Spotlight returns to defense
An understudy in 2007, unit plays starring role
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Outscore your opponents by an average of nearly 20 points per game and people will forget about your defense.
Which is exactly what happened last year during the Patriots' scoring blizzard of 2007. While the offense put up an NFL-record 589 points, the defense quietly went about its business. But lose your starting quarterback, the face of your franchise, and suddenly the defense finds a way back into the limelight.
And, as elder statesman Rodney Harrison suggested after yesterday's gritty 19-10 triumph over the New York Jets, this team's success always has been predicated on defense.
"Up until last year, we weren't an offense that came in and scored [37] points per game," said Harrison. "We know how to win close games. We know how to fight, how to claw."
That's what the Patriots did yesterday at the Meadowlands. The defense bent, but did not break, and came up with big plays when they needed them.
Exhibit 1: The goal-line stand.
The Jets faced first and goal at the 3 during a second-quarter drive, but Thomas Jones was stopped short of the end zone on three consecutive rushes (the final two stops coming courtesy of Harrison and Richard Seymour, respectively) and the Jets settled for Jay Feely's 21-yard field goal that kept the Patriots out front, 6-3.
"I think it was more of a confidence booster for us," said Harrison. "We needed that because that's where we struggled last year. Really being able to go out there and have the proper communication and being able to make a couple of plays down there was huge for us."
Exhibit 2: Brandon Meriweather's interception.
The Patriots were clinging to that 6-3 lead early in the second half when the second-year safety snared a Brett Favre offering for his first career interception to set up a short field. Six plays later, Sammy Morris scored on a 1-yard plunge to extend the lead to 13-3.
"If he didn't catch it, I was," joked cornerback Ellis Hobbs. "Brandon made a great play there, a great read . . . When those opportunities come, they're small windows, but we gotta open them up."
Exhibit 3: Adalius Thomas's sack.
With the Patriots holding a 9-point lead with less than five minutes to play, Thomas charged through a feeble block by overmatched running back Leon Washington, then hung on as Favre tried to peel out of his grasp before dropping both players on a 20-yard sack.
The Jets punted two plays later and never got the ball back.
"It took a long time," joked Thomas. "We went round in circles, like a merry-go-round. I just didn't want to let him go . . . I had him by the jersey, but I've seen him throw the ball a million times in that type of situation. I was just trying to hold on. I didn't even know Washington was still in there."
Only after the game did the defense rest.
"We've always had a good defensive team," said Seymour. "Obviously the offense sells tickets. With guys like Tom Brady and Randy Moss, the majority of the spotlight goes to them and those guys deserve it.
"That was a record year last year. [The defense] was kind of in the background . . . but we don't care who gets the credit, as long as we get the win."
Chris Forsberg can be reached at cforsberg@boston.com. For a video interview with Rodney Harrison, visit Boston.com/sports. 