I want someone to explain to me IN DETAIL... - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

Pujo · 10-20-2009, 07:52 PM

Nobody but a player, and one who's played in multiple systems at that, could tell you in detail what the differences are. But it's still football, not quantum physics or brain surgery, so I bet it's nothing fundamentally different, just more options, formations, reads, etc.

Hok · 10-20-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KontradictioN

I appreciate all of your answers, but I'm asking for detail. So the receivers need to make adjustments. Cool. But what makes our offense's adjustments so different and more difficult to make? I see receivers from other teams make adjustments on the fly all the time. I see Steelers wide receivers make adjustments on the fly at least once a game every time I watch them. What makes our's so different?

I think you're confusing adjustments with improvisation. The adjustments that Patriot WRs must make are not ones that you'd be able to see. I think it's more along the lines of different routes being run based on what type of coverage the defense is playing and how individual defenders react, so you wouldn't notice an adjustment being made because it just looks like a WR running a route, but the WR must determine what route to run based on what he sees the defense doing, both before and during the play.

Patspsycho · 10-20-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5 Rings for Brady!!

I think Brady would prefer a play run the right way than just a play, and probably many WRs think any play is a good play, whether the WR was in the 'spot' or not.

That is not true.

For example, there was one clear cut play in preseason vs. Bengals on Moss's second TD where he was initially on an inside slant but after seeing the CB identify that play and anticipate it by shifting his weight inward, Moss, when he reached the apex of the route where he would turn inside, faked half a step inside and took off on the outside. Brady was in tune with all that, he had identified this pre-tendency in the playcalling and was ready for anything if it had happened (if X, then Y). This is a great example of sight-adjustment.

The degree of difficulty in regard to learning the Patriots offense is not the play tree itself but the modifications that go with it that form the branches which form into further branches, and those modifications are formed on tendencies, projections predicated on the post-snap look that the defense reveals, as well as the game plan, or player tendencies (again, the if X then Y). It is also sometimes sight-adjusted on defensive shifts- which is why even someone as Aiken can have trouble, even though he's been in the system for quite a while now. He ran the correct route, modification (inside slant off 3 drop) but failed to identify that the D was in man coverage, which is why he stalled right after the slant and the ball went ahead of him.

The key to understanding this is that just as the defense can morph into anything to beat whatever is needed for a particular week, so does the offense morph to equal depth. This is BB's philosophy, he does NOT stick to one particular offense (e.g., Pittsburgh "this is what we do, see if you can beat us").

But at the same time BB knows that overcomplicating the play tree serves nothing.. (that is what I believe is his true genius).

So what does he do? (and this is the base of the modified Erhardt-Perkins stuff he runs). He begins with a number of base plays that are not themselves complicated, but then when you modify it by formation, then set (e.g., 1 RB in motion on 3 wide and 1 TE) then individual route modification, then tendency, then all the adjustments (sight, defense, coverage tendencies) it gets pretty close to info overload. That is the "genius" of the Erhardt-Perkins system and also its drawback when you come to it from another system. The EP system is name based, so you would go something like "Baker" (base formation) "Yell" (adjusted formation: 1 RB to motion, 3 wide/1 TE) "twenty" (base play that comes out of the adjusted formation) "barrel" (individual route) "light" (adjustment).

So you will hear Brady say "baker yell twenty barrel light (and add a tendency option or two)."

This probably is an oxymoron that it sounds complicated, but it is not, as long as you don't lose sight of the play tree, and remember to think in terms of simple things first, then complicated, second.

Now when you come from another system, especially one that is number based, for example, let's say you have a 3 wide, you can just say "924 hook fly" where the x runs a 9 (let's say deep out) Y runs 2 (inside slant) and X runs 4 (curl) hook fly could be an option depending on what's happening in the flat or if the safeties cheat down or play zone.

Simple enough in itself, but when you shift from a numbers system to a name oriented one, it's like being forced to learn chinese in a week, if you get traded.

And on top of that, while Brady is not opposed to sight adjustments, he still likes his receivers to run precise routes with great timing so he can throw the ball before they get there. Remember that is Brady's greatest ability.. his accuracy and his ability to get rid of the ball so fast.

***parthasas*** · 10-20-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patspsycho

That is not true.

For example, there was one clear cut play in preseason vs. Bengals on Moss's second TD where he was initially on an inside slant but after seeing the CB identify that play and anticipate it by shifting his weight inward, Moss, when he reached the apex of the route where he would turn inside, faked half a step inside and took off on the outside. Brady was in tune with all that, he had identified this pre-tendency in the playcalling and was ready for anything if it had happened (if X, then Y). This is a great example of sight-adjustment.

