Offense: How Concerned Are YOU?

[PatsBoy12]

I will preface this thread by saying that I know it's still extremely early and we're still waiting to see what happens with 3/5 of our O-Line. I know that we're also integrating new parts into the offense and even though some of the new parts are indeed old parts (Gaffney and Stallworth), there still may be a bit of a learning curve. The bottom line is that it is all still just a work in progress.

With that said, I want to know how concerned you all are about the current state of the offense, particularly the offensive line. A recurring theme from the sparse TC reports I read every day seems to be the struggles of the offense. I always felt a slight concern, but I was never too "down" on the offense, even after the dismal performance against the Saints. However, I find myself just a bit nervous now after reading today's rundown. It just seems like there has not been that steady improvement that we all hope for as practices progress.

Practice rundown #17 - Extra Points - Boston.com

There were again all sorts of blocking problems up front – both for the run and the pass – during team periods. At one point during a situational overtime period, there were three sacks in six plays by Dont’a Hightower, Jermaine Cunningham and Chandler Jones (split), and Trevor Scott. Counted another five tackles for a loss by the defense as the offense couldn’t get out of their own way. At one point, the offense was so bad that Jerod Mayo openly mocked them by asking for the punt team on third down. Later, Brady – who was 13 of 23 with five sacks in team periods -- just shrugged at offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

When will you begin to panic at the current state of things regarding the offense? This is a team that many believe will be at the top of the league. Heck, CBS predicted a perfect season. However, that will never happen if the team can't win in the trenches, something that many believe cost them two SB victories. So, how concerned are YOU?

 

[mgteich]

As long as Vollmer is back, I will not worry about the offense until at least mid-season.

I am not at all worried about the OG's and OC's. I want Waters back, but we have plenty of depth.

With regard to rest of the offense, we are much improved over 2011.

I will preface this thread by saying that I know it's still extremely early and we're still waiting to see what happens with 3/5 of our O-Line. I know that we're also integrating new parts into the offense and even though some of the new parts are indeed old parts (Gaffney and Stallworth), there still may be a bit of a learning curve. The bottom line is that it is all still just a work in progress.

With that said, I want to know how concerned you all are about the current state of the offense, particularly the offensive line. A recurring theme from the sparse TC reports I read every day seems to be the struggles of the offense. I always felt a slight concern, but I was never too "down" on the offense, even after the dismal performance against the Saints. However, I find myself just a bit nervous now after reading today's rundown. It just seems like there has not been that steady improvement that we all hope for as practices progress.

Practice rundown #17 - Extra Points - Boston.com



When will you begin to panic at the current state of things regarding the offense? This is a team that many believe will be at the top of the league. Heck, CBS predicted a perfect season. However, that will never happen if the team can't win in the trenches, something that many believe cost them two SB victories. So, how concerned are YOU?

 

[BlueThunder]

Reading the practice breakdown, I'm a bit concerned about our Offense....unless our Defense just morphed into a top 5 D...

Preseason vs Iggles will tell alot more about which it is.....

 

[patsfan13]

If Volllmer doesn't get back I will be a bit concerned until Dante can straighten things out.

If Vollmer and Waters are starting opening moving Connolly to Center I am ecstatic about our O may be the best of the Brady era.

Injuries are the only thing that concerns me about this years team.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Very confident even with a suspect line. But waters will be back soon. Pats will be #1 O this year

 

[Patstopia]

If Volllmer doesn't get back I will be a bit concerned until Dante can straighten things out.

If Vollmer and Waters are starting opening moving Connolly to Center I am ecstatic about our O may be the best of the Brady era.

Injuries are the only thing that concerns me about this years team.

I would love to see this, coming in a close second would be Cannon playing guard in place of Waters, with Vollmar and Solder and Connolly as center.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

I don't see us going fro ma top 3 offense to a middle of the pack or even the back side of the top 10. Pre season really is meaningless from a win-loss perspective and to a certain extent how some units perform and you know Dante will have everything worked out. Worse case Gronk has to sty in line a bit more for the first couple games, but I don't see that being needed.

