Colts fan here: NOT TROLLING. Seeking info on Pats

[cbear]

I haven't watched a Pats game yet and wanted some info on your team.

I'm assuming you go with a slot the majority of the time.

As such, do most teams play nickel against you?

Do they blitz or play primarily back, hoping to contain the big play?

Have you played any cover-2 defenses this season?

Defensively, do you still lineup up 6-7 at the line, many standing up and rush from different positions?

Primarily, do you try and take what the D give you, or do you try to run your plays regardless of what the D is doing.

Are most of your passing yards going deep, or getting YAC.

I know, a lot of questions. But I'm very interested in the makeup and tendencies of teams we play.

Thanks.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Are most of your passing yards going deep, or getting YAC.

I know, a lot of questions. But I'm very interested in the makeup and tendencies of teams we play.

Alas, I have neither the time nor the knowledge to answer all of them, but for this one at least I think I've seen enough to speak about.

The simple answer is "it depends on who the receiver is." The vast majority of Randy Moss' yards are made on the initial catch, although he does pick up some YAC here and there. I'd say the same is more or less true of the TEs.

Stallworth and Welker, though, are the players who really excel at getting YAC; for each, half or more of their yards come that way; IIRC, Stallworth leads the league in YAC per reception, while Welker leads in total YAC. (And, for that matter, they get most of their TDs on YAC--Welker has 6 TDs, but none were end-zone catches.)

 

[DonBlackmon55]

I haven't watched a Pats game yet and wanted some info on your team.

I'm assuming you go with a slot the majority of the time.

As such, do most teams play nickel against you?

Do they blitz or play primarily back, hoping to contain the big play?

Have you played any cover-2 defenses this season?

Defensively, do you still lineup up 6-7 at the line, many standing up and rush from different positions?

Primarily, do you try and take what the D give you, or do you try to run your plays regardless of what the D is doing.

Are most of your passing yards going deep, or getting YAC.

I know, a lot of questions. But I'm very interested in the makeup and tendencies of teams we play.

Thanks.

Here the short on 2007 Pats O and D tendencies this year

O => Score at will with Moss, Welker, Stallworth, Watson, Maroney, Faulk
D => Strip, sack, intercept, stop you often

There. rest is just details.

Seriously. I cannot see how Colts D can stop Welker, Watson, Moss, Stallworth when there is 1 Bob Sanders. Bring him in the box, Moss goes deep. Play him deep and Welker, Watson, Maroney eat you alive.

Conversely, Pats D will be lot fresh for this game vs AFCCG. Despite all the flu bug and second half meltdown, the pats were 1 Watson complete pass away from running the clock out and winning that game.

Pats 38. Colts 20

 

[Tommysgirl]

I haven't watched a Pats game yet and wanted some info on your team.

I'm assuming you go with a slot the majority of the time.

As such, do most teams play nickel against you?

Do they blitz or play primarily back, hoping to contain the big play?

Have you played any cover-2 defenses this season?

Defensively, do you still lineup up 6-7 at the line, many standing up and rush from different positions?

Primarily, do you try and take what the D give you, or do you try to run your plays regardless of what the D is doing.

Are most of your passing yards going deep, or getting YAC.

I know, a lot of questions. But I'm very interested in the makeup and tendencies of teams we play.

Thanks.

Dungy? Is that you?

 

[maverick4]

Primarily, do you try and take what the D give you, or do you try to run your plays regardless of what the D is doing.

Contrary to what the Colts do, which is run their plays over and over to perfection based on lots of repititions, the Pats are like a Swiss Army Knife, we adapt on defense and offense to our opponent.

 

[Redcell]

Dungy? Is that you?

Perfect! :rocker:

 

[RobAllan]

I'll tell you a bit about what I know. And hopefully any inaccuracies will get corrected by a later poster.

First, the above comments about YAC are correct. It's a VERY mixed bag. Moss and the TEs typically take chunks of yards with limited YAC. (Sometimes the limitation of the YAC is the end-zone however.) Then Stallworth, Welker, AND THE RBs typically get some YAC. I mention the RBs as well, because especially with Faulk last week-- we've seen that YAC have an effect on "moving the chains."

We have played Cover 2 defenses. (Or Tampa-type 2s if you prefer.) We actually just played the Redskins. Now, their defensive coordinator (Greg Williams) has been distancing himself from a true cover-2. He actually said in an interview he believes it's been outed and isn't viable. However, I think the way the Redskins defense tries to behave and the way the colts behave is similar with regard to the corners and defensive backs. Colts, I think, are better at corner and DB. So the results there could be different. The BIG difference, though, is the Defensive Line. The Colts, I think, will be able to get some kind of pass rush only bringing 4 (which is what you have to do.) Know this-- bringing an extra guy to blitz Brady will yield very bad results. So in many ways, if you see you're not able to get a solid pass rush with 4 linemen, then you can assume you'll be losing the game. At least that's my take.

