Why did the Patriots place heavy emphasis on the running game in the first half?

To get real game footage to coach from in the next two weeks. Imagine if the Patriots went all out spread the past two games to try and run over the Jets and especially the Dolphins. I think for a forward thinking coach thta would be a critical mistake considering the VERY unique situation of having a brand new feature running back for playoffs. They bought a horse, so they better learn how it rides before competing for real.

No matter what they see in practice against their own defense, that pales in comparison to the breakdowns they get from footage from a real opponent.

I think they will use that first half against the Dolphins to look at changes the line needs to make to work for Jackson.

I truly believe that Belichick is setting the league up with an onslaught for playoffs and the investment cost was 1 regular season loss. I cannot help but suspect a mix of quick strike, deep seam play action will be unleashed. This playoffs will be about timing. I expect murder the first game.

Jodee

Ok, that makes sense for the first half, they treated it as an experiment. Why then did they completely throw away the running game and sling it non stop in the second half? Did Jackson even see the field in the 2nd half? Why was there not a lick of balance when the game was well within reach?

I would say he got the tape he needed than changed up at the half.

Hopefully this is a rope-a-dope. They seemed to blatantly avoid the bread and butter short/intermediate passing game altogether against the fish. However, it still would have been nice to have some success in the running game and the deep passing game - just to, at least, get that on tape.

Donkeys swat at flies even though such behavior is ineffective. We may never know why. We do know this, though: a reasonably intelligent donkey (by donkey standards) would have assembled a better gameplan last Sunday, flies or no flies.

Sangreal95 said:

I would say he got the tape he needed than changed up at the half.

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Even assuming that the question still remains. Why not take a balanced approach in the second half and actually try and win the game?

Tedy Bruschi said the game plan confused him, but that Belichick has issued challenges to his players in the past. Bruschi said it could have been that the Patriots were going to run until they could get two rushing first downs in succession. The OL has a lot to prove. They didn't do it.

Besides, this is Steven Jackson's training camp. He needs to know the terminology and get in synch with Brady and the OL. Steven Jackson also has to be ready to run the hurry up. If Jackson can be a factor in the playoffs, it will force opponents to keep seven in the box, be careful about blitzing, and open up the passing game.

Two weeks to get Brady, Edelman, Amendola, LaFell, Gronkowski, and Jackson on the same page. That's a potent base offense if the OL can do a semblance of their job.

Besides, the defense will be fine with the full complement in place. Hightower and Chandler Jones starting changes so much for that group.

Sangreal95 said:

I truly believe that Belichick is setting the league up with an onslaught for playoffs and the investment cost was 1 regular season loss.

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This was not a one off. They've lost 4 of 6.

They ran because they suck at it.

it seemed to me they were playing not to get hurt and underestimated miami a little. if you treat it like a preseason game and end up winning the game you get the best of both worlds if you are the pats - both HFA and no injuries. the whole world thought miami just mailed it in - I mean if they lose they get a higher pick, right? but campbell was playing for his job.

goheels22002 said:

Tedy Bruschi said the game plan confused him, but that Belichick has issued challenges to his players in the past. Bruschi said it could have been that the Patriots were going to run until they could get two rushing first downs in succession. The OL has a lot to prove. They didn't do it.

Besides, this is Steven Jackson's training camp. He needs to know the terminology and get in synch with Brady and the OL. Steven Jackson also has to be ready to run the hurry up. If Jackson can be a factor in the playoffs, it will force opponents to keep seven in the box, be careful about blitzing, and open up the passing game.

Two weeks to get Brady, Edelman, Amendola, LaFell, Gronkowski, and Jackson on the same page. That's a potent base offense if the OL can do a semblance of their job.

Besides, the defense will be fine with the full complement in place. Hightower and Chandler Jones starting changes so much for that group.

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So Bruschi's only explanation is Belichick threw away the game by running non stop and then throwing bombs in the 2nd as a challenge to see if the rbs can get first downs, and then if the receivers/brady can complete downfield passes.

Sounds like -- especially the 2nd half challenge -- would've been much better done in a game where we clearly secured the lead

JM lost his play calling chart?

I feel part of the reason was a timing issue. QB's and receivers need reps. It helps to give
a veteran rb time to work with a new OL and new scheme. That's my story and I'm
sticking with it

Deus Irae said:

This was not a one off. They've lost 4 of 6.

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Agree. I saw the run heavy game plan as a device to keep Brady from getting banged up and it didn't work.

I would hope that they did it to get a good, long look at Jackson in case they get into a game in the playoffs where they have to go extremely run-heavy. I really don't think that was it, though. And I'm still baffled as to why they wanted to even risk Brady when they were trying to protect against further injury.

Hopefully when BB retires he'll write a thousand-plus page book explaining everything he was thinking for every game he coached. Or at least make a youtube.

Triumph said:

Because BB wanted to lose and get the 2nd seed. None of the game plan made sense. Down 10 you let Brady run the 2:00 offense if youre serious about winning the game.

The # 2 is the easier path. Pitt is going to be a tough out. They will roll Cinci without Dalton and then face Denver instead of NE.

Pitt will likely beat Denver so NE will have homefield for the AFCC anyway while still resting players.

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This board constantly overestimates Pitt and underestimates Denver.

For every BAD Denver game (they wina close one), I'll show you a BAD Pitt game.

Denver in Denver is going to be the toughest out for any team not coming to Gillette.

I think you're projecting your own wishful thinking on the situation to try and convince yourself that the playcalling we've seen over the past month has sucked on purpose. An inside handoff on 3rd & 15 inside your own 10yard line, in the 4th quarter when you're behind in a game you have to win for HFA is not "setting up the league for an onslaught", it's giving up on the win to prevent further injuries.

I had heard that the Patriots saw mostly nickel fronts against their power formations which should be a clear win for the offense. Teams generally run every time when presented this opportunity....

The issue was that the blocking and slowness of the RBs was not able to take advantage. Not a good sign for a team that may want to run in the playoffs.