Can Anyone Tell Me Why?

[patpatriot]

I was thinking back to the Chicago game and all the times their QB just threw it up for grabs to whichever WR had one-on-one coverage...Bernard Berrian especially. I can't remember the Pats ever succcessfully using this play...can anyone tell me why it does not work for them?

 

[gomezcat]

I would argue that it doesn't work all that well for Grossman and the Bears. He has thrown some howlers this season. The problem with the play is that you need receivers with a leap that is significantly superior to the DB who is covering them. Get it wrong, or put too much air under it, and you have a pick. JMHO.

 

[RoadGrader]

I was thinking back to the Chicago game and all the times their QB just threw it up for grabs to whichever WR had one-on-one coverage...Bernard Berrian especially. I can't remember the Pats ever succcessfully using this play...can anyone tell me why it does not work for them?

an answer could be that it can be seen as a play called out of desperation to make your offense "work" with a high probability of failure (interception) -- one that I don't see BB advocating

another answer could be that BB would like to call this type of "play" but does not feel he has the right personnel to be able to fight coverage opponent(s) to draw a call/prevent interception/actually make a catch

 

[richpats]

an answer could be that it can be seen as a play called out of desperation to make your offense "work" with a high probability of failure (interception) -- one that I don't see BB advocating

another answer could be that BB would like to call this type of "play" but does not feel he has the right personnel to be able to fight coverage opponent(s) to draw a call/prevent interception/actually make a catch

Both good points. Though with the re-emphasis on contact with receivers, it has become more common to see a flag thrown on the D on this type of play. So in a sense it can work without working (as we saw against the Bears).

Expect to see a lot of this against the Broncos in the playoffs. Even with Plummer at the helm they took their shots (with a painful amount of success). Now with the strong arm of Cutler, it will be an even greater threat.

 

[patpatriot]

Can't Chad jackson fufill this role at least? Designated PI Machine?

 

[RoadGrader]

Can't Chad jackson fufill this role at least? Designated PI Machine?

there has been speculation that CJ's limit role this year has been due in part to not meeting expectations in week-to-week practices (injuries not withstanding)

some have speculated that BB has inserted CJ in games for mostly blocking assignment roles to send him a message to get with the program

if these assertions are correct and he can't be trusted to carry out a possession assignment, it would be reasonable to hold him out of a high-risk assignment scenario like we are discussing

 

[patpatriot]

Actually, now that I think about it, there is also the dreaded "NBA rookie non-call" phenomenon to feed into the equation. The last deep ball that he was thrown resulted in clear PI on the defender (face guarding) with no call.

And I hope that it's not true what was said about the "sending a lesson" blocking assignments. We are trying to eak out a championship here...not running some BB version of Boys Town*.


* This reference may be beyond the cultural reach of many of our younger posters. Please google Micky Rooney for more info.

 

[Aldogg]

I don't think we have the guys with the abilities to get it. We have posession type wideouts. Guys who tend more to find holes in zone coverage then a burner like Berrian who can smoke you on the line than do a jump ball. Jackson next year SHOULD be our burner type in which we could throw deep balls to draw PI flags.

 

[RayClay]

Actually, now that I think about it, there is also the dreaded "NBA rookie non-call" phenomenon to feed into the equation. The last deep ball that he was thrown resulted in clear PI on the defender (face guarding) with no call.

And I hope that it's not true what was said about the "sending a lesson" blocking assignments. We are trying to eak out a championship here...not running some BB version of Boys Town*.


* This reference may be beyond the cultural reach of many of our younger posters. Please google Micky Rooney for more info.

Boystown and Belichick have both been succesful.

We could just draft a receiver high in the first round every year instead, like Detroit.

Why do you think Gabriel's gone, because he wasn't talented?

They haven't had a more talented receiver than Glenn, yet he was cut in 2001.

Don't discount discipline and teamwork as reasons for this teams success.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Actually, now that I think about it, there is also the dreaded "NBA rookie non-call" phenomenon to feed into the equation. The last deep ball that he was thrown resulted in clear PI on the defender (face guarding) with no call.

And I hope that it's not true what was said about the "sending a lesson" blocking assignments. We are trying to eak out a championship here...not running some BB version of Boys Town*.


* This reference may be beyond the cultural reach of many of our younger posters. Please google Micky Rooney for more info.

What RayClay said, plus, if there is the least bit of credibility to the rumors of maturity issues (nothing I consider credible yet, but the rumors are there), then Boys Town for Chad is a very good thing - vice Boyz Town in Dallas with scum waffle. I just think it's your basic bring'em up right approach which is willing to sacrifice some potential this season for surgical precision next season.

 

[patpatriot]

As far as maturity issues go, I think Jackson is the youngest player on the team as he came out as a JR (<21?). So I wouldn't be surprisd if he were not a vetran kool-aid drinker yet. My question is, and I really don't want to turn this into another Jackson thread, why can't the Pats be more like the Bears in geting long gains or PI calls. Some posters have suggested that the Pats WRs just aren't good enough to win one-on-one battles with good DBs. Is that the case?

 

[RayClay]

As far as maturity issues go, I think Jackson is the youngest player on the team as he came out as a JR (<21?). So I wouldn't be surprisd if he were not a vetran kool-aid drinker yet. My question is, and I really don't want to turn this into another Jackson thread, why can't the Pats be more like the Bears in geting long gains or PI calls. Some posters have suggested that the Pats WRs just aren't good enough to win one-on-one battles with good DBs. Is that the case?

I think BB just doesn't want to whip the ball around aimlessly when he's got a great quarterback.

Sure you get some PI calls, but the refs tend to keep the flags in their pockets towards post season.

Plus, you get a lot of interceptions at key times. Remember we beat Chicago
and the fans weren't exactly thrilled with Grossman.

Bottom line, it's a sloppy play that could back fire and Defensive minded coaches don't like putting it up for grabs.

A couple controlled passes/runs accomplishes the same thing with very little risk.