2014

Like I usually do with a loss, I like to go back and take a closer look immediately and then put it behind us. What can you say about this game? It was pretty much like all season openers go, especially in the division.

We all remember wins over the Bills in 2009 and 2013 that were just about miracles, and 2009 was at home. Or how about the 2012 loss at home to the Cardinals who wouldn’t win another road game all year.

The month of September is always good for at least one Pats stinker and let’s hope this one was it. And really, this could’ve very well been the toughest divisional game they’ll play all year.

The September stinker might tell you where some of the team’s weaknesses are right now, but the result won’t tell you much about where this team will be at the end of the season.

One loss and a lot of the pundits want to change the scheme or criticize the moves of the offseason. The truth is this was just a sloppy football game in tough conditions, but there was plenty to like about this team and plenty to build on.

Give me sound tackling and a few less avoidable penalties and this is a different game. 

Here are some things that stuck out to me on the rewatch:

Easley played up and down the left side of the defensive line, from 0-technique to 3- and 5- technique, including the only DT on pass rush third down package. At least until Buchanan comes back it seems like he’s their top DPR. Getting Chris Jones back should help manage some of his snaps. But I saw good explosion and disruption from him considering this was his first game action in over a year and first NFL game. I continue to be excited about what he’ll do.

Plenty of 34/43 talk today, but it’s all semantics and the same guys playing no matter if they are standing or have a hand in the dirt. The thing to analyze is where those guys are playing. Chandler Jones at 5-tech is questionable, but he showed he can get to the QB from that spot, he just can’t hit them in the head.

The schematic change was Ninkovich at SOLB and Hightower at WOLB in more of a pass rush role. Ninkovich was coming off in sub-packages and only played 35 of 74 snaps. Is this more a statement about Ninkovich or Hightower? I’m not sure. But Hightower flashed a few times in this new role despite some sizable errors as well.

Solder, Vollmer, Devey, Cannon – they were all bad and sometimes they were beat on simple stunts that should not be a problem to pick up. That goes to communication and experience, both of which were lacking with some many guys rotating and changing positions. They need to find what works and stick with it.

I don’t think there is any question Stork gets a shot at center once he’s healthy. All options must be on the table. I think Devey was out of his league yesterday.

I have my concerns that Mayo is going to struggle moving back inside like we saw in 2009. He seemed less effective having to get off blocks, something the entire defense struggled with. Again, that’s something that will be better as conditioning and experience improve.

I like Joe Vellano’s hustle but he cannot hold the point of attack. The Wilfork/Siliga combo inside is intriguing in base but they’re going to have to be better stopping the run from their sub defense.

Speaking of Siliga, I loved the burst and strength I saw out of him. Once he gets that cast off he should be even more effective, but I thought he was a bright spot.

There was a rotating door at safety, using Arrington and Ryan in over-the-top coverage. McCourty the FS. Harmon (4 snaps only), Chung (47 snaps) in box, even Wilson (22 snaps) all saw time. I think this is BB using his smarter corners in off coverage where they can pattern read and jump routes. The traditional strong safety is a dying breed.

Pats were in “base” 42% of the snaps. They’ve been between 31-40% the last four seasons. It would seem like they’re trying to go back toward more base, at least after one game (which admittedly could be an outlier).

Revis should’ve had a pass defended on the touchdown he gave up. Great play by receiver to hold on to ball. Revis was smooth and in position all afternoon. Hard to find much fault with him, sometime the other team just make great plays to beat great players.

Dennard/Butler gave up some catches, but were feisty and right there. It would appear that Dennard is now firmly over Arrington as an outside corner. Let’s hope he stays healthy.

There were blown tackles everywhere, a sign of how much less tackling there is in training camp. It’s something that will be fixed so I’m not too worried. It was just so frustrating to see guys almost stopped in the backfield only to squirm out of the tackle and pick up positive (and one time scoring) yardage.

LaFell had a bad game but it’s tough to be the new receiver when the QB isn’t trusting the protection. The Pats severely lacked what he and Dobson should be bringing to the party.

Where was Amendola? This is something to monitor. For whatever reason it seems like Brady just doesn’t find him. 

I thought the Pats hid Chung in coverage pretty well. Clearly he brings an attitude and some physicality. It seems almost an attempt to offset some of the loss of Brandon Spikes.

The simplest criticism: Get off blocks, make tackles. Everyone on defense struggled to disengage, especially in the run game. And even when they did, they tended to miss the tackle.

It’s not what anyone wants to hear because it’s not sexy, but everyone just needs to play better. They’re all capable of getting off blocks and wrapping up their tackles, they just weren’t prepared to do it in Miami for whatever reason.

The run defense down the middle will continue to be a spot to watch as Jamie Collins is athletic in space but is not a downhill presence in the run game. He also looked out of gas at the end of the game when the Pats gave up the last long touchdown drive.

As for the offense, the line has to be better. There’s still a lot of talent there and I expect this game to be a good kick in the pants that they need.