FOXBOROUGH – Patriots coach Bill Belichick held his regular press conference (10:50 a.m.) and media members had access to the locker room (11:10-11:55 a.m.) and here were a few nuggets of note:
1) Jerod Mayo as a defensive signal-caller. The Patriots’ top two signal-callers on defense are Mike Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi, but with Bruschi missing last Sunday’s win in Oakland, rookie Jerod Mayo stepped into the No. 2 role. When Vrabel missed two second-quarter plays and then was rested for the final series, Mayo stepped in. Belichick said there were no issues and lauded Mayo’s all-around work this season. “From Day 1, he’s been very well prepared,” he said. “He’s very mature, very professional. I think for a rookie he’s probably as professional as anybody I’ve coached.”
2) Mike Vrabel on the playoff push. The Patriots are in a different position than in years past, scrapping to qualify for the playoffs, but linebacker Mike Vrabel is embracing the position. “A lot of times we’ve been out in front, and kind of playing for a first-round bye or something, but this is what the NFL is about,” he said. “There are a lot of teams that don’t have a chance and there are a few that are fighting for a couple spots. It gives you a reason to come to work.”
3) Cardinals statistics that stand out. Belichick often mentions a few flattering statistics on the opposition each week, and one this week was that Arizona has scored five touchdowns on defense and special teams – two interception returns, on a blocked field goal, a blocked punt, and a kickoff return. Belichick also mentioned that the Cardinals lead the NFL in fumbles recovered (16).
4) Disrupting the timing of the Arizona passing game. The Cardinals rank second in the NFL in passing yards per game (299) and defenders talked about the importance of finding ways to disrupt the rhythm of the Kurt Warner-led attack. Warner has had success against the blitz, so the Patriots will likely be working to strike a balance between sending extra rushers and dropping extra players into coverage. "You have to put pressure on him, and you have to get him to worry about the rush, but more importantly disguise the coverage so you can have the ball in his hands longer than he wants it to be," linebacker Junior Seau said.
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Mayo just might end up being the best pick of the entire Belichick/Pioli era - outside of you-know-who.
Is there anything about him that's not to like? And the fact he's supposed to be a college senior this year makes one wonder what his potential is.
The Pats/Cards game should be fun to watch. You have arguably the 4 best WRs in the NFL playing on the same field. I hope the weather's good!
The sky's the limit for Mayo. He was the steal of the draft class (especially the available LBs).
SI.com did a draft re-do (based on what we know now) recently, and only the Patriots stuck with their #1 choice.
David
Warner is a fumbler. The rushers have to bring pressure or the receivers will have their way with the Pats secondary.
How ironic that not only is Matt Cassel facing off against the same QB that Tom Brady "started" this dynastic run against, but standing on the opposing sidelines holding the clipboard will be the Heisman Trophy winner that Cassel played behind in college. A win would be a pretty sweet redemption to Cassel.
That's interesting, David, because ESPN and others said (right after the draft) that the Patriots drafted Mayo too high.
As it turns out, Mayo was a steal! If he stays healthy and keeps improving, he'll be one of the best LBs in Patriots history. Maybe NFL history, too.
As for Warner, I think a lot will depend on the weather. If it's cold and wet, he'll have a bad game. If it's sunny and warm, he'll throw 350 yards.
With Morris and Jordan back, I'd like to see a cold, wet game, because I think that would be a large advantage for the Patriots.
Ritchie - I remember that, and there was all sorts of talk about trading up to get Gholston ahead of the jets!
i forgot about that Pats Fan - how amazing would it be for Cass if he get the W. There's been a long standing belief in the NFL that Warner is soft - bad weather is on the horizon for Foxboro Sunday :-)
David
Even though I am going to the game, I want to see bad weather on Sunday.
Both teams have great WRs but the Pats know how to run the ball and play in bad weather, Steelers game excepted. Hopefully the Arizona head coach isn't calling Pittsburgh for some tips against the Pats.
I love Mayo as a defender and a tackler, especially for a rookie. Now if we can just get him to make some big plays like Bruschi did, INTs, fumble recoveries, we will have the perfect ILB for years to come.
You MUST rush Warner. Disguising the coverages against Warner and receivers like FitzGerald, Boldin and even Breaston does NOT work. These receivers find the open seams like none that I have ever seen, and they have the strength and the height to out battle our peewee corners.
Boldin loves the inside routes, slants and crossings, and FitzGerald will make Ellis Hobbs look like a grade school player, one on one...so the only way to slow down their passing game is to go after warner, right from the getgo, with blitzes up the miuddle and a lot of stunts and movement from the line and linebackers. And I would let Merriweather come at him early in the game on a couple of safety blitzes and introduce him to the Gillette Stadium turf.
They wiull also screen to JJ Arrington and Tim Hightower so the defense needs to be aware of that, as well as an occasional wide receiver reverse..
The Cardinals have lost every east coast game they have played this season. In order for the Pats to take control, the ofense needs to come out agressively, no huddle, and put points on the board to force Warner's hand into the passing game, and then go after him with full blitz packages. To not attack Warner will be opeing the door for defeat, especially with the weak links like Ellis Hobbs, for example, on the corner trying to cover a Larry FitZgerald or Anquan Boldin. Living here, in Arizona, I have seen almost every Cardinal game, and you need to get to Warner early. He will get rattled, even with his alleged experience, and when moving in on him, he does not protect the ball well. Go for the ball. Am I an expert? Hell no, But believe me, if they play Warner soft, the Cardinals will control the game from the early going and that must not be allowed to happen. Put him on the ground, early,and often.
Excellent point Pats Fan. I hadn't thougt of that regarding Leinart.
Also, Jim L..you nailed it , as I had mentioned in another comment. If Dean Pees decides to use a soft nickel and dime package against the Cardinals, Warner, given time, will eat our secondary up alive and spit it out.
I have watched almost every Cardinal game this season, living here in Phoenix, and the best way to sefend their passing attack is to go after Warner, right from the getgo, and if close, to go for the ball because he does carry it very loosely.
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