How Does Saints-Packers Affect New England?
by Patriots12 on Sep 9, 2011 1:00 PM EDT
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PrintLast night the NFL season was officially kicked off. The Green Bay Packers squared off against the New Orleans Saints. And it was something of a game. Looking at the champions, I took several things from this game. For me even though the Saints had a chance to win, it wasn't that close to me. I thought Green Bay proved that they are a physical and dynamic team. More after the jump.
The things I saw from the Packers last night was 1) speed on defense. They got there in a hurry. Linebackers, corners and safeties were all over some passes and a few of the Saints as well. 2) Strength. The defensive line of Green Bay could not be moved with pity or mercy in key situations. 3) Ball hawking. The whole team found ways to get their hands on the ball. Drew Brees easily could have thrown like 3 or 4 ints last night. The Packers didn't hold on to them. The fumble forced by the Packer's safety was huge too. 4) Solid pass blocking. Aaron Rodgers was laying on his couch with a magazine, drink, and remote control completing passes to his receivers. He was completing passes in the smallest of windows. He looks like he could have an MVP year this season. Possibly throw 40 touchdown passes .5) The receivers made plays. Guys caught balls with defenders all over them. Made defenders miss. And generally seemed unstoppable.
For the Saints I saw this. 6) Sean Payton lost patience with his running game. I thought when the score was 21-7, Sean Payton put the game on Drew Brees shoulders too early. There was still 3 and a half quarters of football left to play. And it cost him in key situations that he didn't stick with the run. Running would have slowed the pace of the game down. Kept Aaron on the sidelines, and allowed for the Saint defense to catch a break. I believe that was part of the reason the Saints got stopped on the goal line at the end of the game as well. 7) The Saint defense has only one play maker on defense. Malcolm Jenkins. I think they will be hard pressed to do damage against top level teams with few play makers on defense.
What does this have to do with New England? New England needs to improve in all of these areas named save one. Defensive play makers. I feel like they have enough play makers to make a difference. They just need to do it. But running the football, staying with the run, forcing turnovers, catching the ball, protecting Tom Brady, and being strong at the point of attack are all areas that New England needs to get better at. Yes they lead the NFL in ints last season. But the more opportunities the Patriots have to get their hands on the football, the more points the offense can score. And when you know that you could play the Packers for it all. Or any team in the AFC that is looked at as Super Bowl material, the more you can do, the harder that you are to defend. Interested in your thoughts.
The views expressed in these FanPosts are not necessarily those of the writers or SBNation.
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Nice post, and a good question
I was watching the game with the same question in my head last night, trying to imagine the Patriots against either of these two quick-strike teams. Defense is the key.
Offensively Tom Brady can quick-strike with the best of them and I like the Pats weapons, although I’m not supremely confident yet in Chad Ochocinco eluding coverage to connect downfield with Brady. Emphasis on “yet”. I’ll just have to see how it all works in a real game.
Vollmer’s health is a bit concerning too, as the Brady will need time to get the ball out before getting crushed. It seemed both defenses last night were more concerned with rushing the passer than anything else. Some of Brees’ passes connected just a split second before he was hit hard and taken down – that level of concentration is amazing.
Defensively, I have a lot more confidence that the Patriots can slow either team down. That first period was crazy. Green Bay showed the stronger D last night, forcing the Saints to settle for FGs and then coming up with the big goal-line stand in the final seconds.
Keep the faith!
I hope they wouldn't try and outgun Brees or Rodgers.
Better off turning it into the early decade Colts playoff games, just grind it out for 35 minutes of possession and ensure you come away with points every time.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by ISN on Sep 9, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
No, not suggesting that at all
just pointing out in comparison to the two offenses last night, that Brady can do the same thing. What I’d hope, though, is that if Brady’s up a couple of TDs, the defense won’t allow the opponent back in the game – or at least keep ’em to FGs
Keep the faith!
That was my strategy for beating these teams in Indy.
Not necessarily yours, or BB’s ,or…
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by ISN on Sep 9, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think our offense can do the same thing
Our offense is more about ball control and slow long drives than just scoring at will. You need a deep threat which both GB and NO had to run that type of offense. If our defense was that inefficient we would be in trouble.
