Blount/Vereen vs Seahawks

I know he is the one to mostly see the dirty runs up the gut to try and establish the run. Who do you see being used more. Vereen out of backfield..or Blount running it more. Their D is good. But Lacy had some very good runs vs them in the NFC champ game

I think the Patriots should not shy away from the running game with Blount. The Seahawks are thin in the middle of the defensive line with Mebane out and an aging Kevin Williams forced to play too many snaps.

I wonder if the Patriots attack there with Blount, and perhaps even Vereen on a few well timed draws out of passing formations?

This could make the play action on deeper intermediate routes much more effective, because I expect the Seahawks to be squatting on the short routes that Patriots have thrived on this postseason.

An effective run game will be key to controlling the pace of the game. I agree, pound Blount and throw in a Vereen draw from time to time. Make that D feel like they have to take chances and make them pay for it.

sevengables_2207 said:

I think the Patriots should not shy away from the running game with Blount. The Seahawks are thin in the middle of the defensive line with Mebane out and an aging Kevin Williams forced to play too many snaps.

I wonder if the Patriots attack there with Blount, and perhaps even Vereen on a few well timed draws out of passing formations?

This could make the play action on deeper intermediate routes much more effective, because I expect the Seahawks to be squatting on the short routes that Patriots have thrived on this postseason.

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I just don't want to see them abandon the run if it doesn't work on the first 2 series or so like we have seen in the past at time

Brady_to_Moss said:

I just don't want to see them abandon the run if it doesn't work on the first 2 series or so like we have seen in the past at time

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I do not think that they will abandon the run unless they are certain that it is not going to help them win the game (like the second half of the Divisional Round vs. Baltimore).

sevengables_2207 said:

I think the Patriots should not shy away from the running game with Blount. The Seahawks are thin in the middle of the defensive line with Mebane out and an aging Kevin Williams forced to play too many snaps.

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Plus, Jordan Hill is out. He was valuable in sub packages.

Tough to run on Seattle because they play 8 in the box more than most defenses.

The Pats went with a lot of empty backfield in the 2012 game. I would rather see Blount more but I think we will see Vereen more.

I see them pounding the rock with blount and giving vereen a variation of carries and draws while Blount rests. We will not beat this hawks team with one thing, we will beat them with a proper blend of everything and that is why we have a good chance. BALANCE is the key, this game has Ridley written on it as I see some of the shiftiness of vereen mixed with some blount like power in his game.

I like everyone's plan on staying balanced. I do think we can run on them. If GB can do it then we most certainly can. We need to show them our "Beast Mode" style running back, plus Jonas Gray and Vereen.

Green Bay could because they have Eddie Lacy. Honestly I don't think Blount can run for 50 yards in this game, if somehow he get some 70 yards I'll be very happy.

I don't wanna a close game, go full Brady and if we get some 10 point lead than unleash the Blount.

I think Blount should get his typical runs up the middle. And Vereen should also get his typical passes out the backfield or lined up out wide on a linebacker

The Seahawks defense is not quite up to par from the 2013 season, IMO.


Their sack numbers are down this year (less than the Patriots defense), they do not have the depth due to key injuries (e.g. Mebane) and departures (Bryant, Clemons etc.), which gave them the luxury of fielding a very effective rotation, allowing the pass rush to come in swarming waves.

They are still very good, and so is their run defense. However, I would still expect the Patriots to test the middle of their defense with dive plays with Blount.

If these are even moderately effective (averaging 2-4 yards consistently), then it opens up play action for Brady to find those soft spots behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties. Of course, it will be crucial that Brady be successful on these opportunities.

All in all, the Seahawks defense is still very good (the best the Pats will face all year), but not quite the same caliber that the Broncos faced in New York a year ago.

That Lacey game may be an aberration though. Seattle still only gave up 3.4 yards a carry and 81.5 yards a game this season.

I expect for the Patriots to run out of the Shotgun with Vereen in the backfield or splitting out wide. Do a hurry up and do the run plays out of the shotgun. Take a page from the Packers playbook and have Edelman, Gronk, Amendola, or Develin in the backfield as wheel. Establishing a run game against this defense will be very difficult.

varjao said:

Green Bay could because they have Eddie Lacy. Honestly I don't think Blount can run for 50 yards in this game, if somehow he get some 70 yards I'll be very happy.

I don't wanna a close game, go full Brady and if we get some 10 point lead than unleash the Blount.

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Vs that secondary and D...we need a run game of some type otherwise being 1 dimensional could very well be our downfall

Brady_to_Moss said:

Vs that secondary and D...we need a run game of some type otherwise being 1 dimensional could very well be our downfall

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if we turn the ball over, we will get blown out like denver...

would like to see gray get a few carries, he hits the hole quicker then blount.

I wouldn't be suprised if Vereen gets a few carries to start off the game and then Blount takes over. BB likes to see what they do early with their safeties with a pass catching rb out there and their formations if we move Vereen around