Midweek thoughts...I feel like I'm taking crazy pills - Page 4 - New England Patriots Forums

***mgcolby*** · 01-18-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deus Irae

I'd avoid playing games with Reed, and focus on two other areas: Lateral movement with the LBs (especially Lewis) and pull/trap blocking against Ngata on the line in the running game.

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.

In the Passing game, I'd keep Welker clean on the line by moving him a lot, put Hernandez in the backfield on occasion to allow him a more free release, and I'd have Gronk/Hernandez going hi/low with crossing patterns in front of and behind the LBs. If Reed and the corners start to really sag into the middle, put Johnson or Underwood in to run some go routes or out and ups.

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.

No reason not to do this. Employ the KISS concept and make it easy for Chad/Underwood and challenge them outside the numbers. All it will take is one or two legitimate shots to them on the outside, even better if you hit one, to really loosen the intermediate middle of the field.

Also keeping them in their Base with the hurry up and force Suggs out in coverage would be very advantageous, to both our passing game and TFB health.

***ALP*** · 01-18-2012, 08:21 PM

at this point i am much more concerned about gameplanning against Suggs and Haloti rather than these two all pros

jsull87 · 01-18-2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patfanken

My Wednesday thoughts Jay, stray toward the OL.

10. Did anyone else notice that Sean Ellis seemed to have a burst or little more jump to his first step last week? Jet fans always complained that Ellis, in his later years, only showed up for a few games. Well this would be a great time for this year's great game.

It has been a theory of mine all year that Ellis was brought in to this team for the playoffs and not entirely for the season. His snaps were reduced by the end of the season giving him a rest and time to rejuvenate for the playoffs. He and Gerrard Warren really stepped up last week.

I think both will play key rolls next week Especially against the run.

lawrence welker · 01-18-2012, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sciz

When you talk about pressing Gronk with a DL, wouldn't a solution to that be putting him out wide? Can't do it on every down, but on 3rd and long it makes a lot of sense.

Right in the middle of a 3-reciever bunch. Good luck w/ that, Balt!

***goheels22002*** · 01-18-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patfanken

10. Did anyone else notice that Sean Ellis seemed to have a burst or little more jump to his first step last week? Jet fans always complained that Ellis, in his later years, only showed up for a few games. Well this would be a great time for this year's great game.

When the quarterback runs around in circles like a dork, it's easy for Sean Ellis to look like he has a little more jump. Tim Tebow should have had a sign on his butt saying, "Jump On Me."

***Matt Hooper*** · 01-18-2012, 08:43 PM

Last week TJ Yates was very effective throwing to intermediate routes inside the numbers. When he pushed the ball downfield he got in trouble. Brady can do the same with welker and gronkowski and move the ball without challenging Reed.

As a Ravens fan, I am afraid of gronkowski. Without him I say Ravens win. With him in, the Ravens have to play perfect defensive football and pretty good offensive football (like week 1 against Pittsburg) to pull out the win. A tall order on the road.

***Matt Hooper*** · 01-18-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALP

at this point i am much more concerned about gameplanning against Suggs and Haloti rather than these two all pros

Bingo. Suggs can wreck an entire offensive game plan. You have to double him AND chip him with a RB. You have to double Ngata. Just dont throw deep at Webb or Reed. Throw to gronkowski and welker in the middle of the field and let them get their YAC.

Technically Suggs and Ngata are the all pros. Reed and Lewis aren't this year.

The-Hooded-One · 01-18-2012, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goheels22002

When the quarterback runs around in circles like a dork, it's easy for Sean Ellis to look like he has a little more jump. Tim Tebow should have had a sign on his butt saying, "Jump On Me."

Ellis was the one that got initial pressure and made him run around like a dork.

Stilla · 01-18-2012, 09:03 PM

I expect Nate to catch his 1st pass in this game.

I think the 3TE set will be NE's clutch for this game. ITs the best protection formation NE can use and it has proven to be effective when NE needs to build its game plan.

Patriot_in_NY · 01-18-2012, 09:08 PM

First off, what a great football thread....... thanks to all involved.

Also, I agree that we should test Reed early, but preferably in a way the doesn't expose the ball to him to much (if that's possible). Not sure how to do this, but I think that we need to establish how "limited" he is gonna be based on that ankle.

A high pressure route or two at him should expose that quick enough. High ankles can be a b!tch so I'm not sure anyone will know how he is until we can see him at game speed. If he's limited at all....... It's a beachhead that can be exploited all day long.

Also, I can totally see the middle and intermediate routes being open all day long. Just need to give Brady a wee bit of time for them to develop.