Taylor Price will be the starter by the end of the season (Said before Training Camp)
I don't think it would put 42
on the saints defense or the Packers D, if it was the bills or the Steeler average secondary then yes we can. I mean we can put up points, but what Drew Brees was doing was insane. His WRs were making getting open and making tough catches, and he was getting pressure a lot. That was a great secondary he was going up against.
Taylor Price will be the starter by the end of the season (Said before Training Camp)
It's unlikely GB will be scoring 42 points every game either
and Brady scores 30 something points in a game better than Brees. Brees had six games where he scored 30-34 points last year (against the Bucs, Seahawks, Cowboys, Bengals, Rams and Panthers) and 10 games where he scored less than that.
I’m not saying he didn’t look good last night, I’m just saying Brady can do the same. And I don’t agree with you that Green Bay’s defense was all that great last night, it was good enough to win by 8 points.
Keep the faith!
Couldn't agree more. They got carved for 419 passing yards and 3 TD's. They did enough to win the game.
And I don’t agree with you that Green Bay’s defense was all that great last night, it was good enough to win by 8 points.
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
I debating whether Brady is capable of doing that
I’m debating whether this offense is. Like that game the Saints defense could do nothing. It was exactly how our defense looked when we faced the Saints in 09 and when we faced Detriot this preseason. I don’t know if our offense is built to keep up like that. If Price and Ocho can become reliable targets then the answer is yes, but if they don’t then the answer is no
Taylor Price will be the starter by the end of the season (Said before Training Camp)
I wonder the same thing. I can't be naive and think our defense will be utterly spectacular. There may
be games (coming up as soon as week 2) that may very well be shootouts. With V. Jax SD has a down the field threat we don’t have. They get a couple quick strikes, and we could be in trouble. This offense isn’t equipped to be a quick strike come from 2 td’s behind in the 4th quarter squad.
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
True, but that's not to say it can't happen.
We aren’t “built” for it in the conventional sense, but if the need arises im sure our team can come through and score quickly. Especially if guys like Taylor Price and A-Hern come up, because those guys can be considerably explosive. Again, it won’t be the offensive fireworks show we saw on Thursday, but then again that isnt sustainable over a 16 game season. Our offense is. Slow and steady baby.
#signreyesNOW
by The Talented Mr. Dickey on Sep 10, 2011 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Neither Green Bay nor the Saints could stop the run
That’s the part that gave me the most hope.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Well that's in part too
them playing all pass. Like the Packers similar to us are not great running the ball, but they were still able to run effective because their passing game was so deadly that it made the defense put those safeties back so they won’t get beat deep and play pass all the way AND THEY STILL GOT BURNED. The Saints weren’t great running the ball either and really couldn’t once they got down by 2 scores, but once that passing game got going and that had some big connections the running game opened up a bit.
Taylor Price will be the starter by the end of the season (Said before Training Camp)
I also noticed they were both selling out the short pass to protect the long
Which is fine, but if they allow the dink-and-dunks, they won’t stop Brady, especially with new RBs to pass to who could spring big gains if they’re one-on-one with CBs.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Sep 9, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
And all of our backs can haul in the ball rather well. Benny is really catching on i think.
/see what i did there?
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
by PatNation85 on Sep 10, 2011 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions
No
And Benny still can’t catch. And he’s not great as a pass-blocker.
Ridley, on the other hand, is surprisingly decent at both. Not great, but he’s got the tools to work on.
Vereen has something interesting, too.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Sep 10, 2011 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions
They wouldn't
that is what they would try to stop, because who is going to beat them deep? I hope the answer will be Ocho, Price, and occasionally the TEs down the seam.
Taylor Price will be the starter by the end of the season (Said before Training Camp)
Neither team ran well lastnight. I'm not sure what you meant by the running game
“opened up”.
Saints- 81 yards @ 3.9/ypc
Packers- 103 yards @ 3.8/ypc
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
by PatNation85 on Sep 10, 2011 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Half the rushes were in 1-yard-to-go situations, though
You could probably double the YPC if you were just looking at situations where they rushed in open field, between the 20s. The Red Zone rushes and rushes on third down really dropped the YPC down.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Sep 10, 2011 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions
And that goes back to the 04 divisional game vs the Colts.
That’s the recipe for success.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
Neither Green Bay nor the Saints could stop the run That’s the part that gave me the most hope
Why?
