Bedard's Indy film review: Pressure may be short lived

[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

I finally watched the game on the DVR. Personally, I thought this was a game that was a lot closer then the score would indicate. Turnovers that the Pats made and capitalized on really made the difference. I don't know why people thought the secondary was any better, they still allowed to Colts to convert third and tens easily. I can't remember the last time an opposing team did not convert a third and long.

The O-line I thought did OK, but was made to look a lot better because of Brady. He moved in the pocket beautifully and made quick decisions. Look for the Jets to make Brady hold the ball for one more second and they know they can get to him.

These next few games without Gronk really worry me. He is Brady's safety blanket, something Hernandez is not.

Literally in the game you just claimed to have finished watching, about 3 minutes into the 2nd qtr...

 

[Snake Eyes]

How? He can't get ANY separation at this point. Plax would help us in the red zone, but that's pretty much it.

Why would a Burress-like receiver help us get the last couple of yards but none of the yards before that?

 

[RodThePat]

Why would a Burress-like receiver help us get the last couple of yards but none of the yards before that?

Because when you're in the redzone the field is limited and so size is more of a factor than speed? Not very hard to figure that one.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Because when you're in the redzone the field is limited and so size is more of a factor than speed? Not very hard to figure that one.

Yes, the redzone makes size more useful relative to speed but that doesnt mean that someone with great size isn't useful outside of the redzone.

 

[BradyManny]

Some interesting observations and opinions on offense too. Says Edelman was running routes usually handled by Hernandez. Expects him to eat into Lloyd's reps going forward as Lloyd doesn't get open quickly enough or generate the YAC for what they are trying to do. Says Woodhead's usage was down because they prefer him against tougher run D.

Interesting offensive observations.

I've been very hard on Edelman as a receiver, and for good reason, until recently, I would say he was not a natural receiver - but that TD catch he made was one of the better catches I've seen him make. He's clearly improving.

At the same time, I think Lloyd is generally giving us what we want. He's what Ochocinco should've been.

 

[RodThePat]

Yes, the redzone makes size more useful relative to speed but that doesnt mean that someone with great size isn't useful outside of the redzone.

It doesn't, but as a tall wideout with average speed and below average route-running skills, Plax doesn't have a lot to offer when the team isn't close to the endzone.

 

[Gumby]

Brady underthrows people on deep balls?? What?? He pretty much always overthrows them, because he's too cautious. And the deep ball isn't the best aspect of Brady's game, but the one time he had a receiver who could get consistent separation deep, he hit him in stride more often than not. Welker and Lloyd aren't the types of receivers that you really want out there running go patterns down the sidelines. Every single guy in the NFL that's considered a great deep ball thrower has one or more guys who are great deep ball receivers. Brady's had that guy for 36 games of his career.

Agreed. I remember more throws where the wr, Lloyd-in particular, slowed up, apparently thinking that Brady couldnt throw it that far, than I do Brady underthrowing anybody deep. (unless TB was hit while throwing)

You could maybe cite the WW SB drop; but TB was inserting that one between the CB and the S so I dont think he wanted it deeper.

 

[JackBauer]

I thought it was a little curious that Bedard gave the RBs a 4/5 and the OL a 4.5/5 given the struggles they had running the ball.

The pass blocking was generally excellent but, to my eyes anyway, the run blocking was lacking (McDonald seemed to struggle there a bit) and it seemed that Ridley, in particular, was seldom getting to the line without being met first by a defender.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

To me it sounded like Bedard decided what the article was going to be about then went to the film to fill in the blanks. Calling a Big Ben and a rookie QBs who dont make mistakes unless you pressure them is quite a stretch, IMO.
Again, Bedard should stick to reporting, not analysis.

Interesting how he ends the beginning part of the article by saying he wants BB to change but he doesn't expect him to because what he does has been very successful for a long time.

I agree that Bedard does have his preconceived notions. I take what he says with a grain of salt, as opposed to the pound of it necessary when digesting most mediot assessments. I also think some of his notions are based on insight cleaned via access he has cultivated. Bill allows a certain ebb and flow between select mediots (whose demeanor and curiosity and intellect and drive he respects as part of doing their job) and staff until they flip to the darkside (and use information or insight to fuel an upward climb or agenda at his teams expense expense). Bedard's remained thoughtful for the most part, even as he disagrees at times with the approach. I do think Bill is a percentage player. That is why he covets Ernie over all others to this day. That said, if he had a more talented and veteran unit two things would probably happen more often. He'd mix it up more often at least situationally while remaining convinced they could perform equally well stictly playing within the scheme confines and be able bend without breaking as often as a younger, less experienced and perhaps less elitely talented unit will.

Your world view where this team is concerned tends to be pretty black and white. Reality is often many shades of grey.

