Sammy Morris and passes to Gronk

[FredFromDartmouth]

Why no Sammy Morris runs in the last game? I saw him lay down a devastating block but no runs that I saw. I think he is the Patriots best cutback runner.

Also did not notice any passes to Gronk. Is BB playing rope-a-dope and getting ready to lay down a nasty surprise on the Jets? Probably not; they probably want him to get the blocking down first (and not bump the QB)

 

[The Dynasty]

Tough to really take anything from the first preseason game. I dont think much can really be said from the running back position, especially when BJGE ran with the first unit and Maroney with the 2nd. It will be interesting to see what kind of role each of the running backs play this season, whether there is one that emerges and gets the majority of the carries in every game or whether it is more of a running back by committee like it has been.

On the TE subject I dont really think Gronk will be catching many passes this season. His role will definitely be more of a blocking back. I think the same can be said of Crumpler. Hernandez will be more of a recieving TE. I think we will see a lot of 3 TE sets, like we did vs. the Saints. Having 3 solid TE will allow the team to give opponents different looks/formations. This will definitely help with the issue of being too predictable last season

 

[Tyler.Durden]

At 6'5" "the gronk" would be a great red zone target, so i'm sure he is working on his receiving.

I read that he is making td receptions in the red zone via reiss and the globe.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

I hope they spring Gronk as a surprise on the Jets or Dolphins. The Dolphins deserve it after keeping the Wildcat under their hat until they played the Patriots. Thanks a lot...

 

[Metaphors]

• The first couple preseason games are used to observe new or challenging situations. Note Maroney taking short yardage snaps with his fumbling issues happening in pileups last year. I doubt the Pats need to see much from Morris.
• As for Gronk, looks like the Pats have decided to instill some toughness, particularly in short yardage and red zone. In the 3 TE set, it was interesting to see Gronk next to Vollmer instead of Crumpler. Looks like a mindset thing to me.

 

[The Dynasty]

• The first couple preseason games are used to observe new or challenging situations. Note Maroney taking short yardage snaps with his fumbling issues happening in pileups last year. I doubt the Pats need to see much from Morris.
• As for Gronk, looks like the Pats have decided to instill some toughness, particularly in short yardage and red zone. In the 3 TE set, it was interesting to see Gronk next to Vollmer instead of Crumpler. Looks like a mindset thing to me.

Agree with your points besides the Maroney one. I dont think he was in purposely on short yardage plays, its just the way things worked out with the 2nd unit being inside the 5 yard line. I am still confused as to why he ran with the 2nd unit. The best answer I can come up with is it was to send a message to Maroney that he needs to step his game up because BJGE isnt too far behind him on the depth chart

 

[Patspsycho]

On the TE subject I dont really think Gronk will be catching many passes this season. His role will definitely be more of a blocking back.

That is starting to change. Brady and Hoyer are finding him more and more in the red zone. He just has the size and quickness to be a big mismatch.

 

[Kontradiction]

Agree with your points besides the Maroney one. I dont think he was in purposely on short yardage plays, its just the way things worked out with the 2nd unit being inside the 5 yard line. I am still confused as to why he ran with the 2nd unit. The best answer I can come up with is it was to send a message to Maroney that he needs to step his game up because BJGE isnt too far behind him on the depth chart

Eh, they probably wanted to see if BJGE would be worth a roster spot this year (given he would probably only see time with the ones should there be injuries) so they ran him with the ones to get a good look at him. That's my guess, anyway.

 

[Gwedd]

Eh, they probably wanted to see if BJGE would be worth a roster spot this year (given he would probably only see time with the ones should there be injuries) so they ran him with the ones to get a good look at him. That's my guess, anyway.

I would guess the same.

 

[efin98]

OH noes! They didn't let Morris run and didn't pass to Gronk!!!! Something must be wrong with them!!!! They must stink and are in danger of getting cut!!!!

If you are assuming anything from the previous game about what they will be doing with a high draft pick and a grizzled veteran running back you need to step back and think for a second... Morris and Taylor and Faulk weren't the focus for the game, just as Gronk wasn't the focus. Gronk got used in blocking schemes, which would tell them more than him catching passes would since he is a blocking TE.