You are a disciple of the mind set to keep the ball in Brady’s hands as often as possible. You’re definitely going to advocate a pass on 3rd and/or 4th down if the yardage needed is 2 or more – regardless of the defensive call. You’re perfectly satisfied with an empty back field alignment because that represents another receiving target even though it announces pass-play coming – thereby placing maximum pressure on the OL to hold off the bull rush.
The empty back field alignment was the kiss of death, but the PAT’s penchant for passing in this scenario (as fully supported by you and others) tipped the scales in Indy’s favor.
Watch and decide for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unqLsb4eCo4
1 The Colts sent five on a bull rush because of the empty backfield.
2 Every defender was up near the line of scrimmage because they knew the bull rush would favor that positioning
3 Brady released the pass under 3 secs or he would have been hit from behind had he held it a 1/2 sec longer.
4 Brady only had time to look at Faulk.
5 Three of the wide outs never even got to their break.
6 Oddly enough, Welker was his best target as Brady had the #83 almost square to him, Welker’s defender was 2 yards off of him, and Welker was well past the 1st down marker.
BUT, the bull rush virtually negates QB reads beyond the primary target.
As I have said repeatedly, I favor a play call that responds to the defensive alignment. If the D is showing a run stuffing alignment, then you play action. If the D is showing a pass defense alignment, as was the case with the GB defense on the 4th and 1 (35-27 score), a run would have been a higher percentage call. But, in all cases, I would certainly not have an empty back field.
You, on the other hand, correct me if I am wrong, will always choose to have the ball in Brady’s hands if the yardage is 2 or more: maybe 1 or more on 3rd or 4th down.
Well, the video clip above and the NO video clip (35-27 score 4th and 1) clearly demonstrate that the defense has a big advantage when they expect a pass or know it’s a pass (and we’re looking at two of the premier QB’s in football). The QB pressure is intense, and the read time is almost nil.
/Facepalm
500 yards say wot?
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Sep 13, 2011 3:08 AM EDT up reply actions
When I say "Brady" the offense is included
as they all work together. 2009 the Patriots had one decent CB in Leigh Bodden allowing Drew Brees to throw at and abuse Jonathan Wilhite all night long. This year the Patriots have better CBs and a better overall defense (as it looks now anyway) than they did then.
I agree completely that an effective defense matters, but I also see the offense continuing to gel as the “ifs” get figured out.
Keep the faith!
Not to mention
the pats were the highest scoring team in the league last year. By almost a 100 yards to the #2 team.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
lol he meant 100 pts i guess.
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
yeah points. lol
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Of course Brady can do the same.
But the Saints and Packers have a far better intermediate-to-deep receiving corps, so in three plays they can get from the 20 to the end zone. I can’t see our receivers doing that without a busted coverage or a missed tackle, nothing to do with Brady.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
I am scared of both these teams. Going on what i saw last year (emphasis on last year) there was never a 3rd and
distance, that i thought, ok our defense will make a stop and get the opposition off the field. Hopefully this year that has been somewhat solved.
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
I'm not scared of either one
Packers will have SB hangover, and Saints just don’t have the firepower to keep up with the Pats in a shootout.
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
by New Century Silver on Sep 9, 2011 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Huh?
Packers will have SB hangover, and Saints just don’t have the firepower to keep up with the Pats in a shootout.
The Pack sure don’t look like they had this “hangover” that you speak of lastnight. Their offense is scary. Their defense isn’t as bad as they looked. Saints are just that good. The Saints may be more than equipped with “firepower” to hang with us. I’m not sure you watched the game lastnight. Or know of an offense led by Mr. Brees.
Optimism is great, blind assumptions is another NCS.
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
And rusing to judgement after one game
isn’t so great.
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
by New Century Silver on Sep 9, 2011 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm doubting Rodgers will drop off, and that O is geared around him
And as long as BJ Raji is playing the way he is, that D will tick over pretty well, especially with the vets like Woodson guiding the tiller.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Sep 9, 2011 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions
He has a history
of concussions. Also, they’re playing against the Lions, who have a great pass-rush and vastly improved team in general, the Vikings, who just a year ago had perhaps the best team in the NFC, and the Bears, who went to the NFC championship last year. I’m not saying they’ll go 8-8, but with that competition and their so-so regular season last year, I’m hesitant to call them SB favorites, or even predict them as the winners of the north.
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
by New Century Silver on Sep 9, 2011 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
He barely got touched by the Saints last night.
