Price: Patriots super shortcoming was easy to spot Sunday

One of the most glaring shortcomings of the Patriots was highlighted by the downfield fireworks that took place in Baltimore’s 34-31 win over San Francisco on Sunday night, a game that turned into a shootout with 49ers signal-caller Colin Kaepernick and Ravens quarterback (and Super Bowl MVP) Joe Flacco both trading haymakers deep down the field.

That a quarterback like Flacco -- leaning heavily on veteran Anquan Boldin -- led his team to a title is hardly a surprise. He’s very much in the mold of the quarterbacks who have hoisted the Lombardi in recent years. Since Tom Brady and the Patriots last won the Super Bowl in 2005, the last quarterbacks standing have all been heavily reliant on working down the field with their wide receiving corps...

Click to expand...

Look, this is not to suggest that the Patriots aren’t one of the league’s premier offenses. But in the wake of this season -- particularly, the performance of the Ravens’ passing game in the regular-season and playoffs -- it’s worth revisiting what an opposing scout told me about New England’s offseason priority list, and specifically, their need at receiver: “The Patriots need to add a vertical speed player with some size to the offense. Rob Gronkowski stretches the seams, and they are efficient running the ball, as well as with their horizontal passing attack. People try to get hands on their hands on wide receivers, and bracket inside options. If Gronk and Hernandez are on the field at the same time, they put stress on the defense -- but not as much vertically. The Patriots do have fast wide receivers, but they are small, and require Brady to be more accurate on his deeper throws. And because of their size, they aren’t consistent vertical threats. What they need is a wide receiver who is a vertical threat, but is also big enough to be physical in press coverage.”

Click to expand...

MoLewisrocks said:

He also noted that that while Flacco was first in the league in downfield targets at 17.3%, Brady was sixth at 13.2%. Real difference was Flacco was able to make those throws with zero picks because he was targeting big, physical WR's. Brady meanwhile had three of those throws picked. Flacco got most of the credit for last night, but his WR's stepped up and made plays, Bolden in particular.

We kicked his tires in 2010, but settled for the return of Deion Branch. Might be worth a look if the opportunity arises again. Kind of similar to the Reed situation, where the age and remaining motivation might be a concern. But we've wasted a lot more on a lot less recently.

patriots - Patriots' Super shortcoming easy to spot Sunday - WEEI | Christopher Price

Click to expand...

BradyManny said:

Haven't read the full article because I'm trying not to read anything for a while (and yet here I am) but the one thing worth pointing out is that this offense is obviously a lot different with Gronk. He is the kind of guy Brady can throw it up to and expect him to come down with it. A healthy Gronk and we're probably celebrating #4 today.

That said, yes, we still need that outside threat. There's no denying it.

Click to expand...

Sweft said:

The difference between Brady and Flacco is that Brady turns into a deer in headlights under pressure, and Flacco finds a way to scramble and make a play. Let's not fool ourselves guys, the way to beat Brady is to pressure him. The Ravens and Giants know this, and they do it. If Brady had QB'd for the Ravens, they would have been crushed and he would have been sacked 6 times. I don't think we'll win another one with Brady.

Click to expand...

Sweft said:

The difference between Brady and Flacco is that Brady turns into a deer in headlights under pressure, and Flacco finds a way to scramble and make a play. Let's not fool ourselves guys, the way to beat Brady is to pressure him. The Ravens and Giants know this, and they do it. If Brady had QB'd for the Ravens, they would have been crushed and he would have been sacked 6 times. I don't think we'll win another one with Brady.

Click to expand...

Thunderkyss said:

This is hilarious.

As a Texans fan I'd rather play Flacco, because we can & do get to him regularly & he becomes a "deer in the headlights"

We'd rather not play Brady, because we can't get to him without blitzing & he eats that sht up.

Click to expand...

BradyManny said:

Haven't read the full article because I'm trying not to read anything for a while (and yet here I am) but the one thing worth pointing out is that this offense is obviously a lot different with Gronk. He is the kind of guy Brady can throw it up to and expect him to come down with it. A healthy Gronk and we're probably celebrating #4 today.

That said, yes, we still need that outside threat. There's no denying it.

Click to expand...

ausbacker said:

It's news to some people that the player most critical to the Patriots (especially in the red zone) outside of Tom Brady would affect the collective performance of the team in key moments.

I feel like I've rediscovered that the earth is not flat.

Click to expand...

upstater1 said:

Agree with this a lot. Of course we'd love to have a big WR, but this offense with Gronk is not "one" of the best in the league, it's the best in the league.

Click to expand...

Sweft said:

Ok, so answer this.

If Brady had QB'd that game, how many times would he have been sacked?

The Ravens O may not be built to Brady's strength, and it is fit to Flaccos, but it doesn't change the fact that under pressure, Brady turns into a girl and Flacco finds a way to make a play.

Click to expand...

BradyManny said:

Yup. Honestly, Patriot fans forgot about how good Gronk is (hopefully 2013/14 sparks their memory). Along with Vince Wilfork, he is just below Tom Brady in importance to the team, and then there is a massive dropoff after that. He's a blue-chipper who excels in every phase of what he does.

Click to expand...

Rob0729 said:

I agree. People are talking about Boldin, but Gronk plays a similar role (although clearly different in a lot of ways) as Boldin in the Pats' offense except he is better than Boldin.

Gronk would have been that intermediary target that Boldin was if he was healthy.

I wouldn't mind exploring Boldin if he is cut, but I think a lot of things people claim are missing from the Patriots' offense aren't actually missing when Gronk is playing.

Click to expand...

Sweft said:

Ok, so answer this.

If Brady had QB'd that game, how many times would he have been sacked?

The Ravens O may not be built to Brady's strength, and it is fit to Flaccos, but it doesn't change the fact that under pressure, Brady turns into a girl and Flacco finds a way to make a play.

Click to expand...