Originally Posted by patfanken

I just had a brilliant insight into a very difficult formation for the Ravens to cover in 3rd and 5 or so situations.

You line up as follows

.....................Gronk - Light - Mankins - Connolly - Waters- Volmer - Solder

Welker............................................ .................................................. .....................Branch

.......................................Hernandez
.................................................. ......Brady

This is a very strong run formation, and as we found out last week Hernandez is a very strong runner

Its also a very strong protection formation. So if you wanted to release Gronk deep in the middle or Branch down the sideline, then Brady will likely have the time to get it to them.

Motioning Welker or Hernandez, get the Ravens to declare their coverage and keeps the motion man from getting hit off the LOS

Lots of stuff you can do from this formation and personnel package.

Originally Posted by patfanken

Don't think that thought hadn't occurred to me, CT. But I was hoping to keep it mum. You never know who might be watching.

I'd hate to be the LB or DB who had to try and bring down THAT load. After 2 completions, they'd be BEGGING for Tom to throw it to Gronk

Originally Posted by jays52

The more I think about this game the more I think it's key to target and exploit both Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. Welcome to bizarro world. I can't believe I'm thinking this but I see major vulnerabilities in the two best players at their respective position of their generation.

It's pretty clear to me that Ray Lewis, one of my favorite players ever (hence the 52), has not lost a step. He has lost two steps. He can't sidestep blocks like he used to, and this has greatly hurt his shed game. His anticipation is still there, his tenacity is still there, but he physically has dropped off dramatically. I see him as being easily exploited in the wham game because if Gronk can earhole Ngata I think the back can beat Lewis. I think Connoly and the guards can reach and seal him easily. I'm focusing a lot on his run fits because I think at this stage he is exclusively a run defender. I also think that the Ravens will try to force the Pats to run with lighter sets and six man boxes. I anticipate a gameplan with a lot of check with me calls. If the Pats can find a way to isolate him on a back (or, more specifically Hernandez by aligning him in the backfield) they can also exploit him readily in the passing game.

While I still think Ed Reed makes tremendous reads and baits better than anyone, it's clear to me that he can't tackle anymore. His will is there, but his body isn't capable of doing it anymore. What's the key? Get Gronk on him, and establish it early. It will be a challenge because I think Baltimore will high-low Gronk and press him with a dlineman, but with motion and spacing I think the offense will find a way to force Reed to matchup physically with Gronkowski. Not only am I certain Gronk will run him over, but Reed's ball skills will be negated by Gronk's catch radius and overall body positioning. How crazy is it so say a major focus on the gameplan should be to throw directly at Reed? It's true, though, and an advantageous matchup.

So there's my wednesday thoughts. What are yours?

Originally Posted by everlong

In addition to getting the guards on top of Lewis in the run game I think they can use both Gronk and Solder off the line to get on top of him to vary wham blocking on Ngata. The other part about this if they can establish the run is you can have Gronk run patterns at Lewis like he's blocking and then peel off giving him an even bigger advantage couple with his speed.

The one thing they have to avoid with Lewis is slow developing plays. As stated his instincts are still impeccable. I think back to Junior vs SD in the 2007 AFCCG sniffing out several plays and shooting the gap and causing havoc. This is how Lewis can still be a game changer just like Junior was.

In regards to Waters pulling I believe Ngata spends most of his time on the defensive left side which means Mankins would be pulling. Regardless I speculated on this in another thread and agree no matter who's pulling.

Originally Posted by VJCPatriot

I disagree slightly for the following reasons.

1. Lewis has lost a couple of steps but anything he gets his mitts on is going to be tackled to the ground. I think Ridley will be benched in favor of BJGE because of fumbling issues. Ravens WILL be clawing hard at that ball for sure and looking to take possesions away from Brady. Therefore running the ball with BJGE negates any speed factor our backs would have had.

2. Ed Reed still has the best pure ball skills of any safety in the NFL. Any pass that goes in Reed's direction better be on the money or it will end up intercepted. Now if Gronk catches the ball and runs over Reed, yes I can see that scenario happening, but the ball has to GET THERE SAFELY first. We already saw Brady throw one interception when he tried to go high to Gronk, the ball sailed a little and whamo interception. You do that repeatedly in Ed Reed's direction = turnovers.

Sometimes we 'outthink' ourselves. Don't throw the ball at Reed unless he's clearly beat or blown the coverage. Don't run the ball at Lewis unless you have a scheme to neutralize him at the POA. I believe that the key is really to run no huddle effectively, keep the Raven's defense off balance, and spread the ball to the open guy. With weapons like Gronk, Hernandez, Welker, etc. One of them is bound to get open.

Originally Posted by Deus Irae

Have Gronk double/chip on Suggs, have Waters pull to help clear Ngata, have Solder/Vollmer block down on Redding and have Connolly just hold even with Cody, and that should open up some running lanes on that side, especially if you have Johnson in on that play to block as the WR.

Originally Posted by Deus Irae

One of the Patriots favorite passes has been Gronk going middle/deep down the middle, working the seam. I'd avoid that one with Reed in play, and Tell Brady only go to it if he's 100% certain that Reed can't get near the play.

Originally Posted by jays52

Exactly. Everyone in the media is concerned with drawing up a coverage that will stop the tight ends. The problem is that they are coverage breakers. The *only* way to stop this offense is to get pressure, and Suggs is a unique blend of outside speed and burst complimented by interior strength and leverage. It wouldn't surprise me to see him aligned as an inside linebacker in some of their passing looks, or at the very least heavily utilized rushing off of Ngata.