Super Nomario said:
I think you're unfairly down on a secondary which, "Badley" Fletcher aside, has been OK, and unreasonably up on an interior DL that's looked putrid so far and frankly doesn't have much proven talent. I mean, we all liked the Malcom Brown pick, but he's a lot less established than Tarell Brown is.
It's tough to beat anyone on the ground, but the Jets made a good go of it in Foxboro last year with 218 yards en route to 25 points in perhaps the defense's worst performance all season. That shortened the game, too, which is a danger for the superior team - a game where each team only gets eight or nine possessions and the Pats screw one or two up with a turnover or mistake is a recipe for an upset. The run D is less of an issue if the Pats get out in front (which has happened the last two weeks), but it could be a problem if they let a team hang around.
Do we know what Siliga's off-season surgery was? He hasn't been great against the run or the double-team yet but my impression is that he was better at just this aspect of the game in years past? Is there any reasonable expectation that he's going to get better. Additionally, It is my impression that it's easier to find a one-dimensional run suffer to play in passing downs than it is to find a competent CB to play in nickel D -- perhaps that is off base. They did just this with Siliga of all people two seasons ago where as fixing CB has required big moves. I wonder if they're hoping Coleman can be the #3 come the end of the year.
It also seems in the small sample size where I've been able to diagnose what went wrong on a running play that whenever there's been a big run it's been
1) Nink/Jones not setting the edge -- this seems like an anomaly not likely to last, and if it does I expect Sheard to just get more playing time because he's been a beast against the run to my eye
or
2) Collins/Mayo hitting the wrong gap. Clearly it's better if guys up front win their battles and there is no gap but I'm hoping this is just early season rust for the LBs.
Mayo has also looked slow/poor to me and my expectation is that he will get better. Too bad Spikes hit the deer.
Having said all that, Kyed and Bruschi also expressed significant concern about the run game. So, your point compounded by their agreement is duly noted. Also agree about T. Brown > M. Brown. My concern at secondary comes down to nickel corner and depth.