 

[Ring 6]

I agree that Bedard does have his preconceived notions. I take what he says with a grain of salt, as opposed to the pound of it necessary when digesting most mediot assessments. I also think some of his notions are based on insight cleaned via access he has cultivated. Bill allows a certain ebb and flow between select mediots (whose demeanor and curiosity and intellect and drive he respects as part of doing their job) and staff until they flip to the darkside (and use information or insight to fuel an upward climb or agenda at his teams expense expense). Bedard's remained thoughtful for the most part, even as he disagrees at times with the approach. I do think Bill is a percentage player. That is why he covets Ernie over all others to this day. That said, if he had a more talented and veteran unit two things would probably happen more often. He'd mix it up more often at least situationally while remaining convinced they could perform equally well stictly playing within the scheme confines and be able bend without breaking as often as a younger, less experienced and perhaps less elitely talented unit will.

Your world view where this team is concerned tends to be pretty black and white. Reality is often many shades of grey.

Actually I disagree with your last statement, and in fact, I think I often disagree with those who make it black and white.
A lot of what you said in here is my issue with Bedard as he intimates that inside information then offers what is clearly his opinion unaided by that information. That is more dangerous to me, because MANY of his readers assume his opinions are coming from inside information.

 

[Gumby]

To me it sounded like Bedard decided what the article was going to be about then went to the film to fill in the blanks. Calling a Big Ben and a rookie QBs who dont make mistakes unless you pressure them is quite a stretch, IMO.
Again, Bedard should stick to reporting, not analysis.

Interesting how he ends the beginning part of the article by saying he wants BB to change but he doesn't expect him to because what he does has been very successful for a long time.

Not sure what you mean by analysis. As an ANALYST I find him pretty good at analyzing the games past and identifying trends which occurred and pointing out little nuances.

As a PROGNOSTICATOR (part of analysis maybe - but I see it more projecting and predicting that analysis into the future as a different task) I would agree he leaves something to be desired.

That said this part made me go ??

Overall, neither Cunningham nor Trevor Scott impressed after Chandler Jones (half-stuff in 11 snaps) went out with a right foot injury. If he’s out, that’s a huge concern.

I thought cunningham was in on Luck a good bit and another media-analyst reported he was "giving the RT fits all day". So not sure if he is on the money here (except for about TS).

Also would agree the comparing Luck to Rothlisberger is somewhat of a stretch; except that both are "growing up" or "grew up" in an Arians offense. So I think that coaching-similarity/game-design similarity is really the key to getting the same treatment; not any similarity between a rookie and an 8 year pro.

 

[robbomango]

This little statement just made me think.... I don't think I recall a single Lloyd reception where he generated ANY YAC... Am I wrong? All the catches he's made, he always falls or slides down.

When Lloyd was asked what type of production he'd bring to the pats in an interview he said "I get a lot of chunk yardage 10,15, 20 yards at a time"(something to that effect) and also said he's not the type of guy to get a lot of YAC. I can't remember who the interview was with, just his comments.

Seems like he's been true to his word, almost every catch he makes is at least 10 yards or more. I'd like to see more 20-40+ yarders.

The one thing I found unexpected about his performance is that he's dropped easy passes and caught virtually impossible ones...

 

[Kontradiction]

When Lloyd was asked what type of production he'd bring to the pats in an interview he said "I get a lot of chunk yardage 10,15, 20 yards at a time"(something to that effect) and also said he's not the type of guy to get a lot of YAC. I can't remember who the interview was with, just his comments.

Seems like he's been true to his word, almost every catch he makes is at least 10 yards or more. I'd like to see more 20-40+ yarders.

The one thing I found unexpected about his performance is that he's dropped easy passes and caught virtually impossible ones...

He's been open for a few of those 20-40 yarders, but the throw has been off the mark because the chemistry just hasn't fully developed yet.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I thought it was a little curious that Bedard gave the RBs a 4/5 and the OL a 4.5/5 given the struggles they had running the ball.

The pass blocking was generally excellent but, to my eyes anyway, the run blocking was lacking (McDonald seemed to struggle there a bit) and it seemed that Ridley, in particular, was seldom getting to the line without being met first by a defender.

Bedard missed by a mile there. Too often the RBs were hit before the LOS or precisely at the LOS. I fault the guards. However, given that it's our 2nd team, props to Dante and to the players themselves as Brady did not face strong up the middle pressure.

 

[ralmat55]

Different schemes work against different offenses.
We have 2 recent articles that suggest blitzing vs the Bills would have been foolhard, and blitzing vs the Colts makes sense. Right or wrong, they clearly explain that different approaches work better or worse against different offenses. "The scheme' is to game plan for the opponent.

Pressuring the QB works against every type of offense. This is where I agree with those you say the issue is personnel: this Patriots' defense doesn't have the experienced talent needed to be as varied in approach as Belichick would want.