 

[Deus Irae]

When will you begin to panic at the current state of things regarding the offense?

When it's 48 hours or less before the first regular season game and Mankins, Waters and Vollmer have yet to be on the line.

 

[LivinLovin&Breathin_Brady]

It depends, is Brady getting sacked so much because he's holding the ball too long or is it that O-line is really THAT bad?

I don't know, the line has been suspect to me since 06. Brady's quick release and defenses not sending blitzes at him were the only thing that made them look decent. As we've seen, when the blitz is coming Brady goes down, unless he's throwing intermediate passes(last two SBs for example). I hope he hasn't gotten used to sitting back there for so long that he doesn't know how to throw it quickly anymore.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

As we've seen, when the blitz is coming Brady goes down

Umm...what?

Brady had a 135 QB rating vs the blitz last year with a 67% completion. 16 TDs as well i think.

He is VERY good against the blitz. When teams sit back in coverage..that is when he struggles

He had a lot of sacks becasue he averaged 38 attempts a game last year..most in career

 

[ATippett56]

It's August 16 and Brian Waters has yet to report to training camp.

It would be nice for Brian Waters to play at least one-half of one preseason game to knock off any rust accumulated during the off season.

 

[Joey007]

How concerned am I????

Not too concerned, yet.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

It's August 16 and Brian Waters has yet to report to training camp.

It would be nice for Brian Waters to play at least one-half of one preseason game to knock off any rust accumulated during the off season.

not happening

 

[ATippett56]

not happening

Not a fan of Donald Thomas starting at one of the two offensive guard positions against the Tennessee Titans.

 

[BananaRepublican]

When it's 48 hours or less before the first regular season game and Mankins, Waters and Vollmer have yet to be on the line.

I think you mean all three simultaneously? That's not a bad benchmark but I'll settle for Waters reporting, meaning he and Mankins are back in the saddle, Connolly is at center, and "whomever it may concern" will be on the right side. Eventually Vollmer. I mean after he has his baby or whatever is up with him.

 

[BananaRepublican]

As we've seen, when the blitz is coming Brady goes down,

I think you mean a strong front four coming hard. He reads the blitz fine.

Front four is very different because it can mean pressure right up the middle, forcing him to lose his place to step up when the edge pressure comes.

If you want to see a video of him destroying the blitz watch the replay of the Denver playoff loss.

 

[randomk1]

lulz...where does Mayo get the balls to mock the offense? On gameday it's still going to be the offense carrying his ass.

 

[peterforpats]

Very confident even with a suspect line. But waters will be back soon. Pats will be #1 O this year

why does everyone assume waters will return soon? even so, another year older, no training camp- why does everyone assume he will play as well as last year? i don't- especially without camp practice.

 

[patsfan13]

It depends, is Brady getting sacked so much because he's holding the ball too long or is it that O-line is really THAT bad?

I don't know, the line has been suspect to me since 06. Brady's quick release and defenses not sending blitzes at him were the only thing that made them look decent. As we've seen, when the blitz is coming Brady goes down, unless he's throwing intermediate passes(last two SBs for example). I hope he hasn't gotten used to sitting back there for so long that he doesn't know how to throw it quickly anymore.

RE Pressure in the SB's. In 2007 the Giants got a lot of pressure without blitzing and keeping 7 back in coverage.

Last year the protection was good and Brady got in a groove and was shredding the Giants until Osi landed on his shoulder in the 3rd Qtr and he wasn't the same. The injury not the rush was the issue there.

If you can get pressure with 3 or 4 rushers you can beat the Pats O, of course that is easier said than done.

 

[patsfan13]

why does everyone assume waters will return soon? even so, another year older, no training camp- why does everyone assume he will play as well as last year? i don't- especially without camp practice.

If he were going to retire he would announce it, Many think because of how the FO s responding to the Waters question that he and BB have an understanding.

Since he is an older player missing camp may help him stay fresh through the season. It certainly didn't hurt him last year.