Analysis: Patriots Defensive Front & Bennett

[xwalker]

This thread is an analysis of the Patriots defensive front and Michael Bennett's on field abilities. There is a another thread about the trade and all of Bennett's personality or off-field issues.

I reviewed 3 games to see the Pats defense & Bennett.

Bennett

• Bennett only started game 1 (55% of snaps).
• He averaged 35% of snaps in the first 6 games and didn't play game 7.
• He looked good to me.
• Probably an upgrade in the Cowboys scheme to Crawford if he has his mind right to do it.
• The Patriots scheme is very non-standard which makes it difficult to evaluate a player like Bennett.
• He played primarily in a position similar to a 3-4 DE but often with no NT.
• He also played as the lone DT aligned over the Center on some passing downs.
• The Pats scheme is complex but appears very precise.
  • I did see another player adjust Bennett's alignment a couple of times.

Patriots Defensive Front Scheme

• It reminds me of watching Jimmy Page play guitar.
  • You can't really explain how it's that good. Transcendent.
• It's not really a 3-4 or 4-3. I call it the big LB front.
• They played a 4-3 last year.
  • In the Super Bowl they moved 1 of the 2 LBs in Nickel outside and up on the line.
  • This and the tweaks to make it work, totally mucked up the Rams blocking scheme.
• This year the media is calling them a 3-4, but that's only on some snaps.
• They often play an alignment that looks like a 3-4 without the NT.
  • DTs basically at 3-4 DE position of 5-tech.
  • Example Bennett & 6-4, 315 pound DT L.Guy each shaded outside the OTs.
  • Big LB Hightower (6-3, 260) often up at the line near where the NT would be in a 3-4.
• Other times the alignment looks like a 4-3 with stand-up LBs replacing the DEs.
  • The interior DL generally at 1-tech and 3-tech positions.
  • The positioning varies from in gaps to head-up.
• Other alignments:
  • Two DL with one at 1-tech DT and one in a wide-9 DE position.
  • One DL aligned over the Center.

 

[xwalker]

The first 3 snaps for the Patriots on defense in game 1.

Bennett is #77.

 

[reddyuta]

I read he had a fight with a DL coach and was suspended,makes sense they got rid of him.I dont know if he can go along with rod though.

 

[xwalker]

I read he had a fight with a DL coach and was suspended,makes sense they got rid of him.I dont know if he can go along with rod though.

I'm just focused on his on-field ability and the Patriots defensive scheme.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Good stuff x!!! Appreciate the effort.

• Probably an upgrade in the Cowboys scheme to Crawford

Way to go out on a limb.

You got a like for the Jimmy Page reference.

 

[xwalker]

Good stuff x!!! Appreciate the effort.

Way to go out on a limb.

You got a like for the Jimmy Page reference.

At his peak the upgrade over Crawford would be obvious but now at age 33 it's not guaranteed.

 

[America's Cowboy]

Wrong forum.

 

[JohnsKey19]

At his peak the upgrade over Crawford would be obvious but now at age 33 it's not guaranteed.

Bennett in Philly's 4-3 last season is a better player than Crawford. Much better. If we get something close to THAT player, it's a huge addition to the DL.

 

[Texas_Pete]

Great thread X. Totally agreed. To add to the notion that he's not done:

 

[LatinMind]

you could cut the thread to a 10th of what it is without all the tables that basically dont tell you the problem he had with the defense. It wasnt the amount of snaps and it wasnt the problem with the coach.

The patriots use their DL to fill lanes so the LBers can make plays. The DL arent really there to rush the passer but to occupy blockers so the LBers can make the plays

If youre gonna "analyze" the patriots defensive front atleast state the obvious and its the scheme.

The DL coach for NE is a hothead..he got ran out of wisconsin for this very reason.

Bennett is not a question mark because of age either. He's productive even at his age because he plays sound technique. He's extremely strong and he doesnt freelance.