The degree of difficulty in regard to learning the Patriots offense is not the play tree itself but the modifications that go with it that form the branches which form into further branches, and those modifications are formed on tendencies, projections predicated on the post-snap look that the defense reveals, as well as the game plan, or player tendencies (again, the if X then Y). It is also sometimes sight-adjusted on defensive shifts- which is why even someone as Aiken can have trouble, even though he's been in the system for quite a while now. He ran the correct route, modification (inside slant off 3 drop) but failed to identify that the D was in man coverage, which is why he stalled right after the slant and the ball went ahead of him.

The key to understanding this is that just as the defense can morph into anything to beat whatever is needed for a particular week, so does the offense morph to equal depth. This is BB's philosophy, he does NOT stick to one particular offense (e.g., Pittsburgh "this is what we do, see if you can beat us").

But at the same time BB knows that overcomplicating the play tree serves nothing.. (that is what I believe is his true genius).

So what does he do? (and this is the base of the modified Erhardt-Perkins stuff he runs). He begins with a number of base plays that are not themselves complicated, but then when you modify it by formation, then set (e.g., 1 RB in motion on 3 wide and 1 TE) then individual route modification, then tendency, then all the adjustments (sight, defense, coverage tendencies) it gets pretty close to info overload. That is the "genius" of the Erhardt-Perkins system and also its drawback when you come to it from another system. The EP system is name based, so you would go something like "Baker" (base formation) "Yell" (adjusted formation: 1 RB to motion, 3 wide/1 TE) "twenty" (base play that comes out of the adjusted formation) "barrel" (individual route) "light" (adjustment).

So you will hear Brady say "baker yell twenty barrel light (and add a tendency option or two)."

This probably is an oxymoron that it sounds complicated, but it is not, as long as you don't lose sight of the play tree, and remember to think in terms of simple things first, then complicated, second.

Now when you come from another system, especially one that is number based, for example, let's say you have a 3 wide, you can just say "924 hook fly" where the x runs a 9 (let's say deep out) Y runs 2 (inside slant) and X runs 4 (curl) hook fly could be an option depending on what's happening in the flat or if the safeties cheat down or play zone.

Simple enough in itself, but when you shift from a numbers system to a name oriented one, it's like being forced to learn chinese in a week, if you get traded.

And on top of that, while Brady is not opposed to sight adjustments, he still likes his receivers to run precise routes with great timing so he can throw the ball before they get there. Remember that is Brady's greatest ability.. his accuracy and his ability to get rid of the ball so fast.

After reading the above in full, I kind of feel like the Jessica Simpson direct TV commercial " I totally don't understand what it means, but I want it "

Awesome explanation

xmarkd400x · 10-20-2009, 08:48 PM

I'm going to caveat this post with: This is just my opinion, and this is the explanation based on what I believe to be the case.

--------
I'd say, as a WR, it goes something like this:

I'm Randy Moss (I can dream, can't I?). I line up on the line of scrimmage on the left side of the line. The defense lines up in their base cover two (IDK, lets Choose the Colts). My primary route is a post.

The ball snaps. I am going to run my post. Now, there's many things that can happen:

1) The defense can play the defense that it lined up in. The route will stay the same unless I can make an opportunistic move based on a coverage mistake by a defender (CB in the short zone, Safety in the deeper area).

2) The defense can blitz. I will need to recognize this and cut off my route accordingly. Knowing where the area that the blitz is coming from is important. If I can get there, I probably should.

3) The defense can mask the coverage. It could change from cover two to man-to-man, or 3 deep. I would have to change my route accordingly.

-----

Now, all of those things that can happen, need to be split second decisions. Moss and Brady can make a TD happen because the defensive back is leaning on his inside leg a little too much, giving Moss just enough outside leverage to have a free release downfield.

Every single thing has to be read by the WR and the QB at the same time and the same way. The same decisions need to be made about the same inputs. If the QB reads blitz, and the WR doesn't (and doesn't cut off his route), the QB might throw to where he expects the WR to be, only to throw into an INT.

----

holyredeemer · 10-20-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KontradictioN

As I understand, this system was just adopted by the Denver Broncos under McDaniels. So how is it that Brandon Marshall, who is as dumb as a rock, can pick it up lickety split while Joey Galloway, who isn't that dumb, cannot?

I see what you're getting at, and to be honest, I dont think you need an IN DETAIL type of answer. No one knows except for the people involved in the organization what JG's problems were.

As far as the Broncs go, McDaniels has a lot of players over there performing better than they ever have. Reason for that? I don't know, but my guess would be that McDaniels has probably dumbed it down quite a bit, and is slowly easing his guys into the offense. Not to mention, their coaching staff is doing an incredible job. Marshall may not be as smart as Galloway, but regardless of running the same offense or not man, there are still a lot of differences.

livinginthe past · 10-20-2009, 09:21 PM

Great post, Patpsycho!

