Preview: New England Patriots @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Wembley Stadium

by MaPatsFan on Oct 25, 2009 10:07 AM EDT in Opinion Comment 6 comments

Yes, even the New England Patriot cheerleaders are getting into it. I thought it appropriate because my daughter is at a cheerleading competition today and it's my way of sending a little mojo her way. While getting ready this morning, there were far too many estrogen moments for me to be in the same room. "Mom!!! This bow is, like, way to big. O.M.G.!! I look like Minnie Mouse!! Like, O.M.G." Time for me to leave.

As our Patriots prepare for a matchup against Tampa Bay, this romp in jolly old London has an odd vibe to me. It's almost as if our boys can't wait to get to the bye week, relax a bit, and re-tool for a second-half-of-the-season sprint that includes Miami, New York, and Indy. An 0-6 Buccaneers in a game that Belichick and the players are less than happy about playing (not their public persona, though) just doesn't seem like the way to go into the bye.

At any rate, here we are. The biggest news is our struggles to find a third wideout. With the loss of rising star Julian Edelman and the Joey Galloway experiment over, we're faced with the possibility of a less than 100% receiver corp. In Hoodie we trust, but I have to wonder if dropping Galloway was the right thing to do given Edelman's situation. Yes, Brandon Tate is coming off the PUP, but is he ready to be Brady's third look? Let's remember that Brandon is a rookie and has been, in essence, sitting through training camp and the first half of the season. Maybe he's getting a few practice reps, but nothing significant would be my guess. Not only is he a rookie with no NFL experience, but even and experienced wideout might have a tough time. Maybe Hoodie will restrict him to return duties only?

This puts a lot of pressure on guys like Randy Moss and Wes Welker to get open and stay open. That being said, Tampa Bay would be insane not to blanket these 2 with coverage. They see the same injury reports we do and know that if you shut down Moss and Welker, you take away 2 of Tom Brady's favorite weapons. What's a quarterback to do?

Well, in most situations, I'd say let's go to the backfield as a checkdown option. Sammy Morris is out. Fred Taylor is out. That leaves Kevin Faulk when you need to put the ball in the air close to the line of scrimmage. That works. That's where Kevin's most dangerous. The Bucs know that, too. When Faulk lines up, they'll know Brady will air it out to him. What to do...what to do... BenJarvus Green-Ellis has shown that he has some hands. Throw it to the young guy. But we need more than that.

I think we need to do 3 things: a) establish a ground game early and force Tampa Bay to respect the run, b) utilize tight ends Benjamin Watson and Chris Baker to make the Bucs respect a short aerial assault as well as pull defensive backs off of Welker and Moss, and c) once those defensive backs "disrespect" Welker and Moss, air it out.

All of that could change. The field conditions at Wembley turn horrific when the rain starts, but we've proven we can throw in just about anything. What's your plan? Where do you think Hoodie's going with this?

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any reason to hope

that burgess will become an impact player?

by sirpinochle on Oct 25, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lets go Maroney!!!

by patriotguy2 on Oct 25, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not too worried...

…especially considering the competition.

Any 3rd only needs to get one or two tosses in their direction — just enough to maintain some semblance of credibility. Welker is almost always open and when working out of the slot against TB, I think we’ll be fine. Let’s not forget Maroney’s successes of late when split wide in the formation, Watson’s capacity to line up beyond the box (and to get open from within it), Faulk’s proven receiving skills.

I’m more interested in seeing if Maroney can build on last week’s success. Can’t call it a breakout unless he keeps going, after all.

As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead

by JohnHannahRules on Oct 25, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

PS

The weather looks perfect, as well.

As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead

by JohnHannahRules on Oct 25, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How do you figure?

There’s no snow, and it’s not 20 degrees.

Remember, this is New England vs. Tampa. New England plays better in lousy weather, and Tampa stinks when it’s cold.

by RSNexile on Oct 25, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If finding the third wideout

is our biggest problem, we are in pretty good shape. I’m not sure Tate is the answer, but even if Belichick wanted to activate Mark Levoir to stretch the field, it wouldn’t be enough reason to keep Galloway around.

Offensively I want to see another week of good play from Brady. The show against the Titans was brilliant, but it would be good to see a couple of long completions against an actual NFL secondary.

by hythlodaeus on Oct 25, 2009 12:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs