Reiss see offense in state of flux after loss to Arizona and wonders why - New England Patriots Forums

***MoLewisrocks*** · 09-16-2012, 10:01 PM

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Two major developments unfolded in the New England Patriots' surprising 20-18 home-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals that figure to play a big role in how the team fares in the coming weeks.

The first is tight end Aaron Hernandez and his right ankle injury, which had him leaving Gillette Stadium with crutches and a boot on the ankle. Losing Hernandez for any stretch of time, as was seen Sunday, dramatically changes the complexion of the team's attack.

The second is more of a question: What is the coaching staff doing with Wes Welker? In a surprising development, Welker was third on the depth chart, playing behind Julian Edelman in two-receiver sets. In all, Edelman was on the field for 75 snaps (including penalties and a 2-point conversion), while Welker was on for 63. Welker said afterward that there is no injury-related issue that is holding him back.

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So now the question becomes where the Patriots go from here, as this situation is precisely why Belichick stocked up on tight ends in the offseason. If you're going to emphasize the position as much as the Patriots have, depth is critical...If Fells and Hoomanawanui don't take on larger roles, look for more of the three-receiver attack we saw in Sunday's loss.

Veteran free agent Lloyd, through two games, is the team's clear-cut No. 1 receiver. He played every snap against the Cardinals and 57 of 67 against the Titans, and has been targeted a team-high 21 times (13 receptions). The numbers suggest that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is committed to seeing Lloyd, who has followed him from Denver and St. Louis, become the biggest part of the receiving corps.

The Patriots could reach out to veteran Deion Branch, who is open to returning, for more receiver depth. Veterans Jabar Gaffney and Donte' Stallworth, who also were with the team in training camp, are available too.

Whatever they decide, Welker's declining role in the offense -- which comes after an offseason in which he couldn't come to a long-term contract with the Patriots and is now playing under the $9.5 million franchise tag -- bears watching.

"He's a phenomenal player and when he makes plays, it really sparks our whole offense and he made a bunch of them [Sunday]," quarterback Tom Brady said after Welker caught five passes for 95 yards. (Edelman had five catches for 50 yards.)

That's what made Welker's reduced playing time, for the second week in a row, stand out.

While Hernandez was forced off the field due to injury, Welker was kept on the sidelines at times due to a coach's decision -- two significant developments that headlined the Patriots' disappointing home-opening loss.

Lloyd is catching 62% of his targets. Brady is used to his #1 target catching between 70-75% of the passes thrown in his direction. And probably approaching 70% completions by each of his TE's...

New England Patriots receiving corps entering state of flux - ESPN Boston

And FWIW Rodney said on the SNF Halftime Show that his biggest concern is the OL because Brady is running for his life. So signing more WR's may only be half the battle.

***Brady_to_Moss*** · 09-16-2012, 10:05 PM

Welker is going to need to play a lot more next week for them to have a chance

***Rob0729*** · 09-16-2012, 10:07 PM

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Originally Posted by MoLewisrocks

And FWIW Rodney said on the SNF Halftime Show that his biggest concern is the OL because Brady is running for his life. So signing more WR's may only be half the battle.

Getting Connolly back in the starting line up and Vollmer playing full time would be much of the other half the battle.

PATRIOTSFANINPA · 09-16-2012, 10:08 PM

Rotoworld predicts Hernandez to miss 6 weeks which puts him back just after the bye....if true I think the team has played well when he had missed time with his hip 2 years ago and I would not be surprised if Branch is heading back to Foxboro by Wednesday to help fill the void.

While this injury sucks for one of our better receivers,at least it's in week 2 and not week 10 which would have put him on IR.

I never expected Lloyd to be much more than a 450-600 yard receiver which he is doing better than that so far....he is going to have to pick it up now and improve those numbers even more until week 10 at least.

juny · 09-16-2012, 10:09 PM

the worst thing about today is the loss of Hernandez for an extended period of time. this offense is totally built on the 2TE attack and #47 (not attempting to spell it) as a backup is terrible. Fells might be an upgrade but he is nowhere near as versatile as Hernandez (very few TEs are). 3 WRs sets weren't very good last year and I don't think it is much better this year. Honestly #47 needs to go and the FB Hilliard has been useless these two games. use those roster spots for depth elsewhere. hope the coaching staff come up something quick cause the Baltimore game will be a tough battle.

***ALP*** · 09-16-2012, 10:09 PM

i would NOT be opposed to trading for an OL....

the draft can take a rearview mirror importance again this yr like in 08....

the defense has a LOT of young guys that are doing great, we dont need those picks, and we dont need them for the skill positions for the most part either...so go out there, offer a 2nd, and get another chink for the OL if that is what is needed

PATRIOTSFANINPA · 09-16-2012, 10:11 PM

Does anyone think that possibly its not all about Welker's extension but maybe...just maybe Welker and McDaniels are not seeing eye to eye?

SVN · 09-16-2012, 10:14 PM

I wasnt totally convinced with the oline after the titans game .Brady ran way too much although he wasnt sacked. But in this game against a better D our oline really was the culprit.

***Deus Irae*** · 09-16-2012, 10:14 PM

I don't know....

Is Belichick really stupid enough to minimize the team's best receiver if that receiver's truly healthy? It seems more likely that this is a matter of CIA-like silence.

***MoLewisrocks*** · 09-16-2012, 10:16 PM

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Originally Posted by PATRIOTSFANINPA

Rotoworld predicts Hernandez to miss 6 weeks which puts him back just after the bye....if true I think the team has played well when he had missed time with his hip 2 years ago and I would not be surprised if Branch is heading back to Foxboro by Wednesday to help fill the void.

While this injury sucks for one of our better receivers,at least it's in week 2 and not week 10 which would have put him on IR.

I never expected Lloyd to be much more than a 450-600 yard receiver which he is heading for....he is going to have to pick it up now and improve those numbers.

I think Josh had other plans and he has been intent on implementing them even at the expense of winning games. Losing Hernandez really throws a wrench in his plans. Will be interesting to see how stubbornly he clings to them. As Reiss said, Hootanany wasn't very impressive. If Fells can't get on the field and do a whole lot better they need to go back to the 2011 plan with Lloyd simply replacing Ocho. 3 WR sets with Lloyd/Welker/Branch/Gronk and Ridley (or Vereen or Woody) on the field 75% of the time...