Patriots "X-Factor" in the Offense on Sunday, Brandon LaFell
One of the more underrated signings this past spring by Bill Belichick was when the Patriots signed wide receiver Brandon LaFell from the Carolina Panthers. The Pats signed the big wideout from LSU to a three-year, $9 million dollar deal and the deal barely registered a blip on the radar screen.
While many weren’t sure where LaFell would fit in the Patriots system, he’d played a lot out of the slot, there were some that predicted he might not make the team at all coming out of training camp. They were wrong and now facing a Colts defense that will seem intent on taking away top targets Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman, LaFell may be Tom Brady’s “X-Factor” in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday night in Foxboro.
Big, Physical and Welcome: LaFell gives the Patriots a dimension that they haven’t had around Gillette in recent years, a big, physical wide receiver that can go up and make plays in contested areas and make important yards after the catch.
LaFell put up very good numbers in the passing game this season, after being blanked in the first two games; he’s averaged 5.4 receptions, 69.2 yards per game with eight touchdowns since. His numbers thru the first game of the playoffs read, 79 receptions, 1015 yards and eight TDs.
In the waning moments of the Ravens game it was LaFell who was targeted by Tom Brady and the receiver, (fighting off an armbar) was able to haul in a Brady pinpoint throw one-handed for a 23 yard game winning touchdown. This spoke of the trust that has been building between LaFell and Brady during the season.
“We haven’t always had the biggest guys at receiver here,” Brady said. “But having someone like that who can really bring a little more of that physical presence at that position brings an edge to it, I think he’s had that since he got here. He has fought through some injuries this year, been mentally tough, never complains, always does what you ask him to do ... He just wants to do it to help the team win. It’s a great trait.”
Rare Praise From BB: Belichick who spoke in glowing terms not normally heard around these parts about a player. Belichick in his normal television breakdown of key plays with Scott Zolak for the Patriots Today show spoke about LaFells smarts and toughness, blocking for Danny Amendola on a touchdown play.
 LaFell brings a big dimension of size and toughness to the Patriots receivers. (USA TODAY Images) |
"One of the things you really love about LaFell… I love coaching him…, is this type of play right here," Belichick said. "A heads-up play, a smart play, a play that, honestly, most receivers aren't looking to make. He's not only blocking his guy, but now he sees a more dangerous guy coming and he takes care of him so Danny can get in the end zone."
Slow Start: But things didn’t start swimmingly for LaFell, who struggled with the Patriots play book and the intricate route trees that are required for the receivers to learn. LaFell admitted that the spring and summer were a grind for him as he was very slow in picking up the Patriots offense.
“I’m used to running a number system, and now I’m back to code words, so it’s a lot,” LaFell said. “The quicker I can learn this offense the quicker I can go out there and be reliable, to play fast and know what I’m doing — instead of now, I’m kind of playing at half-speed because I’m thinking so much.”
With Lafell going from a numbers-based system to code word system, the learning curve is tough and not every wide receiver that has come here has been able to master it. Many established veterans have struggled here among them Joey Galloway, Michael Jenkins, Donald Jones and Chad Ocho Cinco.
But he did master it, putting in long hours in the film room, working with Brady one-on-one on the side during practice and gradually earning that all important trust factor with #12. And part of that equation is not only knowing your role in each play but the overall big picture of what everyone else is doing. That is what makes the Patriots offense tick. And make no mistake, if Brady doesn’t trust you, you will not see the football coming in your direction.
Target Vs the Colts: So…you ask how does this point to LaFell being a big target this week against the upstart Colts? Indy is coming together and fresh off of a big victory over Peyton Manning and the Bronco is Denver.
Well first you have to look at how the Colts beat Denver to get that answer. Indy was physical with the Broncos wide receivers and disrupted their routes at the point of attack. They contested the short passing game and took away Manning’s timing with the deep passes that ended up resulting in Manning completing only two passes beyond five yards at the line of scrimmage.
That has been a key against Denver and one knock against their talented group of wideouts. They struggle against tight physical coverage and if contested at the line, can be taken away.
That’s why this current group of Patriots receivers is much better suited for the rigors of a deep playoff run than in previous years. Having a healthy Rob Gronkowski in the playoffs for the first time in three years and LaFell gives Brady the weapons that can contest the short, contested throws at the line of scrimmage but break tackles and make yards after the catch.
LaFell’s numbers are remarkably similar to what Brandon Lloyd put up in 2012 but Lloyd had nowhere near the physical make-up of LaFell and he was most often left his feet for a catch and went down before contact. LaFell is big enough to beat the press and to keep going. He’s frequently the guy Brady goes to on early downs to jump start this Patriots offense.
The Colts may indeed attempt to double Gronkowski who remains the Patriots most dangerous weapon in the passing game. But with Julian Edelman, Tim Wright and LaFell also in the mix, the Patriots are well stocked to counter that and make them pay.
Is it Sunday evening yet?
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