Patriots Red Zone Offense Should Improve in 2010

[PatsFans.com Article]

The reigning division champs figure to improve in a key area - the red zone.

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[BradyMossWelker]

One word: Gronkowsky.

 

[Brettlax3434]

The red zone offense was awful last season, It will be much improved this year and we should score more points, especially if we can create more balance between our running game and passing game. I am very excited about the offense this year as I think our pass catching play will be a lot better. The Tight ends should be good, as mentioned in the article and I believe our play out of Edelman, Tate, and Holt will be very pleasing. Hopefully Welker could come back and still be a very efficient player. Our offense should prove to be much improved, and hopefully more consistent, unpredictable, and efficient.

 

[Keyser Söze]

As long as we don't give it to Maroney it should improve. "Hey, look the goaline!...ooops...FUMBLE"

 

[Kontradiction]

Pretty much what many people around here have been saying.

 

[jah]

As long as we don't give it to Maroney it should improve. "Hey, look the goaline!...ooops...FUMBLE"

You do know that Maroney only fumbled 3 times last season, right?

 

[the wrothbroughterer]

You do know that Maroney only fumbled 3 times last season, right?

And twice he did it the end zone. You're right that 3 fumbles isn't a lot but every time he did it, it killed us. We would have won the Indy game if he didn't cough it up on the goalline.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

And twice he did it the end zone. You're right that 3 fumbles isn't a lot but every time he did it, it killed us. We would have won the Indy game if he didn't cough it up on the goalline.

I didn't realize he fumbled on the goalline on 4th and 2. . . .

 

[Kontradiction]

I didn't realize he fumbled on the goalline on 4th and 2. . . .

Bad counterpoint. If Maroney doesn't fumble in the end zone, 4th and 2 doesn't happen. Anyway, though, I've been on record as saying that Maroney's fumbles are not a *huge* deal, but they ARE a problem that he needs to work on going into 2010.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Bad counterpoint. If Maroney doesn't fumble in the end zone, 4th and 2 doesn't happen. Anyway, though, I've been on record as saying that Maroney's fumbles are not a *huge* deal, but they ARE a problem that he needs to work on going into 2010.

That's my point—how do you know that for sure?

 

[Kontradiction]

That's my point—how do you know that for sure?

Because we would have been up an extra 7 points.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Because we would have been up an extra 7 points.

Again, though, that's my point. You're assuming that you can change the result of that one play without changing the rest of the game.

 

[Kontradiction]

Again, though, that's my point. You're assuming that you can change the result of that one play without changing the rest of the game.

No, I'm assuming that if that one play was successful, then we would have won. Let me lay it out...

1. We lost that game 35-34.

2. Had Maroney scored the TD, we would have won the game 42-35 (assuming a two point conversion).

3. Prior to the Butler P.I. call, the defense had allowed Indy 21 points.

4. Assuming Maroney does not fumble that ball, we are up by multiple scores. Even IF we do decide to go for it on 4th and 2 (which we wouldn't have had Maroney scored, but I'll entertain it), Indy would have had the ball in our territory, but would have had just over a minute to score twice. Not happening. In that event, we win the game 42-35. However, if we were up multiple scores, then my original point stands and 4th and 2 does not happen.

 

[N.Eman]

And twice he did it the end zone. You're right that 3 fumbles isn't a lot but every time he did it, it killed us. We would have won the Indy game if he didn't cough it up on the goalline.

I agree, those were key plays that left points on the field. Especially that Indy game.

 

[BradyMossWelker]

Again, though, that's my point. You're assuming that you can change the result of that one play without changing the rest of the game.

Men, are you ******ed?
Maroney scores, we win. Is that simple.

 

[glm]

If I remember correctly, didn't Welker return a punt to the redzone that basicaly made the fumble null.

 

[jmt57]

I disagree with the idea that the Pats were 'horrible' in the Red Zone last year, as so many contend. There is definitely room and a need for improvement, but to hear some talk you would think the Pats were dead last in the NFL in the Red Zone last year; in reality they were slightly above average. There were two or three plays we'd like to forget - the Maroney fumble, the interception on the pass intended for Moss - but overall the red zone offense was not as bad as some portray it to be. Regardless it should improve with the change of personnel at the tight end position.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

If I remember correctly, didn't Welker return a punt to the redzone that basicaly made the fumble null.

Yes, Welker returned a punt into the redzone. That doesn't cancel out a turnover on the goal line though.

We can argue how much of an impact that had on the game, and whether it mattered little or lots to the outcome. But there's no argument that turnovers are a major statistical factor (perhaps the most significant) in the outcome of games. Losing a fumble doesn't help the cause, especially in scoring position.

In a game lost by a single point, every turnover counts. That doesn't mean Maroney alone should take the blame. Brady's INT was pretty bad, as was the play-calling on both sides of the ball in the second half. But there's no denying that the fumble hurt, regardless of what followed.

 

[Kontradiction]

Yes, Welker returned a punt into the redzone. That doesn't cancel out a turnover on the goal line though.

We can argue how much of an impact that had on the game, and whether it mattered little or lots to the outcome. But there's no argument that turnovers are a major statistical factor (perhaps the most significant) in the outcome of games. Losing a fumble doesn't help the cause, especially in scoring position.

In a game lost by a single point, every turnover counts. That doesn't mean Maroney alone should take the blame. Brady's INT was pretty bad, as was the play-calling on both sides of the ball in the second half. But there's no denying that the fumble hurt, regardless of what followed.

That was one of Brady's lesser boneheaded turnovers though. The safeties crossed on that play and he was baited perfectly by Bethea. Not to say it didn't suck because that turnover did, indeed, suck. But it wasn't as bad as some of his other INT's throughout the year.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

That was one of Brady's lesser boneheaded turnovers though. The safeties crossed on that play and he was baited perfectly by Bethea. Not to say it didn't suck because that turnover did, indeed, suck. But it wasn't as bad as some of his other INT's throughout the year.

I agree, though I felt it was a bit of a forced decision considering we weren't far from the end zone and the offense was rolling. But you're right, there were far worse decisions unfortunately.

And staying on-topic, I do expect the red zone to be much better this season. Based on the fumbling, I could see Fred Taylor handling the goal line duties if he makes the roster (no guarantees considering his age). And I'm really excited about the two TEs we drafted. Hernandez will be great, and I expect Gronk to contribute as well in both the pass and run game.

Plus I don't know how we could get worse in the red zone after last season...