He’s also got a viable backup in Flynn, who could be starting an NFL team elsewhere.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Sep 9, 2011 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm just saying
teams get overhyped alot. Look at Vick last year – everyone was acting like he was invincible, then Antoine Winfield happened. Look at the Vikings the previous year – NFC Chapionship, then losing season.
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
by New Century Silver on Sep 9, 2011 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
True, but there were plays where he was roughed up.
And comparing the Saints pass rush to Detroit’s… or even a formidable enough d line like Chicago… is like betting on Whoopi Goldberg to beat Kate Upton in a swimwear contest. Different stratospheres.
And the fact is, as has been mentioned here and other places before, the Pack barely got in the playoffs last year. That makes them being superbowl faves a little iffy for me.
#signreyesNOW
by The Talented Mr. Dickey on Sep 10, 2011 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions
But what did they do once they got in? No team that defeated the last season did it handedly.
the Pack barely got in the playoffs last year. That makes them being superbowl faves a little iffy for me.
Not to mention they did it with over 10 players on IR. They didn’t crumble like the Colts did with all their injuries. They fought through. Now they are at full strength. And their defense isn’t as bad as the 34 pts against them would suggest. Again, first game of the season, things will adjust.
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
Personally, I'd be more worried about Jay Cutler than Rodgers
Rodgers is mobile and has decent pass-blocking RBs. Cutler has Mike Martz, and Martz is trying to get him killed half the time.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Sep 10, 2011 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I want to see a few more games before I anoint anyone. But the Packers are the champions. So they get credit because they won it all last season. They certainly looked sharp more often than not last night.
That's pretty much my summary too
Maybe they will play like this and get these same results for the rest of the season, but I want to see a few more games too before anointing any team.
Keep the faith!
It's not worth the energy to be scared of these teams.
The only time it would really matter is if/when we meet them in the Superbowl and by then you might have a completely different outlook on the Pats or Saints/GB based on injuries and the season’s performances.
I have no doubts they could if nessary, though.
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
by New Century Silver on Sep 9, 2011 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they could match them, if they had to.
I don’t want to have to rely on putting up 45 to win the Super Bowl though.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
Not so sure
The Saints had a long drive with plenty of runs in the 3rd quarter (and the 1st). They did try to run and had a 3.9 average despite Raji being a force on defense. The game would have been very different if Colston doesn’t fumble on the Saints’ opening drive, yet they still were a yard and a conversion away from evening the score at the end.
When you add in the crazy special teams plays and lack of defense on both sides, the entire game seemed like a sportscenter highlight reel. Both teams looked explosive, but not sure if it was poor defense or just better offense. I think the Pats would have done fine against either team last night.
by iLikeStuff on Sep 9, 2011 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Great game, excellent way to open the season!
The Packers, Saints, Falcons, and our beloved Pats seem like the cream of the crop this year.
F**k Gisele!
Not sure about the Falcons PG.
Welcome aboard btw :)
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
They could go backwards, purely because of what Rodgers did to them int he playoff game.
That kind of psychological trauma leaves a mark.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
By the way, the Saints were able to run it. But there were key situations where they failed to get the tough yards. That is what I’m speaking on. I thought the Packers clearly had the better team last night. The Saints fought back valiantly. But because the Packers put them on their heels early is why a lot of things happened the way they did. You saw everything last night. Good defense, good offense, GREAT special teams play. And great situational football.
I agree that Colston fumble did the Saints in deep real early. Last Night the Pack was the better team, overall.....i'm
not so sure. Look at the yardage that both teams piled up. We know that both running games were mediocre and that both can be passed on. The two respective KR’s were impressive.
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
I felt that the Packers have more play makers. Yeah the game was close. But the Saints could do nothing with Rodgers. Nothing. The Belichick style of playing back and punishing the receivers may work if you can bring them down. I just felt that Green Bay put pressure on the Saints to beat them. And New Orleans struggled with that. You have valid points though. I do think it is much more dangerous to throw in to the Green Bay secondary though.
This "Belichick style of playing back and punishing the receivers" is new on me. We can't really do that anymore
due to Polian. But when was the last time we did do this? Certainly not in the last few years, no?
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
I'm more worried about teams with shutdown defenses
than I am about these two teams. We can compete in high scoring games. But teams that make our offense grind it out (Jets, Ravens) give us fits – especially if they have a running game. Teams have to use the same strategy we used to employ vs. the Colts if they have any shot of winning.
