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Defensive snapshot

Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff October 15, 2008 06:00 AM

From time to time, we’ll take a look at the snaps played by defensive players, as it can sometimes provide a greater understanding of how the team is employing its personnel. A look at the snaps played in Sunday’s 30-10 loss to the Chargers:

  • LB Adalius Thomas – 59 of 59 snaps
  • S Rodney Harrison – 55 of 59
  • S James Sanders – 54 of 59
  • DL Ty Warren – 53 of 59
  • CB Ellis Hobbs – 52 of 59
  • DL Vince Wilfork – 51 of 59
  • DL Richard Seymour – 48 of 59
  • CB Deltha O’Neal – 46 of 59
  • LB Jerod Mayo – 43 of 59
  • DL Mike Wright – 38 of 59
  • S Brandon Meriweather – 34 of 59
  • LB Mike Vrabel – 30 of 59
  • LB Tedy Bruschi – 26 of 59
  • CB/S Lewis Sanders – 14 of 59
  • CB Terrence Wheatley – 14 of 59
  • DL Le Kevin Smith – 11 of 59
  • LB Gary Guyton – 9 of 59
  • DL Jarvis Green – 5 of 59
  • LB Pierre Woods – 3 of 59
  • CB Jonathan Wilhite – 1 of 59

    (snaps include a holding call on Kris Dielman, an Ellis Hobbs pass interference penalty, a Deltha O’Neal illegal contact penalty, and a Ty Warren personal foul)

    ANALYSIS: The Patriots played the majority of the game with a four-man line, two linebackers and five defensive backs. The two linebackers most often used in that package are Adalius Thomas and Jerod Mayo, hence the lower snap numbers for Mike Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi. … When Jarvis Green was injured early in the first quarter, that thrust Mike Wright into a more active role as the fourth lineman, as his 38 snaps were a season high. … Adalius Thomas played every snap for the second straight game. ... Of the 29 Chargers’ pass attempts – which includes two defensive penalties – the Patriots rushed the standard four players 20 times, rushed five players seven times; and rushed six players twice.

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    15 comments so far...

    1. When Jarvis Green went down they should have inserted AD at defensive end instead of Wright. That is why they had no pressure, their best pass rusher was covering Gates the whole game.

      Posted by Sonny_Corlione October 15, 08 07:38 AM

    1. Hi Sonny_Corlione. If the Patriots went that route, I think they would have felt vulnerable to runs right at Thomas. They were already light at the line of scrimmage with four d-linemen and two linebackers, so putting Thomas on the line would have invited the Chargers to run. The Patriots went into that game determined not to let the run beat them.
      --Mike

      Posted by Mike Reiss October 15, 08 07:46 AM

    1. Mike,

      Do you see a switch coming at corner? Perhaps Wheatey in place of Deltha? I know Wheatley was in there and got burned on one play but I think he has the speed to compete. Thanks.

      Posted by Christian October 15, 08 09:28 AM

    1. Mike, from a traditional point of view, I can see the obsession with stopping the run, and controlling the line. It seems that with the rule changes on contact past the 5 yard line, the "set up the pass with the run" mantra has been jettisoned by most NFL teams (exhibit 1: The Patriots, over the past few years).

      Are the Patriots, in your opinion, adapting to that? Should they accept giving up yards on the ground for a chance at knocking the QB off balance?

      Cheers.

      Posted by David October 15, 08 10:16 AM

    1. The best pass rusher on the Patriots never seems to be rushing the passer--Adalius Thomas....Thomas was the most effective pass rusher in the Super Bowl.....

      Are Duane Starks and Deltha O'Neal the same guy or what?

      Lot's of questions about an either overrated or underperforming Defense..

      Posted by mike October 15, 08 10:31 AM

    1. I think O'Neal is taking way too much heat here. He had reasonably good coverage on both of the long balls. He was playing on an island and didn't make very good plays on the ball, but he was in position. Wheatley was slow to react on his. I don't see the upgrade, unfortunately.

      I really think Belichick and the lackeys he has coaching on the defensive side need to reevaluate their defensive strategy. They have the horses, but they're not getting it done on the field.

      Vote Romeo for def. coord. 2009!

      Posted by MarkZ October 15, 08 10:56 AM

    1. Guyton plays >50% of the snaps last week, does well, Belichick gushes over him again on WEEI saying he keeps earning playing time, and then he plays 15% versus the Charges while Bruschi embarrasses himself once again. W..T..F..

      Posted by R October 15, 08 11:03 AM

    1. remember when Gates torched Thomas but bobbled Rivers' pass right over the pylon? Thomas got lucky there. had Gates caught that pass for an easy TD we'd be bashing Thomas this week too.

      Posted by doug gabriel October 15, 08 11:32 AM

    1. For the second week in a row, BB executes a defensive scheme that results in Bruschi being kept on the sidelines for much of the game.

      Coincidence?

      I think not.

      We need Guyton to step up, Alexander to get healthy, or John Lynch to be re-signed to play SS/ILB "BIG NICKEL".

      Posted by Anon-e-Mous October 15, 08 12:56 PM

    1. Oh yea, sign John Lynch, just what we need another person would couldn't even cover his own shadow.

      Posted by a October 15, 08 01:19 PM

    1. We went a WHOLE thread on cornerbacks and no one demanded the immediate signing of Ty Law? Wow, that's a first (this year) :-)

      Davo

      Posted by David October 15, 08 02:31 PM

    1. I'm surprised to see that Meriweather got so many fewer snaps than Harrison or Sanders. I thought he played the best of the 3 on Sunday and I'd like to see more of him.

      Wheatley did not look like the answer to O'Neal's problems. I don't remember seeing Lewis Sanders out there. Was he playing CB or S? Is he capable of subbing for O'Neal?

      I too would like to see more Guyton (and Mayo) than Bruschi and maybe even Vrabel.

      Posted by fillylabinga October 15, 08 04:40 PM

    1. Hi Christian and David. I don't see a switch coming at corner. As for the scheme, I think they can win with the personnel they have. They really switch it up from week to week anyway. The one thing that caught my eye was the passive plan from Sunday night. Seeing the way the game unfolded, I would have called for more pressure. I thought the 49ers game was a good example of the team being able to generate pressure with their personnel.
      --Mike

      Posted by Mike Reiss October 15, 08 07:14 PM

    1. PREESURE? REALLY? Your center being pushed / no I mean blown back to the FB spot. Now that's PRESSURE. Sorry Mike

      Posted by Rog October 15, 08 07:39 PM

    1. The Pats get pressure. No, the Giants got pressure last superbowl. That's pressure. They have the worse cb tandem in the league and get no pass rush, so that's not going to go well.

      Posted by Ryan October 16, 08 08:34 AM
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