My random thoughts on the game

[PatsFan37]

I do think that this year we spend a lot of time in a 2WR, 2TE, 1RB set, using Gronk, Hernandez, Moss, Welker, Committee. Against this package, a 3CB nickel would soften the run defense considerably, allowing Hernandez to move to H-back or come in motion, block for WR screens, etc. It means changing the play mix, but I'd think it's more effective than the lineup with Aiken and Welker. As such, Aiken's snaps would likely be reduced, as they are bound to be when we have an influx of offensive weapons at pass-catching positions, particularly potential receivers who are his equal at blocking.

This is one of the most exciting things about this offense compared to 2009, the mix-and-match of skill players with the ability to block, catch, and run after the catch.

The key question with the new guys is how well they can see exactly what Brady sees, because Brady will want to use clever pre-snap reads and audibles and sight adjustments to pick apart the advantageous matchups. If some of these guys can turn into his next Troy Brown or Deion Branch or Wes Welker, that's another weapon to spell Moss and the real Welker.

The good news is that Edelman and Hernandez are already proving that they get the playbook. It's possible either (or both!) TEs can become what Brady has never had, guys with great ability to block and catch and run and who know the playbook. This may become the best lineup of offensive weapons Brady has ever had, including 2007.

The media outside NE has not yet caught on to the potential of this 2010 Patriots offense.

(Though the Patriots-Falcons followed by the Jets-Panthers games might have given them a clue.)

 

[Patspsycho]

The key question with the new guys is how well they can see exactly what Brady sees, because Brady will want to use clever pre-snap reads and audibles and sight adjustments to pick apart the advantageous matchups. If some of these guys can turn into his next Troy Brown or Deion Branch or Wes Welker, that's another weapon to spell Moss and the real Welker.

The good news is that Edelman and Hernandez are already proving that they get the playbook. It's possible either (or both!) TEs can become what Brady has never had, guys with great ability to block and catch and run and who know the playbook. This may become the best lineup of offensive weapons Brady has ever had, including 2007.

This is exactly right. Brady is one of the two best at pre-snap reads (the other is Manning). He picks apart the D 90% of the time pre-snap, and knows exactly what is happening 99% of the time, post snap.

The big problem is whether or not anyone can keep up with him and his knowledge of the Patriots offense and the intricate adjustments it can tailor into, especially with post snap reads, and this was a big issue last year. Galloway simply sunk in that area, and even someone who was in the system for a number of years, Aiken, just could not keep abreast.

If you remember that blowup Brady had last year- I forgot which game it was, but Brady tried to hit Aiken in the end zone on a hitch option that was coverage dictated- if it was cover 0, the hitch continued into a drag to keep the break clean, if it was zone, it was a simple hot read hitch. As it was, Aiken did a simple hitch in man to man coverage, and Brady threw a drag anticipation (the ball goes ahead of the man) and you saw Aiken stop in the simple hitch (allowing his man to catch up) and then do a last second lunge and of course doesn't catch it.

This is why, as easy as it is for us to get carried away with our new TE's in the preseason, we must remember that all of this complicated reads, pre and post snap awareness, route adjustments kicks in once the regular season starts. It will be all they can do, to keep afloat.

This again is why Welker is so valuable to us. Nobody can feel coverage like he does. He has an uncanny ability to feel his man behind him and over the top and to know what coverage has transpired.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

This is exactly right. Brady is one of the two best at pre-snap reads (the other is Manning). He picks apart the D 90% of the time pre-snap, and knows exactly what is happening 99% of the time, post snap.

The big problem is whether or not anyone can keep up with him and his knowledge of the Patriots offense and the intricate adjustments it can tailor into,This again is why Welker is so valuable to us. Nobody can feel coverage like he does. He has an uncanny ability to feel his man behind him and over the top and to know what coverage has transpired.

And Brady is not omniscient. Last year in Denver he lost the game by failing to read Welker's situation and threw the ball behind him off his foot. Welker was gone for a TD given the right read and throw. A rare critical situation mistake by Brady.

In his best years (excepting 2007) FHOF Brady usually manages to be the prime cause of one loss. Bleep happens.