I know that Hernandez' injury skews the numbers that I'm about to share. And we're only two games into the season. I know, I know, I know. But I'll share them anyway.
% of catches by position (rec divided by pass completions)
WR1/2 (2011: Welker/Branch; 2012: Welker/Lloyd)
- 2011: 43.0%
- 2012: 41.2%
WR3/6 (2011: Edelman/Ocho/Slater/Underwood; 2012: Edelman)
- 2011: 5.7%
- 2012: 11.8%
TE
- 2011: 42.0%
- 2012: 35.3%
WR Total
- 2011: 48.8%
- 2012: 52.9%
RB
- 2011: 9.2%
- 2012: 11.8%
So again, granted Hernandez' injury is a major factor here, but right now, the numbers show that the Pats are throwing more to their WRs this year than they did last year. They're also throwing to their RBs more this year than they did last year. And, of course, they're running the football more this year than they did last year (45.0% runs divided by runs + pass attempts in 2012 vs. 41.7% last year).
The passes are just going to Welker a lot less. 2011: 30.3% compared with 15.7% in 2012.
% of catches by position (rec divided by pass completions)
WR1/2 (2011: Welker/Branch; 2012: Welker/Lloyd)
- 2011: 43.0%
- 2012: 41.2%
WR3/6 (2011: Edelman/Ocho/Slater/Underwood; 2012: Edelman)
- 2011: 5.7%
- 2012: 11.8%
TE
- 2011: 42.0%
- 2012: 35.3%
WR Total
- 2011: 48.8%
- 2012: 52.9%
RB
- 2011: 9.2%
- 2012: 11.8%
So again, granted Hernandez' injury is a major factor here, but right now, the numbers show that the Pats are throwing more to their WRs this year than they did last year. They're also throwing to their RBs more this year than they did last year. And, of course, they're running the football more this year than they did last year (45.0% runs divided by runs + pass attempts in 2012 vs. 41.7% last year).
The passes are just going to Welker a lot less. 2011: 30.3% compared with 15.7% in 2012.