Pats Change O-line blocking scheme?

[DaBruinz]

It sure looks like the Patriots have reverted back to the O-line blocking scheme that they were using when Dillon had so much success here and finally ditched the Zone Blocking scheme they were trying to implement.

If Box_o_Rocks or Pats1 or someone else could post about what they see out of the Pats O-line, it would be greatly appreciated.

Now, if the RBs who are normally good blockers could pick up their blocks, Cassel would have only been sacked twice instead of 5 times.

 

[pats1]

Well, while they have gone to more zone blocking in recent years, I think it's still been a steady mix, even within each play, and it's really something that depends on how the defense lines up (obviously a zone isn't going to work too well against a 3-4). Would they make the decision in one week to have less zone in each play? Probably not, but I could certainly see them changing which plays they call to fit Morris' style.

 

[mgteich]

Give the line a few weeks and they'll be fine. Welcome back Neal! Welcome Levoir! This looked looked much better, except for the obvious mistakes. The probowlers play like, well, probowlers. The OL will not be the weakness of this team.

 

[Patdown93]

It certainly didn't look like they called straight up the gut runs today. A lot of the stuff seemed to be between the guards and tackles.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I still saw zone plays, I'll try and take another look if I get time.

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

The change to zone blocking was done after they drafted Maroney in an attempt to get him to hit/find the holes like he did in college.

 

[WhiZa]

I would love someone to do some analysis on this. I could not see a difference, but if there was it would make a lot of sense.

 

[jczxohn1]

I thought the main improvement was in Neal's return and Levoir's play. The one time I noticed Yates was when he gave up a sack.

 

[VJCPatriot]

The change to zone blocking was done after they drafted Maroney in an attempt to get him to hit/find the holes like he did in college.

And the irony is that every back except Maroney seemed to do better than him running behind that scheme.

Whoever was in for the OL. I think they need to stay with that lineup and see if it will keep working. Give them more time to gel, and this OL could be a real strength, at least when it comes to run blocking, as the season progresses.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I rewatched the first two offensive series:
- the first drive featured more of the blocking scheme that made Pokey and Cory famous.
- the second featured attempts to run outside zones.

The O-line, TEs, and Evans punched holes in the D on the first drive. Not so much the second.

 

[BadMoFo]

How good is a Morris/Jordan power duo going to be, especially with a little Faulk and Green-Ellis to change things up. Cassel won't even need to throw the ball too much.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

can anyone tell me whether Neal played last night? How about Kaczur? I saw Britt getting destroyed last night.

 

[JSn]

can anyone tell me whether Neal played last night? How about Kaczur? I saw Britt getting destroyed last night.

Kaczur was out, but we need him back. I think LeVoir can manage right tackle, but we could stand an upgrade at guard. It would take a shuffle, but I think it would be a good shuffle.

Hoping one of the FB genii here is going to break down the O-Line for us - those issues as far as pass pro certainly aren't fixed.

Also, gotta credit Cassel: he takes a lot of sacks and keeps the ball, and when he gets flushed, he manages to avoid major mistakes. Protect the football. He's doing really well in that department.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Give the line a few weeks and they'll be fine.

Give it a few more weeks and the start KC folks and the start MG folks will both have their wishes. I amazed Cassel is still alive.

 

[DaBruinz]

can anyone tell me whether Neal played last night? How about Kaczur? I saw Britt getting destroyed last night.

I don't think you saw Britt getting destroyed. In fact, I don't remember Britt being on the field. LaVoir was on the field. And Neal played one series in the first half and then a majority of the 2nd half.

What I saw, and I mentioned this in other threads, was the TEs not chipping at the line on the blitzes and the RBs not able to block. This led to at least 4 of the 6 sacks that Cassel took.