Rob Ninkovich still not entirely pleased with defensive effort against Broncos in first meeting
"It definitely bothers you, of course...when they are able to run the ball on you, it is not a good feeling."
Watching Ninkovich through the years, you can't help but think of him as the newest face of the prototypical Patriots player. Bouncing around on both the Dolphins and Saints rosters and practice squads, the Patriots scooped him up and turned him into a productive linebacker/defensive end hybrid because, well, of course they did. Belichick loves players who's only purpose of life is loving the game of football, and Ninkovich fits that mold to a T.
It's a commonly held take that Belichick gladly allowed Moreno to run amok in the regular season meeting because he knew Peyton Manning would check down to the run if it was a favorable matchup instead of passing. Belichick gambled his defense wouldn't be able to hold off the Manning passing attack enough for his team to win the game, so he tried to make Manning beat himself by keeping feeding the Broncos running backs the ball. The gamble worked, obviously, because the Patriots got the W. The defense probably knew going in they would have to defend the run more than usual that game. It just speaks to Ninkovich's character that he is still harping on his team's performance in a regular season match in a game they won.
Via Boston Herald
Photo via AP
