The Surprise: New England Patriots unveil a wrinkle at practice
by MaPatsFan on Aug 18, 2009 12:50 PM EDT
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PrintWhile perusing the links today, Marima mentioned a wrinkle:
Christopher Price offers this tantalizing tidbit from yesterday afternoon's practice.
Toward the end of practice, the Patriots unveiled a new offensive wrinkle. We would love to reveal more, but rules (specifically, rule No. 1 in the "General Media Training Camp Policy" that states, "Please do not report on offensive or defensive strategy. This includes describing formations, personnel groups or non-conventional plays.") prevent us from saying any more.
In the comments section, SlotMachinePlayer postulated Wildcat with Julian Edelman. When Julian was drafted, many of us figured he'd end up in some kind of Wildcat type situation. The guy's listed as a wide receiver, but you can add quarterback and running back to his credentials and, after his 75 yard kick return against the Eagles in our preseason opener, put kick returner on top of that. Maybe he can disarm bombs, too.
At any rate, I thought it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on what this wrinkle might be. To get the ball rolling, I've setup a Poll with a few of my thoughts. Let's hear it.
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Ernie Adams
Ernie is a long time friend of Belichick’s and is classified as “Director of Football Research”. It has been speculated that he’s the voice in Belichick’s headset. For a really interesting read on Ernie, check out this ESPN story.
Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit
How about a direct snap to Sea Bass
At 6’8" and around 300#, he could just stand there and play keep away.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 18, 2009 2:48 PM EDT reply actions
I hope it isn't Wildcat
It’s just a trick play that worked a few times in one game against the Patriots and then was shut down the second. It’s not a game changing invention. College football didn’t unanimously start doing Statue of Liberty after Boise State won with it, why should everyone do Wildcat now?
Bears did versions of it circa 1985, with Walter Payton.
Including a TD pass to QB Jim McMahon.
The Patriots did it with Faulk in Super Bowl 43. Last year, the Phins joined the bandwagon and did it with Ronnie Brown. The problem with running backs passing, is that they aren’t used to handling pass rushers. That’s how you stop them.
The natural evolution, is to use a player who is equal parts running threat and passing threat. The Phins have Pat White, the Eagles have Michael Vick, and we have Julian Edelman. You don’t need a direct snap, you can hand off (as a running back) or screen pass (backwards) to a receiver/QB. In that case, it’s not the Wildcat formation.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 18, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
In this case
It was probably a receiver screen, that Edelman caught and threw to Moss or Galloway.
2007 Brady threw a lateral to Moss (Moss bobbled it and picked it up), then threw a lateral back to Brady, who then threw a pass to Gaffney (I think).
The only difference here, is that Edelman could throw to Moss, or run, or toss it back to Brady all depending upon how the defense reacts. The beauty is that you’re not even married to throwing that screen. Brady could hit Moss directly, or Welker, a tight-end, Faulk. Sky’s the limit.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 18, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
the flea flicka
thats a great tool for a team to use
by Patsfan4life on Aug 18, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Right
but instead of tossing it back to the QB, you throw it because you ARE a QB.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 18, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Gisele takes a turn at the 50, disrupting the defense as Brady connects with Moss for six
"I call this here Clark Kent. Just sniff this, right here. It’s good, huh?! You smoke this s**t and you just wanna rip your clothes off in a phone booth and fight crime"
Edelman AT QB
Edelman took about half a dozen snaps at QB, I was there and watched it. Nothing earth shattering, actually the first team defense was on the field as well as the first team offense, with the exception of Edleman as QB.
BTW, the defense stopped them every time….
That's not all that new....
He’s already taken snaps at QB in camp. I was hoping for something more interesting like Sea Bass at wide receiver.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 19, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the info
The local media pointed out the out-of-the-ordinary drill of the first team offense going up against the first team defense, but I was just real curious about the tidbit thrown out there on “the offensive wrinkle”. Glad to see the defense was right on top of it.
Was Brady on the line?
Keep the faith!
re: Thanks for the info
No Brady was on the sidelines. He lined up with the regular offense and in the shotgun.
The defense came right after him, and wasn’t put off by this at all.
I had been to nearly every practice in training camp, and that was the first I say of Edelman getting any snaps at QB, BTW Sea Bass wasn’t at practice that day, so thay may be next. He looked interesting as a punt returner… that’s for sure ! LOL
It might have been OTA's
Belichick said they “tried Julian out at Quarterback”. Don’t know when exactly.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 19, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
re: It might have been OTAs
Could very well have been there, but Edelman who has looked more and more comfortable on the field as a WR, doesn’t look like that as a QB.
That and he is short for an NFL QB, The impression I got from this was, yes they lined up and did it. But the coaches didn’t get very fired up about it, nor the players. so, is it just a BB smokescreen to give other teams something to think about? Who knows?
I guess we’ll find out in Sept.
the smokescreen aspect has merit
the media has been dying to speculate about it, and almost expect the Patriots to pull something off with Edelman. We’ll just have to see though. Remember, BB had the defense and offense switching roles once in practice – don’t think we’ll be seeing that in a game any time soon either. The more he can keep the other teams guessing, the better.
Keep the faith!
I’m new to all of this but I was at Training Camp on Monday AM. I noticed there was a safety playing the position of WR. Is that a wrinkle or normal?
If it's Matthew Slater, it's normal.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 19, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Slater is #18
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 19, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
The wrinkle was the play where the O-line lets the pass-rusher come through
and Brady has to fend for himself.
The play went just as practiced.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 24, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions
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