BB sticks to his guns. Who are we to question?

[NEGoldenAge]

I rarely question BB. I try not to forget, that often, when his decisions seem a mystery, they are based on information that he has and we don't. Last night however, this was not the case... the information was all right there in front of me. I started second-guessing BB not altering his game plan last night to adjust to the situation, and went more than 3 quarters convinced that he was making a mistake. Then, when Feely threw that last INT, I understood. BB's plan wasn't fundamentally failing, though some aspects didn't work out as planned, some odd things happened and the Eagles played well.

BB had a plan and he stuck to it. He didn't let Westbrook beat him and he figured Feely wouldn't. Although there are some aspects of his plan that didn't work real well, I think strength of the foundation of the plan was sound enough to overcome the parts that didn't work, the PI on Moss and the bold onsides kick.

BB really crowded the line of scrimage and sent people after Feely and also in his face with waving hands. He was hoping to knock Feely out of rythem and generate turnovers from pressure whether it's a strip sack, bad hurried throw or a ball tipped at the line of scrimage. None of these things happened, but guys on the line were able to stop Westbrook who had 17 carries for 52 yards. Obviously this aggressive, run stopping D will leave the middle of the field a little vulnerable. If Rodney had an normal day of excellent coverage, this wouldn't be as much of a factor, but he didn't and gave up a lot of catches.

The Eagles pass protection was fantastic, both the linemen and the backs. Feely was able to hit the open guys underneath and sometimes over the top. Although the Eagles defense was able to pressure Brady and bump the receivers, they were aided by a phantom PI call that negated a Moss touchdown, a missed FG and a stolen possion by a recovered on-sides kick, they did give up 3 TD's and a field goal.

The Patriots pass protection was not up to it's usual standards. Whether against blitz's or a three man rush the Eagles were able to get pressure on Brady creating sacks, hurried throws and not allowing Brady to step into his throws. Throw in some dropped passes and a negated TD, Tom had his work cut out for him. But, Brady being Brady, it didn't matter, he did what he had to do to win.

BB trusts his players, is completely aware of what's happening, and why, in the game, and trusts his gameplan. And again, BB was right. Feely being Feely gave Asante a couple of easy INT's and ultimately couldn't beat the Pats. With Westbrook out of the game, BB had confidence that his offense would score enough to win.






... on a side note, does anyone get the feeling that BB is hiding something? The way the running game is being used, it gives people the impression that it's not effective, when, in fact, the running game has been effective no matter who was in the backfield, and much of that running has been in situations where the D knew it was a run. I've never seen anything in football hidden so well in plain sight. I really think our running game is gonna shock people in the playoffs. BB is unlike any coach ever seen, as he has mastered all points about anything related to football and it's operation.

 

[psychoPat]

.... does anyone get the feeling that BB is hiding something? The way the running game is being used, it gives people the impression that it's not effective, when, in fact, the running game has been effective no matter who was in the backfield, and much of that running has been in situations where the D knew it was a run. I've never seen anything in football hidden so well in plain sight. I really think our running game is gonna shock people in the playoffs. ....

This is an interesting take.
Hope you're correct !

 

[upstater1]

I can accept your premise about the defense.

But not about the offense.

I saw Heath Evans lining up wide with an empty backfield in the second half. Nothing will convince me that the play is more effective with Evans lining up wide than it is with Maroney in the backfield with at least the threat of a run.

Belichick needs to rethink that, and this is the first time I've ever questioned him. 5 WRs is fine, and I don't know enough about football to argue it, but if one of your 5 is Heath Evans, then I can guarantee you it's more effective to have Maroney back there.

 

[fair catch fryar]

This is an interesting take.
Hope you're correct !

I see your point and agree that the running game could explode at any time, but at the same time, I think BB trusts his fate in the hands of Tom Brady and the stellar receivers we have. Whether it's 30-40 yard gains or 5-10 yard gains, BB will force most teams try and stop us.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

I can accept your premise about the defense.

But not about the offense.

I saw Heath Evans lining up wide with an empty backfield in the second half. Nothing will convince me that the play is more effective with Evans lining up wide than it is with Maroney in the backfield with at least the threat of a run.

Belichick needs to rethink that, and this is the first time I've ever questioned him. 5 WRs is fine, and I don't know enough about football to argue it, but if one of your 5 is Heath Evans, then I can guarantee you it's more effective to have Maroney back there.

I don't disagree. Part of the reason, IMO, that Maroney is used sparingly is both part of this concealment BB is so masterfly doing, but also in the interest of keeping him healthy... especially considering Sammy on the IR and Faulk getting banged up. I think Maroney is gonna blow teams away in the Playoffs.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

I see your point and agree that the running game could explode at any time, but at the same time, I think BB trusts his fate in the hands of Tom Brady and the stellar receivers we have. Whether it's 30-40 yard gains or 5-10 yard gains, BB will force most teams try and stop us.

I don't think the Passing game will go away , I just the the running game is a surprise for the playoffs in sunny Foxborro The passing game will be there too!

 

[dwayne]

BB is unlike any coach ever seen, as he has mastered all points about anything related to football and it's operation.

Hyperbole much?

 

[upstater1]

BB is unlike any coach ever seen, as he has mastered all points about anything related to football and it's operation.

Hyperbole much?

Is the Hyper Bowl played after the Super Bowl? No matter, we'll win that too.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

... on a side note, does anyone get the feeling that BB is hiding something? The way the running game is being used, it gives people the impression that it's not effective, when, in fact, the running game has been effective no matter who was in the backfield, and much of that running has been in situations where the D knew it was a run.

