Ten New England Patriots Thoughts For Week 6 - New England Patriots Forums

PatsFans.com Article · 10-14-2011, 08:40 AM

Ten New England Patriots Thoughts For Week 6
By: Russ Goldman

I certainly had much to think about this week with the Patriots. Here are some thoughts on week 6 of the Patriots season....

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patriot lifer · 10-14-2011, 09:54 AM

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8. The offensive line needs to get back to an elite level at protecting Tom Brady. I know it is just one game, but Brady was sacked 4 times, and was harrassed a good portion of the game.

The Patriots will face another defensive line this week that can get after the quarterback. The offensive line needs to step up their game to the level they were at in the beginning of the season.

I will say this about the last game. They (our O-line) seemed to hunker down after the first half. I remember the 2nd quarter being especially brutal for Brady, but after that he was in better shape. Perhaps it was all the running plays in the second half (although I remember them mostly in the 4th quarter). Perhaps someone else could comment.

I think with Vollmer back (potentially), we can slide Solder out to the TE position as a sixth lineman. With the two Gronks in there, that's one powerful running game, which should serve us well in thwarting/undermining some of the pass rushing onslaughts by opponents. And everyone knows that in those "obvious" running play formations that we like to fake the run and lob a pass to an uncovered and soft-handed TE, which means opponents can't overload their run-stopping efforts.

Ron Sellers · 10-14-2011, 10:56 AM

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Originally Posted by patriot lifer

I will say this about the last game. They (our O-line) seemed to hunker down after the first half. I remember the 2nd quarter being especially brutal for Brady, but after that he was in better shape. Perhaps it was all the running plays in the second half (although I remember them mostly in the 4th quarter). Perhaps someone else could comment.

I think with Vollmer back (potentially), we can slide Solder out to the TE position as a sixth lineman. With the two Gronks in there, that's one powerful running game, which should serve us well in thwarting/undermining some of the pass rushing onslaughts by opponents. And everyone knows that in those "obvious" running play formations that we like to fake the run and lob a pass to an uncovered and soft-handed TE, which means opponents can't overload their run-stopping efforts.

I agree, that injury severely weakens two positions: Vollmer>Solder at RT, plus Solder>Welch as the 6th OL. The Jets deserve a lot of credit for being able to apply that much pressure on Brady, but I also feel that the effect of Vollmer's being sidelined has been very understated.

***TruthSeeker*** · 10-14-2011, 11:20 AM

I think the problem with the first point is your expectation that Sanchez is going to improve a lot. I admit that I didn't expect the implosion we've seen from him this year, but his overall numbers (particularly when you factor in the dropped interceptions discussed during the offseason) have consistently been in the bottom quarter of starting QBs in the NFL.

I think that a good running game and a great defense masked some of Sanchez' liabilities the past few years. With both of those downgraded, we're seeing more of Sanchez' abilities (or lack thereof) as a QB the team needs to rely on. I'm not expecting it to be pretty for Jets fans this year.

patriot lifer · 10-14-2011, 12:35 PM

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Originally Posted by TruthSeeker

I think the problem with the first point is your expectation that Sanchez is going to improve a lot. I admit that I didn't expect the implosion we've seen from him this year, but his overall numbers (particularly when you factor in the dropped interceptions discussed during the offseason) have consistently been in the bottom quarter of starting QBs in the NFL.

I think that a good running game and a great defense masked some of Sanchez' liabilities the past few years. With both of those downgraded, we're seeing more of Sanchez' abilities (or lack thereof) as a QB the team needs to rely on. I'm not expecting it to be pretty for Jets fans this year.

And to build on your points, the fact that the Jets O-line isn't as good as it's been the past two seasons has exposed him a bit. The running game use to set up the passing game. Back in 2009, that O-line was perhaps the best in the league. Since then, however, they've lost too many good linemen. Currently, they have maybe the best center in the game, and a very good left tackle. Beyond that, they are very average (and evidently with no depth). And Shonne Green is an average RB at best, with LT being the better option (which they naturally want to limit carries for his longevity within the season). All in all, it's really affected the potency of the current year running game, which has led/contributed to the challenges in the passing game. Without their strong running game, defensive players and coordinators can be less mindful of the Jets' running game and devote more resources to defending the pass.

Lots of fans in Jets nation are calling for the head of Schotty due to his playcalling, but it's really ignoring the mismanagement of their O-linemen staples, which in large part places culpability on the HC and GM.

We'll just have to see how he responds in the coming weeks. It would be wonderful to play a demoralized Jets team in their own house.

Ochmed Jones · 10-14-2011, 12:57 PM

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Originally Posted by patriot lifer

IWith the two Gronks in there, that's one powerful running game, which should serve us well in thwarting/undermining some of the pass rushing onslaughts by opponents.

I have not really seen Dan Gronkowski block anybody yet. I think Hernandez might be a better blocking TE than Dan G.