ProFootballFocus.com: Patriots ReFocused

Here are the stats from ProFootballFocus.com’s refocused segment this week. I used to love this site when it was free, now they just throw you these little bones. I like it, but not ‘willing to pay $60’ like it.

Check out Guyton’s coverage numbers. Evidence is building, could Dane Fletcher cut into Guyton’s playing time even more this week?

Patriots: Three performances of note

The Patriots were blessed by great pass protection from Sebastian Vollmer at left tackle last season and with Vollmer finding his feet at right tackle after the bye week (two pressures yielded in two games), the pressure will surely fall on Matt Light (-2.5) to improve after this performance. Light was terrorized by Antwan Barnes, playing in only his second game for the Chargers. Barnes was only in for 11 pass rushes but on those plays he was responsible for the sack and three pressures that Light surrendered. Light was left chasing Barnes on most of those plays, seemingly lacking the ability to contact Barnes early to neutralize the former Ravens and Eagles player.

Jerod Mayo has put a slow start in run defense to rest with three straight good games (+4.4 in run defense in that time frame) as he finally shows an ability and an intent to come downhill and take the game to the opposing run game. Mayo has registered 26 stops this season, one of the best numbers among LBs. Rookie Brandon Spikes brought this downhill physicality to the inside of the Patriots’ linebacker corps first, but Mayo now seems to be responding in kind.

For a nickel linebacker Gary Guyton (-4.4) was little short of atrocious in coverage in this game, found wanting both physically and in terms of awareness to cover the Chargers’ receiving threats between the numbers. Guyton allowed nine catches on the 11 passes into his coverage, yielding 97 yards and a touchdown on a tough day covering a multitude of receivers.

Rookie report

Aaron Hernandez (-1.7) was a contributor in the passing game again for New England (eight targets, five catches, 54 yards) but struggled as a run-blocker (-1.2). … Rob Gronkowski (-0.3) played 30 snaps to Hernandez’s 50 and struggled similarly in the run game (-1.2). … Brandon Deaderick (+0.1) made his second straight start and was much improved in his run defense this week (+0.5in comparison to -2.2 against Baltimore). … Jermaine Cunningham (+1.5) isn’t setting the world alight as a pass-rusher, but his consistency in run defense is refreshing (graded +0.4 or above in run D in every start). … Dane Fletcher (+0.1) saw more snaps than in his prior two games combined and impressed in coverage, snagging Darren Sproles for gains of only 5 and 2 yards on two receptions into his coverage. … Spikes (+0.4) had a quiet game in run defense after his outstanding display last week against Baltimore: only 22 snaps and a solitary tackle as the Chargers were passing most of the games. … Safety Sergio Brown (+2.0) saw his first defensive snaps of the season and impressed in coverage. He allowed catches on all four of his targets but allowed a long of 8 yards and a total of 16 yards. … Devin McCourty (+0.8) recorded his first career interception covering Patrick Crayton on a deep route and allowed only one catch on six targets. … Zoltan Mesko (-0.7) saw only one of his four punts returned.