I strongly disgree with the 'hiding part' (after all, isn't BB so clear and forthcoming in all his interviews and injury reports?? )

My 2 cents: we seem to be purposefully going away from the running game because:

(a) we are trying to keep Maroney fresh for the playoffs

(b) now that we have locked up the division, we can concentrate fully on the passing and see what all schemes ('blueprints' if you will) that the other teams are capable of throwing at us so that we can be adequately prepared during the playoffs, and

(c) mixture of both.

 

[fair catch fryar]

Is the Hyper Bowl played after the Super Bowl? No matter, we'll win that too.

Does that mean we could go 20-0?

 

[JR4]

I don't disagree. Part of the reason, IMO, that Maroney is used sparingly is both part of this concealment BB is so masterfly doing, but also in the interest of keeping him healthy... especially considering Sammy on the IR and Faulk getting banged up. I think Maroney is gonna blow teams away in the Playoffs.

You may be on to something here.
In cold weather and snow etc, a good running game becomes more important.
With Sammy gone, Kool-Aid is the man. Why expose him a lot at this point
in the season when other things are working.
Save him for when a good running game becomes a necessity.
I think Kool-Aid may have been told this because he seems totally Ok with his limited role.

 

[ALP]

I can accept your premise about the defense.

But not about the offense.

I saw Heath Evans lining up wide with an empty backfield in the second half. Nothing will convince me that the play is more effective with Evans lining up wide than it is with Maroney in the backfield with at least the threat of a run.

Belichick needs to rethink that, and this is the first time I've ever questioned him. 5 WRs is fine, and I don't know enough about football to argue it, but if one of your 5 is Heath Evans, then I can guarantee you it's more effective to have Maroney back there.

not really, i dont remember the play but if it was a screen, evans would have been a good bloker...

 

[ALP]

You may be on to something here.
In cold weather and snow etc, a good running game becomes more important.
With Sammy gone, Kool-Aid is the man. Why expose him a lot at this point
in the season when other things are working.
Save him for when a good running game becomes a necessity.
I think Kool-Aid may have been told this because he seems totally Ok with his limited role.

i would love to believe that....but i cant

if maroney was running very well when he did run, then i would believe it...but when he gets hit behind the line, right after touching the ball...our running game is crap...

its the run blocking thats the prob....now if the linemen let defenders let through on purpose, thats a different stroy...but u really think the linement LET the defenders hit maroney behind the line on purpose? i dont

 

[JR4]

i would love to believe that....but i cant

if maroney was running very well when he did run, then i would believe it...but when he gets hit behind the line, right after touching the ball...our running game is crap...

its the run blocking thats the prob....now if the linemen let defenders let through on purpose, thats a different stroy...but u really think the linement LET the defenders hit maroney behind the line on purpose? i dont

he doesn't get taken down behind the line even a significant fraction of the time.
how can you make assertions based on exceptions?
When he is used 15+ times a game he usually gets over 4+yds/carry
and PATs run game is good.

 

[spacecrime]

I rarely question BB. I try not to forget, that often, when his decisions seem a mystery, they are based on information that he has and we don't.

Not often. ALWAYS. His decisions are ALWAYS based on more information that he has and you don't.

Last night however, this was not the case... the information was all right there in front of me.

Nope, you only saw what was on TV, and BB uses more than that to make decisions. You didn't see practices, player interviews, coaching sessions, or film studies. You aren't privy to current plans, short term plans or long terms plays.

AMong other information not right our in front of you was the game plan, and the thinking that led up to the game plan.

I am not disagreeing (or agreeing) with your analysis, only your statement that the information was all right there in front of you. It wasn't.

You (and me and everyone else who gets their info from the internet) don't know squat.

Even if we had his film library, and a huge staff and a scouting department and used it 16 hours a day, we still wouldn't have the information in his head.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Not often. ALWAYS. His decisions are ALWAYS based on more information that he has and you don't.

Nope, you only saw what was on TV, and BB uses more than that to make decisions. You didn't see practices, player interviews, coaching sessions, or film studies. You aren't privy to current plans, short term plans or long terms plays.

AMong other information not right our in front of you was the game plan, and the thinking that led up to the game plan.

I am not disagreeing (or agreeing) with your analysis, only your statement that the information was all right there in front of you. It wasn't.

You (and me and everyone else who gets their info from the internet) don't know squat.

Even if we had his film library, and a huge staff and a scouting department and used it 16 hours a day, we still wouldn't have the information in his head.

Obviously BB had more info about lots of stuff, but to clarify, I was refering to the fact that his plan wasn't actually failing, but situational factors made it appear so to me, and from what I'm reading, to many others, that is was failing. The point, which I guess I wasn't clear enough about, is that BB transcends these types of misconceptions and recognizes what the situation really is, and why things have been happening a certain way. The information was right in front of me, the plan wasn't failing, rather the situation merely made that appear to be the case.

Also, if you're going to nitpick, you may want to avoid such all-encompassing statements such as "Nope, you only saw what was on TV, and BB uses more than that to make decisions. You didn't see practices, player interviews, coaching sessions, or film studies. You aren't privy to current plans, short term plans or long terms plays." To say that there is never a situation where we don't have all the facts is a pretty outrageous assumption, and can be easily disproven with minimal effort focusing on specific situatinos.Very often, facts that we would not have wouldn't be the deciding factor, or even considered, in any case.

Generally I try to figure out what someone is really trying to say rather than nitpick somantics and look for technical, gramatical flaws. I post here to share ideas about my favorite NFL team, and have no desire to nitpick language like some lawyer. This is casual communication to me, not English 101.