I agree.
But in those types of games, Belichick will be counting on Haynesworth and Wilfork to clog up the middle, and let the linebackers and safeties take care of the outside runs. If the two behemoths can do that, it really kills their strategy.
It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.
That's the plan
Let’s hope it works out that way. I’m so eager to see this defense in a real game. Is Bodden back? Will McCourty dominate again? Will the rest of the secondary perform? Can the big guys in the middle wreak havoc in run and pass? Will the Pats finally pressure the QB without having to blitz? Who will win Bella – Jacob or Edward?
Everyone knows it's Edward, dude. Book came out in 08.
/thank christ this shit is almost over.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by ISN on Sep 9, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Hahahahaha
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
The pin point passing that Aaron was throwing last night is how you beat grind it out defenses. You put the ball only where you guys can catch it. There were plenty of plays where Rodgers let his guys go get it. And ONLY his guys.
Can our QB deliver those types of passes? Especially pass the 20yard mark?
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
Brady could.
It’s not his game, he’d prefer to take the safe option every time, but he can hit the tight windows around 20 yards. It what happens when the ball gets there that concerns me – the receivers are the issue, not the QB.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
Sigh. Of course he can.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rim2cT1NHyQ
Here is Darrell Revis for you:
2. "The crazy thing about it is his accuracy. His accuracy of where he throws the ball, where as a defender you can’t get it sometimes. You’re here in position but then he’s throwing it right there and Wes [Welker] is catching it an inch from the ground."
by frogfromthemud on Sep 10, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm so glad...
Darren Sproles is in the NFC. Same goes for Randall Tex Cobb.
by sweetjesusihatethejets on Sep 9, 2011 3:02 PM EDT reply actions
Sproles is on my fantasy team.
Too bad I’m stacked at WR and RB so I have nowhere to put him, and his 35 point performance went to waste…
It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.
/humblebrag
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by ISN on Sep 9, 2011 4:27 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
yeah, tooooooooo bad
I’d HATE to be stacked at WR and RB. Good thing I have all mediocre ones or I’d never know which ones to play : P
Keep the faith!
use him as trade bait
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
In FF how do u trade? I'm new to it.
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
look up a player you want, or look at another players roster
and there should be some blue arrows. click on that, and go to trade for him.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Great. Thanks. I'm actually starting the Pats defense this Monday night lol.
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
It really feels like our shift to the 4-3 is a response to the Jets running attack
That and our personnel of course (Imagine that, game-planning around the talent you have available)
As to last night’s game, I feel the game hinged around the Saints not being able to gain a single yard on the ground on two plays – as well as the incomplete pass on 4th and one.
A lesson I think we should take is don’t shut down the offense too early. GB almost lost that game despite shredding the NO defense for most of the game.
The bad thing is Sanchez does his damage against us with his passing anyway. He surely ain't afraid of the challenge of
playing in Foxboro.
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
Interesting.
We used a lot of 4-0 fronts previously when we were in nickel and dime, so I thought it was just acknowledging that we needed better pash rush in that formation.
I didn’t think it would change our run side much.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Sep 9, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
No more than doubling the bodies on the line between the tackles would.
Throw in the fact that they’re Vince Wilfork and Albert Haynesworth…
Pity we couldn’t trade a 7th for Ngata.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
I know right?
I definitely wouldn’t mind Ngata as a Patriot…
by indy pats fan on Sep 10, 2011 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Will Guyton see more time on the field to assist against the speed Bush?
McCourty on Marshall
Arrington/Dowling on Gates
and Bodden in the slot on Bess?
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Lewis Hamilton~ 2011 F1 Champion!!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
Not going to try and pick the wideout match ups,
But I’d expect to see a DB on Bush.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
My main takeaway was how the Packers brought it for 60 minutes
High-energy, hard hits, players flying around the field. The Saints put up points but they’re a very talented offense. The Packers were bringing 100% on both sides of the ball the whole game.
I feel like too many times these past few seasons the Patriots have had a couple bad breaks and suddenly both offense and defense look like they’re playing on their heels. Hopefully we see a shift starting this season towards a more aggressive approach not just in the play-calling but in the play on the field. The talent is certainly there on both sides to attack the defense or swarm to the ball.
Very good post. Thought provoking.
