Defensive end Green will give it a go
FOXBOROUGH -- Like passes from Peyton Manning's record-setting arm, the questions about how the Patriots intend to slow down the Indianapolis Colts were flying at Bill Belichick yesterday.
The Patriots coach spoke of the importance of disguising defensive looks to corral the Colts' prolific passing attack, which averaged 288.9 yards per game and accounted for 51 touchdowns during the regular season before torching the Denver Broncos for 457 yards and four touchdowns last Sunday. But Patriots defensive end Jarvis Green offered a more straightforward solution to the Peyton Problem.
"Each week, we talk about pressuring the quarterback," said Green. "It's the biggest game of the year, and we have to do that, because if we don't, it's going to be a long day for us."
Green is an expert on the subject. The last time these teams met in the playoffs, he made it a long day for Manning (23 of 47, four interceptions, four sacks, 35.5 rating in last year's AFC Championship game). The reserve lineman from Louisiana State came off the bench to bring Manning down three times -- Green officially was credited with 2 1/2 sacks -- and record a season-high six tackles in the Patriots' 24-14 victory.
"I just took the opportunity to go out there and make plays," said Green. "I saw my chance as far as the way they were blocking and what was going on. At the same time, we all played well. The secondary was getting on the receivers and we were also applying a lot of pressure and it all helped."
With Pro Bowl defensive end Richard Seymour nursing a left knee injury, the Patriots may need Green, who finished second to Seymour on the team in sacks among defensive linemen this season with 4, to reprise that performance. However, that's easier said than done.
This season, the Colts surrendered just 14 sacks in 526 pass attempts, tying Green Bay for the league low. Manning, who threw an NFL-record 49 touchdown passes, was sacked just 13 times in 497 pass attempts. When the teams met in the first game of the season Sept. 9, the Patriots sacked Manning just once, but they made it count. Willie McGinest's sack in the closing moments pushed Mike Vanderjagt into deep field goal range, and the Indianapolis kicker missed a 48-yard attempt that would have tied the game. Instead, the Patriots walked off with a 27-24 victory.
Last Sunday, the Broncos got to Manning just once in 33 attempts and were routed, 49-24.
"It's real tough," said Green, who has 8 1/2 career sacks. "They're a timing offense and you have to get to him. It's tough to get back there, but you have to keep working. The offensive line, they do a great job."
Green is sure to get more respect from the Colts than he got in last season's playoff showdown. Despite starting just one game this season -- the regular-season finale against San Francisco in place of Seymour -- the 6-foot-3-inch, 290-pounder had the most productive season of his three-year career, with season-highs in sacks (4) and tackles (21), plus three fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown against Baltimore. "I'm developing as a player and getting better as far as getting the scheme down, and I'm seeing more things out there and just growing when I'm out there on the field getting experience and playing time," said Green.
Fellow LSU alums Randall Gay, Eric Alexander, and Marquise Hill had an accelerated learning curve with New England's defensive scheme because of its resemblance to the one the Tigers used under Nick Saban, but it's taken Green a little longer to grasp the system. Green, who celebrates his 26th birthday today, played just two seasons under Saban before being picked by New England in the fourth round of the 2002 draft. Green said he enjoys the camaraderie with the other LSU players on the team, including running back Kevin Faulk and quarterback Rohan Davey, both of whom he played with in college. The Thibodaux, La., native said he also is friendly with some of the Bayou Boys on the Colts, including Manning and receivers Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley."It's fun," said Green. "We're out there playing against each other. But at the same time we know we come from the same state, the same way of life." The Patriots would love to see Green have his way with the Colts' offensive line again, but duplicating last year's sack total won't be on his mind come Sunday.
"When I come out, I don't come out trying to get two or three sacks," said Green. "It's just playing play after play and concentrating on the play at hand."
Now that's an answer Belichick would be proud of. 