Bedard:Late execution is killing them

[SVN]

Late execution is killing them - Patriots - Boston.com

It’s time, again, for the Patriots and McDaniels to stop trying to outscheme the opponent and just worry about themselves.

Step 1: Figure out what exactly it is that you’re good at. Are you a running team? Are you a play-action team? Is it better to spread out the opponent and let Brady be Brady?

Step 2: Drill those plays to the point where the execution doesn’t fail in the fourth quarter.

Have to agree with this. The Colts with manning really didnt have very many formations and complex schemes but their execution was really at a high level.

 

[Ring 6]

Late execution is killing them - Patriots - Boston.com



Have to agree with this. The Colts with manning really didnt have very many formations and complex schemes but their execution was really at a high level.

Its a very naive stance though. I certainly agree that 4th quarter offense with a lead needs to get better, but to suggests the #1 offense in the NFL in points and yards, that is doing it with balance and variety, should pick one thing and only do that.
Bedard identifies the problem, but whiffs on the solution.

 

[slash83]

Those two 4th quarter odd quick screens were just horrible.

 

[Kontradiction]

Those two 4th quarter odd quick screens were just horrible.

The second one was. The first was a great idea and the blocking sucked. That was really the only point of contention I had with the play calling. McDaniels knew to put the ball in Brady's hands down the stretch.

 

[Deus Irae]

Tom Brady broke the huddle and the Patriots went:

■ Offensive pass interference by receiver Brandon Lloyd;

He could have ended the article right there. "Don't make negative plays with the game on the line" is all that needed to be written.

 

[Ring 6]

Those two 4th quarter odd quick screens were just horrible.

The one to Welker went for big yards in a key spot.

 

[slash83]

The one to Welker went for big yards in a key spot.

There was another one where they faked the run to one direction then threw the screen to the other end that went fog minus yards. Just felt like they were trying to be too cute at times.

 

[Sciz]

He could have ended the article right there. "Don't make negative plays with the game on the line" is all that needed to be written.

Although some consistency by the refs would be nice. They let Hill get away with basically the same thing on the Jets' previous drive.

 

[SacPete1]

Its a very naive stance though. I certainly agree that 4th quarter offense with a lead needs to get better, but to suggests the #1 offense in the NFL in points and yards, that is doing it with balance and variety, should pick one thing and only do that.
Bedard identifies the problem, but whiffs on the solution.

Totally agree. This identity question is ridiculous. They are a game plan team, have stated so countless times and simply miss opportunities due to execution, just like most teams really but NE does score points. Bigger picture I think is Sanchez throwing for 300+ yards. Its not all on the DB's either. When a QB can stand and wait and deliver a +15 yd throw, there is pass rush accountability in addition to coverage. Wilfork looks gassed at times and as great is he is, it sure would be nice to see some relief for him. I worry about him breaking down. Am I being too optimistic thinking Prior coming of PUP would help?

 

[upstater1]

It's execution.

We've seen false starts, OL getting blown up, and yesterday the OPI on Lloyd.

I mean, 3rd and 20, what chance does the offense really have?

We've seen this 2 weeks in a row now where penalties dig a hole for the Patriots. The offensive line got Brady chased out of the pocket and he almost through an INT to Cromartie.

I fault the play-calling last week a little bit too with 3 runs by Ridley up the middle, no first down--a punt.

But mostly it's been brainfarts on players, from the WRs dropping balls (Hernandez last week), to OL false starts to OL holds to WR OPIs to Brady throws, etc.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Have to agree with this. The Colts with manning really didnt have very many formations and complex schemes but their execution was really at a high level.

You don't necessarily need a lot of formations so long as you can do many different things out of the formations you have. Under Peyton the Colts had very few offensive formations yet they still had a VERY thick book of plays they ran out of those formations.

Also, by having more consistency in plays you're running you'll become a lot better at running them.

This is a very good piece on the Colts offense.

http://smartfootball.com/grab-bag/smart-football-super-bowl-preview-manning-vs-brees

 

[denverpatsfan]

No Mankins. His absence was a big factor in last nights game. The Jets also played their ***es off. Let's not forget that Ryan is a very good defensive coordinator.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Its a very naive stance though. I certainly agree that 4th quarter offense with a lead needs to get better, but to suggests the #1 offense in the NFL in points and yards, that is doing it with balance and variety, should pick one thing and only do that.
Bedard identifies the problem, but whiffs on the solution.

