So how do we control the pass rush?

Evidently Logan Mankins has improved since the 2009 game. After all, the Patriots didn't sign him to a 6-year deal--making him the highest paid player at his position--for nothing.

I'm happy your cat has learned something useful.

i82much said:

Kind of funny but (i'm a ravens fan) some of our fans are saying the best approach to containing the TE's is to have the LB's try to disrupt them at the line of scrimmage to keep them from getting downfield, give the interior pass rush time to do its thing.

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That's completely understandable, as both approaches have been used throughout the yrs to offset the opponents' game.

I am sure that most defenses have been trying to disrupt our TE's off the line the entire year. That is obviously something they have seen many times before.

Leaving Gronk, Solder (used as a TE3), and Hernandez in to block an extra second or two will indeed limit some of their effectiveness as WR targets, but then again, I am sure that most of our opposition has been attempting to do that all year long.

It will come down to in-game adjustments on some level, but sometimes having that extra second can effectively help through his read progressions. There is still a good likelihood that he will find someone, as they tend to use the majority of shallow and intermediate routes.

This is a case where I believe last yr's playoff loss to the NYJ, and the 2 times they re-played the Jets this year will help...

As many have already said, the hurry-up is the best tool to protect Brady. For starters, it greatly limits the number of blitzes, stunts, and exotic defenses the Ravens can call, because they have less time to communicate the calls and less ability to use special substitute packages. The more long-term, and I believe more important benefit, is that the pass rushers will tire and be much less effective as the game goes on. The only downside is the risk of running your O-line off their legs. I think the Pats have enough experience with the hurry-up to regulate the pace to match the O-line's conditioning.

Patspsycho said:

I'm happy your cat has learned something useful.

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My cat is completely useless... (No, I don't even have a cat)

You are a very good X and O analyzer. Did you see Brady getting rid of the ball in a much quicker approach on Saturday (at least in the first 2-3 successful drives)? Or did I just imagine this?

supafly said:

That's completely understandable, as both approaches have been used throughout the yrs to offset the opponents' game.

I am sure that most defenses have been trying to disrupt our TE's off the line the entire year. That is obviously something they have seen many times before.

Leaving Gronk, Solder (used as a TE3), and Hernandez in to block an extra second or two will indeed limit some of their effectiveness as WR targets, but then again, I am sure that most of our opposition has been attempting to do that all year long.

It will come down to in-game adjustments on some level, but sometimes having that extra second can effectively help through his read progressions. There is still a good likelihood that he will find someone, as they tend to use the majority of shallow and intermediate routes.

This is a case where I believe last yr's playoff loss to the NYJ, and the 2 times they re-played the Jets this year will help...

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Yeah I definitely think disrupting the TE's is something easier said than done. Good in theory, right? I think our defense is very good, not great. I do think we really need Ed Reed, got to give TB something to think about before throwing over the middle.

supafly said:

My cat is completely useless... (No, I don't even have a cat)

You are a very good X and O analyzer. Did you see Brady getting rid of the ball in a much quicker approach on Saturday (at least in the first 2-3 successful drives)? Or did I just imagine this?

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The offense was in hurry up for the most part of the game. You could tell this was coming when Ocho didn't get any meaningful snaps.

I believe we'll be seeing more of the same on Sunday.

Weishuhn said:

As many have already said, the hurry-up is the best tool to protect Brady. For starters, it greatly limits the number of blitzes, stunts, and exotic defenses the Ravens can call, because they have less time to communicate the calls and less ability to use special substitute packages. The more long-term, and I believe more important benefit, is that the pass rushers will tire and be much less effective as the game goes on. The only downside is the risk of running your O-line off their legs. I think the Pats have enough experience with the hurry-up to regulate the pace to match the O-line's conditioning.

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Also, screen-passes are a way to avoid blitzes..

Woodhead or Hernandez..

condon84 said:

Go no-huddle from the get-go and spread them out. What I've noticed is the faster the pace our offense go, the less effective the pass rush gets from defenses. Don't let the defense settle in.

