Many expected that the 2nd year jump of many young players combined with the return of Gronk, Vince and Mayo and the addition of Revis, (Browner), Wright and LaFell would strengthen a team that went to the AFC Championship game last year. Some uncertainty seeped in when we traded Mankins, and in game 1 we witnessed massive breakdowns on both sides of the ball and especially in the trenches where it matters most. The front 7 was utterly helpless against zone blocking schemes of a team that nobody expected to be a rushing powerhouse, prompting lengthy debates about defensive schemes, whether players are being used to best advantage, offensive playcalling, and whether we simply lack talent. Vellano, Wendell, Devey, LaFell et al. have received lots of criticism even though Jones, Collins, Mayo, Vollmer, Solder and Amendola all disappointed.
So now we come to game 2 against another team that was penciled in as a W. If The Vikings run effectively (despite the fortunate absence of AP) and pressure Brady, we will be unable to dismiss last week's meltdown as a fluke. If Cassel beats LBs in coverage and beats his mentor, we will find ourselves in an early hole and disappointment will spread like a bad virus. If we come out and protect Brady, run effectively, and improve the run fits enough force difficult passing downs, we will breathe a giant sigh of relief and quickly return to our early off-season Superbowl optimism. The possibilities are many and the consequences are significant.
