Breakdown: Patriots defense vs. Lions

The performance of the Patriots’ defense against the Lions was largely the tale of two halves, and also the depth chart. Basically, when the starters were in, the Patriots did well. When the backups arrived, they had a tougher time.

The Patriots played much of this game in a modified 3-4 alignment with three linemen, three linebackers and then a safety (mostly Jordan Richards). Not sure if I’m ready to say we’re going to be seeing a lot of that this season because we’ve seen plenty of other looks, and personnel kind of dictated it. With Dont’a Hightower still out and Elandon Roberts injured (and not all that effective), the Patriots were down to David Harris and Trevor Bates in the middle of the defense.

I wonder if this game, and other things they’ve shown along the way, has the Patriots coaches questioning what they have in the middle of this defense.

Hightower is certainly the boss in the middle if the Patriots choose that route, but he might be more needed on the edge. You can do that if you feel good about the alternatives at middle linebacker. Not sure the Patriots do at this point.

I have long had a love affair with Harris since his days with the Jets. Just the consummate professional, and the brain center for Rex Ryan’s schemes. But to this point as a Patriot, you could make the argument that Harris could be released. I’m not really all that concerned with his lack of pass coverage, because we knew that would be the case as an aging veteran. But Harris has also been slow on reads and getting to the ball in the running game, which is normally his forte.

There’s so much we don’t know and don’t see that will go into his Patriots’ evaluation, namely, do the coaches think he will play faster once he’s in the scheme longer? That could very well be the case, and that would be a compelling reason to keep Harris around. But to this point, Harris hasn’t distinguished himself on the field. If he sticks around, it’s because of the work he’s doing off the field that we can’t see.

Here are the positional breakdowns against the Lions:

Defensive line

Undrafted free agent Adam Butler just continues to impress, as he led the team with 2.5 total QB pressures. Beat his blocker on his first two plays, including one for a tackle for a loss. He’s just violent, quick and active to the point of attack. Been that way all summer. Impressive. … Butler and Harvey Langi caused Matthew Stafford’s interception with the "game" they ran on the right side of the line. Eric Rowe just happened to be in the right spot at the right time for the deflection. … Alan Branch and Lawrence Guy are going to be a lot of trouble for offensive lines when they’re on the field together. Powerful and surprisingly agile. … Langi will likely make this team, and he’s earned that. But he did have some problems holding the edge and once lost the back out of the backfield. … Vincent Valentine has been largely invisible this preseason. Could that put his spot in danger? Possibly. The Patriots need a younger interior player, and it’s hard to see Darius Kilgo or Josh Augusta doing enough to this point to overtake Valentine.

Linebackers

Kyle Van Noy -- who beat a double team for a tackle for a loss -- and Jonathan Freeny did nice work in this group, but the others were largely forgettable. That includes Harris, Bates and Richards, in his first appearance. Richards had a fumble recovery, but he continues to be a big liability in pass coverage. He also missed a tackle on a touchdown, along with Jonathan Jones. Looks like the Patriots were trying to see if Richards could be useful at another spot if he makes this team. At this point, he’d have to make it solely on special teams.

Secondary

Is it time to worry about CB Malcolm Butler? Maybe, but we’re not willing to go there yet. After giving up two big plays against the Texans, Butler gave up another touchdown against the Lions. For the second-straight week he was burned peeking into the backfield. Is this just preseason sloppiness, or is Butler looking to make more plays now that he’s in a contract year? Not sure, but it’s something to monitor. … That being said, nice job by Butler punching the ball out from Golden Tate on the first play, but what a weak effort by the receiver. …. Really nice work by Stephon Gilmore fighting through traffic and still making the tackle on third down against Jared Abbredaris. … Safety David Jones took a false step on Abbredaris’ late touchdown. Can’t let him get over the top there. … We saw a lot more corner blitzes in this game.

Gamechart

 

 

Three up

DT Adam Butler: This kid doesn’t have the look of a camp flavor of the month. He looks like he has staying power.

DT Alan Branch: I think we can say it now — if Hightower isn’t on the field, Branch is the best player on this defense.

CB Stephon Gilmore: Starting to look like the player the Patriots are paying $13 million per season.

Three down

LB David Harris: Isn’t making any plays, and the worry is about him not coming close to making any plays.

LB/S Jordan Richards: After not making the grade at safety, he didn’t do much better at linebacker.

S David Jones: Had a tough time in run support, and gave up a touchdown.