Pagano has really done wonders with this defense.

[MacDee1975]

Just as we were promised when he was named head coach.

 

It hums like a well-oiled machine.

 

I'm excited to see the continued improvement next year from this unit.

[GoColts8818]

Hey defense came up with two straight three and outs when this was a one score game and the offense went three and out both times and the defense hasn't thrown three picks tonight.  You can't put this all of them.  It's Tom Brady and the Pats you aren't going to shut them down. 

[MacDee1975]

His defense is getting decimited by an undermanned team.  Yet again.  Maybe if Brady and 2 of NE's RB's had been out we might have had a chance to hold them under 40.

 

Chuck Pagano brings nothing to the table as head coach.

[lollygagger8]

Just as we were promised when he was named head coach.

It hums like a well-oiled machine.

Ummmmm.......or not??

[Bleedin Blue]

Every pick this draft should be defense.

[Rob Lowe]

Defense is awful

[MacDee1975]

Every pick this draft should be defense.

 

Hopefully our head coach gets a clue on how to coach defense during the offseason, as well.

 

Any coach could stand there and have Andrew Luck be good.  Pagano's forte was defense, and he absolutely sucks at coaching it.

[oldunclemark]

   That O-line NE has is very good.

 

...They talk about the receivers he doesnt have..what about the line he DOES have

[5toolplayer]

I agree.....This defense is just a awful. If Pats had Gronk this team might have put up a 60 burger on us. 

[oldunclemark]

Every pick this draft should be defense.

Including that 1st round pick..

 

...whoops.

[5toolplayer]

   That O-line NE has is very good.

 

...They talk about the receivers he doesnt have..what about the line he DOES have

or total lack of push rush we didn't have tonight

[Le Neon]

Disagree. Too many turnovers killing us. Our offensive line is putting a lot of pressure on Luck by not opening up anything on the ground.

And perhaps Luck's youth and overconfidence in his right arm. Which should improve with time.

[5toolplayer]

brady was sacked 40 times this season....its not a great line. Compared to our line its a Hall Of Fame line though

[GoColts8818]

You guys can grumble about the defense all you want but again once this was a one score game the defense came up with back-to-back three and outs and the offense went three and out both times.  It's the Pats guys you aren't going to shut them down and when your QB turns it over three times on top of that it's not going to cut it against New England.  Defense needs more work clearly, namely a big run stopping DT but the offense has had as much to do with this loss as the defense has. 

[Andy]

Maybe not the right time to post a thread like this, but over a two year span, he has done a relatively nice job. 

[No 1 Manning Fan]

The biggest problem with the defense is they can't consistently stop a very obvious run scheme. They have done pretty well against Brady.

[Le Neon]

The Patriots have run the ball 40 times. That happened because the offense had too many negative plays. The defense wore down.

[lennymoore24]

Manusky is a horrid coach.  He has been everywhere he was worked.  i hope he gets canned and Wade Phillips is brought in.  He consistently fields a good defense.

[GoColts8818]

The Patriots have run the ball 40 times. That happened because the offense had too many negative plays. The defense wore down.

Yep defense gave them a chance with back-to-back three and outs and the offense went three and out both times.  That was the turning point because that lead to the big run for a TD. 

 

Add in the three INTs by Luck and you just can't do that and win in New England regardless of what the defense does. 

[MSColtsFan]

Hey defense came up with two straight three and outs when this was a one score game and the offense went three and out both times and the defense hasn't thrown three picks tonight.  You can't put this all of them.  It's Tom Brady and the Pats you aren't going to shut them down. 

You're right, but two things can be equally true.  After attacking down field Pep went back into his shell, and the O failed, and the D was pathetic for every drive but three, two of which were the two you mention.  Young team, out coached, out played, and went as far as they could.  Here's hoping for better health on the roster in 2014, and a D which actually stops the run, which would nice before I die.

[Kurtis Patrick M]

The offense has some work to do. Luck is throwing way too many pics. Bad throws. Does Luck have the cohunes to step up his game next year ? Stay tuned

[Kurtis Patrick M]

You're right, but two things can be equally true.  After attacking down field Pep went back into his shell, and the O failed, and the D was pathetic for every drive but three, two of which were the two you mention.  Young team, out coached, out played, and went as far as they could.  Here's hoping for better health on the roster in 2014, and a D which actually stops the run, which would nice before I die.