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Love him (Indy fans) or hate him, that is exactly what Manning used to do and the guy was unstoppable. Did not matter who the defense was, he had them puffing. Brady has taken that torch and added some wrinkles to it by throwing to the tight-ends. I bet we see something new added every game.

Patspsycho said:

The offense was in hurry up for the most part of the game. You could tell this was coming when Ocho didn't get any meaningful snaps.

I believe we'll be seeing more of the same on Sunday.

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No, I certainly know that, but I was wondering if you felt as though there were a high number of TB's throws that seemed to really get out of his hands a lot quicker than in the past?

Maybe that's the way it's always been during hurry-up this yr, but I truly felt that Brady was getting rid of the ball in the quickest manner that I have ever seen him.

My question to you is if you saw the same thing?

When I first saw the first couple/few drives (minus the INT), I was immediately a bit surprised at the speed in which the pass was delivered. Again, maybe it was just me though...

If so, it was surely something that they practiced on during the off week, as this would really throw off/neutralize the other team's pass rush.

I certainly expect to see the hurry-up a lot too come Sunday, and hopefully in the next game.

I don't remember if it was NFLN or the local MD station, but it talked about Ray Lewis in that 09 playoff game. It went into depth about how Ray Lewis knew all of Brady's playcalls, audibles, and cadences.

I'm sure the Cheatriots sent Lewis an in-depth analysis about the offense, and there was no espionage required to obtain that intel. Lewis being in our huddle and Rice being in the end zone all day meant our demise. That's the only time they've beaten us, even though we were ripe for the picking the game after Randy Moss left and we had no idea who Brady was going to throw to and in the 09 regular season when we were just a bad team.

BJGE, Ridley, Woodhead and Hernandez coming out of the backfield on a regular basis will pick up yards against these guys. Balance is a key like last week against this defense.

One guy, Foster, took all the rushes for the Texans and was very successful.

This week they get a four-headed beast with very different running styles and strengths.

SeymourTrophies said:

I don't remember if it was NFLN or the local MD station, but it talked about Ray Lewis in that 09 playoff game. It went into depth about how Ray Lewis knew all of Brady's playcalls, audibles, and cadences.

I'm sure the Cheatriots sent Lewis an in-depth analysis about the offense, and there was no espionage required to obtain that intel. Lewis being in our huddle and Rice being in the end zone all day meant our demise. That's the only time they've beaten us, even though we were ripe for the picking the game after Randy Moss left and we had no idea who Brady was going to throw to and in the 09 regular season when we were just a bad team.

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I remember that, they said they heard the calls on film.

This is why BB has been drafting a lot of TE's lately and finally struck gold with Gronk and Hernandez. Start the offense by unleashing Gronk, Welker, and Hernandez within the 10-20 yards off the LOS and strike early. Go to the no-huddle and force Balt's pass-rushers to make last-minute adjustments and to second guess. This will keep them honest and by the time they figure it out the Pats will hopefully be up by 21.

randomk1 said:

This. I feel like the no-huddle has been our bread and butter all year. Defenses really don't have an answer.

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Does falling on the ground playing dead count?

If we keep the TEs in to chip the oncoming rush, will it make it easier for the other team to redirect/throw the timing off for Brady? Would it be better to split them out off the line to make the Ravens declare their blitz/intentions. I expect we'll see plenty of shifting on the offensive and defensive front.

I think most of the good posters already stated how a pass rush is controlled. I'll pile on

1. Good line play
2. running the football effectively as this forces the line to play gap control and not pin their ears back
3. run screens
4. bring in an extra blocker along the line or have 2 players in the backfield
5. quick huddle or slow counts
6. voice inflections sometimes work

Ravens are a good Defense but I would not list rushing the passer as one of their strong suits, its Suggs and ????????????????

Also for me this game is determined by one player Haloti Nagata. If he dominates the middle we lose. IF not we win.

Coach42 said:

Ravens are a good Defense but I would not list rushing the passer as one of their strong suits, its Suggs and ????????????????

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48 sacks, tied for third in the league looks pretty good. Pats had 40. Also led the league with 21 forced fumbles. (Pats 27th with 10).