Mike Reiss reports the Patriots defense wasn't all bad in 2010 and Jerod Mayo was a beast with just one missed tackle for the season.
Some of the struggles of the Patriots’ defense in 2010 have been well documented, specifically on third down and rushing the passer. But it wasn’t all bad, and Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders passes along data today highlighting an area the Patriots’ ‘D’ was better than the rest – tackling.
The Patriots were the surest tackling team in the NFL, according to Schatz. Football Outsiders game-charters identified just 44 missed tackles on the season, the lowest total in the NFL.
Inside linebacker Jerod Mayo led the way, with just one missed tackle on the season.
"It’s tremendous," Schatz said of Mayo. "Broken tackles can be somewhat subjective, and it’s possible our game-charters missed one or two, but it’s still awfully impressive. That’s pretty sure tackling." Schatz noted that no Patriots front-seven defender had more than four missed tackles, according to Football Outsiders game-charters.
The Patriots’ missed-tackle leaderboard (according to Football Outsiders):
S James Sanders – 7
S Patrick Chung -- 5
LB Gary Guyton – 4
S Brandon Meriwerather – 4
CB Kyle Arrington – 4
TEAM TALK
- The New England Patriots Alumni Club will hold a Football For You youth clinic in Boston Saturday for 200 local kids.
- The New England Patriots announce individual game tickets will go on sale Friday, July 15th.
LOCAL LINKS
- Ian Rapoport talks about the ProFootballFocus article that shows BenJarvus Green-Ellis was more impressive than we thought in 2010.
- Ian Rapoport reports Robert Kraft took part in the secret labor negotiating meeting on Long Island, in a six-on-six format.
- Jeff Howe thinks Donte Stallworth makes more sense for the Patriots than Plaxico Burress, and 19 other NFL thoughts.
- Mike Reiss notes DB Darren Sharper ranks Brandon Meriweather as the sixth best safety in the NFL.
- Ian Rapoport reports Bret Lockett has been keeping up with the Kardashians in his own special way. Yeesh.
- Mike Reiss posts a poll asking which Pats WR will make the biggest jump in 2011.
- Mike Reiss reports Ron Brace and Stephen Gostkowski will appear with the Krafts at the team's annual Community MVPs banquet at Gillette Stadium tomorrow.
- Ian Rapoport updates us on the status of Brandon Meriweather and the Florida shooting that took place three months ago.
- Christopher Price and Jerry Thornton discuss the state of the Patriots in the latest edition of the 'It Is What It Is" podcast. (37.51 min. episode).
- Ian Rapoport posts a link to Rob Gronkowski's twitpic of Gronk in full goalie gear on ice.
- Bob Ryan and Chris Gasper debate which player is more important to his team, Tim Thomas or Tom Brady. (35 second video)
- Ian Rapoport posts a pic of Robert Kraft giving a commencement address at Belmont Hill School.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Mike Clay (Pro Football Focus) Strength of schedule impact on 2010 running back performances. BenJarvus Green-Ellis gets some love.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) How well do AFC East receivers rate?
- Aaron Schatz (Football Outsiders) Broken Tackles 2010.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Mayo, Posluszny, Scott near automatic.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Heath Evans wants to play for Saints or Pats.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) A look at 10 careers in the balance.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Rookie symposium shifts to Florida.
- Roy Cummings (Tampa Tribune) Goodell: "The fans are a big part of the success of NFL football."
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Overrated-underrated: Polamalu can't cover; Pack's Williams can.
LABOR LUNACY
- AP Report (NY Times) Judge moves NFL lawsuit hearing up by two weeks.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) League, players agree the time to do a deal is now.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Adam Schefter gives the latest buzz about what this week's meetings mean for the NFL lockout. (2.19 min. video)
- AP Report (Fox Sports) NFL, players meet for a second day.
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalK) We have another joint statement from the NFL and NFLPA.
- Craig Morgan (Fox Sports) Labor limbo challenges NFL free agents.
- John Czarnecki (Fox Sports) Top 10 teams most affected by lockout.