Belichick's unexpected Bronco's gameplan

[hwc]

It is ridiculously hard to put together consistent long drives with a high run/pass ratio.

Almost as hard as putting together scoring drives throwing the ball when you have three slot receivers, no wide outs, and no tight ends to throw to.

I'll take my chances with a hefty dose of Legarrette Blount pounding the ball off-tackle...

I think the Denver D-coordinator has an awful decision to make. Stop Blount at all costs and make Tom F. Brady beat them? You would have to be insane to not game-plan for Blount after watching the game film from the last two outings. But, how do you bring the safeties down against Brady?

Whatever the offensive line and Blount are doing right now, it's working. I don't think it's going to be easy for Denver to stop it.

The key is to make the Greatest Offense Ever in the History of the Whole Universe drive the ball the length of the field to keep the game close. GTFB and don't give Manning any cheap ones...

 

[BingoBrown]

Their WR's are YAC monsters,wrapping up and tackling is critical.

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

The 2003 Pats team was a more pass heavy offense. Antwain Smith was just not what he used to be and Corey Dillon didn't show until the next year. Their numbers just weren't that good for passing but they were better than the running game. At the time I thing they were the only team to win a SB averaging less than 3.5 YPA running. I don't know if that's still true today.

The running game was not all that effective to start the game Saturday. The defense held its own though until they started breaking free. I'm not sure if they can afford to give the Broncos more possessions if the runs start slow again. Depends on how the defense plays.

I think you just play it by ear, if it works-keep running, if not mix it up a bit more than the last few game.

 

[supafly]

This Defense is no longer marginal; despite the distortions of games 6 -10 when the Pats were adjusting.

"Distortions" of games 6-10?

What happened in weeks 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 then, when the team gave up an average of close to 28 points per game, and were allowing horrid rushing totals?

Luckily, the defense got stingier throughout their past several games, but prior to that they didn't look too good at all.

 

[supafly]

The key is to make the Greatest Offense Ever in the History of the Whole Universe drive the ball the length of the field to keep the game close. GTFB and don't give Manning any cheap ones...

I think some cheap ones are almost guaranteed, as unfortunate as that is.

Our defense has improved tremendously, but we're certainly not even in the same universe that the 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, or 2007 teams were in.

I would expect all of us to be extremely happy if we only give up something in the mid-20's, so we'll have to be scoring early and often.

 

[Sparetire]

Amen, brother.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I think some cheap ones are almost guaranteed, as unfortunate as that is.

Our defense has improved tremendously, but we're certainly not even in the same universe that the 2001, 2003, 2004, (totally disagree!) 2006, or 2007 teams were in.
I would expect all of us to be extremely happy if we only give up something in the mid-20's, so we'll have to be scoring early and often.

You are over romanticizing just how good (Hint: They weren't! ) the Pats Defenses and Offenses really were, Only one year were they highly rated,

Don't you remember all the complaints about the "Bend But Don't Break" bending way too much ... and giving up lots of yards. You seem to have forgotten the complaints about the "Dink & Dunk" Offense too.

Stepping back, and getting some perspective, I think this edition of the Patriots, injuries and all, is actually far stronger than those early SB clubs.:snob::snob:

We didn't have a running game anywhere near as dominant. We didn't have a passing game with a 1000 yard /100 catch receiver too.

Our 5'10 and 5' 11 200 # skill position players are literally gigantic, when compared to the tiny 5'8" guys from back then. Plus we have at least four of them healthy; back then there was Troy and Kevin and Patten, End of Story

Both lines are arguably better today. Sack totals are far better today. Back then we had Light and a bunch of rejects and FAs at the rest of the spots, on the O-line, On D there was Seymour, and a creaky old guy Anthony Pleasant gutting it out, but way past his prime; and we were in search of a NT that went unfulfilled, until Mt. Washington was imported for a season, two years later.

The only thing we had was a secondary with 5, not 3 or 4, competent CBs. one who was a shut down CB, and a tough Safety, a sufficient number to cover all the "Greatest Show on Turf" receivers and Marshall Faulk. That and a crew of good LBs, just like we have today.


The Broncos and Manning and the prognosticaters don't even see what is going to hit them, come Sunday...

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

I think we use 'balance' to attack weaknesses, break tendencies, expose the weakest areas of the D and take whatever they give us. I think that turns into throwing a lot early, and running a lot once we have a lead.
There are plenty of yards and points to be made in the passing game.
I do not want to pound the run stubbornly.
Outside of a 73 and a 30 yard run by Blount we were 44 rushes for 131 yards. Takeaways and timely success in the passing game allowed us to keep pounding but the run game was not consistently great, gaining 3 ypc plus the 2 long runs.
Turning our offense into a mediocre running game plus 2 long runs won't be good unless we are playing from ahead.

Five of the runs that were less than 3 yards each resulted in a TD, that too me is pretty successful, being able to run in the redzone....

 

[Triumph]

Can you link me to the injury report that says both are either doubtful or out for this game?

It doesnt matter.

The rookie wall. Thompkins looks like he hit it weeks ago and Dobson may do something, but I wouldnt count on him.

 

[Triumph]

Not if you aren't converting first downs and are punting.
Thats my point. It is ridiculously hard to put together consistent long drives with a high run/pass ratio. You have to throw to get yards in chunks.
Keeping the other offense off the field does me no good if it isn't ending in points.
A 1 minute TD drive is 1000 times better than a 7 minute drive with no points.
EDIT: Unless you are running out the clock with a safe lead.

If the Pats do that they will lose.

If NE scores in 1 minute Manning will score in 5 - 6 minutes in a hurry up offense that will take its toll on the NE defense over the course of the game.