I'll leave more detailed observations for others. I'm not as technically knowledgeable a fan as many people.

 

[Vern]

I know, a lot of questions. But I'm very interested in the makeup and tendencies of teams we play.

Thanks.

Go here and check the archives.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

He charts offensive tendencies like formations by snap.

Also go here, there was something on Brady vs. the Blitz:

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/patriots/index.php/2007/10/25/theres-no-stopping-brady-2/

You can then use search to find specifics.

 

[Oswlek]

I haven't watched a Pats game yet and wanted some info on your team.

I'm assuming you go with a slot the majority of the time.

As such, do most teams play nickel against you? Sometimes.

Do they blitz or play primarily back, hoping to contain the big play? Playing back, with an occasional blitz for the most part. Dallas tried blitzing and were burned badly.

Have you played any cover-2 defenses this season? Just this past week.

Defensively, do you still lineup up 6-7 at the line, many standing up and rush from different positions? It depends. I would expect to see plenty of fake blitzing if that is what you are asking.

Primarily, do you try and take what the D give you, or do you try to run your plays regardless of what the D is doing. Brady will force a ball into Moss on occassion just to keep the defense honest, but he is more than happy to dump it off to Faulk if that is the best option.

Are most of your passing yards going deep, or getting YAC. Both. A lot depends on the WR. Moss doesn't have that much yac, but Stallworht has tons. Welker gets a decent amount as well.

I know, a lot of questions. But I'm very interested in the makeup and tendencies of teams we play.

Thanks.

101010101001

 

[jaytyme]

too many questions

most teams don't blitz us much (less than 20% of passing plays)
our offensive sets include 4wr 1rb, 3wr 1te 1rb, 2wr 2te 1rb....+++++
we take what the defense gives us, unless we take what we want

 

[jays52]

I haven't watched a Pats game yet and wanted some info on your team.

I'm assuming you go with a slot the majority of the time.

As such, do most teams play nickel against you?
-Teams run many fronts. Most have run a 4-3 initially, dallas and sd ran their 3-4. Dallas tended to stay in 3-4 a lot. Teams have run both nickle and dime packages (and many sub-sets out of it) in passing situations.

Do they blitz or play primarily back, hoping to contain the big play?
-Both, it's dependent mostly upon the team's specific skill sets and what scheme they run. Both have been tried, and both have been generally unsuccessful.
Have you played any cover-2 defenses this season?
-Yes, most recently, we dropped 52 on one. Our personell is very well geared to defeat the cover-2 defense.

Defensively, do you still lineup up 6-7 at the line, many standing up and rush from different positions?
-Depending on the situation, the team, and the personell grouping they have out there. As a generality, the base 3-4 is still alive and well. The nickel package has ranged from a 4-2 to a 0-6 and everywhere in between. Again, depends on the team, personell, situation and their scheme.

Primarily, do you try and take what the D give you, or do you try to run your plays regardless of what the D is doing.
-Always take what is given, and use smaller things such as bubble screens, draws, screens and pop passes to set up longer stuff. However, there are drawn up deep routes that are thrown despite coverages.

Are most of your passing yards going deep, or getting YAC.
-Both. Welker and Stallworth are in my opinion elite YAC guys. Welker never goes down with the first hit and runs with very low pad height. Stallworth is blazing fast, agile, and has very good vision in the open field. He accelerates very well in and out of his cuts with the ball in his hand, and unless bracketed after the catch, he is very dangerous.

I know, a lot of questions. But I'm very interested in the makeup and tendencies of teams we play.

Thanks.

Hope that's of some help.

If you are trying to anticipate what the patriots will do, do a SWOT of the colts and cross-reference that with what I wrote. It will give you a pretty good idea of what the patriots will do.

 

[PlattsFan]

I haven't watched a Pats game yet and wanted some info on your team.

