Later today, the New England Patriots will play their final game of the 2018 regular season: the team will welcome the visiting New York Jets to Gillette Stadium with a first-round playoff bye and a top-three draft pick on the line, respectively. As usual, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick took the time before the game to preview it in the latest episode of the Belestrator — and it looks like he is mostly concerned about New York’s defense.
"On the pass rush, it all starts with Williams."
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 29, 2018
BB previews the challenges the Jets defense can present on the Belestrator. pic.twitter.com/VWtOEUi943
Belichick and host Bob Socci — the Patriots’ radio commentator — start the breakdown by looking at Jets safety Jamal Adams. “He usually plays down close to the line of scrimmage in a strong safety type of role,” Belichick said about the former first-round draft pick who is arguably the best player on New York’s roster. “He’s very good against the run, he’s a good blitzer, and he’s a strong tackler.”
Two plays are shown that illustrate Adams’ abilities as a playmaker: the first is a screen pass in which he slips a tackle to take down the ball carrier for minimal gain, the second a fourth down play on which he blitzes to force an incomplete pass. “This guy has really made some big plays for them around the line of scrimmage, in the running game, in pass coverage, and as a blitzer,” Belichick continued. “A disruptive player.”
Belichick and Socci then go on to take a look at New York’s pass rush, with another youngster being prominently featured: defensive tackle Leonard Williams. “On the pass rush, it all starts with Williams. He’s a very dynamic player. He’s got great length, quickness,” New England’s head coach said about 2015’s sixth overall draft pick. “We’ve got to do a good job of blocking this front — and the blitzes.”
After analyzing the two young defenders, Belichick also breaks down safety Trumaine Johnson. “He’s a very powerful guy, he can knock receivers down, he’s good at jamming them, good tackler,” the coach says about the veteran defender.