Patrick Chung fan, despite that lil’ mishap in the playoff game. He should have a huge season in 2011.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-draft-flashback-patrick-chung-the-pats/