Horton is a traditional Pats-basher (kind of muted this year). Also not the brightest bulb on the tree. Here is what he says:
1. Blitz and play tight man-to-man schemes behind it
Live fast and die hard. How many teams have the DBs and LBs to cover Moss, Welker, Stallworth and Watson in press? None. 5 blitz, 4 press cover, 2 deep. That doesn't guarantee to bring a free blitzer (5 on 5 or even 5 on 6 if the RB/TE stay in to block) and doesn't even account for the RB (draw or screen).
Man schemes are fine, but the downside is it pretty much tells Brady exactly where the defenders are going to be. Combo zone/man schemes with occasional DB blitzes give you the best chance of defending Brady...but they are hard to pull off.
2. Run right at the Pats' linebackers
Don't even understand this one. Pats have 4 LBs spread across the field whose primary job is to stuff the run. How could you NOT run at them? If the Pats D is executing well, you can run on them by engaging the DL, kicking out the OLB and cut back with a FB or pulling guard clearing the ILB. Once again, this is really hard to do. The DL is a handful by itself without having to use 2 blockers to clear out the LBs.
Assuming you don't have a top-flight OL and FB, best way to run on the Pats is not to run at all. Screens and dump passes get your RB out in space where speed and quickness are a bigger asset. Then in the 2nd half you should be able to pop a couple of draw plays while the LBs are on their heels a bit.
3. Be creative in the red zone offense
Hard to argue with that. The underlying observation was that the Pats have trouble keeping teams out of the end zone once they get inside the 20. While true, I think this particular statistic is being overplayed a bit. The small sample size and overall game situations have to be factored into the number. Who (besides our pal Wade) wants to kick a FG against this team?
What I am impressed with is the number of non-red zone touchdowns the Pats have allowed: one. I think it was the Braylon Edwards catch-n-roll. This means that while the Pats are scoring from all over the field, you are faced with the grim task of driving the field and punching it in every time. Given the fact that teams only reach the red zone against the Pats an average of twice a game, watcha gonna do?
4. Play a 34 defense
Is that all? Gee, thanks mister! Where do I place my order for a giant nose tackle, 2 huge ends, 2 outside guys that can rush the QB and seal off the run, 2 inside guys that can take on guards and cover TEs and RBs and enough depth to make it all work over a 16 game season?
Putz. Playing a 3-4 doesn't guarantee success. Just ask the Jets. Converting to the 3-4 and playing it well enough to challenge an offense like the Pats is a multi-year (and probably multi-coach) task. Have fun with that.
5. Control the clock
Finally some insight. You can't win a shootout with the Pats. You don't have their offense and your defense will break from the strain you put on them. Dallas? Are you listening?
Run the ball. Throw a screen. Run some more. Rinse and repeat. Not saying you will win, but your defense will likely be alive in the 2nd half to give you a chance if you can stay close.
6. Survive the early New England onslaught
Back to the inane babblings. So you are telling me that if you are utterly destroyed and demoralized in the 1st quarter, your chances of winning decrease? Wow, I don't have the words to respond to that.
You don't survive the onslaught, you have to prevent it. Come to the game with a gameplan and players prepared to execute it. You can't slowly get a feel for the game and then make adjustments...it will be too late. Study. Prepare. Execute. Hope. Pray. In that order.