5 stars!

***Mark Morse*** · 10-20-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patspsycho

That is not true.

For example, there was one clear cut play in preseason vs. Bengals on Moss's second TD where he was initially on an inside slant but after seeing the CB identify that play and anticipate it by shifting his weight inward, Moss, when he reached the apex of the route where he would turn inside, faked half a step inside and took off on the outside. Brady was in tune with all that, he had identified this pre-tendency in the playcalling and was ready for anything if it had happened (if X, then Y). This is a great example of sight-adjustment.

The degree of difficulty in regard to learning the Patriots offense is not the play tree itself but the modifications that go with it that form the branches which form into further branches, and those modifications are formed on tendencies, projections predicated on the post-snap look that the defense reveals, as well as the game plan, or player tendencies (again, the if X then Y). It is also sometimes sight-adjusted on defensive shifts- which is why even someone as Aiken can have trouble, even though he's been in the system for quite a while now. He ran the correct route, modification (inside slant off 3 drop) but failed to identify that the D was in man coverage, which is why he stalled right after the slant and the ball went ahead of him.

The key to understanding this is that just as the defense can morph into anything to beat whatever is needed for a particular week, so does the offense morph to equal depth. This is BB's philosophy, he does NOT stick to one particular offense (e.g., Pittsburgh "this is what we do, see if you can beat us").

But at the same time BB knows that overcomplicating the play tree serves nothing.. (that is what I believe is his true genius).

So what does he do? (and this is the base of the modified Erhardt-Perkins stuff he runs). He begins with a number of base plays that are not themselves complicated, but then when you modify it by formation, then set (e.g., 1 RB in motion on 3 wide and 1 TE) then individual route modification, then tendency, then all the adjustments (sight, defense, coverage tendencies) it gets pretty close to info overload. That is the "genius" of the Erhardt-Perkins system and also its drawback when you come to it from another system. The EP system is name based, so you would go something like "Baker" (base formation) "Yell" (adjusted formation: 1 RB to motion, 3 wide/1 TE) "twenty" (base play that comes out of the adjusted formation) "barrel" (individual route) "light" (adjustment).

So you will hear Brady say "baker yell twenty barrel light (and add a tendency option or two)."

This probably is an oxymoron that it sounds complicated, but it is not, as long as you don't lose sight of the play tree, and remember to think in terms of simple things first, then complicated, second.

Now when you come from another system, especially one that is number based, for example, let's say you have a 3 wide, you can just say "924 hook fly" where the x runs a 9 (let's say deep out) Y runs 2 (inside slant) and X runs 4 (curl) hook fly could be an option depending on what's happening in the flat or if the safeties cheat down or play zone.

Simple enough in itself, but when you shift from a numbers system to a name oriented one, it's like being forced to learn chinese in a week, if you get traded.

And on top of that, while Brady is not opposed to sight adjustments, he still likes his receivers to run precise routes with great timing so he can throw the ball before they get there. Remember that is Brady's greatest ability.. his accuracy and his ability to get rid of the ball so fast.

Great analysis ... totally agree. All WR's make adjustments while the ball is in the air. Marshall made one on Shawn Springs on an underthrown ball. He cuts back under Springs and walks into the endzone. Moss did the same thing the week before. Its the pre-snap reads by the WR and QB. Branch and Givens were great at this. Brady doesn't have to signal to the WR, they just know. The pass to Welker against Denver where it hit him in the legs as he was heading upfield isa perfect example. Welker saw the safety cheating toward Moss, Brady didn't. There are several passes each week where the Pats receiver hasn't even made his cut yet and the ball is out of Brady's hand. Receiver makes the move and there is the ball. Precision.

unoriginal · 10-20-2009, 09:36 PM

Depending on how extensive the route modifications are that the receivers are asked to make, it may be necessary for them to understand the routes and route modifications of other receivers in the offense, so two people don't end up in the same spot.

Usually route trees are set up to exclude cases like that though, i.e. an out and an arrow run to the same spot on the sideline.

eagle eye · 10-20-2009, 09:51 PM

Just on Joey Galloway.

The guy had a very poor 2008, he signed with the Patriots and we were all hopeful and maybe expectant that the clock would turn back on his career as has happened with so many other veterans that have come to New England during the Belichick era. It didn't work out, I think its as much not being physically up to it anymore as problems understanding the playbook.

Edit to add: That time he pulled out of catching a ball rather than take a hit pretty much was the end of him with New England.