Yates: Picked up pieces film review in Pats loss to Ravens

[MoLewisrocks]

What worked and why and what didn't and why. Analysis seems to highlight what Welker and Branch bring to the mix that lots of folks including perhaps the incumbant OC might have lost sight of. Underscores that the running game wasn't stifled so much by the back as the line. Apparently pass protection was the focus this week although it still lacks in comparison to what Flacco experienced.

Picked-up pieces from first half review - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Picked-up pieces from second half review - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[Kontradiction]

What worked and why and what didn't and why. Analysis seems to highlight what Welker and Branch bring to the mix that lots of folks including perhaps the incumbant OC might have lost sight of. Underscores that the running game wasn't stifled so much by the back as the line. Apparently pass protection was the focus this week although it still lacks in comparison to what Flacco experienced.

Picked-up pieces from first half review - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Picked-up pieces from second half review - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Thought the offense moved a lot better with Branch and Welker being somewhat featured and fully featured, respectively. Gronk got all but shut down in the game last night. Once Hernandez comes back, and if we can stabilize the interior O-Line, the offense should be fine. It was the defense that, unfortunately, worried me again.

 

[goheels22002]

Thank you for putting these two blog entries together in this post.

A couple of observations. The defensive line and gap-filling by the Ravens' blitz made blocking on running plays very complicated. The offensive line could not consistently create a dependable edge or hole to hit throughout the game.

Some people criticized the Pats for running the two reverses. I was calling for one in the second half to take advantage of the pursuit. The Woodhead-Edelman reverse was too deep and slow to develop. I wonder if it would have worked with Lloyd and Ridley who are quicker and hit holes harder.

The criticism of the DBs, especially McCourty, is not really fair. The blogger points out the hold on McCourty should have been a no-call, and the defensive line has to do a better job getting to the QB. Flacco was not hit once all night nor sacked. He had a clean pocket on every pass, and for the most part the DBs were where they needed to be - they just can't be expected to cover forever.

Last, I am disturbed by the need to blame somebody for this loss. That was a whale of a football game by both teams in all three phases. The Ravens are one helluva good team and the loss last night had none of the characteristics of the Cardinals game which was marred by mental mistakes and poor execution.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Thank you for putting these two blog entries together in this post.

A couple of observations. The defensive line and gap-filling by the Ravens' blitz made blocking on running plays very complicated. The offensive line could not consistently create a dependable edge or hole to hit throughout the game.

Some people criticized the Pats for running the two reverses. I was calling for one in the second half to take advantage of the pursuit. The Woodhead-Edelman reverse was too deep and slow to develop. I wonder if it would have worked with Lloyd and Ridley who are quicker and hit holes harder.

The criticism of the DBs, especially McCourty, is not really fair. The blogger points out the hold on McCourty should have been a no-call, and the defensive line has to do a better job getting to the QB. Flacco was not hit once all night nor sacked. He had a clean pocket on every pass, and for the most part the DBs were where they needed to be - they just can't be expected to cover forever.

Last, I am disturbed by the need to blame somebody for this loss. That was a whale of a football game by both teams in all three phases. The Ravens are one helluva good team and the loss last night had none of the characteristics of the Cardinals game which was marred by mental mistakes and poor execution.

Someone or something is always at fault. Even in Bill's Monday film reviews. There were mental mistakes and poor execution in this game. Increasingly as the game wore on. And at times it seemed as if they were just determined to keep doing what they were doing on the hope it would eventually lead to another result. Never got a whiff of Flacco who was prepped to unravel even absent pressure early on. But he is one of those guys who often regroups and rebounds if you let him. And last night the defense let him. And in a way so did the offense. Stalled drive in the third quarter had to settle for a FG after marching to 1st and goal is an example. Run up the gut, -4. Run up the gut, no gain. Short pass to Welker complete for 6 - only they needed 8. Settled for 3 when 4 was within their grasp. Lost by 1.

I just hope on Monday AM they self scout the tape for coaching and personnel grouping or usage/playcalling mistakes as they certainly do mental and physical execution errors that players make in the heat of the game.

 

[VrabelJr]

I'm all for reverses when you have the correct personel but those only work when you have speedy WRs. Danny Woodhead and Julian Edelman are no such speedsters.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm all for reverses when you have the correct personel but those only work when you have speedy WRs. Danny Woodhead and Julian Edelman are no such speedsters.

The reverse would have worked just fine if Solder had known his assignment (which was Upshaw) and not blown the block.

 

[AQPE]

I'm all for reverses when you have the correct personel but those only work when you have speedy WRs. Danny Woodhead and Julian Edelman are no such speedsters.

Bingo, we have bingo

 

[goheels22002]

Someone or something is always at fault. Even in Bill's Monday film reviews. There were mental mistakes and poor execution in this game. Increasingly as the game wore on. And at times it seemed as if they were just determined to keep doing what they were doing on the hope it would eventually lead to another result. Never got a whiff of Flacco who was prepped to unravel even absent pressure early on. But he is one of those guys who often regroups and rebounds if you let him. And last night the defense let him. And in a way so did the offense. Stalled drive in the third quarter had to settle for a FG after marching to 1st and goal is an example. Run up the gut, -4. Run up the gut, no gain. Short pass to Welker complete for 6 - only they needed 8. Settled for 3 when 4 was within their grasp. Lost by 1.

I just hope on Monday AM they self scout the tape for coaching and personnel grouping or usage/playcalling mistakes as they certainly do mental and physical execution errors that players make in the heat of the game.

Your post gets to the heart of the game last night. It was incredibly complicated to look back at that particular game and see one thing or something in the box score that told the whole story.

The major statistical issue was that Flacco went untouched. Otherwise, the Pats had a great day - zero turnovers, over 300 yards passing, the two top receivers (Welker and Llloyd) go over over 100 yards each, Gostkowski was on target, etc. The running game was unproductive, but that's a good run-stopping defense (Ngata is a monster.)

So many things contributed to the Ravens scores or the Patriots' stalled drives that I don't see a major flaw here. Yeah, I'd do some things differently, but I came away encouraged that these guys could go toe-to-toe with the Ravens in that environment.

I also think this was a great game for the rookies to get as close to a playoff experience as you can get.