All the more baffling as to why BB puts what seems like a legit lack of emphasis on pressuring QB's.
Especially considering the Jests remain our biggest threat to the AFC East, if not the AFC birth to the SB.
I'm not sure there is a lack of emphasis, just a different approach.
I thought I was the only one who was this high on Fletcher, but take a look at these articles:
http://www.patspulpit.com/2011/2/24/2011928/the-dane-fletcher-experience
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...where-does-dane-fletcher-fit-into-the-defense
I'm not sure he's going to move to OLB, but I still see him as a core piece of rebuilding the LB puzzle NE had in 2003-2004.
Those teams didn't get after the QB with reckless abandon, they relied on teamwork and confusion. Since all their LBs were solid enough in coverage and in pass rushing, the OL had a hard time setting up protection. The safeties were exemplary, giving a pass rush threat from them, as well as solid coverage in the secondary. Team defense isn't just a saying, it is the essence of how BB approaches it.
Taking a look at the three Jet games, NE actually got solid pressure on Sanchez the first time around, sacking him three times and getting in his face other times. The problem was the ILBs were consistently out of position and it doesn't take very long at all to just throw it to whomever is being covered by Butler.
Just a couple plays before the long pass to Keller that turned things in NY's favor, Gerard Warren put a shot into Mark that I thought had broken a couple ribs. My confidence level was sky high. But pressure doesn't matter when guys are uncovered.
Fast forward to the 2nd game, and NE really didn't get very close to Sanchez. This time their coverage was a lot better, especially on those sideline outs NY likes to run. But he looked terrible.
Then in the final game the whole thing fell apart. But I still maintain that coverage was a much bigger problem than the pass rush. I'm not sure if NY adjusted their routes, but every play guys were coming wide open. And I mean sand-lot wide open, not NFL wide open where the guy isn't even open when the ball is thrown.
With better coverage in the secondary and ILBs, as well as more cohesive and multi-faceted LB unit, you'll be surprised at how much better the pass rush is.
Of course, this lockout is putting a damper on the LB part, so it might not be until 2012 that the picture finally materializes.
. He makes me want to throw up. Literally.
