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Defensive snapshot

Email|Link|Comments (11) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff December 22, 2008 03:15 PM

A look at the snaps played by Patriots defenders in Sunday's 47-7 win over the Cardinals, which can sometimes provide insight as to how players were being utilized:

ILB Jerod Mayo -- 52 of 52 snaps

S Brandon Meriweather -- 52 of 52

CB Jonathan Wilhite -- 51 of 52

CB Ellis Hobbs -- 49 of 52

DE Jarvis Green -- 43 of 52

ILB Junior Seau -- 40 of 52

OLB Mike Vrabel -- 39 of 52

S Lewis Sanders -- 38 of 52

NT Mike Wright -- 34 of 52

CB Deltha O'Neal -- 33 of 52

DE Le Kevin Smith -- 26 of 52

DE Richard Seymour -- 23 of 52

OLB Rosevelt Colvin -- 22 of 52

NT Vince Wilfork -- 19 of 52

S Matthew Slater -- 14 of 52

OLB Vince Redd -- 13 of 52

DE Ty Warren -- 12 of 52

CB Mike Richardson -- 12 of 52

(illegal use of hands penalty against Cardinals included; encroachment penalty on Mike Vrabel included)

ANALYSIS: The Patriots played three packages -- the base 3-4; a 3-3-5 nickel; and a 3-2-6 dime. OLB Mike Vrabel and ILB Jerod Mayo were the linebackers who were part of each package. ... ILB Junior Seau came off in the dime, while OLB Rosevelt Colvin came off in the nickel and dime. ... CB Deltha O'Neal came on in the nickel, while CB Mike Richardson came on in the dime. ... DE Ty Warren, who has been playing through a groin injury, was rested through the second half. ... Other starters who were rested later in the game included OLB Mike Vrabel, NT Vince Wilfork and S Lewis Sanders. ... Rookies Vince Redd and Matthew Slater played on the final three series of the game, which was valuable game-time experience for them (Slater was sent on a blitz on Brandon Meriweather's strip sack). ... Brandon Meriweather has now played in every snap since Rodney Harrison suffered a season-ending injury, going a stretch of nine straight games in which he's played wire to wire.

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11 comments so far...

Mike, one thing I find really impressive is how the Pats continued to dominate the line of scrimmage with all backups on the Dline. Mike Wright was a beast yesterday. He was constantly in the backfield and getting some good hits on Warner. The rest will be good for Wilfork and Ty. Hopefully Seymours back doesn't keep him out of action on Sunday.

Posted by Larry December 22, 08 03:51 PM

I love it. The three backup DLmen got more snaps than the three starters. I wish they'd swap Richardson's snap count and O'Neal's though.

But it doesn't make sense to me why they would choose to "rest" Lewis Sanders. Mike, are you sure he didn't reaggravate his injury?

Posted by MarkZ December 22, 08 04:02 PM

I am suprised to see Seau, who is essentially finishing his third week of training camp here, playing so much.

Posted by sonny_corlione December 22, 08 04:02 PM

Hi Larry. I think you bring up a good point about the rest. That was not as taxing of a game on Warren/Wilfork, so they should be ready to roll Sunday in Buffalo. Seymour is in some pain, and his availability for Sunday will be something to monitor, but the injury itself is not major. On the backup linemen, it was a solid effort, no doubt. I thought they took it to the Cardinals' o-line, which I don't think is a top unit. MarkZ, I had the same question on Lewis Sanders so I watched as closely as possible on the TV copy why he came out of the game, and it was after the play that Deltha O'Neal almost had the interception over the middle. I didn't see anything that caught my eye in terms of reaggravating his injury, but let's keep an eye on it. I just took it to mean they wanted to get Matthew Slater some time, and maybe practice that blitz they sent Slater on, which was his first play in the game. Sonny_Corlione, I am amazed at Seau myself. The guy was on a surfboard as recently as Dec. 1. He's played 118 of a possible 174 possible snaps. He is not human.
--Mike

Posted by Mike Reiss December 22, 08 04:14 PM

I knew I wasn't crazy, that was Matt Slater out there! My gosh, are the Pats that beat up that Slater is playing safety. Let's hope Sanders makes it back because that is certainly an extreme last resort.

Posted by RJ December 22, 08 04:26 PM

I would think Spann would be the regular backup there. Or even Richardson in an emergency. But I guess Mike is right that they probably just wanted to give Slater some plays.

Posted by MarkZ December 22, 08 05:36 PM

It may be down to injuries, but I'm cartainly happy that the top 3 players in terms of numbers of snaps were 2 rookies and a 1 year pro. Good to see them contributing so fully early on in their careers.

Posted by Jay December 22, 08 07:13 PM

Seeing some young guys perform on D this year has been one of the bright spots.. Amazing to see Seau get so many snaps - what is the status of Guyton?

Posted by Sarah December 22, 08 11:11 PM

Hi Sarah. Guyton was a game-time decision. He was tested before the game with that ankle injury and it was deemed that he couldn't go. Another week should help him.
--Mike

Posted by Mike Reiss December 23, 08 07:23 AM

Nice to see Wilhite getting alot of reps. I think he will work out for us.

Posted by Brent-mn December 23, 08 08:57 AM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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