Are the Patriots getting out-schemed?
 

Remember from 01-04 when you got the sense we went into games with a schematic advantage? We self-scouted our own tendencies, we knew the other team's offensive and defensive weaknesses, and that all contributed to us making the big play in big moments because we knew ourselves and the other team so well.

Fast forward to now and the past 3 years, you get the sense that we either go into games evenly matched scheme-wise, or even <gasp> out-schemed. What I mean by this is offensively we basically use the same shot-gun formation over and over, the same 5-10 plays over and over, telegraph what we are doing, and rely on EXECUTION against an increasingly adaptive defense/opponent. Defensively, we seem to use the same weak schemes over and over, less creativity and scouting in how to attack another team's offensive line or how to make their key player disappear from the game plan.

It seems like nowadays our wins are due to individual plays resulting from talent, rather than scheme and putting the right player in the right spot due to scouting.

Re: Are the Patriots Getting Out-Schemed?
 

You know we only lost one game last year, right?

I think this year we HAVE to run basic schemes because of the SEVERE rotation in our D.

Re: Are the Patriots Getting Out-Schemed?
 

Our 2001 defense was not very talented, look at who we had on the defensive line of that team, and yet it always came up with the big play.
Do you think some of our mess ups defensively the past few years is due to just not enough talent or a schematic problem? When we consistently give up 3rd and long, let tight ends get open, and give up the middle of the field, is this on lack of talent or on scheme?

I won't go into the offense, everyone saw tonight we use the same shot-gun formation over and over and try to execute better even though the opposing defense knows what is happening.

Re: Are the Patriots Getting Out-Schemed?
 

We have poor coordinators, no doubt about that. The players are doing it all themselves.

Re: Are the Patriots Getting Out-Schemed?
 

Through sheer guts and great individual play by guys like Welker, we managed to squeeze this one out... Against a team with a record of 2-11, missing its top QB and top left tackle, and tons of other injuries.

Re: Are the Patriots Getting Out-Schemed?
 

I dont think were getting out schemed, I think this team is beat the hell up with all the injuries and are going to be fighting for every win. Schemeing could only do so much you have to have good players to execute the scheme.

Re: Are the Patriots getting out-schemed?
 

Defensively we are decimated by injuries so I'll give you that. Offensively, how are we not getting out-schemed when we run the same shot-gun offensive formation for nearly 3/4 of our snaps in the second half? Did you see how fast the pocket collapsed? How is that having a good scheme when you telegraph your plays over and over.

Re: Are the Patriots getting out-schemed?
 

cmon our defense is in pre-season mode because we lost so many starters.

we have to be getting up there in terms of breaking injury records

Re: Are the Patriots getting out-schemed?
 

just look at our starting roster right now. what else can you scheme ? in fact the merriweather blitz/fumble was a shocking surprise ...

Re: Are the Patriots getting out-schemed?
 

that was a pretty awesome play, that hasn't happened in a while