`D' takes steps toward stability
TAMPA — The Patriots defense can take a deep breath. For the next week and change, the players from Matt Patricia’s unit don’t have to answer questions as to why they’re so woefully bad, and why they’re letting down the team.
No one will be mocking them for how many big plays they gave up or deriding them for how many points they gave up.
That’s because the defense finally held last night — but just barely.
Jameis Win- ston was the fifth straight quarterback to rough up the Patriots for a 300-yard game, which set an NFL record. The Buccaneers QB, however, didn’t do nearly as much damage as his predecessors.
Winston just couldn’t convert when it mattered, making a lastditch throw in the end zone as time ran out; Jonathan Jones broke it up to seal the Patriots’ 19-14 win at Raymond James Stadium.
Given the Patriots were surrendering 32 points a game, the fact they held somebody to just two scores was a victory in itself. They were particularly good stopping the Bucs on third down, as Winston & Co. were just 4-for-13.
Does that mean everything is fixed? Are they completely cured from being the NFL’s worst defense?
No. They still have issues. But the cloud of shame has been lifted for the time being, and with the Jets on tap, likely a bit longer. What happened last night can be classified as baby steps in the right direction as players on the defense were able to wear smiles for a change after the game.
Captain Devin McCourty admitted jobs were on the line, and they needed to perform better, even on short rest.
“Our backs were against the wall. We had to play well,” said McCourty. “It wasn’t perfect … but we fixed some small things. That’ll help us out a lot.”
The fix started with having Stephon Gilmore, who clearly wasn’t understanding the zone schemes, handle one assignment. He was given Mike Evans and did a good job on the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Pro Bowl receiver, holding him to five catches for 49 yards. He took Evans, while Malcolm Butler was put on DeSean Jackson. Butler didn’t fare as well, with Jackson catching five passes for 106 yards, but it worked better for Gilmore and the defense as a whole.
“Malcolm and Steph, who I think are two of the best corners in the league. We just told them, ‘You got those two guys. Play ball.’ And that’s what they did,” safety Duron Harmon said. “For us to have the week we had, everybody was talking about the secondary, this, that and the other thing. I really believe those guys came out and competed at a high level. It was good to watch. Good to see.”
Gilmore was the favorite target during the week, and he responded. His only responsibility was Evans and there was no confusion or missed assignments.
“Everything isn’t always going to be all good and gravy. You just got to bounce back and prove yourself every week,” said Gilmore. “I think I did that this week.”
Gilmore said the communication for him was a lot better because he was just following Evans.
“When I got my guy,” he said. “I’m good … I think that’s when you get the best out of me. When I’m following that guy, and I’m studying that guy.”
Gilmore said he was “out to prove something,” and for one game, he did. There’s still a long way to go.
“It was a lot better. We communicated a lot better. We had a lot more confidence,” said Butler. “We had a good week of practice. We just went out there and got it done.”
One other change that was made from Sunday, when the Panthers rang up 33 points and 444 yards, was having Dont’a Hightower back in the middle of the defense, playing linebacker, as opposed to out on the edge. Hightower wore the green dot, called the plays and got everyone lined up.
“He’s run this defense for five years. Being in the middle, having the dot, calling the plays, making adjustments, I think it was good to have him back out there, especially in that middle,” said Harmon. “It gave us some familiarity. It just allowed us to play faster.”
The game still came down to a final toss by Winston with time running out, and Jones batting it away at the goal line. They still sweated it out in the end. But it was better.
“You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to win,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said when asked about the defense. “And we did enough to do that.”