Running Scared?

As much as I enjoyed San Diego and the content of the seminar itself, it's good to be back home. I've tried to read as much as I could about the Pats that was written while I was gone. There seems to be this recurring theme that the Pats can't stop the run.

They have given up 150 yds/game for a 4.4 average so far this pre-season. Last season they gave up only 98 yds/game for a 3.8 average. When Belichick was confronted with with the problem stopping the run he got VERY defensive and told reporters not to look too much into the numbers. Still, for a superbowl team that has lost their coordinators, their starting MLB's and has a starting QB that has looked anything but sharp, they'll absolutely have to stop the run if they want any chance at repeating.

So why haven't they stopped the run so far? Rudy Johnson and Duece McAllister are not slouches. The new middle line backers are still picking up the system. The entire starting defensive line hasn't played together very much. Belichick is not game planning to stop the offense, rather he's just running defensive coverages. My conclusion is that they may give up more rushing yards than last year, but it won't be as bad as some people are making it out to be.

My true concern is their 3rd down play, or lack thereof. They are LAST in the league this pre-season in 3rd down conversions allowed. They've given up something like 70% of third down conversions, which is terrible. On the offensive side of the ball they're in the bottom five at converting 3rd downs. Watch for a marked improvement in this area during tonight's game at Lambeau Field, I'm sure it's been high on Belichick's list all week.

I hope to post one or two more times today as time permits.

Marquis Hill. From? (just warming up)