Patriots to Run more next season?

[PatsFan2]

Mike Gillislee has home run hitter written all over him haven't had a RB like that since Clock Killing Corey Dillon. 3rd and 5 is not definite passing down for 2017 Patriots we should be able to cross em up. Also Rex Burkhead is going to be a Beast in short yardage and miss directions love his straight ahead running style and his catching ability.

 

[jmt57]

The upgrade in quality depth should hopefully insure that the Patriots have running backs that are not worn down in January. Blount already had more than 330 touches by the time the Pats played Atlanta.

It seems as if Belichick's philosophy has changed a bit. Don't rely too heavily on a single player (such as Welker, Moss, Gronk) at a skill position despite their ability to exploit defenses, because if they are injured or get worn down you are screwed. Better to go to an updated version of Brady's 2001 philosophy of 'my favorite receiver is the one that is open'.

If defenses can't double team or key on five offensive threats, what do they do when that group has five additional very capable fresh replacements?

 

[miloofcroton]

If by "run more", you mean run a higher percentage of the time ...

The Pats pass-run ratio in 2016 was 53-47, well below the league average of 58-42.

They may run more effectively and the ground game may have more consistency, but the final RB corps for 2017 will also likely have more versatility, so the short passing game may also be more effective, which could increase the pass-run ratio over 2016.

IIRC, in one of the games against the Jets in 2016, Brady targeted RBs 19 times - a couple more times than the WRs, and about 33% of all targets in that game. And most of those weren't dump-offs, but designed plays.

I think the biggest factor in determining the pass-run ratio is - and probably always will be - what the brain trust sees as the best way to attack the particular defense that they're playing that week. Over the course of the season maybe that works out to a higher percentage of runs than 2016, maybe it works out to more passing.

In terms of the higher investment in RBs for 2017 (still not high by league standards), it seems to me that the Pats simply paid for more versatility and depth. They now have a stable of RBs who can run the ball fairly well, AND catch the ball very well. If one guy gets injured (e.g., Lewis), it won't erase the section of the playbook that uses two RBs who can both run or catch.

One thing to keep in mind is that Brady was out for the first four games, and the Pats threw less during those games. This alone would predict that the Pats will throw more this year. Plus, the addition of Cooks (plus potentially two healthy TEs at the same time?!) means passing efficiency should go up.

Another major factor is the defense. If the defense improves as I personally think it will, game scenarios will dictate perhaps more running.

I agree that you're approaching this the right way, by defining 'more' - more yards or more attempts? Yes, Burkhead and Gillilee should be more efficient.

 

[miloofcroton]

It seems as if Belichick's philosophy has changed a bit. Don't rely too heavily on a single player (such as Welker, Moss, Gronk) at a skill position despite their ability to exploit defenses, because if they are injured or get worn down you are screwed.

I think this has always been Belichick's philosophy. I think everything else has been experimental for him. He's just thinking, well, I can be flexible in my strategy if enough of these fundamentals and numbers line up. If anything, his return to prior strategy is just an indication that he ultimately ended some of these experiments.

 

[captain stone]

If defenses can't double team or key on five offensive threats, what do they do when that group has five additional very capable fresh replacements?

They attack the weak link of this offense: the OL.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Can't wait to see how use our backs