K.Faulk and H.Evans lining up at WR? - New England Patriots Forums

brdmaverick · 01-21-2008, 05:43 PM

Anyone else find it peculiar how often Kevin Faulk and Heath Evans lined up at WR yesterday?

Everytime I saw Evans line up wide, I thought to myself "would they even entertain throwing to him?". Should the defense even put a guy on him? But Evans actually had a ball thrown his way and made the catch.

Kevin Faulk obviously made some great catches yesterday, with some of them being while he was lined up at WR.

What do you think lining Faulk and Evans at WR does?

Does it force the Chargers best DBs on these guys and free up the true wide receivers?

BradfordPatsFan · 01-21-2008, 05:46 PM

Putting Evans outside forces SD to make a choice. Put a cb on him and then a safety or lb on a wr OR put a Lb on him out in space who may not be used to being out there in coverage situations.

My favorite formation had Maroney and Faulk in the backfield, then Faulk went in motion to the left (I think). The Chargers were not sure at first who had which responsibility.

Scooter_McGruder · 01-21-2008, 05:48 PM

Well, they often do it with Faulk. It's like an extended handoff - get the ball to a RB outside and he can run after the catch. Especially when he's being left open because there are three good/great WRs lined up.

Not sure about Evans, but if Bill thinks it works...

BradfordPatsFan · 01-21-2008, 05:52 PM

Yesterday was not the first time they lined HE out in space either, and when they do, he is typically a primary option. They will do it if they think they have a favorable match up out there and to see what it opens up for other players.

unoriginal · 01-21-2008, 05:52 PM

IMO the real reason they do this isn't so much to create matchup problems as it is to help them diagnose whether the defense is in man or zone. If its zone the CB will widen out over Evans or Faulk, if its man a linebacker or safety will follow him out wide.

That is of course if the defense is in its base package and not nickel or dime.

RayClay · 01-21-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unoriginal

IMO the real reason they do this isn't so much to create matchup problems as it is to help them diagnose whether the defense is in man or zone. If its zone the CB will widen out over Evans or Faulk, if its man a linebacker or safety will follow him out wide.

That is of course if the defense is in its base package and not nickel or dime.

Good stuff, unoriginal. After seeing your breakdowns, I believe you know a lot more than me and I always like to learn.

upstater1 · 01-21-2008, 09:49 PM

I made a fool of myself on that play. I was at the game and I said out loud, "Oh no, Evans out wide, Not again. They never throw to him. What a waste. At least keep him in and block for Brady."

Next thing you know, pass to Heath, first down.

Let me tell you: I've been watching and hating that formation all year long. This is the first time I can remember that they actually went to Heath in that formation.

Fencer · 01-21-2008, 09:58 PM

BB and Parcells love FGs who can be split outside. Think of their competition for Richie Anderson's services. And I'm blanking on the name of that guy we had for a year at the end of his career from Buffalo.

patsin°° · 01-21-2008, 10:09 PM

Im very comfortable with Faulk out at wideout, not so much Evans. Either guy gets the d thinking though when lined up out there. Evans, even if he doesn't do anything can get inside someones head enough to disrupt a play. They think, should I guard him or what.

RayClay · 01-21-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fencer

BB and Parcells love FGs who can be split outside. Think of their competition for Richie Anderson's services. And I'm blanking on the name of that guy we had for a year at the end of his career from Buffalo.

Larry Centers