- Joined
- Sep 16, 2004
- Messages
- 12,436
- Reaction score
- 13,148
17% of the Pats' 53 man roster (9 players) is devoted to fielding 2-3 players in a Patriots' typical offensive set. (1-2 RBs, 1 TE). Why is this so? Possible explanations could include...Faulk's 1 game suspension and Watson's injury situation...or the Patriots are hoping to get some form of compensation from a trade of a RB...or they will use the surplus of players for roster flexibility (first out the door to shore up other positions)....
.....or....
The Patriots will get back to a power running game. I was always under the impression that the injury to Morris last year changed the offensive philosophy of the Pats. Their lack of depth at the RB position forced them into preservation mode with Maroney, waiting till the last few games to emphasize the running attack. And face it, the running game failed when up against stout defenses. Clearly BB is conscious of preserving Brady's health (I won't touch the Brady health speculation), he is conscious that passing the ball into the endzone is higher risk, and clock management is best attained by making first downs on the ground.
The roster makeup is intriguing, the health of the OLine is concerning, and I have to conclude that the Pats will attempt a more balanced attack this year.
.....or....
The Patriots will get back to a power running game. I was always under the impression that the injury to Morris last year changed the offensive philosophy of the Pats. Their lack of depth at the RB position forced them into preservation mode with Maroney, waiting till the last few games to emphasize the running attack. And face it, the running game failed when up against stout defenses. Clearly BB is conscious of preserving Brady's health (I won't touch the Brady health speculation), he is conscious that passing the ball into the endzone is higher risk, and clock management is best attained by making first downs on the ground.
The roster makeup is intriguing, the health of the OLine is concerning, and I have to conclude that the Pats will attempt a more balanced attack this year.