Cant wait for Monday!
#signreyesNOW
by The Talented Mr. Dickey on Sep 10, 2011 12:56 AM EDT reply actions
New Pats
The Pats are much better equipped for running ball control and run defense than last year. If this is their plan it will either make the transition from Brady ball or extend his career. Their toughest opponents will likely be the ones with strongest DL and the hope is Cannon. Solder, Vollmer and Mankins will neutralize that. Bigger center, bigger safety, bigger wide out needed.
Josh Barrett is 6’2 who plays safety. Sergio Brown is 6’1 I think. The Patriots don’t need a bigger wide out. I think Green Bay does fine without huge wide outs. They got open plenty good against a lot of opponents. We just need our guys to catch the ball. That is the receiver’s first job. Catch it and hold on to it. I think if Brian Waters can solidify the RG position, then that will help the center Dan Koppen. He was able to work because the guys around him are solid. It seems that he gets worst when either guard spot doesn’t have the starter in there.
Josh Barrett is a 6'2, 222lber who ran a 4.34 40
He’s bigger, faster and stronger than Meriweather. Crazy.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Sep 10, 2011 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Jordy Nelson
is 6-3 215 LBs.
Taylor Price will be the starter by the end of the season (Said before Training Camp)
I didn't see much defense
A few reasons that could atributed to:
1. Saints lack of pass rush, Rodger had all kinds of ime in the Pocket.
2. The fumble in 1st and ensuing TD put them down 14. Why it appeared they panicked and played the rest of the game like it was the 4th quarter I don’t understand.
3. The saints tryied to establish a run game somewhere in the second. Raji stuffed one and over persued a couple. Ingram wouldn’t make a cut and break either of these out for the big gains they should have been. Once he develops more they should be able to establish a running game.
4. Bree’s carved up GB’s secondary in man coverage . I think he’s the most accurate QB in the game, Granted Throwing 49 times in a game you’re not going to have the best comp pct. Some of these can be atributted to the O-line falling apart and Bree’s scrambling backwards 20yds (WTF was that all about)
On a side note is Jermichael Finley the best at disguising offensive PI.
GFY
I saw it a bit differently. The Green Bay defense had their hands on some balls. The score could have been much worst. But all of the key plays, in my eyes, were made by the Packers. The fumble, the stops on 3rd and 4th down. And at the end of the game. Yes Brees did carve up the secondary. But he had to in order to give his team a chance. But Green Bay did force him into some mistakes. You maybe right on Finley. But if the refs don’t call it, it isn’t a penalty.
my 2nd fantasy team. 10 team league. Thoughts please. :)
QBs: Matt Ryan, Eli Manning
WRs: Roddy White, Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt, Lee Evans
RBs: Rashad Mendenhall, Ahmad Bradhsaw, Mike Tolbert
TEs: Marcedes Lewis, Aaron hernandez
Ks: Sebastion Janikowski, Josh Brown
Defs: Green Bay, Dallas
I thought I did well. But its certainly better than my first team (which after some thinking, is not that great).
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Play Herndo only in weeks we go against defenses with man coverage.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Sep 11, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
such as against miami?
besides oakland, I can’t tell who does more man coverage, or is a hybrid coverage scheme defense like ours….
I was also thinking that Blaine would go to Lewis a lot in his first year…. so between who should start, and who shouldn’t on a weekly basis, I have no idea. lol
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Jets are nearly always man.
Look at games where he had good numbers last year and go by that, it should be a good indicator.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Sep 11, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
k thanks. will do.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
I want to thank everyone who responded to this post. I appreciate your insight and some of the things brought to the table. Given me a lot to think on. Monday night’s game will tell us one or two things about this team.
Here’s a play consideration for all those who favor the mindset of keeping the ball in Brady’s hands on 3rd and 4th down when the needed yardage is 2 or more.
Double TE’s
RB (the best one at blocking)
Welker on one side (slot distance from the tackle)
Edelman on the other side (slot distance from the tackle)
Play design.
Everyone blocks except Welker and Edelman
Welker and Edelman. Just clear the 1st down marker and “get open”.
Simple.
Pros:
1 Brady should get 4 secs+ to look at both options. He can actually set his feet and step into the pass.
2 Welker and Edelman are impossible to defend for four+ seconds by two DB’s if they are simply free to “get open”. No chance any team has four top flight DB’s. Welker or Edelman will draw the weaker or weakest DB’s and they will find space.
