new england patriots

While I’ve been blogging about the Pats since the 2007 season this was the first time I really took the time to re-watch the games to try and crack the defensive code of what exactly the Patriots do on defense.

You can look over at the column on the right to see where I recorded snap percentages, my interpretations of defensive game plans, and a rough note of what formations were used. Look, I don’t claim that any of it is one hundred percent airtight accurate, but when you look at the entire body of work you start to understand a lot of things that most Patriots fans don’t see when they just watch the game once.

When you lack a lot of three down players in your front seven you have to become a team of specialization. What made previous Patriots teams so good was that players like Mike Vrabel, Willie McGinest, and Richard Seymour were so versatile they could play every down, pass or run. The fact that they were big, physical players certainly helped.

Now the Patriots lack players like that, outside of Jerod Mayo, Vince Wilfork and maybe Gerard Warren who was versatile more out of necessity due to injuries than being  versatile. While Jermaine Cunningham could project as a three down OLB down the road, there doesn’t appear to be much more versatility in the defensive front seven. You can go right down the line and categorize every other player as a run or pass player.

Of course there will always be specialists. Ted Johnson was the Brandon Spikes of old. Roman Phifer was the Gary Guyton of old. But really where you’d love to have the versatility is with your defensive ends and outside linebackers, who can hopefully be interchangeable to some extent.

Much is made that the Pats play a 3-4 defense and that influences what players they’ll consider when drafting. Well there’s a lot more to it than that.

• This overall Patriots system, which is much more than just a 3-4 defense, requires intelligent players who understand how to read and react. 
• Players who can only get upfield are not ideal fits.
• Lineman need to be able to hold their ground against multiple blockers. That is priority one.
• OLBs must must must be able to drop into coverage.

So while everyone’s talking about needing an outside linebacker or defensive end, take into consideration that versatility is really the key ingredient especially when you’re talking about first or second round picks.

Jermaine Cunningham didn’t exactly light the world on fire in 2010, but he was solid in both the run game and pass game, playing what is arguably the hardest position to play in the Patriots defense as a rookie. Look for a big jump from him in 2011.

Similar to the tight ends on the other side of the ball, the OLBs must be physical enough to hold their ground and defeat tackles, while also having the agility to jam and cover tight ends. So it’s not really a secret why the Pats haven’t been able to find the next Vrabel or McGinest yet. Those players don’t grow on trees.

The Pats were only in their 3-4 defense for less than half the snaps of 2010 as again, it’s really only used to stop the run. So it’s important to consider their nickel and dime defenses when considering what personnel to add.

The problem with the sub defenses arose again from their lack of versatility in the defensive front seven. Because their sub package lineman like Mike Wright, Myron Pryor, and later Landon Cohen were much more suited for pass rush the Pats were often victimized by sub runs. Of course the injuries to Wright and Pryor magnified the problem. And a player like Ty Warren would’ve been a big help in those regards. Let’s remember Vince Wilfork wasn’t a three down lineman until this year.

The other problem with so much specialization is that it hurts how much disguise you can do. If TBC was in the game, teams knew the Pats were less prepared to stop the run. If Rob Ninkovich was in they knew the Pats were thinking run.

One area of specialization that I would like to touch on is that of the DPR (designated pass rusher). When most people say the Pats need to address OLB in the draft what they’re really talking about is a DPR. They want someone who’s sole job is to get after the quarterback. 

This year, with so many draft picks I think BB should really consider spending a high pick on someone who might not have the coverage skills yet to play OLB, but is relentless getting after the quarterback. 

When you look at the DPRs from 2010 you had Cunningham, Shawn Crable, then finally Eric Moore. Tully Banta-Cain could fall into this category as well, though the others stayed only in that role when they had it (cunningham obviously moved on the playing some 3-4 OLB). Hand-down as a left defensive end in nickel and dime packages. We all know the Patriots struggles with getting after the quarterback, I think the time is now to address this spot once and for all.

So as you begin to read mock drafts and research the draft take all this into consideration. Think about everything that a potential player will do for the Patriots. Will he just be a DPR, or is he a four down player like Devin McCourty?

This draft is an important one. As I’ve said since last year the 2011 draft will be a huge part of setting up another dynastic run.