MrBigglesWorth

I find the analysis by Merril a little strange. Even though he had evidence(Carolina game)that Indy put their best cb's on the slot receivers and backups on the outside wr's with the safeties I find it faulty. I just can't see Indy doing this all too often to cover Welker or even Watson.

This assumes that Sanders will be back in coverage to help the backup cb's in cover two. You have 4 wr's= 4 corners then add two safeties which equals dime coverage. It leaves 4 d-lineman and a LB. I hope the colts try to do this because Maroney will eat them up all day. And if Sanders comes up then the seam route will be open.

I'd love to see Moss being covered by a backup cornerback.

Merrill forgot to mention Carolina was qb'd by Vinny.

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primetime

The problem with using that game as a breakdown for what the Colts usually do is that Steve Smith usually lines up in the slot if they're in a 3 receiver set, since he's so quick and on underneath routes he's shifty as hell and can break lots of tackles, so the fact that the Colts often had their best corners in the slot to attempt to jam Smith since they're pretty physical isn't surprising in the least.

Against the Pats, with Moss and Stallworth, Welker isn't the main threat. Keep in mind that Jeff King went nutty on the Colts last week, so if Watson is running full-speed he could be the X-Factor in this game.

PatsSteve1

I heard Jimmy Johnson say the Patriots should spread out the Colts D to make Sanders show what's he's doing. That sounds like a good idea although I have no idea what they'll actually do.

Patriot_in_NY

If they put backups on Moss and Stallworth, even with safety help, they will get destroyed on the intermediate routes. There may not be a ton of huge plays, but Stall could catch a 12-15 yarder and use a few nifty moves to shake a backup like Rushing (a 2nd year, 7th rounder), and Bethea (who'll likely be on that side). That has mismatch written all over it. Plus it takes arguably their best defensive players (Sanders on Bethea) out of the box and way over the top of the play. Its a stratigy that would work against the Carolina's of the world where there is only 1 good receiver, but It would be suicide for a team with a #1 & #1a receiver, PLUS arguably the best slot guy in the NFL (right now).

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ALP

it might be a good idea to put IND best corners on the slot guy...i mean seriously....would it matter much if Moss was coverd by the #1 CB or by the number 4 cb? i dont think it would make a great difference

solman

This is an obvious, essential, and in my opinion devastating strategy.

The Colts run defense is inordinately dependent on Sanders (witness what happened last year when he was out).

The Colts deep pass defense is heavily dependent on Sanders.

If he is committed to one type of defense, the other will be badly flawed.

This hasn't happened before, because the Colts haven't previously faced an offense that could do it all.

Bottom line: the Colts Defense doesn't have the tools to stop an offense that excels in every type of attack.

Patriot_in_NY

True on the Moss part, but how bout Stallworth (and his ATC moves, do you really wants back-ups on that), It also takes the safeties (arguably the best D players on Indy outside Freeney) over the top and out of the play.

Do you really think either of those guys can cover Welker one on one?

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ATippett56

The New England Patriots rushing attack will be the difference this time around especially with a healthy Laurence Maroney. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels must stay balanced throughout the game as was the case against the Washington Redskins.

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MoLewisrocks

I just watched Casserly's little video clip of how effective this strategy was (except for the gashing runs it allowed a no-name RB) against Carolina. Not sure who was in at that point, Vinny or Carr, but my first thought was yeah, right, like Tommy would throw into the teeth of that D with a couple of alternative pro bowl caliber options mismatched elsewhere... In Carolina they may have had no other terribly viable option if Smith was in the slot.

ATippett56

You're insane. If Moss is covered by the Colts third best cornerback, then Randy will have a career day.

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