How to fix things?

[dchester]

OK, it's obvious that Belichick needs our help. So let's hear some ideas on how to fix things.

My two cents:

The weak link is clearly the secondary, and anyone that's on the street right now isn't likely to help us. We don't have any corners that can cover a number 1 receiver (BTW, not sure if anyone can cover a number 2 receiver either), and the safeties aren't aggressive enough.

Starks has been a bust, so there's no sense in starting him at the corner any longer, and since he's not particularly physical, he's no use at safety either. The nickelback is the only place I see him having a chance at.

Assante Samuel is the only one that's hitting out there, so I would try him at safety. Randall Gay gets one corner, and that leave Ellis Hobbs for the other corner.

You might question placing the rookie, Hobbs, in a high risk position like corner, but at this point, how much worse can he do?


OK, it's time for others to chime in. Belichick needs your help.
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Ferrari 312P specifications

[PA_PATS_FAN54*]

Originally posted by dchester
OK, it's obvious that Belichick needs our help. So let's hear some ideas on how to fix things.

My two cents:

The weak link is clearly the secondary, and anyone that's on the street right now isn't likely to help us. We don't have any corners that can cover a number 1 receiver (BTW, not sure if anyone can cover a number 2 receiver either), and the safeties aren't aggressive enough.

Starks has been a bust, so there's no sense in starting him at the corner any longer, and since he's not particularly physical, he's no use at safety either. The nickelback is the only place I see him having a chance at.

Assante Samuel is the only one that's hitting out there, so I would try him at safety. Randall Gay gets one corner, and that leave Ellis Hobbs for the other corner.

You might question placing the rookie, Hobbs, in a high risk position like corner, but at this point, how much worse can he do?


OK, it's time for others to chime in. Belichick needs your help.

Hell D you posted the only viable option.

we don't have much to work with....guess I agree 100% with your 2 cents.

[BizarroAnnihilus]

Yep, agreed also. Love to see Hobbs back there more.

[Benign Despot]

Seymour MUST get heathy as a key to slowing the run and getting preasure.

Blitzing with this D-backfield is high risk and can't be done against a top QB.

Wilfork is getting handled on on one.

My prescription, which is hardly a cure all starts with Big Sey's retutn.

Switch to a base 4-3, put Willie's hand on the ground. Bruschi in the middle, A rotation of Colvin, Vrable and Brown (at his natural position) outside. Green & McGinnist at the ends, Seymour and Warren inside (spelled by Wilfork).

The D-backfield remains a mess. I would start Gay and Samuel at the corners, Wilson and Don Davis at safety on running downs, Starks at safety on passing downs, Hobbs in the nickel. Hope the fron 4 can put preassure on the QBs.

my .02 and probably not even worth that

[Hawg73]

The first thing that came to mind is that there doesn't seem to be many viable options left.

It's not like we have a bunch of talented reserves caught in a numbers crunch.

I'd be in favor of giving Gay more time at safety and benching Starks for Hobbs and leaving Assante at corner.

If he had a decent pair of hands that game last night might have turned out a bit differently after he missed an end zone INT.

For the defensive line I'd start rotating Mike Wright with VW and whoever else needs a breather. He might not be much at the moment, but could be decent in time and those guys are getting ground down.

Another puzzling thing is the disappearance of Tully Banta-Cain. I thought he did well in cameos and was an up n'comer but he is never on the field anymore. Strictly special teams.

I'd use him at 3rd down pass situation LOLB in place of McGinest.

Chad Brown could also be used in that role since he is still working hard and is better suited to the outside.

I think Willie needs fewer snaps. They all do, but some of these ideas might help get them some by getting the opponents off the field.

I't wasn't much, but it's all I have to work with.

[dchester]

Originally posted by Hawg73
For the defensive line I'd start rotating Mike Wright with VW and whoever else needs a breather. He might not be much at the moment, but could be decent in time and those guys are getting ground down.

I think this is a great idea. Big Vince looks to be getting gassed at times.

I hope Belichick is monitoring this forum.
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Honda CT90 specifications

[grog]

How do we fix our problem? TOs baby, as in Turn Overs. (not as in an idiot WR).

Good defenses create them, plus sometimes get a few lucky ones. I don't think we've gotten a lucky one all year and have created only about 5 or 6.

But since a team can't control when a TO is going to occur, we've got to make some changes. I like the Hobss idea and at least he'll bring energy and enthusiam to the game.

