PatsWickedPissah

Good observation. But as you said, it won't work well enough to win. Note Brady moving out and around to his left on the long TD to Moss. The guy senses the pressure amd moves 5 yds to avoid it. Uncanny. But that's why he's a HOF LOCK.

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This is known as "bad luck." RAH

hallfamebrady

I am not sure if pressuring Brady would work. One of Brady's early strengths was getting rid of the ball fast. He was pretty much three steps and throw. I recall Bledsoe was getting killed by the same O line since he would hold on to the ball. The teams that did this against Brady were pretty much toast

I think you have to take away his WR's. This is what happened in 2002 when he had his worst slump. Teams were taking away their tiny WR's at the time preventing the short pass.

Although he does well with the long ball, I do not think it comes natrually to him. He actually struggled with this as recently as 2004. It was also a weakness last year with a poor WR group. I think a much improved OL and better receivers have helped him with this.

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Proud season ticket holder of the New England Patriots.
Winner of Super Bowls 36, 38, and now 39.

AndyJohnson

Thank you for the complement, but I'm really not as smart as Einstein.

Tell me what ANY team would do if their top 2 RBs were injured.
So, your argument would then be that we should be concerned about our running game, because every team should be concerned about their running game. Even the ones that don't have the best passing game in NFL history?

But, hark, you have now changed your argument. First our running game is a concern because we really aren't a good running team despite our 5th in the NFL ranking, because it was all in garbage time. That LAME answer didn't even draw a response, you immediately switched to the concern that we would be in trouble if everyone at the position was injured.

OK, I am now terribly concerned about the QB position, because if Brady, Cassel and Gutierrez all get injured I don't know who would be playing against the Colts in the snow. Quick, get David Greene back on that damn practice squad so I can sleep tonight.

AndyJohnson

I dont think the idea is pressuring Brady. I dont think anyone is saying blitz him, because he wont carve it up.
I think what people are saying is GET TO HIM. Of course you can stop any offense if you are getting to the QB. The question is how do you get to Brady BEFORE he has already read the blitz and gotten rid of the ball to a receiver in man coverage. Also how do you blitz and actually get to him anyway.
Our OL has given up 10 sacks in 10 games, and Ive heard at least 2-3 commentators this week call it the best pass blocking OL they have ever seen. (Yet there are people in this thread criticizing Matt Light and Nick Kaczur, go figure).

I dont think there is a STRATEGY to beat Brady, but a RESULT that no one knows how to achieve.

AndyJohnson

Try again in English.

dtbrks

Send as many players as I could at brady on every snap and hope to fluster him enough to make a few bad plays during the game. Of course, brady will get his numbers with these receivers, but if he is under pressure, maybe he throws a bad pick or two.

IMHO, you can't give brady any time to throw.

hallfamebrady

Good points.

The more I think about it, taking his WR's out of the game is probably the best way to get to him. Look at last year with the sorry group of receivers we had. Although he did not stink out the joint, he showed signs of being mortal. I recall we were talking about his body language last season.

This year's WR group has helped Brady go from great to out of this world. Barring any injuries, I can not see any team doing this.

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Winner of Super Bowls 36, 38, and now 39.

Metaphors

I don't think there is a "one-size-fits-all" solution to defending the Pats' offense. I do think there are guidelines to follow though:

1) Keep your best players on the field

The Pats throw formations out that are designed to get you into alignments (mostly nickel/dime) that aren't optimal for you. If you have to put your 5th and 6th DBs in the game, you obviously have to sit someone (likely a LB or 2) down. Keep your weaker players on the sidelines unless down/distance makes it the right call to bring them in.

2) Do what you do best

You have been practicing a defensive scheme since April. It is unlikely you are going to devise something new at this point and be effective with it. If you are Philly, you should blitz and stay with it. Same for cover-2, zone blitz, press man, whatever.

3) Assume perfect execution on defense

To beat the Pats, your defense is going to have to play out of their heads. If they don't, nothing else is going to matter. So don't be conservative and try to protect players or areas of the field. Challenge your guys and assume they will step up. Instead of doubling players that aren't being targeted or defending areas of the field that aren't being attacked, this frees up defenders to do what they do best (apply pressure, jump routes, etc).

The overall theme is that if you are going to take on a superior force, at least go down fighting and take your best shot...on your terms, not theirs.

Frezo

Force them to take Mangini back.

RayClay

I'd agreewith Andy or Ken (I sure don't know as much about pass defense), but if the pats were forced to throw short inside, I would gamble every couple times. Drop a safety or corner to jump routes and worry about tackling later.

Even if it causes a receiver to go free long, what is there to lose? Slowing the team down is no good if we still score, which we will. 20 point win instead of a 40? A couple early interceptions can really open up defensive options and allow offenses to control tempo.

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