Four weeks to get the run defense/run offense fixed

[MrBigglesWorth]

Next week will be a huge test but more importantly the Pats need to:

1. Fix the run defense. Now some people say this may be an abberation and the week before limited Westbrook, but I'd say the pats are gonna need some time to adjust to the loss of Colvin. I would have loved to see Pierre Woods last night, but I can understand why he wasn't in there in a tight game.

The Pats have no one to blame but themselves. They had many blowouts where they could have gotten Woods some legitimate playing time, more than he got. I personally would like to see the Pats stay in a base 3-4 more but I can understand the apprehension of having both Seau and Bruschi in there at the same time on early downs.

2. Fix the run offense. It was extremely clear that Faulk is a much better runner that Maroney at follwoing blocks and navigating his way through the line.

I think it boils down to three possibilities:

A. Maroney doesn't understand the playbook/running philosophy.
B. His vision in seeing the play unfold is not good and can't identify the hole which I saw even last year.
C. He things he can use his speed to outrun and juke guys.

Now I am with some media that the Pats mught not practice this enough and if the run offense isn't practiced then how can the defense practice their run def??? It's about establishing a mentality.

basically the next 4 weeks are about getting these kinks out because you go against the better run defenses and you go against great rb's. You can use those as excuses.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I think many people forget how explosive Maroney was in his rookie year until he got hurt. I don't think he has been 100% since then. His injuries have affected his game. Soon, the old Maroney will return and all this Maroney talk will be positive again because he was good, real good and real tough and real quick.

Also ... we have changed the way we block and how often Maroney carries the ball. If he received 25 carries a game his timing would have been back several games ago.

I think he's doing fine ... barring injury he will prove his worth down the stretch and the next few years will be considered one of the elite backs in the NFL.

 

[patsox23]

Biggles, are you SERIOUSLY starting yet another F-ing Maroney thread? Would you please consider the reality that when Faulk is in the game, teams are thinking and PLAYING the pass, and that when Maroney's in there, they are thinking and playing the run? Is this really such a hard concept for people to grasp?

I'm not asking for rainbows and unicorns around the topic of Laurence Maroney, but it sure would be nice if there was semblance of PERSPECTIVE on him and his game and the MULTITUDE of factors that go into a good or bad performance.

As for the topic this thread SHOULD HAVE focused SOLELY on, I agree - we need to fix the run game FAST or we're going to lose to Pittsburgh. I was buoyed by comments from the players today that they know they didn't play well. Hope it's not just talk.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Biggles, are you SERIOUSLY starting yet another F-ing Maroney thread? Would you please consider the reality that when Faulk is in the game, teams are thinking and PLAYING the pass, and that when Maroney's in there, they are thinking and playing the run? Is this really such a hard concept for people to grasp?

I'm not asking for rainbows and unicorns around the topic of Laurence Maroney, but it sure would be nice if there was semblance of PERSPECTIVE on him and his game and the MULTITUDE of factors that go into a good or bad performance.

As for the topic this thread SHOULD HAVE focused SOLELY on, I agree - we need to fix the run game FAST or we're going to lose to Pittsburgh. I was buoyed by comments from the players today that they know they didn't play well. Hope it's not just talk.

This isn't an exlusive Maroney thread. I'm just saying if you don't make a commitment to the run game in practice and in the actual game then how are you going to improve? The Defense doesn't have much to go against in practice.

This is could be a major issue if the Pats run into a terrible day of weather in the playoffs. Faulk is much better at this point, but we all saw this last year in the colts game when he went out the pats abandoned the run and couldn't run the clock out. You are going to need the run game.

As for excuses that when maroney is in the game they are running most of the time that is just an excuse. Gimme a break, he's been in there on passing downs. If having three legit wr's to cause the safeties to drop back doesn't help you then I don't know what will. The ravens ran the ball with Boeller at QB and they have average wr's.

Seriously BB needs to have one of those games where he starts the game with 8-10 running plays in a row like parcells use to do. Maybe he'll do it in the Jets game to stick it to mangini.

At this point in the year I don't think you can bank on any reliable production from maroney. He's too up and down, such a wild card. Hopefully he will produce but the pats need to consider a plan if he doesn't and the weather is horrendous. Maybe bring back screens, i-formation(maroney seemed better with a lead blocker).

I thought they didn't paly well last week and they threw up a second week in a row stinker.

 

[miDeuce]

I'm not worried about the defense. Look at the Colts D last year. Couldn't stop the run. They did a pretty good job of it in the playoffs. Our D (and O-Line) have consistently had early/midseason issues that have always been worked out by the playoffs. These guys will button up when it counts and I'd expect that we'll see an angry veteran defense at home this weekend that will show everybody they're still one of the best defenses in the league.

As for Maroney I thought he looked great in space last night, the problem has been him not being able to create that kind of space from the backfield. I still think he is growing and it's way to early to put any kind of stamp on him. But I am hopeful that the Ravens was a positive step for him and that he will continue to improve. All I can say is KEVIN FAULK is one of the most underated players in the NFL. He's been this years "Troy Brown" coming up with huge first downs and touchdowns all season. He blocks, he forces Ed Belichick Reed to fumble. Can you really say enough about how much he brings to the table?

 

[satz]

I think they need rest . tom brady said the whole playing late and fly 4.30 am 3 weeks in a row does not allow one to get good rest. the whole team looks tired .

BB broke from the past and gave wednesday off to all players this weeek.even mentioned in the late game show that he has a very tired team.

what we need is make it to the end of the year with no injuries and tom snag a few TD`s. other than that rest during the bye and get ready to roll. flush the 16-0 down the drain.