3 Given time to look and set his feet, Brady will easily throw a laser on target once either of them gets space.
That’s 7 rushers, max, versus 8 blockers. In my opinion, 4+ secs of time is a good bet on Welker or Edelman. Any of the 7 rushers moved into additional coverage will add more time for Brady, and I would still put my money on Welker and/or Edelman escaping three DB’s if given additional time to “get open”.
It’s an easy play to practice. In fact, a lot of hoop teams use a similar drill with their point guard(s). They go one on five, and he/she has to clear the 1/2 court line in 9 secs. In other words, “get open” isn’t a play ground term. It’s practiced, and their are defined options since they’re practiced against a 4 second clock just like the point guard is timed. 4 secs trying to stay w/ Welker or Edelman is impossible (at least I think it is) – especially if Brady has time to set his feet and throw a laser.
In my opinion, the most significant feature for a 3rd or 4th down pass play is pass protection. It’s useless to send out 3, 4, or 5 receivers if the QB is under extreme pressure and forced to pass it in three seconds (max). His read capabilities are reduced considerably, and he basically targets his primary – maybe a second option. More blockers and fewer receivers, in my view, is a better choice. Hence, I propose the play design above.
Why only double TEs?
Why not go with 11, or 10 and an RB – that way the dual threat is still there.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
I feel like you have a running game for a reason. That is to pound the rock. And wear down your opponent. It sets up the play action. And it makes the opposing team play closer to the line of scrimmage. I’d rather have balance than have the ball game set squarely on Tom’s shoulders.
I feel like you have a running game for a reason. That is to pound the rock. And wear down your opponent.
This forum favors the ball in Brady’s hands on 3rd and 4th downs where the yardage needed is 2 or more: regardless of the defensive call. That has been stated many times. If that’s the preference, then max protection should be integral to the play call.
So the other team can double the only receiver out there?
If you max protect, there’s one or two targets, and these will be double covered. That’s even worse playcalling.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
If you max protect, there’s one or two targets, and these will be double covered.
Do you feel that both Welker and Edelman can be successfully double covered for 4+ seconds on a 3rd or 4th down play needing (let’s say 4 yards)?
Personally, I don’t.
Given 4+ seconds, only 6 yards to cover the 1st down marker, and Brady given the time and the ability to step into his throw, I’d put my money on a completion every time: with the expectation of an occasional blocked pass at the line of scrimmage or a dropped pass.
I don’t think two DB’s in that space could stop either of those two from getting just enough space for Brady to laser one in. They are much too fast and too quick. And, he’s far too accurate. And, 4+ seconds (which is certainly a reasonable expectation given 8 blockers) is more than enough time for one or both of those receivers to get space.
But seeing as the other team can rush 8,
No protection will hold up for long enough.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
Exactly.
Having each and every blocker on their own against their man would be making one heck of a gamble that not a single one of them gets beat. All it would take would be double coverage on Welker and single on Edelman. Sure, they might be able to hold up on their blocks long enough for Welker/Edelman to break free of their coverage but relying on that is one heck of a gamble. It’d be much better in my opinion to not stick with just a pass or just a run on 3rd/4th and shorts, but rather still mix those playcalls up too. If you’re going to go with that formation, at least have Gronk slip out on some plays or run a delayed screen out to the back in space on others or something.
by indy pats fan on Sep 12, 2011 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions
This forum favors the ball in Brady’s hands on 3rd and 4th downs where the yardage needed is 2 or more: regardless of the defensive call.
Fancy that. Having the ball in your best player’s hands in critical situations.
by UtopianAverage on Sep 12, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I would favor BJGE on a 3rd and 2.
He is dependable.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Than again, I would like Brady to have it as well. PLay action perhaps, or option.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Better specify what option.
Not sure Brady’s running something out of the Navy playbook.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
Shotgun with woodhead beside him.
option handoff.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
idk, something creative.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
I don’t know about the way the forum views it. I do think that you must continue to run the football to set up your passing game. If Tom isn’t as accurate as you need him to be, you take the ball out of his hands and you trust your running game. Part of the issue the Patriots have had is that they too have abandoned the run too often. They don’t have the horses up front to mash and bruise as much either. But running will aid the life span of your signal caller. It will also slow the pace of the game down. And slow down the pass rushers.
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