Belichick is not that stupid to be in a hurry to give Manning more opportunities so that he can wear down the NE defense. By the 4th quarter the Pats defense would be spent and Manning would have a holiday scorching the NE DBs and LBs.

The Pats do not have the passing game to win a shootout. BB will take a page from Parcells game plan vs the Jim Kelly and K Gun offense in the Super Bowl and grind it out with what the Pats do have and thats a punishing run game that sets up play action.

The Broncos will have to respect the run and that will open passing opportunities.

 

[Ring 6]

Almost as hard as putting together scoring drives throwing the ball when you have three slot receivers, no wide outs, and no tight ends to throw to.

I'll take my chances with a hefty dose of Legarrette Blount pounding the ball off-tackle...

I think the Denver D-coordinator has an awful decision to make. Stop Blount at all costs and make Tom F. Brady beat them? You would have to be insane to not game-plan for Blount after watching the game film from the last two outings. But, how do you bring the safeties down against Brady?

Whatever the offensive line and Blount are doing right now, it's working. I don't think it's going to be easy for Denver to stop it.

The key is to make the Greatest Offense Ever in the History of the Whole Universe drive the ball the length of the field to keep the game close. GTFB and don't give Manning any cheap ones...

The key on offense is scoring points.
I also disagree with playing back on defense. Denver is a small ball offense. We have to take away the short stuff and dare them to go deep. Letting them throw underneath is guaranteed doom, you have to challenge receivers and force them to make plays down the field.

 

[Ring 6]

If the Pats do that they will lose.

If NE scores in 1 minute Manning will score in 5 - 6 minutes in a hurry up offense that will take its toll on the NE defense over the course of the game.

Belichick is not that stupid to be in a hurry to give Manning more opportunities so that he can wear down the NE defense. By the 4th quarter the Pats defense would be spent and Manning would have a holiday scorching the NE DBs and LBs.

The Pats do not have the passing game to win a shootout. BB will take a page from Parcells game plan vs the Jim Kelly and K Gun offense in the Super Bowl and grind it out with what the Pats do have and thats a punishing run game that sets up play action.

The Broncos will have to respect the run and that will open passing opportunities.

The point is not that playing fast is good, its that they need to score points. Holding on to the ball and not scoring does no good.

 

[Ring 6]

Five of the runs that were less than 3 yards each resulted in a TD, that too me is pretty successful, being able to run in the redzone....

Thats not the point. I'm not saying the running game was not great. Read what I actually said. Contrary to what some are saying we didn't run right down the field at will. We need to have success in the passing game and/or takeaways to be able to run that many times. The run game doesnt sustain itself.

 

[RIpats88]

I really dont think we will have a problem moving the ball. brady dinked and dunked with 3 slot WR's against the dolphins all the way up and down the field. and you could make the case with harris gone, the dolphins had a better pass defense.

hopefully Dobson is ready to go. he hasnt been IR'd which is a good sign that they hope he can play

 

[varjao]

Let's not forget the rare air factor. It's really hard to breathe in these conditions after doing some heavy work.

Did Blount ever play in Denver?

With a massive rushing game plan there's a risk he will be without gas in the tank around 3rd quarter.

I expect a good rotation with Bolden in the mix.

 

[Ring 6]

Let's not forget the rare air factor. It's really hard to breathe in these conditions after doing some heavy work.

Did Blount ever play in Denver?

With a massive rushing game plan there's a risk he will be without gas in the tank around 3rd quarter.

I expect a good rotation with Bolden in the mix.

Assuming we exploit the horrible pass D, you will see a good amount of Vereen. If he plays 30% of the snaps and Blount plays 40% and Ridley 30% no one will have any issue with wearing down. We don't need to resort to putting Bolden on the field.

 

[Triumph]

The point is not that playing fast is good, its that they need to score points. Holding on to the ball and not scoring does no good.

Of course NE has to score points.

They have the advantage with the better rushing attack and these past few weeks they have given opposing teams film that they have not seen before. I would not be shocked to see Ridley, Blunt, Vreen and Bolden all dress

 

[PP2]

I think we will come out similarly on D to last game. BB got in Mannings head by daring him to run, and doing the same thing (overcommitting to the pass) may very well cause his ego to try to throw into it.

That is what I am also expecting, because Manning hates not being the center of the offense (or the attention). Sure he'll play along with feeding the run for a little while, but at some point he'll get antsy and want to throw again.

We've had our problems with him but one thing we've excelled at more than any other team is staying disciplined defensively speaking, and rarely tipping our hands, and giving Manning much to read into our intentions on any given snap.

Speaking of which, I am sure that at this point, BB has already figured out what the nomenclature of Manning's "Omaha" is, from their last game.

I'm still trying to figure out what it is- for the most part it seemed to have preceded "hut" which ordinarily would give it the "live" designation, but then he used "omaha set hut" a few times and nothing happened except the Chargers went offsides. On those occasions it was before a hard count, so "omaha" may have been just a dummy call in itself to draw attention away from what was being used as the "live" designator.

 

[varjao]

Stephen A said yesterday that the Broncos will need 35+ points to beat the Pats.

I think this line is fair enough for both teams, of course it's all speculation right now, we can win with 27 but if we put 34 points again on the scoreboard and lose the game, well then it will be deserved.

What do you think is the margin here?

 

[QB12]

The point is not that playing fast is good, its that they need to score points. Holding on to the ball and not scoring does no good.

Andy - isn't that kind of like saying choosing to receive the opening kickoff so you can drive down the field and score first is bad because you might fumble the kickoff and set up the opponent deep in your own territory?