SO true

[GoColts8818]

You're right, but two things can be equally true.  After attacking down field Pep went back into his shell, and the O failed, and the D was pathetic for every drive but three, two of which were the two you mention.  Young team, out coached, out played, and went as far as they could.  Here's hoping for better health on the roster in 2014, and a D which actually stops the run, which would nice before I die.

Agreed the defense had a hand in this too.  I am pretty much just saying the offense had just as big of a hand in it.  This is taking your lumps in the playoffs which teams normally have to do.  It's been a step forward this year with a disappointing end only made that more disappointing because it's the Pats but this has been a good year. 

[SteelDragon]

The offense has some work to do. Luck is throwing way too many pics. Bad throws. Does Luck have the cohunes to step up his game next year ? Stay tuned

 

Huh? Luck is fearless.  He will improve.  He's already made huge strides this year.

[Le Neon]

Yep defense gave them a chance with back-to-back three and outs and the offense went three and out both times.  That was the turning point because that lead to the big run for a TD. 

 

Add in the three INTs by Luck and you just can't do that and win in New England regardless of what the defense does.

We've got a lot to look forward to in the next several years. The magic just ran out this season. We're a few components away from an elite team, a better o-line might do it.

[GoColts8818]

We've got a lot to look forward to in the next several years. The magic just ran out this season. We're a few components away from an elite team, a better o-line might do it.

Need work on the offensive line for sure could probably use another WR (although might be as simple as getting Reggie healthy) but we also need to find a true 3/4 DT who can eat up the other teams lineman and free up the other guys in defense to do things.  A guy we might target for that is Terrence Cody who is a free agent with the Ravens. 

[Bluefire4]

His defense is getting decimited by an undermanned team.  Yet again.  Maybe if Brady and 2 of NE's RB's had been out we might have had a chance to hold them under 40.

 

Chuck Pagano brings nothing to the table as head coach.

Defense got stops in both games. Luck gave the offenses too many short fields.

[Jason_]

the same "awful" defense was largely responsible for beating Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, KC x 2 etc etc.  They are inconsistent but this isn't exactly uncommon with young, inexperienced defenses. They have shown what they can do when they're fully healthy and clicking on all cylinders.  With more experience and a couple more upgrades this defense can and should be very good.

[OLD FAN MAN]

   That O-line NE has is very good.

 

...They talk about the receivers he doesnt have..what about the line he DOES have

best o-line in football, any rb could run behind them and painter would be a pro bowl qb behind them. great lines win superbowls on both sides of the ball

[bavanlan]

the same "awful" defense was largely responsible for beating Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, KC x 2 etc etc.  They are inconsistent but this isn't exactly uncommon with young, inexperienced defenses. They have shown what they can do when they're fully healthy and clicking on all cylinders.  With more experience and a couple more upgrades this defense can and should be very good.

 

Say what you want, but that's a starting defense made up of veterans.  How many were on rookie contracts?  Freeman and Davis? (and Davis is now a FA).

[coltsfanatic24]

This is the worse defense i have ever seen. Even during Manning years they weren't this bad. Freeman, Mathis, Davis are the only guys that are good enough to start. We need an upgrade at every other position.

[Iancolts]

The offense let us down. Those two picks were game changers. And the one pick which wasn't lucks fault hurt us bad too. The defense is very inconsistent but they did show up and gave our offense a chance to tie the game. I think we need better a solid number 1 DB and a cover safety. Couple Oline men and a 1 WR

[Jason_]

Say what you want, but that's a starting defense made up of veterans.  How many were on rookie contracts?  Freeman and Davis? (and Davis is now a FA).

 

Aside from Mathis, Franklin, Redding, Bethea and Landry, the rest are still young and/or inexperienced in terms of being a starter or primary backup.  The majority of players brought in were brought in because of their potential to grow with the team and be a force for the next several years.  I don't think Pagano or Grigson had any inclinations at the beginning of the season that the defense was going to turn into a top defense this season.