Defensive snapshot

Mike - did the safeties play as expected with Meriweather at Free Safety and Sanders replacing Harrison at Strong Safety?

Hi Andy, it looked to me like Sanders was more of the free safety, and Meriweather more of the strong.
--Mike

That slightly surprises me Mike - Sanders always struck me as being more of a strong safety because of his tackling abilities which are more of an advantage close to the line. I know he's been playing at free safety because Rodney is locked in at strong safety, but do you think that he'll move if Rodney's done?

On the other hand maybe Belichick wanted Meriweather on the right side of the field covering Holt?

Even though it was only a single snap, you've gotta love what Ventrone brings to the table. Terrific special teams player, and a servicable DB and slot receiver. With Rodney gone, and if Hobbs and Richardson are banged up for a while, I wonder if his role on defense will be expanded. Especially now that Aiken is seeing some snaps on offense and Washington's back.

Mike - I was really surprised to see Mayo and Seymour out for what seemed like a lot of time in the 4th quarter of a very close game. Have you heard anything as to why that was?

Hi Matt. I had Mayo on for 24 of 37 second-half snaps, and Seymour in for 30. Mayo wasn't part of the team's dime package, which was used late in the game, so that sort of explains his count. Seymour looked to be just part of a rotation to keep him fresh.
--Mike

Seymour and AD Thomas stepped up in this game. I am sick and tired of watching him cover tight ends ... keep him close to the line and let him rush the passer like he did in Baltimore. When they do that the results are great.

With that being said I hope Seymour does not lay a bomb this week.

Let's see if they use Guyton or Ventrone to cover Dallas Clark this weekend like Rodney did last year, when he shut him down.

Hpw about Wes Welker on defence to cover the slot reciever if Ventrone can not do it ?

Just throwing that out there ...

You right Blair, I have noticed that too. AD has been used to cover TE a lot which limits our pass rush. Vrabel has not the same this year as a Pass Rusher or Cover guy. I believe they trust AD more as a cover guy, So when we go up against good TEs (Gates) he covers more but hurts Pass rush.

I don't think Guyton or Ventrone can cover Clark, it would be tough. I would say Merriweather, but that depends on if another safety can be trusted to cover the deep balls. Brandon is our best Cover safety and i love him at either spots esp with his improved hands. We are going to miss harrison this game.

ProvMan,

You are dead on about AD Thomas covering the TE's that pose a real threat in the passing game and the difference in pass rushing is paramount.

If everyone remembers last year's game they used a 4-3 alignment primarily to get a solid pass rush and moving Seymour inside to DT instead of DE. Have to cover Clark, Wayne and alot of that can be accomplished by generating a consistent pass rush.

Here is to Mike Wright and Jarvis Green (if healthy) getting more playing time in a 4-3 set this weekend ??

I guess Bruschi still has something left in the tank. Might have been his best game of the year.

I think AD should be used to cover the bigger and taller TEs.

Guyton or Alexander (if he gets healthy) would be a better choice against a shifty guy like Clark. Or better yet stick a DB on him like either Sanders or Spahn (sp?)

Mike--
Out of curiosity, who was on the field for the Pats for the potential "Hail Mary" play?

Hi STI. The personnel on the field for the last play: Randy Moss, Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders, Jonathan Wilhite, Ray Ventrone, Terrence Wheatley, Deltha O'Neal, Adalius Thomas, Gary Guyton, Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymour.
--Mike