I'm assuming you go with a slot the majority of the time. Used to go with double TEs a lot but injuries have taken that down somewhat. I can't say there's a real tendency, though. So, yeah, slot pretty often

As such, do most teams play nickel against you? Tough matchup, really. With Kyle Brady in, if teams go nickel, they can't stop the run. I've not actually noticed, but I think most teams do go nickel a majority of the time. Hasn't seemed to help, though

Do they blitz or play primarily back, hoping to contain the big play?Teams have done both. Cowboys mostly rushed 5 or more, I don't think the Redskins did much blitzing. The results have mostly been the same, though: lots of TDs

Have you played any cover-2 defenses this season?All teams run cover-2. Not to the nearly-exclusive level of a Dungy team, but yeah, the Pats've seen plenty of cover-2, especially against the Skins.

Defensively, do you still lineup up 6-7 at the line, many standing up and rush from different positions?No real pattern here. The Pats did this a lot against, I think, Dallas, but not so much other times. Frankly, mostly things haven't been too exotic, Belichick's reputation to the contrary. Generally, the Pats have just lined up and beaten people to a pulp. I doubt they'll do the "bunch of LBs running around" much against Peyton and Addai. Peyton isn't easily confused, and the running game can slash a team with too many LBs and DBs on the field.

Primarily, do you try and take what the D give you, or do you try to run your plays regardless of what the D is doing.The Patriots run what they want, within reason. If the Colts are really disciplined with their cover-2 and keep the safeties back, you'll see lots of Welker and Stallworth and Faulk underneath. Then they'll bomb Moss deep on three guys and score, just for fun.

Are most of your passing yards going deep, or getting YAC.The Pats get a ton of yards both ways.

I know, a lot of questions. But I'm very interested in the makeup and tendencies of teams we play.

Thanks.

Added bonus: I'm a pretty level-headed sports fan, and I've never seen a team dominate a sport like the Patriots are right now. I'll be really surprised and impressed if the Colts can beat them. I have no real problem with the Colts, either ... the Pats are just that good. The Colts are a run-of-the-mill very good team, one that comes along almost every season and usually wins the SB that year. The Pats are a once every 20 years phenomenon, imo.

 

[scout]

Dungy? Is that you?

No, its Shaun.

 

[shmessy]

I haven't watched a Pats game yet and wanted some info on your team.

I'm assuming you go with a slot the majority of the time.

As such, do most teams play nickel against you?

Do they blitz or play primarily back, hoping to contain the big play?

Have you played any cover-2 defenses this season?

Defensively, do you still lineup up 6-7 at the line, many standing up and rush from different positions?

Primarily, do you try and take what the D give you, or do you try to run your plays regardless of what the D is doing.

Are most of your passing yards going deep, or getting YAC.

I know, a lot of questions. But I'm very interested in the makeup and tendencies of teams we play.

Thanks.

Cbear, the Patriots are indefinable. I say that with not an ounce of sarcasm. It is what it is. They can do everything and are well-balanced. This is why they are so hard to even compete with this year. There is no "most of the time, they do this" with the Pats.

They are David Blaine, David Copperfield, David Ortiz and Larry David all wrapped up in one (OK, there I WAS being sarcastic).

What I mean to say is that while most other teams have strengths and weakness while favoring certain styles of play, the Patriots are everywhere and do everything. They have TD catching Tight Ends and Cornerback playing Wide Receivers. They can win games 3-0 or 49-28.

 

[VJCPatriot]

It is going to be useless to try to pigeonhole the Patriots.
This is because they have a special gameplan adapated for EACH team they face every week.
The Pats defensive gameplan will focus on taking away the 1 or 2 things the Colts do best.

The Pats offensive gameplan could be ANYTHING because they have the personnel to create mismatches. They also have the QB to deliver the ball anywhere and the offensive line to pass protect for him to do his surgery.
30 Touchdowns in 8 games doesn't happen by iteslf.

They can throw short, intermediate, long, crossing patterns, screens, etc. They can also pound you in the mouth with the running game. And that's what they did to the Redskins to start the game. When the Skins were forced to respect the running game, the Pats aired it out. Brady had 3 TDs passing and 2 TDs running so he will take whatever the defense gives.

If you see Matt Cassell trotting out for the 4th quarter, you'll know the game is well over. This year's edition of the Pats will go pedal to the med\tal for the whole 60 minutes though so that might not even happen even with a big lead. Peyton and the Colts are just too dangerous to underestimate. Please take it as a compliment if Brady is still in there for the 4th and the Pats up by more than 2 TDs because it is.

I haven't watched a Pats game yet and wanted some info on your team.

I'm assuming you go with a slot the majority of the time.

As such, do most teams play nickel against you?

Do they blitz or play primarily back, hoping to contain the big play?

Have you played any cover-2 defenses this season?

Defensively, do you still lineup up 6-7 at the line, many standing up and rush from different positions?

