Lundblad: What's gone wrong the past 3 playoff games for Pats - Page 3 - New England Patriots Forums

LetsGoPats36 · 01-21-2011, 05:12 PM

Our offensive line has been a joke for years. Brady makes them look so much better than they are. I've said enough about my feelings on Matt Light over the years, but he wasn't even the worst lineman last Sunday. We need to invest some higher end draft picks in linemen and sign a vet or two this offseason

skinnydog · 01-21-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LetsGoPats36

Our offensive line has been a joke for years. Brady makes them look so much better than they are. I've said enough about my feelings on Matt Light over the years, but he wasn't even the worst lineman last Sunday. We need to invest some higher end draft picks in linemen and sign a vet or two this offseason

I've been critical of Light for the last few years, but thought he played pretty well this year. Koppen is undersized and that has always been a problem. Connolly played well at times this year, but neither one is above average on their best day. I'd love to see a stud OT and OG out of this draft.

robertweathers · 01-21-2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LetsGoPats36

Our offensive line has been a joke for years. Brady makes them look so much better than they are. I've said enough about my feelings on Matt Light over the years, but he wasn't even the worst lineman last Sunday. We need to invest some higher end draft picks in linemen and sign a vet or two this offseason

You may be a bit strong in your point. It's not all on the line.

Here is the issue. The Pats look for linemen who are quick in space, decent/good strength and ones that can run traps, sweeps, pulls, etc. The don't look for the 6'8" 340lb Mt. McKinley's of the world that are more in-line blockers. The problem is the big guys aren't as mobile and are susceptible to speed rushers. The bad part is because they aren't the strongest in the world, they can be overpowered. It's pick your poison. Obviously, BB wants linemen who along with the attributes I have mentioned, have good motor skills (I know, sounds like gym class grades for a 3rd grader), know body leverage, have good technique and are smart.

So I don't agree that the Pats line has been a joke for years. Statistically, they can boast that they have allowed very few sacks and have paved the way for a consistent running game. Essentially, it's the same type of line this team has had since 2001.

Think about it. In the hey-day, they had along with Light, guys like Andruzzi, Compton, Woody, Koppen, Neal, and pick a RT (Greg Robinson-Randall, Brandon Gorin, etc.). I mean....that is pretty much what the team has now talent-wise.

IMO, they need a legit running game and more defense. We make fun of him, but defenses knew that Antwoine Smith was getting the ball. Defenses knew Dillon was getting the ball. Team knew that they needed to stop them because they also knew that the Pats were not going to allow a hekuva lot of points. Now, team know that they will allow points, so they dare them to run and instead, tee off on TB. Teams take more calculated gambles in the post-season and what they are doing is throwing the kitchen sink at Tb and refusing to sit back and be picked apart.

With all that said, the running game will cool the pass rush and help TB be more effective in play-action.

However, they also need a defense that will stop people. That keeps the opposing team's defensive playcalling honest

Marqui · 01-21-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertweathers

IMO, they need a legit running game and more defense. We make fun of him, but defenses knew that Antwoine Smith was getting the ball. Defenses knew Dillon was getting the ball. Team knew that they needed to stop them because they also knew that the Pats were not going to allow a hekuva lot of points. Now, team know that they will allow points, so they dare them to run and instead, tee off on TB. Teams take more calculated gambles in the post-season and what they are doing is throwing the kitchen sink at Tb and refusing to sit back and be picked apart.

Great post, completely agree. The Pats simply need to go back to being a physical team that relies more on the power running game and defense to win.

juny · 01-21-2011, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triumph

The lack of adjustments is the most troubling if true.

I agree with this. It was clear the offense was stagnant, but yet the offensive game plan did not change one bit. You can say that about all the recent playoff losses.

skinnydog · 01-21-2011, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juny

I agree with this. It was clear the offense was stagnant, but yet the offensive game plan did not change one bit. You can say that about all the recent playoff losses.

I think it was pretty evident early on hat the Jets went all in on pass defense. I thought the Pats would respond by putting Brady under center and run more.

Marqui · 01-21-2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinnydog

I think it was pretty evident early on hat the Jets went all in on pass defense. I thought the Pats would respond by putting Brady under center and run more.

So did I. Was really sad watching the Pats bang their head against a wall all game for no apparent reason. Being a pass happy one-dimensional team has been killing this franchise for years now.

***AndyJohnson*** · 01-21-2011, 09:16 PM

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Originally Posted by The_Riddler

No question, that in all 3 of these losses, the OLine has been the root cause of the poor starts, getting behind and playing catchup.

With that said though, I think we need our QB to rise above that. Look at Big Ben, he'll get sacked alot, but he doesn't revert to the "Deer=Headlights" routine, he continues to play tough and play through it. This is what TB has to learn to do when he doesn't get his customary lengthy time to throw the football. Some of this might require him to tuck it and slide for 5-7 yards if that is what the defense is giving him, he has had a reluctancy to do this for some reason.

In the playoffs, as well all know, the intensity ramps up, and the opponent's DLine has ramped up and our OLine and QB haven't been able to focus and ramp up with it. I hope Brady looks back on these two PO losses, studies the tape and sees what he has to do to stay tough, stay focused when things get tough. Ditto for the OLine.......

Can we please drop this crap. Brady wasnt a deer in the headlights and he doesnt need to learn anything from Roethlisberger.
He completed 29 passes for 299 yards against a defense that was in his face all day long, and doing a good job of covering his recievers.
Revis was right. Take the loss like a man. He should have been talking to Pats FANS. Making yourself feel better by trashing Tom Brady is not taking the loss like anything resembling a man.

***AndyJohnson*** · 01-21-2011, 09:19 PM

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Originally Posted by The_Riddler

I agree, and Mankins of all people, the guy chirping about wanting to be paid as the highest OG in football has to look in the mirror and look at how he has played in the most important games. He hasn't performed like the All Pro he claims to be. I mean Sean Ellis had a monster game against this OLine and to be honest, that was all based on intensity not because Sean Ellis is an All World end, it's because he wanted it more, he wanted it more than the guy that was blocking him because the stakes were higher. Who's to blame for this? Dante S? I mean how does this OLine dominant during the regular season and them completely meltdown during crunch time ?

Sounds like you have it all figured out. They dont really care. Other teams try hard in big games and our players dont have any intensity, they just want to go through the motions and start the off-season. I mean you could see it in their eyes couldn't you. Clearly they didn't want this win as badly as you did, and should be ashamed they didnt sacrifice as much as you did to get it.

RayClay · 01-21-2011, 09:20 PM

The statistician seems to have uncovered a pattern whereby we scored less points in our playoff losses than in our playoff victories.

I agree we should try to score more points, not less, in future playoffs.