Amendola in the Lewis role - Could it work?

The issue in all this is the O-Line. Once they are healthy, you got Amendola, Jules, Gronk and Jo-Jo...BFT, Bolden and White in the backfield.

I guess what I am trying to say is our success starts up front, it always has for us as long as we have the greatest qb of all time. If he is protected, we have enough weapons to fill in for the role Lewis did on this team.

The king bee needs to be protected at all costs...

I will say it again. TB has won with less talent against an NFL with better competition. And TB is probably playing better now than he did then back then when he did this.

Maybe a better way to position this thread is this...

if 3rd down RB becomes a problem (i.e. if White + Bolden can't get the job done), can we just run empty backfield in 3rd and long situations, using our depth at WR and TE to compensate?

Answer is yes, of course. And in past years, we've done it. Brady can make that work. Charlie Weiss did that a lot.

But empty backfield is less versatile than having a RB that you can motion in or out of the backfield based on how many pass rushers they're showing presnap. Empty backfield is susceptible to delayed blitz schemes, corner and safety blitz from the edges. If Brady doesn't see the rush coming, or the receivers don't break off their routes to react to the blitz, things can go sour from an empty set.

The idea of putting Amendola or Edelman in the backfield for pass protection is not a great idea. Better use of them in the scheme to counter the blitz is just to have them stand on the wing or in the flat as an outlet receiver, instead of asking them to stand in the pocket and pick up the blitzer.

Zuma said:

IMO the best way to cause permanent harm to a slot WR is put him in the back field and hand the ball off to him.

Click to expand...

...or have Seyton throwing passes to him.

meatface said:

yeah cause thats funny

Click to expand...

So, if he were to ever take a handoff, would you admit your sense of humor is flawed? Oh....wait.

Guys, this is ridiculous. Just stop.

The thing with Lewis is he would take a 3rd and 17 and get a first down. The Pats have been a good 3rd down team, that has got to continue.

Brady checks down to a run, hands off to Amendola... and Danny...






...we hardly knew ye.

no

rookBoston said:

Amendola picking up the blitzing LB in pass protection? That's something you want to see happen? Are you willing to bet Tom Brady's wellness on it?

Click to expand...

Have you ever watched Amendola block OLB's and DE's on the edge. He's tenacious and aggressive. Yes I can absolutely see him sticking his face in there against a blitzing LB (which makes me remember one of my best Lewis memories of this season will be his pass blocking.....and I am sad again)

I was thinking about DA myself this afternoon. Obviously he can run all the routes if he's lined up anywhere and runs a route. He's experienced in running screens. And he's used to running into crowded places over the middle. I'm sure he'd be able to run a draw. Anything else would be less likely. But who said it would be a perfect situation, just that it might be better than James White.

Bottom line - Who know's, but I wouldn't mind seeing them try it.

I think stuff like this is a little more likely than James White just taking all of that stuff over. Someone is going to take a lot of those shallow routes, screens, etc. and being counted on to turn a quick pass into 15 yards of YAC on 3rd and 15. I could definitely see Amendola being the target in a lot of those situations. It makes the offense a little less versatile and predictable, which sucks, but that's how adjustments realistically happen.

this sounds insane.
maybe a few plays here and there...edelman has lined up in the backfield before.

Schmo said:

So, if he were to ever take a handoff, would you admit your sense of humor is flawed? Oh....wait.

Click to expand...

No it's just really stupid,

meatface said:

No it's just really stupid,

Click to expand...

Just like you?

Schmo said:

Just like you?

Click to expand...

You say the nicest things,

Probably back to a running game similar to last year. Blount 1st down back. White in the Vereen role as 3rd down back. Bolden to give Blount a rest. We probably need to add another RB. Lewis was a 3rd down back that could be used in the lead back role. That is going to be hard to duplicate.

I think we need to stop assuming that we're going to find a player (or players) that are going to "replace" Dion Lewis. Lewis brought a completely unique skillset, not only because of his elusiveness after a catch but he was a legitimate threat to run the ball. Defenses had to account for that, while also keeping an eye on him on passing plays. We simply don't have anyone else on the roster who has proven he can threaten in both roles.

The offense is going to adapt and change a bit now. The backs are going to have to be more specialized, with the occasional "off" play to keep defenses honest. That's fine, not many teams have that dual threat in the league (we didn't last year either). As for Amendola as the 3rd down back? It doesn't solve the problem of the defense having to respect the run, so I'd rather just keep people where they're comfortable and stop trying to re-invent the wheel. White and Bolden will be fine there. Not dynamic, but fine. Amendola leads the team in 3rd down conversions this year, I want him right where he is.

meatface said:

You say the nicest things,

Click to expand...

Thought I'd add to your parade of compliments, big guy.

supafly said:

I think we're going to miss the elusiveness of Lewis' run game the most, and I don't believe that there's much that can be done about it. I don't really think that player exists on our roster.

Click to expand...

Nor has that player existed on the roster for like 14 years. It's good that the Pats don't have to be dependent on it.

Schmo said:

Thought I'd add to your parade of compliments, big guy.

Click to expand...

Thank you and you are most welcome