 

[xwalker]

you could cut the thread to a 10th of what it is without all the tables that basically dont tell you the problem he had with the defense. It wasnt the amount of snaps and it wasnt the problem with the coach.

The patriots use their DL to fill lanes so the LBers can make plays. The DL arent really there to rush the passer but to occupy blockers so the LBers can make the plays

If youre gonna "analyze" the patriots defensive front atleast state the obvious and its the scheme.

The DL coach for NE is a hothead..he got ran out of wisconsin for this very reason.

Bennett is not a question mark because of age either. He's productive even at his age because he plays sound technique. He's extremely strong and he doesnt freelance.

You showed you have no clue in the thread that you created where you were wrong on all topics.

 

[buybuydandavis]

you could cut the thread to a 10th of what it is without all the tables that basically dont tell you the problem he had with the defense. It wasnt the amount of snaps and it wasnt the problem with the coach.

The patriots use their DL to fill lanes so the LBers can make plays. The DL arent really there to rush the passer but to occupy blockers so the LBers can make the plays

Which is the opposite of what Marinelli wants, which is getting upfield, so maybe better for Bennett.

 

[Hennessy_King]

you could cut the thread to a 10th of what it is without all the tables that basically dont tell you the problem he had with the defense. It wasnt the amount of snaps and it wasnt the problem with the coach.

The patriots use their DL to fill lanes so the LBers can make plays. The DL arent really there to rush the passer but to occupy blockers so the LBers can make the plays

If youre gonna "analyze" the patriots defensive front atleast state the obvious and its the scheme.

The DL coach for NE is a hothead..he got ran out of wisconsin for this very reason.

Bennett is not a question mark because of age either. He's productive even at his age because he plays sound technique. He's extremely strong and he doesnt freelance.

He likes to act like hes a really good scout but actually doesnt know much more than anyone else.

 

[ejthedj]

The first 3 snaps for the Patriots on defense in game 1.

Bennett is #77.

Thanks for your efforts!

 

[Doomsday]

Dallas desperately needs someone who can get inside pressure, he should be a nice upgrade.

 

[sbark]

Thanks for work and time X

Biggest thing about current version of be b. Belichks s D appears to be unpredictability, it morphs, it shows this but plays like that.....and yet he is able to teach it, and players cover responsibilities in the scheme.

Rod m. Scheme appears to be like garrets offense......line up man for man and beat your man....but very predictable ala Rams playoff game.. Rams offense was able to dictate lb flow with players in motion, which took them out of run gaps...

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Thanks, X......why any posters would bash your effort is beyond me. Hell, if you have a better analysis fine, let's see it, otherwise, don't be jealous, show appreciation.

 

[LatinMind]

Which is the opposite of what Marinelli wants, which is getting upfield, so maybe better for Bennett.

def better for bennett. And bennett is better for the Cowboys because he is a guy who just does his job. Something this DL needs.

 

[xwalker]

Thanks, X......why any posters would bash your effort is beyond me. Hell, if you have a better analysis fine, let's see it, otherwise, don't be jealous, show appreciation.

Thanks.

I probably can't see some of them because of the greatness of the ignore option.

The one I can see, LM, couldn't spell CAT if you spotted him the C and the A...

 

[xwalker]

Thanks for work and time X

Biggest thing about current version of be b. Belichks s D appears to be unpredictability, it morphs, it shows this but plays like that.....and yet he is able to teach it, and players cover responsibilities in the scheme.

Rod m. Scheme appears to be like garrets offense......line up man for man and beat your man....but very predictable ala Rams playoff game.. Rams offense was able to dictate lb flow with players in motion, which took them out of run gaps...

Yes, the execution is amazing. Most teams struggle to get good execution with less complex schemes.

It's also interesting that the Pats always seem to be in the best formation for the play the opponent runs.

Pats in run defense formation. Opponent runs.

Pats have multiple players move left pre-snap. Offense runs to that side.
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