Football talk looking forward: Four Wides this week?

With the return of Gronk and Amendola to the lineup, the expected increase in comfort level for Collie,and the continued absence of both Washington and Vereen, could we see the Patriots breaking out the 4WR/1TE sets this week, and going with more empty backfield?

Gronk
Amendola
Edelman
Collie
Rookie WR (Thompkins/Dobson)

and/or

Gronk
Amendola
Edelman
Thompkins
Dobson



Discuss...

I saw a stat that the Dolphins have not given up a touchdown to a WR all season (they have allowed 8 passing TD total), and that TEs and RBs account for 802 of the 1,616 passing yards they have surrendered.

Is that enough for the Patriots to alter their plans? Or is it a case of whomever is their 3rd and 4th person in coverage being covered regardless?

I prefer someone in the backfield to protect Brady.

I don't think that the empty backfield is very useful, other than occasionally off the no-huddle.

I like the traditional 3 WR 1 TE set, with the occasional 2 WR 2 TE set. I expect that we can do a lot of damage in the middle of the field.

Not really sure but I have the feelign we werent really successfull out of a empty backfield at any time since I started watching in 2010 but I could be mistaken ?

Why bring on an extra WR that will likely drop the ball or be overthrown?
30-35 carries for Ridley....with a couple a Gronk endzone dances sprinkled in

I could see it...while the first 4 receiver set offers more comfort for brady, I feel there are too many slot receivers..although I guess Edelman could play outside receiver.

Wouldn't mind seeing it with the two rookies (I believe use Collie sparingly or he may not be around for long when needed), provided Brady is willing to spread the ball around and not focus on the veterans (thus making it two wideouts and decoys).

As Gronk is in for both scenarios, that should provide for quick releases and reduced sack potential. Dobson has shown some ability to make the quick grabs, so could present some potential there.

If this article is correct, the Dolphins have built a blitzing defense supposedly designed to target the Pats weaknesses. If the offensive line can avoid middle pressure, Brady historically would be able to carve that up. Let's hope the line issues were addressed, and Brady can see some success through the air against the Fish.

The Dolphins start Starks and Soliai at the tackle positions. Soliai has never been a big pass rush guy, averaging 1 sack every two years for his career. Starks, on the other hand, does have a little bit of pass rush in him, with 35.5 sacks over his 10 year career.

The Dolphins currently only have 1.5 sacks, total, from all the LBs listed on the NFL.com depth chart, and only 2.5 sacks from the CBs listed. Cameron Wake has also been relatively quite this season, with only 2.5 sacks so far. All total, they've got 17 sacks, but 6 came against Cleveland in week one and another 4 came this past week against the Thaddeus Lewis led Buffalo Bills.


Does this change anyone's mind, or have any impact on their thought process regarding going empty backfield/4 WR/etc...?

I'd prefer a balanced running/passing attack with play action.

I think 4 wides generally works best when you can think about who they would be without straining you brain. Probably the weakness of the offense right now. More Ridley, please.

we could see more of the no huddle this week and the fish don't have the same inside pass rush that the jets and bangles have so they could go with a lot more empty backfield, I think brady will have a nice game this week over 60% comp for only the 3rd time this year

All I want in this pathetic life of mine is for the Patriots "NOT" to be in "Shotgun" on 3rd and 2 100% of the time ... Oh wait .. 3rd and 2, and then bombs away 50 yards down the field to the ghost receiver .. SMH ...

This sounds like a great game plan as long as brady doesn't try to any long 20+ throws.

Stick with short passing game.

Might I suggest a Gronk mask for our other WR's ?

4 wides/TE. With regret I say no. Brady for some reason has not displayed his typical good decision making this season. He's also missed seeing several wide open receivers. Giving him additional reads to make only exacerbates this.

What he really needs is the outlet pass option. With Vereen & Washington out, I don't know if Ridley or Bolden can fulfill this role. So far they haven't inspired my confidence but having a RB back there at least (1) presents the play action option and (2) offers more protection for the 3WR/TE plays to develop.

Ridley can't be that bad of a pass catcher... Right?

andrewgarrr said:

Ridley can't be that bad of a pass catcher... Right?

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He must drop a lot of them in practice, because the team shows no desire to throw it to him.

coolguy said:

This sounds like a great game plan as long as brady doesn't try to any long 20+ throws.

Stick with short passing game.

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I think this plan would go a long way towards helping to keep Brady upright, while helping to cover for his injured hand too. The lack of the shorter slot game this season has definitely had a hand in bringing down his success rate/completion percentage, while also exposing the weaknesses of the C/RG side of the line.

PatsWickedPissah said:

So far they haven't inspired my confidence but having a RB back there at least (1) presents the play action option and (2) offers more protection for the 3WR/TE plays to develop.

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Yes, that added need for protection would be my concern too, particularly with the longer time that it's been taking for plays to develop and also with Brady's injured throwing hand. No, the world isn't over due to the nick up, but it's definitely something that can limit him + something we need to keep an eye on.

It's one thing to get through the next 2 games and have some rest during the 2 week bye period, and another altogether to have this as a potentially nagging injury for the next 6 weeks or so.

andrewgarrr said:

Ridley can't be that bad of a pass catcher... Right?

Click to expand...

makoute said:

He must drop a lot of them in practice, because the team shows no desire to throw it to him.

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Very disappointing aspect of the offense this season in my opinion, with the lack of RB passes. Bolden is dropping them, Vereen is injured, Washington is worthless, and they don't target Ridley for anything.

andrewgarrr said:

Ridley can't be that bad of a pass catcher... Right?

Click to expand...

I don't think it is hands that keeps him off the field on 3rd downs or spread, because Bolden's hands are anything but soft. To me it must be blitz pickup and blocking. And honestly I have never watched Ridley close in the backfield so I could be wrong, that is the only explanation I can come up with every time I see Bolden drop a ball that hits him right in the hands.

coolguy said:

This sounds like a great game plan as long as brady doesn't try to any long 20+ throws.

Stick with short passing game.

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I think we can sort of expect 3 basic sub players/roles:


Gronk = Gronk
Amendola = Welker
Edelman = Edelman

To me, the questions come after that, and that's where the issues about going 4/1 would lie, IMO.

Do you move Edelman outside and use Collie in the slot to set up the triple middle?

Do you keep Edelman inside and use the two rookies as Lloyd/Tate types, the way they have so far this season?

There are other ways that I can think for them to use the 6 players and 5 slots, but those would be my first guesses as to how they set it up. Any way I look at it, I see a triple inside combo, with occasional tosses to the outside receivers, as it's been since 2010. I don't see any reason for them to continue to focus on the sidelines if both Gronk and Amendola are healthy and in sync with Brady.