If the New England Patriots were looking for a stiff test to gauge where their new look defense stands, they couldn't have scripted a better Week 1 opponent than the Tennessee Titans.
While hardly considered prolific, the Titans' offense is nevertheless the type of unit that, in the past, has given the Patriots' defense fits: Over-achieving recievers, mobile Quarterback and an insanely productive running game. By about 4:00pm on Sunday afternoon, we're going know everything we need to know about the New England Patriots defense.
What we do know going into the game is that, on paper, this unit is much improved over the 2011 squad that relied mainly on an assortment of castoffs and undrafted rookie free agents who made just enough plays to help the team to a 13-3 record and a fifth Super Bowl appearance of the Bill Belichick era.
We also know that, despite the brilliant coaching up of these marginal players, Belichick wasn't going to go into the 2012 season having to pull that many rabbits out of his hoodie again. Trader Bill moved up twice in the first round of the draft to get the players he needed to immediately strengthen the front 7, nabbing Defensive End Chandler Jones out of Syracuse and Beastoid linebacker Dont'a Hightower from Alabama.
But it was his later round picks that may just prove to be the surprise difference makers.
Many scoffed, and many more laughed aloud as Belichick started rattling off names of obscure collegians to be his defenders of the secondary. Even Patriots' faithful had to realign their jaws as names like Tavon Wilson (Who?) and Nate Ebner (Seriously, who?) filtered through their ears into their frontal lobes - but now with square jaws and much anticipation, these draft picks, along with a solid free agent signing of Safety Steve Gregory, assume the duties of working in tandem to stop the opposition's offense.
And not just to stop the offense, because that is no longer good enough. This defenses' task is to dominate, to dictate, to "Hit them when they have the ball, and hit them when they don't".
The Tennessee Titans have long been about ball control and clock management on offense, which goes to figure when you have a running back named Chris Johnson. But as new Head Coach Mike Munchak turns his offense over to 2nd year Quarterback Jake Locker, it appears that the culture of this offense may be changing - finally - with the times.
Grinding it out on the ground is antiquated thinking in this era of high-wire acts and 5,000 yard passers, but the Titans are well equipped to do just that. Johnson is an elite runner, sudden and powerful, decisive, elusive and has speed to burn. Given the fact that he was just a year removed from the NFL's last 2,000 yard rushing season, last year's 1,047yards was a decided down season for Johnson - which speaks a lot for his skill. There were many teams that would have killed for a thousand yards out of their feature back.
Johnson's "down" year could be attributed to him missing all of training camp due to the lockout and his own personal holdout. His offensive line struggled in run blocking as well, as teams were successfully game planning to limit Johnson's impact, but this is a new season and Johnson and his evolving offensive line has had an entire offseason and training camp to get themselves ready for another assault on NFL defenses.
Taking away the offenses' main weapon being Belichick's Modus Operandi, he has a difficult task ahead of him preparing his defenders to deal with the speedy back. “Everybody is at the point of attack,” Belichick mused when speaking of Johnson, “because he has the speed to start one way and go the other to get back to the cutback side of the defense or bounce out in either direction. Really, everybody is at the point of attack when he has the ball.” .
So while the culture changes in Tennessee, having an elite back like Johnson to the carry the load while Locker learns on the job is key...and if Locker fails, it doesn't hurt to have a guy like Matt Hasselbeck waiting on the sidelines to save the day. It's a fortunate situation for the Titans, having a solid Quarterback like Hasselbeck waiting in the wings while the new kid gets real time experience - a luxury that most teams can not boast, nor afford.
The offensive line is a nice mixture of youth and experience and are a solid pass blocking unit, but their run blocking leaves a bit to be desired. The Tackle positions are all set with stout bookends in Michael Roos and David Stewart, but there are questions with the interior positions. 12 year veteran Steve Hutchinson was signed in free agency, but he's getting by on smarts and instinct more than physical ability, while fellow guard Leroy Harris lacks the explosiveness to really get after it in the running game. As was the case last season, Center is position of unknown ability, as youngster Fernando Velasco is set to assume the duties.
While there are questions along the line, the same can not be said for the recieving corps. Kenny Britt is a dynamic and fluid wide reciever, but only when he is on the field. He missed nearly all of last season due to injury, and will also miss this Sunday's contest as he has been suspended by the NFL for being arrested for drunk driving in the offseason.
Britt's maturity and health not withstanding, this is a serviceable group of recievers, as Nate Washington, Damian Williams and Lavelle Hawkins all had career years in Britt's absence. This season, they add rookie Kendall Wright, RGIII's favorite target at Baylor. Wright may not be a big target, but is lightning quick and catches EVERYTHING. Tight End Jared Cook isn't going to remind anyone of Rob Gronkowski, but he is a recieving threat and an accomplished blocker. Cook is going to be vital to Jake Locker's success, particularly as a safety valve when Locker leaves the pocket.
As far as the Patriots are concerned, this is a perfect opportunity to try out their new 4-3 defense and, better yet, their rookie Safties as the Big Nickle Back. Wilson and Ebner should each see significant playing time, with Wilson as the main backup for gimpy Safety Patrick Chung. Ebner has been the surprise of camp as the Rugby player has brought that attitude to the position, playing much bigger than his size and speed would suggest.
Keeping that in mind, the Titans may find it difficult to run consistently on New England's "Street Thug" defense, as the immovable Vince Wilfork clogs the middle while the ends and outside backers look to contain the edges and force Johnson inside where the big hitters roam and the yards are long.
Belichick's defenses have always been pretty successful in taking away the opposition's main threat, so assuming that this success translates to this game, it will be up to Tennessee's young recievers and even younger quarterback to score enough points to offset the Patriots' offensive machine...which enters into the one real remaining question mark on this defense.
While the safety positions appear to be in good hands, New England sports more of the same old thing on the corners - which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but that remains to be seen. Has Devin McCourty gotten over his much-lamented Sophomore Slump? Has Ras-I Dowling gotten over his hip issues that sidelined him nearly all of last season? Can Kyle Arrington carry over his solid play from last season and this past training camp? Can AFC Championship hero Sterling Moore continue his clutch play? How does Alphonzo Dennard fit in the mix?
These questions will be answered as the season rolls on, but with an improved pass rush, a new alignment which allows for more speed and violence from the front seven and the employment of a Big Nickle back with big time ball hawking capabilities, the game this Sunday against the Titans should give the Patriots a better idea of what they really have on defense.
No comments:
Post a Comment