It would be nice if it was, but it isn't. If you want this defense to maximize its effectiveness, it has to continue being aggressive and creative in how it pressures the QB. You can use Brandon Spikes in coverage or you can use him rushing up the middle to hurry the QB. Frankly, regardless of the opposition, the latter is the better way to go.

 

[JJDChE]

It wouldn't be a Greg Bedard article if he didn't put a negative spin on something positive.

 

[ralmat55]

Bedard missed by a mile there. Too often the RBs were hit before the LOS or precisely at the LOS. I fault the guards. However, given that it's our 2nd team, props to Dante and to the players themselves as Brady did not face strong up the middle pressure.

One thing I've noticed in the last couple of games is how aggressively the bills and colts defenses attacked the middle of the LOS when Brady was under center and Ridley (especially) was lined up behind him. The Pats spend so much time in their spread offense that when they line up in a base formation it practically screams that a run is coming.

It's a good thing that teams are respecting the Pats running game enough to risk getting beat with play action to try to stop it. But, I wish the Pats did a better job of not tipping off their running plays.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Pressuring the QB works against every type of offense. This is where I agree with those you say the issue is personnel: this Patriots' defense doesn't have the experienced talent needed to be as varied in approach as Belichick would want.

It would be nice if it was, but it isn't. If you want this defense to maximize its effectiveness, it has to continue being aggressive and creative in how it pressures the QB. You can use Brandon Spikes in coverage or you can use him rushing up the middle to hurry the QB. Frankly, regardless of the opposition, the latter is the better way to go.

Loved Bruschi and he was a college pass rusher but time and again he'd rush up the middle and get knocked down. Those times he didn't were memorable big plays though. Given Spikes' Bledsoe like mobility defending the pass, if he's on the field on a passing down the design should be for him to blitz. At the least he'll beat the snot out of an offensive player, wearing him down.

 

[JMC00]

Says the increased pressure we witnessed on Sunday was the result of facing a Bruce Arians offense and QB he feared would make the downfield throws and not make mistakes unless pressured to. Says BB plays the % much of the time believing enough QB mistakes will be made absent it. Would like to see that change, doubts it will.

My only thing with that is if the blitzing was the gameplan going in where was it the first two series?

The improvement came after Belichick got the D together and broke out the white board.


I'm just saying wouldn't Bill want the defense that only allowed 200 yards on the seven drives that forced 3 punts*, 2 int, 1 ff and only allowed 3 pts rather than the 164 yards and 2 td allowed on the first two drives.

*I consider the long FG that Vinateri missed at the end of the half a punt.

 

[jnug]

I totally agree with Bedard regarding BB's take on when and why he opts to apply more QB pressure via more numbers in the pass rush etc. Have posted same here several times in the past few weeks.

It is a fine line but it is tough to argue with BB's record. It is not like the heavy pass rush does not open up other opportunities to exploit Pats vulnerabilities and it is not like those vulnerabilities do not exist.

There are frankly so few QB's in this league that can gash you badly enough to make BB's strategy a fail. There are only about 4-5 QB's in all of the NFL that might not make enough mistakes on their own to dent BB's strategy assuming they drop back and pass enough times in a game. I fully expect BB to apply more pressure against those QBs' when he faces them.

As I have mentioned before, the Pats are not exactly impregnable against the run although we like to think they are. While much of the Colts passing yardage was achieved when they were already far behind, dropping the Pats to 30th in the league against the pass, they dropped again from 9th now to 10th in the league against the run even though the Pats leave their run stoppers in the game for a very high % of snaps. So they are not exactly a run stopping juggernaut either.

I shiver to think about the kind or run yardage the Colts might have piled up if the Pats had not sniffed out Luck's snap count wrecking havoc on their O-line from that moment forward. That is really how the Pats stopped the Colts on the ground...they just destroyed the Colts O-line surge before it ever got to be a surge. But reacting to the QB's snap count before the O-line moves will destroy any O-line. The fact that the Pats wrecked such havoc on the Colts while other opponents to the Colts must have had the same opportunity is more evidence that our concerns for the quality of Pats defensive coaching are probably not justified. I posted during the game that as easy as it might appear to stop a defense from jumping your snap count this appears to be one of the areas where the Colts had dumbed down the game for Luck because the Colts had no answer for what the Pats were doing and the Pats continued to jump Luck's snap count for the majority of the game once they started.

I do hope BB uses a heavier pass rush at least a bit more than he has. But I don't see anything in this defense that would suggest that teams will not be able to hurt the Pats by running the ball more if Pats defenders take themselves out of plays bringing more numbers to rush the passer and I don't see many QB's that won't shoot themselves in the foot when said passer is your run of the mill NFL QB. As I have also said before, if you really want to see the Pats lose games instead of win games, see what happens if the Pats get shredded by the run. Go look at the records for teams that can't stop the run at all before you get all worked up about the Pats inability to stop the pass.