Primarily, do you try and take what the D give you, or do you try to run your plays regardless of what the D is doing.

Are most of your passing yards going deep, or getting YAC.

I know, a lot of questions. But I'm very interested in the makeup and tendencies of teams we play.

Thanks.

 

[cbear]

Thanks for the responses. Very informative, though it seems even Pats fans can't quite agree on just how the Pats do play. Perhaps that's a good thing because it means they do so many different things.

Let me phrase my question in a slightly different way.

Do they do anything different then they used to? Or is it the same stuff, just with better personnel, so the excecution is be better.

 

[hwc]

I'm assuming you go with a slot the majority of the time.

The Pats run just about everything from empty backfield five WR (basically the run 'n shoot) to 3 WR to a power formation with two TEs (if they have two healthy). They run and pass out of all formations. Basically, they are like the Colts...they take what the defense is giving them. If you take away something, the Pats will beat you with something else.

As such, do most teams play nickel against you?
Do they blitz or play primarily back, hoping to contain the big play?

Early in the season, a couple of defenses tried blitzing a lot and playing man coverage. Brady just ripped them to shreds picking up the blitz and hitting Moss downfield, including some TDs from max protect with Moss as the only receiver beating triple coverage.

In recent weeks, we've seen teams play mostly nickle and dime packages and/or Tampa 2 trying to contain the deep ball to Moss and Stallworth. The Redskins were quite successful in taking Moss out of the game with a steady diet of Tampa 2, basically doubling the outside receivers. The Pats scored 52 points with dink n' dunk stuff to Welker and the running backs.

Have you played any cover-2 defenses this season?

.

Yes. Among others, the Redskins last week played almost exclusively Tampa 2, two-deep zone, rolling the safeties over to double the WRs.

Defensively, do you still lineup up 6-7 at the line, many standing up and rush from different positions?

In general, yes. I mean, that's what a 3-4 defense is. However, because of the lopsided scores, the Pats have played a lot of nickle and dime prevent defenses in the second half of games.

Primarily, do you try and take what the D give you, or do you try to run your plays regardless of what the D is doing.

It's like Manning. If defenses play deep zone or nickle coverage, the Pats run the ball and throw dink n' dunk screen passes. After they've scored a few times with that, the defense usually brings an eighth man up in the box to stop the short stuff and the Pats run play action and hit Moss 60 yards downfield. Defenses can't stop the Pats or the Colts offenses -- they can only pick their poison.

Are most of your passing yards going deep, or getting YAC.

Both. When I checked last week, Brady was leading the NFL is both completion percentage and yards per reception. That's a pretty lethal combo.

If defenses play deep, they throw underneath to Welker and Stallworth and the backs, who have all been racking up YAC. If the defense moves up, the Pats throw over the top to Moss...who is a complete freak.

I really don't know how the Pats will gameplan against the Colts. It's a chess match between two teams that know each other so well they have to change things up.

I expect Dungy to play Tampa 2, leave Sanders back in coverage, and try to stop Moss. It's really suicide to not do that. At least you force the Pats to make long drives. The problem is they have scored a TD on 78% of the drives starting back behind their own 20 -- 80 yards or more.

Defensively, I expect some new stuff from the Pats. My sense is that they've been intentionally playing "vanilla" so far this year. Specifically, I have a strong sense they have been hiding some things they can do with Adalius Thomas. It's kind of hard to draw a lot of conclusions because they've been playing all season with 20 to 30 point leads.

 

[shmessy]

Thanks for the responses. Very informative, though it seems even Pats fans can't quite agree on just how the Pats do play. Perhaps that's a good thing because it means they do so many different things.

Let me phrase my question in a slightly different way.

Do they do anything different then they used to? Or is it the same stuff, just with better personnel, so the excecution is be better.

Same stuff, more varied and with better personnel. Think of it like a monster blob having spawned.

 

[hwc]

Do they do anything different then they used to? Or is it the same stuff, just with better personnel, so the excecution is be better.

They are always evolving. The most noticeable change this year seems to be the frequent use of zone blocking in the running game...probably to take advantage of speed at running back and the overall speed and cutting ability of playing on artificial turf all year.

 

[cbear]

They are always evolving. The most noticeable change this year seems to be the frequent use of zone blocking in the running game...probably to take advantage of speed at running back and the overall speed and cutting ability of playing on artificial turf all year.

hwc, zone blocking? I don't recall them doing that before.

From your earlier description, it sounds very similar to what the Pats normally do as far as scheme is concerned. But you have better personnel now running it, so it's more successful.