[RoadGrader]

Originally posted by dchester
OK, it's obvious that Belichick needs our help. So let's hear some ideas on how to fix things.

dmachine.....

the first thing I'd do if I were you is bring the entire secondary in for a little "rubber hose & phone-book" interrogation.

another thing....is it me or does it seem as if all our secondary guys are like 6 - 8" shorter than our opponent's receivers. cripes Assante Samuel looked shorter than Marvin Harrison and he's what, 5' 8" tall?

cripes.....lets strap some of these guys in a rack and stretch 'em out.....wait...let's strap Starks in just because.

[PatsWin2002]

We need Seymour back badly. He would've been a big help last night.

Do you think the Pats are underplaying his injury? He was "definitely" going to play last week.

As for the other injuries.....I'm hopeful for guys like Matt Light that may return for a stretch run, but without Rodney it sure looks futile.

[dchester]

Originally posted by PatsWin2002
We need Seymour back badly. He would've been a big help last night.

Do you think the Pats are underplaying his injury? He was "definitely" going to play last week.

As for the other injuries.....I'm hopeful for guys like Matt Light that may return for a stretch run, but without Rodney it sure looks futile.

From everything I've heard, it's the same as the injury he had last year, and he was out 6 weeks last year with it.
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[ENFORCER]

When Seymour comes back we have to move to the 4-3 and attack..A great pass rush will help a struggling secondary alot.

We also need a set seconday lineup. ID love to see Hobbs out their more, instead of Starks. Wilson is struggling...big time. Everyone looks confused...more game time can help that

[Spinal Tap]

I don't believe that this situation can be fixed this season. I'm convinced that the loss of Weiss & Crennel are having a far more profound impact on this team than people are acknowledging.

How does this team go from first to worst on defense??? It's not just Harrison. It's certainly not just Ted Johnson. Seymour didn't play in last year's playoff games and the defense was stout regardless.

I would be more apt to blame injuries and schedule if the defense just wasn't AS GOOD as it has been in the past. This defense is one of the league's worst. That's a fact. I'm so damn frustrated watching a team that cannot play defense.

[T-ShirtDynasty]

Originally posted by ENFORCER
When Seymour comes back we have to move to the 4-3 and attack..A great pass rush will help a struggling secondary alot.

Agree with you. Never been a big fan of switching to a predominant 4-3 but the problem is that Big Vince is having his lunch handed to him on a regular basis. The nose has GOT to draw a double team in a 3-4 to keep the guards tied up, and Vince isn't getting it done ...being handled quite easily by the center alone.

And as far as Starks... I've been trying, and trying and trying to give him the benefit of the doubt here... but after the whole "not being put in the postition to make plays" comments, I'm fine with him keeping that bench warm unless we really NEED a warm body in nickle and dime situations.

I like DC's idea of trying Assante at safety, but a rookie corner on one side, and an injured Blue on the other side makes me pretty nervous. Heck, at this point, I'd be willing to stick Starks on IR and activate Ventrone from the PS. Hell, how much worse could the secondary be?

[dchester]

Originally posted by Spinal Tap
I don't believe that this situation can be fixed this season. I'm convinced that the loss of Weiss & Crennel are having a far more profound impact on this team than people are acknowledging.

How does this team go from first to worst on defense??? It's not just Harrison. It's certainly not just Ted Johnson. Seymour didn't play in last year's playoff games and the defense was stout regardless.

I would be more apt to blame injuries and schedule if the defense just wasn't AS GOOD as it has been in the past. This defense is one of the league's worst. That's a fact. I'm so damn frustrated watching a team that cannot play defense.

Don't let Pioli off the hook either. The signings this past offseason were awful. A third round pick for Starks??? Another pick for Andre Davis??? Monty Beisel, Chad Brown? At this point, I'm starting to wish they had paid Ty Law.
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volcano vaporizer

[ENFORCER]

Originally posted by T-ShirtDynasty
.

I like DC's idea of trying Assante at safety, but a rookie corner on one side, and an injured Blue on the other side makes me pretty nervous. Heck, at this point, I'd be willing to stick Starks on IR and activate Ventrone from the PS. Hell, how much worse could the secondary be?

Assante got burnt bad last night 2... Eugene Wilson is reacting too late on plays.

I think as fans we got spoiled with having great Safety play and leadership from Harrison and Milloy.