New England Patriots Links 9/24/09 - Patriots Expecting Teams to Blitz, Blitz, Blitz

by Marima on Sep 24, 2009 9:32 AM EDT in News Comment 0 comments

More photos » by Stephan Savoia - AP

Tom Brady smiles as he answers a reporter's question during a media availability in front of his locker at Gillette Stadium Wednesday morning. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

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Chris Gasper says the Patriots offense has Brady scrambling for answers.

The issues for the offense go beyond Brady, according to former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer. They are tied in part to repetitive play-calling, a lack of dedication to the running game and the screen game, and a lack of chemistry between Brady and new No. 3 receiver Joey Galloway.

Dilfer said Brady, on film, is fundamentally the same as he was during the record-setting 2007 season, but the offense is not.

"This is not a very dynamic passing game the way it’s being called. It is far less dynamic than 2007,’’ said Dilfer. "By making it more dynamic and getting more ‘chunk yardage’ [which, according to Dilfer, is yardage gained after the ball is in the air for at least 15 yards], that will take the burden off executing at a high level on multiple third downs, the hardest down in football.’’

Tom Brady on Matt Ryan and the Falcons:

This team [Atlanta] kind of lines up and they come at you. It's not like it's a big mystery where they're bringing their stuff from. They just line up with 11 guys who are all tough, who are all fast. And they usually rush. And they usually get there. John Abraham and [Kroy] Biermann, they are both great pass-rushers. They've got a very good defensive line, with athletic linebackers. We've got to get rid of the ball fast this week because they're coming.

Matt [Ryan], obviously we haven't played him, last year [being] his rookie year. I always hear good things about him. He seems like a really neat guy. Obviously, going to [Boston College], I heard a lot about him. But he's done a great job. He's leading the team to wins and that's what a quarterback's job is.

TEAM TALK

Patriots-Falcons Injury Report - 9/23/09
Erik Scalavino offers the news and notes from the Patriots locker room and Wednesday's practice; the newest Patriot, LB Prescott Burgess; and Ron Brace on meeting Matt Ryan again.
Bill Belichick Wednesday Press Conference. (11.32 min. video plus Transcript.)
Tom Brady Wednesday Press Conference. (10 min. video plus Transcript.)
Patriots Today: Putting the loss behind them. (8.27 min. video)
Ask PFW: Stumbling out of the gates.

LOCAL LINKS

Karen Guregian predicts opposing defenses will present an all-out blitz-o-rama until Brady and the Patriots prove they can effectively counteract it.
Karen Guregian offers some tidbits from Tom Brady's Q & A yesteraday, and reports Brady admitted he is still not totally comfortable with his throwing mechanics this season.
Shalise Manza Young notes Brady says there's nothing wrong with his shoulder, he's "just off" and he's working on it.
Christopher Price says Tom Brady isn't stupid, he knows teams will continue to bring pressure.
Ian Rapoport talks up the many talents of Falcons QB Matt Ryan, playing in his hometown Sunday in front of family and friends.
Jim Donaldson reports Falcons' Matt Ryan has come a long way in a short time.
Mark Farinella notes that Sunday will mark Matt Ryan's first encounter with a Bill Belichick defense, and he knows that he will be challenged by it.
Mike Petraglia reports on Matt Ryan's conference call with the media, and how this trip will be all business.
Shalise Manza Young says Prescott Burgess feels that he can handle anything the Patriots ask him to do.
Julian Benbow talks with newest Patriots LB Prescott Burgess, who is happy to go to a great team that is known for linebackers.
Ian Rapoport notes Matthew Slater's injury was less serious than the WR initially imagined and he was able to don the red shirt for his first practice yesterday.
Eric Ortiz thinks the Patriots need to choose a top running back and jettison the committee approach.
Ian Rapoport catches up with rookie Brandon Tate, who's been getting the playbook down cold and biding his time until the trainers tell him he's able to play.
Michael Hurley relays Rodney Harrison's thoughts that the Patriots will struggle against Tony Gonzales (from Harrison's twitter page of course).
Mark Farinella was sad to see Romeo Crennel as the latest in the line of failed coaches to shill for those Coors Light commercials.
Michael Vega and Julian Benbow Patriots Notebook: Ron Brace will be meeting ex-BC teammate Matt Ryan Sunday; Jets LB Bart Scott still yapping at Moss; Belichick said he never talked with Kansas City about Tony Gonzales; practice notes - Welker did not participate; Tom Brady held his press conference in front of his locker.