Deus Irae

Pull up the Heath Evans interview (Felger & Mazz) when it becomes available. The Patriots had planned to run the ball down the Giants throats, but had to scrap that because of the way the game unfolded.....

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"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius

BradyManny

I'm guessing Stephen Neal's injury was the key. At no point in the game were we ever down more than a FG, so there wasn't any reason to abandon the run in that sense. Neal was great in pass pro and run blocking - and him going down was very costly.

We just can't beat this team going spread, empty backfield, and declaring pass. Our OL does not matchup well enough against their DL. Based on the gameplan in November, the coaching staff has learned its lesson.

patstd

I didn't know that. That makes sense... unfortunately.

oldskool138

I think more blame goes on Maroney's hesitant running style than Neal's injury.

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"You're all a bunch yahoos, hero worshipers and gutless suck-ups." - Tony Massarotti

SeanBruschi54

Listen the key for this game is how well will our offensive line hold up?

With Vollmer possibly back that makes Solder a great extra chip tackle and that more protection. If our line gets the push it thinks it will up the middle i suspect this game will be a run-a-thon.

Ice_Ice_Brady

This is not the only time this has happened. Last year's crushing loss to the Jets was the same way. They might not have planned to run on the Jets, but the Jets' personnel dared them to run all game.

The Patriots know how to beat these teams, but when everything is on the line, they only trust Brady. That is why they/he has struggled in the playoffs recently. They ran with great success against the Ravens, and there's little doubt they'd have done some serious damage getting the ball back in the 4th up by 3, just before Brady's INT. In the regular season, they take what the defense gives them; in the playoffs, the panic and worry that they will waste a "valuable play" by running the ball.

Manning's Colts struggled with this for years as well.

Deus Irae

The first area Evans pointed to was tight end.

__________________
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius

Deus Irae

I'm all for running the ball this time (I love the idea of going huge as part of the run packages, with Solder in as a TE, and maybe even with another big man in on the goal line), as long as it's the sort of running that doesn't change what the team is about. Run to set up the pass/pass to set up the run... whichever works. Just don't run INSTEAD of the pass.

__________________
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius

SeanBruschi54

What about throwing Wilfork in there at FB on goal line situations?

PatsSox363804

Remember after Eli threw the pick in the second quarter?

1st and 10: 8 yard pass to Maroney
2nd and 2: Maroney 1 yard run
3rd and 1: Maroney -2 yard run

That was a huge sequence. If we can score there we go up 14-3. I dont remember the 3rd down play specifically but Maroney that game was 14 for 36 and a long of 9. Take that one play out and he's averaging 2.07 yards per carry.