He's not asking them to pick one thing. He's suggesting they edit the playbook and game plans down to a manageable repetoire they can get comfortable executing. It's the myriad of personnel packages and looks designed to confuse defenses that is flumoxing it's own self. That and some sense that they have to find a way to bullit proof an offense that came within another Eli closing drive of a ring, something that had more to do with that offense lack options due to uncharacteristic failure to execute while hampered by injury to a key cog in it's offense. Might a better option than Ocho or Branch to help pick up the slack have helped? Maybe, but so would an ability to run when you need to or a healthy all pro TE. They have this offseason to some extent determined that an increased outside presence alone, even if they force it, would have saved the day. Or seemingly more talent at the RB position. Or less reliance on Welker. Based on what we've seen to date, that doesn't appear to be the case.

I think Josh is impatient as well. He's like the teacher who knows the subject so well they can't comprehend why the students they teach aren't all aceing it. That's part of what landed him back here. Inability to implement a bold vision...because **** happens that runs the gammut from injury to retirement to inexperience to inability to consistently execute. He couldn't manage a turnaround at either of his last two stops because he failed to grasp the need for lesser talents to walk before they run...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

No Mankins. His absence was a big factor in last nights game. The Jets also played their ***es off. Let's not forget that Ryan is a very good defensive coordinator.

Mankins hasn't been playing well as he battles back from his ACL. They were 3-3 with him entering yesterday's game. A situation they might have done a better job of anticipating in light of other injury concerns and retirement/transition at LT and C.

 

[Kontradiction]

I think Mo has fully made the transformation toward the Dark Side.

 

[Deus Irae]

I think Mo has fully made the transformation toward the Dark Side.

 

[goheels22002]

Another great piece by Bedard, but one in which he crosses a line in signalling that he knows better than Josh McDaniels about how this team (with the top rated offense in the NFL) should prepare.

The idea that you prepare a new game plan for every opponent has been a hallmark of Belichick's historic run of success in New England. It also expands the playbook and the roles that players can fill over the course of the regular season.

Bedard also suggests that there are too many plays in the playbook. My guess is that that is not the case and selected plays are used based on the defense the Patriots are up against. Unless Bedard has access to the playbook, he's speculating about what is in a specific game plan and what is out.

The notion that in the last 4 minutes of a game, the Patriots should fall back on what they do best makes them predictable and loses sight of what the defense has been doing all game long, or can do with specific personnel on the field.

He makes the argument that the Patriots need to figure out if they are a running team, or a play action team. Somewhat. The circumstances - down, distance, defense, hurry-up, injuries, etc. - dictate what gets called at the end of a game. It would nice to say, okay, the Pats are up ten with eight minutes left - let's run this. It doesn't work that way.

 

[ralmat55]

Better execution would help, but, as we've seen, when opponent defenses get desperate enough to get in the face of our spread offense, it's production drops off significantly. The Pats need to improve their base offense, so it can execute when the game is on the line. They need to be able to run it with better success when the opposition is playing the run, then play off that with some play-action to open something up down field. To me, an effective game-closing offense should look pretty much like a good redzone offense. It's not surprising the Pats offense is struggling at both.

 

[SVN]

Maybe he doesnt say it the right way but I felt too that the pats offense is confusing themselves. Its one thing to adjust to what the defense does , but maybe for this young team , too many changes between plays is confusing them ? Dont know. Even in the Denver game , those 3rd and 17 and 3rd and 19 run by woodhead kinda mask some bad situations on offense which got bailed out. Maybe they are force feeding lloyd to establish him like moss. Unfortunately , I feel he is a good complementary receiver but still not the missing deep threat from last yr. They need to center the offense around welker and have some conventional plays like having a power run on 3rd and 1 instead of a quick no huddle snap to woodhead. Getting over creative sometimes is my opinion.

 

[JoeShmoe]

It's execution.

We've seen false starts, OL getting blown up, and yesterday the OPI on Lloyd.

I mean, 3rd and 20, what chance does the offense really have?

We've seen this 2 weeks in a row now where penalties dig a hole for the Patriots. The offensive line got Brady chased out of the pocket and he almost through an INT to Cromartie.

I fault the play-calling last week a little bit too with 3 runs by Ridley up the middle, no first down--a punt.

But mostly it's been brainfarts on players, from the WRs dropping balls (Hernandez last week), to OL false starts to OL holds to WR OPIs to Brady throws, etc.

I agree, I like actually how JMcD has tried to create a balance with the run game but i'd like to see a few things change

- Get Welker involved early and often, leaving him out for Edelman or anyone else is nonsense

- Get TB under center more often, the constant 5 wide empty backfield sets are far too obvious. Use more PA, quick outs, slants etc

-Have Ridley run off-tackle more often and get to the outside

Most of the mistakes have been on the players (Lloyds drops, Brady missing open guys)