Breer: Tale of the tape

[slash83]

Tale of the Tape: Patriots-Jaguars - Extra Points - Boston.com

Really good read, does a good job of breaking down key aspects of the game.

 

[BelichickFan]

Great stuff as always. From watching the game I thought Pryor was in more than Reiss' count (19 of 52) said but he and Brace were in for 24 of 52 total, almost half the game. It looks like we may get #2 and #5 value out of Pryor and Brace even if the values end up being reversed (I'm not giving up on Brace, but right now Pryor looks like a solid #2 pick and Brace like a solid #5).

 

[RobertWeathers]

Great stuff as always. From watching the game I thought Pryor was in more than Reiss' count (19 of 52) said but he and Brace were in for 24 of 52 total, almost half the game. It looks like we may get #2 and #5 value out of Pryor and Brace even if the values end up being reversed (I'm not giving up on Brace, but right now Pryor looks like a solid #2 pick and Brace like a solid #5).

Agreed. Brace has shown enough to warrant optomism. He needs a full off-season of conditioning and technique training to be properly evaluated.

Pryor.............what a find!

 

[BelichickFan]

Agreed. Brace has shown enough to warrant optomism. He needs a full off-season of conditioning and technique training to be properly evaluated.

FWIW, Reiss said this in his chat about Brace :

"I asked a scout about the difference between Brace and Pryor and he explained that Pryor plays with more of a flat back, which is something to keep in mind."

Maybe someone can enlighten the rest of us on what that means.

 

[BionicPatriot]

FWIW, Reiss said this in his chat about Brace :

"I asked a scout about the difference between Brace and Pryor and he explained that Pryor plays with more of a flat back, which is something to keep in mind."

Maybe someone can enlighten the rest of us on what that means.

From my days on the DL, I'm guessing they mean Pryor sits in a better stance and has better explosion than someone who sits in their 3 point stance sloppy, thus creating an arched back and possibly slowing explosion. I'm guessing though. It would certainly make sense.

 

[jays52]

FWIW, Reiss said this in his chat about Brace :

"I asked a scout about the difference between Brace and Pryor and he explained that Pryor plays with more of a flat back, which is something to keep in mind."

Maybe someone can enlighten the rest of us on what that means.

In strength based football, leverage and proper utilization of the body's strongest muscles are the key. In taking on blockers, perfect technique means having a flat back (amongst others). The power in the body is between the core and the calves. Lower back, glutes, hammies, and quads make up the strength of the player. If the player wins the leverage battle and plays with a flat back he should overpower the opponent. To visualize a flat back stand up from your computer. Split your feet shoulder width apart and stuck your ass out without bending your knees. This should bring your shoulders slightly forward. From there, sit down until you have a "z" in your legs. Your shoulders, knees, and toes should all be in verticle alignment. This is the definition of a flat back (and, if you rise to the balls of your feet; a linebacker stance). The body is coiled, the explosive hips combine with the powerful back, glutes, and quads to form the perfect hitting and driving position. That's a flat back.

 

[fester]

FWIW, Reiss said this in his chat about Brace :

"I asked a scout about the difference between Brace and Pryor and he explained that Pryor plays with more of a flat back, which is something to keep in mind."

Maybe someone can enlighten the rest of us on what that means.

Leverage, leverage, leverage.

A flat back means the torso is fully extended and is the defender is going into the blocker. A bent back makes the blocker's job of disturbing and redistributing the center of gravity and center of balance much easier.

 

[BelichickFan]

Thanks (to all) that makes sense - it will be interesting to see how/if Brace progresses. A technique issue that gets fixed can make all the difference in the world for the performance of any position in any sport; all is not lost with Brace if he's able to improve his technique.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Thanks (to all) that makes sense - it will be interesting to see how/if Brace progresses. A technique issue that gets fixed can make all the difference in the world for the performance of any position in any sport; all is not lost with Brace if he's able to improve his technique.

If he can't play with leverage on the nose or DT on this team, he won't play. Thats been proven this year. He must improve.

 

[BelichickFan]

If he can't play with leverage on the nose or DT on this team, he won't play. Thats been proven this year. He must improve.

Right, hopefully he can work on his technique there - he was 6th among DL at the combine for Bench Press reps so it has to be a technique thing not a strength issue.

 

[jays52]

Right, hopefully he can work on his technique there - he was 6th among DL at the combine for Bench Press reps so it has to be a technique thing not a strength issue.

One thing to remember: how many times a player can rep 225 has very little to do with functional playing strength. It's more so a test of how dedicated the player is in the weight room. If they wanted to measure how strong a guy was, they'd likely have max hangclean and how many times the player can squat 500.

 

[sg14]

Not that I previously knew what a flat back was, but pretty sure I read a month or so ago that the "Pat's coaches were not happy with Brace's footwork".

Probably just another way of saying his technique is off.

 

[RobertWeathers]

One thing to remember: how many times a player can rep 225 has very little to do with functional playing strength. It's more so a test of how dedicated the player is in the weight room. If they wanted to measure how strong a guy was, they'd likely have max hangclean and how many times the player can squat 500.

Too bad Mark Henry never played football. The guy could clean 500lbs. and squat 800lbs...

 

[BradyMossWelker]

Looks like AD isn't as bad as we think.