New England Patriots Links 12/03/09 - Is Miami Able To Follow The Saints' Blueprint For Beating The Patriots?

by Marima on Dec 3, 2009 10:48 AM EST in New England Patriots News

Karen Guregian explains how the Saints successfully stopped the Patriots.

No doubt others had tried [to eliminate both Moss and Welker], but New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was the first to hatch the scheme and have the players both up front and in the defensive backfield to implement the plan to perfection.

Williams decided he had to eliminate both no matter what, even if that meant sacrificing bodies up front. So he put four guys on Brady’s two favorite targets. Two other elements made this scheme work.

The big boys up front for the Saints were still able to generate an effective pass rush on the Pats offensive line, even without reinforcements, as Brady was constantly flushed from the pocket.

As we’ve discovered, Brady isn’t quite as effective throwing on the move. So the combination of pressure, and Brady not having his go-to guys available, left the quarterback indecisive. That led to some poor throws.

Welker indicated the style of coverage applied by the Saints represented a "new twist" that he hadn’t before experienced. "That was a great learning experience for us, or at least it better be, or else we’re in for a long season."

Tom Brady answered a question about how the Saints' replacement cornerbacks played so well, and about what happened on the Sharper interception.

They played well as a team. I really think that’s what it was. It’s not one or two guys in or out. This is a team game, and as a team they payed really well. They rushed the covered, they mixed the scheme up. We didn’t go out and play very well. When you don’t play well against a good team, that’s what happens. We’ve been on the other end of that plenty of times. We’ve got to do a better job of playing big in these types of situations. When the going gets tough, we’ve got to dig deep and play better. We still have a lot of football to play — a month of practice, a month of games. We’ve got to find a way to improve a lot of these things. We still lead the division. This week is a huge game for us. Hopefully we’ll go out there and play a lot better than we did last week. I’m expecting us to come out with the same confidence that we always come out with. I expect us to go out there and play really well.

I got flushed around a little bit. To tell you the truth, I didn’t even see him [Darren Sharper]. I was trying to throw the ball away. I didn’t even see him hovering back there. As soon as I let it go, I saw him running toward the ball. That was a bummer.

Bill Belichick was asked, "Have you found there's a characteristic of teams that consistently win on the road?"

They play well.

TEAM TALK

Erik Scalavino Brady looking forward to final month; Wednesday news and notes from Gillette.
Wednesday Pressers: Bill Belichick (16:15 min. video) Plus Transcript, and Tom Brady (15:03 min video).
Paul Perillo, Ask PFW: Part I - Getting the Patriots' band back together? and Part II - Picking up the pieces.
Patriots-Dolphins Wednesday Injury Report.
Patriots Today: Turning the page to the Dolphins. (9:35 min. video)
Locker Room Uncut: Need a quick turnaround. (3:22 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

Ian Rapoport notes the players faced countless questions yesterday about a nation writing them off, all while the Saints, Colts and Vikings get to sit at the cool table of the NFL’s cafeteria.
Adam Kilgore says the New Orleans pass rush exposed the Patriots O-Line, forcing them to rethink their offensive identity.
Karen Guregian discusses Belichick's dilemma in making Sam Aiken the third WR, as he also adds enormous value on special teams and it's difficult to juggle the two positions.
Jeff Howe focuses on Sam Aiken's versatility.
Ian Rapoport reports Tom Brady said the team has moved on from New Orleans and focused on Miami.
Albert Breer thinks the Dolphins could throw New England off balance by using Pat White as a passer.
Shalise Manza Young asserts the Patriots' road woes must be fixed if the team is going to make the ultimate road trip — to Miami for the Super Bowl.
Mark Farinella notes Wes Welker was puzzled by Saints' defense. [hint: It's called "Holding."]
WEEI offers the Q&A of Tom Brady's call in to the Dennis and Callahan show Wednesday morning.
Kerry Byrne says Bill Belichick is no longer a defensive genius.
Mike Reiss offers some quick hits from Gillette.
Boston Herald Patriots Notebook: Bill Belichick proteges Nick Saban and Urban Meyer to battle Saturday; It's a short prep week for the Patriots; Tom Brady shares his thoughts on good friend Charlie Weis and a bit on Tiger Woods; Sebastian Vollmer and Matt Light are set to play Sunday, sparking a discussion of who'll start where.
Mike Petraglia offers the Transcripts of Wednesday's Media Conference Calls: Tony Sparano and Jason Taylor.
Mike Reiss notes the Patriots have made positive penalty strides.
Christopher Price answers his weekly reader mailbag.
Mike Reiss notes Sunday's game between the Patriots and Dolphins will be called by the CBS duo of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms for the 7th time this season.