Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut
I think the 'live and die with the rush' thing is starting to get a little overplayed now that Ron Parker isn't out there blowing coverage every other snap and Ward is giving us genuinely solid play at CB2.
There were definite coverage pressures against the Colts. And Sutton had his DBs sitting back and then driving on those short routes to screw up the timing patterns as well.
If the Patriots want to try to dink and dunk all day, they might have some success there but I think we've made personnel and schematic adjustments (made possible by said personnel adjustments) that can keep that from beating us if that's all they do. Where we might get gashed is by a double move or two but that's where the increased recovery speed from Lucas comes in and the Patriots can be hurt by their lack of deep speed now that Gordon's gone.
And Jones - man I loved the way he played Saturday. He was smart and disciplined. Played within himself and kept his responsibility seemingly every play. Nnadi was fantastic and Bailey was steady. I think the front can be run-responsible as well.
Now sometimes a good RB just makes yards and Michel is showing the ability to do that. And sometimes a fantastic pass-catching back creates big-time problems, James White qualifies. There are still some matchups where we might just get physically beat, but I don't think this defense is automatically a 1-trick pony, especially not at home.
If the Pats want to try to go full Ravens and run the ball while leaning on their short passing game, I think we have some ability to deal with that better than most expect. We won't skunk them, but I think we can keep them in the low 20s.
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I'm gonna hold off on it because we've been small sample sized before, but damn it Ward has been playing pretty well. How big would that be if he could really settle in and be that #2 guy? He's owed like 2 million dollars for the next 2 or 3 years.
Does he have the #1 type upside?
I don't think so, but he's played well.