Wes Welker 13 catches, Aaron Hernandez back on field; what now?

[BayAreaPatsFan]

So Wes Welker has been having some monster games the last few weeks, now hernandez seems poised to return. What now ? Does the focus go back to Hernandez or do they stick with whats been working these last few weeks. Must say its a great problem to have.

 

[thenepatsrule]

So Wes Welker has been having some monster games the last few weeks, now hernandez seems poised to return. What now ? Does the focus go back to Hernandez or do they stick with whats been working these last few weeks. Must say its a great problem to have.

We are focused on the Seattle game

 

[jbb9s]

wes isn't getting re-signed so I say throw him the ball a lot and let him take the hits. maybe they can preserve aaron for the next 4-5 yrs by letting him take it easy this year before January.

 

[Sciz]

All depends on the matchup. With Hernandez not 100% and going against a big secondary, I think it's probably a chance for Welker to go to town on the 6'2" CBs.

 

[PP2]

Gee, I wonder how they were able to co-exist last year.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Go the safe route and give the ball to Ridley until they stop him.....

Against a solid Seahawks defense the best way to defeat that talent is to wear them down....you do that by long drives and run the ball until/if they can shut you down.

They have 2 very talented safeties

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Hernandez return when it happens will mean a lot less snaps for Fells and Hoo-ooh and probably a lot more targets in the passing game including for Gronk. The only return from injury that would impact Welker at this point is Edelman...if they are still intent on reinventing the wheel. Will also mean less opportunities for the RB's. We were actually getting a little unbalanced in the other direction so that's a good thing. As long as Josh/Brady continues to take what's being given there will be plenty of opportunities for the core players to put up numbers although no player may be setting record marks this season because of injuries and the depth of options. As long as things aren't forced for alterior reasons.

 

[Avenger]

Hernandez out puts us in 3 WR more Mo, Edelperson coming back without Aaron coming back would take Branch out of the starting lineup.

 

[12ClutchFactor]

Hernandez out puts us in 3 WR more Mo, Edelperson coming back without Aaron coming back would take Branch out of the starting lineup.

Belichick seems to say that that would actually take Welker out of the starting lineup.

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

Welker is essential to the success of this team!.PERIOD!!

 

[Avenger]

Belichick seems to say that that would actually take Welker out of the starting lineup.

If Edelman is back and Hernandez is out we will start Welker in the slot and Lloyd and Edelman outside. If Hernandez comes back he will take snaps away from Welker in the slot.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Hernandez return when it happens will mean a lot less snaps for Fells and Hoo-ooh and probably a lot more targets in the passing game including for Gronk. The only return from injury that would impact Welker at this point is Edelman...if they are still intent on reinventing the wheel. Will also mean less opportunities for the RB's. We were actually getting a little unbalanced in the other direction so that's a good thing. As long as Josh/Brady continues to take what's being given there will be plenty of opportunities for the core players to put up numbers although no player may be setting record marks this season because of injuries and the depth of options. As long as things aren't forced for alterior reasons.

This. Spot on Mo. Hernandez return shouldn't affect Welker at all. We could always play Edelman more. Not sure why we did that in the first place. I will say that Edelman looks a little stronger and quicker than previous years. Looked good against Baltimore before he got hurt.

 

[MoneyFX]

Until Hernandez gets healthy, Wes will get the workload of the catches. When he is healthy, the offense will be even more explosive and Wes will get less catches. Patriots are one of the few teams in the NFL (Texans, Ravens, Giants) who can pass and run the football.

Passing game -> Running game, Running game -> Passing game, Passes to Gronk -> Passes to Hernandez, Passes to Hernandez -> Passes to Gronk, Passes to TEs -> Passes to WRs, Passes to WRs -> Passes to TEs, Passes inside -> Passes outside, Passes outside -> Passes inside

Patriots offense is probably the most complementary in the NFL, once an area of the offense gets going, the other gets going, then the other.

 

[IllegalContact]

more targets.......force the seahawks to defend the run out of their nickel, or throw the ball with bryant, branch, and mebane out there

I see fast paced in the first half and run em into the ground in the 2nd......

bryant and branch don't always show up, or get tired pretty quick......

but the real winner may be gronk. the people he will be going up against are relative midgets

 

[Shed83]

Welker is essential to the success of this team!.PERIOD!!

Take that in your face Bill!!

 

[goheels22002]

Hernandez return when it happens will mean a lot less snaps for Fells and Hoo-ooh and probably a lot more targets in the passing game including for Gronk. The only return from injury that would impact Welker at this point is Edelman...if they are still intent on reinventing the wheel. Will also mean less opportunities for the RB's. We were actually getting a little unbalanced in the other direction so that's a good thing. As long as Josh/Brady continues to take what's being given there will be plenty of opportunities for the core players to put up numbers although no player may be setting record marks this season because of injuries and the depth of options. As long as things aren't forced for alterior reasons.

The question of run vs pass balance is more dependent on the defense than the Patriots scheme. Base Cover Two, Brady passes to the open man, Dime Package means a running play. Simple as that.

The Patriots are running two 220 pounders and the occasional smurf behind an agile line with big tight ends. This is all good.

If Seattle wants to play a prevent to keep Brady's passing number down, they'll get a steady diet of the convoy coming at their safeties. It also slows down the pass rush, especially on play action.