Hey all.... after breaking down some SD stats and footage earlier in the week I thought I would take the enemy point of view and do the same in reverse(Isn't it awesome that someone invented the DVR/TIVO).
How to Beat the Pats Defense
Throwing the ball -
Pats tend to press on the corner so short outs don't work... but as the zone or cover 2 develops there is a seam of around 10 to 15 yards that opens up on the edges (from the numbers out, especialy when Rodney is out and the less experienced players are in). Can Rivers find this or are his receivers/routes set to exploit this?
Also Deep throws anywhere tend to make me nervous. Again more so with Sanders in at Safety (he's not fast enough and tends to get out of position) and especially if we are dealing with skilled receivers. While Asante can hold his own against average receivers the strong fast ones can get him out of position.
Pats tend not to blitz or use much more than line stunts to get to the passer. The tend not to have to do anything since any of their linemen can outmuscle any single blocker. Linebackers tend to go straight at QB and use their moves (Rosie and TBC) to get there. I've notived that Rosie doesn't do as well on the left side as he did on the right... not as effective a pass rusher due to lack of multiple moves from that side. If Offense leaves behind a RB to block QB can usually have plenty of time to throw.
Running the Ball -
Delayed runs on wide O-line formations tend to do well. There tends to be plenty of room to run. I think this is because the pats never send their entire D-line to rush the passer (not sure why.. maybe to prevent the screen) during the season Seymour or Wilfork stayed home on most of the plays while Warren Blew up the Right side of the Offensive line.. But against the Jets Warren stayed home while Seymour and Wilfork were set loose. A scattered line leaves holes... and LT is shifty enough to take advantage on a delayed run.
Off Tackle where the running back bounces out on tight O-line formations tend to do well. I make this point because its San Diego's strength. How many of the 8 to 10 yard runs during the season have come from a tight O-line formation where the RB took some liberty to push it outside. The Jets got most of their running yards this way. If you run inside your toast against Wilfork and Warren... so stack it up and bounce it out.
Close in screens are worrisome. By comparison Wide screens tend to get blown up by the OLB's and they are like highlight reals for Pats fans, but screens that are throw tight in to either tackle tend to do well. Our plan against screens might explain why one of the linemen is always staying back... but assume that the D-line read goes wrong and we keep Warren back, but the RB finds his way left instead where Seymour has just vacated. This is like the delayed run comment above.... This usually ends up being a big play against our defense... and particualrly worrisome given LT's skills.
So what does BB devise to prevent this stuff?
Does he only rush Wilfork and use an ILB to create a blitz (something that isn't on film this year for the Pats)?
Four Man line leaving Seymour and Vrabel (or Warren and Rosie, depending on the read) back for delays and screens?
Two man line? We've seen a bunch of this throughout the season.
Run Blitzing?
I think he needs something that will prevent the long throw.. so we have to get to Rivers....but also something that doesn't compromise the rush and leave open the screen.
How to Beat the Pats Defense
Throwing the ball -
Pats tend to press on the corner so short outs don't work... but as the zone or cover 2 develops there is a seam of around 10 to 15 yards that opens up on the edges (from the numbers out, especialy when Rodney is out and the less experienced players are in). Can Rivers find this or are his receivers/routes set to exploit this?
Also Deep throws anywhere tend to make me nervous. Again more so with Sanders in at Safety (he's not fast enough and tends to get out of position) and especially if we are dealing with skilled receivers. While Asante can hold his own against average receivers the strong fast ones can get him out of position.
Pats tend not to blitz or use much more than line stunts to get to the passer. The tend not to have to do anything since any of their linemen can outmuscle any single blocker. Linebackers tend to go straight at QB and use their moves (Rosie and TBC) to get there. I've notived that Rosie doesn't do as well on the left side as he did on the right... not as effective a pass rusher due to lack of multiple moves from that side. If Offense leaves behind a RB to block QB can usually have plenty of time to throw.
Running the Ball -
Delayed runs on wide O-line formations tend to do well. There tends to be plenty of room to run. I think this is because the pats never send their entire D-line to rush the passer (not sure why.. maybe to prevent the screen) during the season Seymour or Wilfork stayed home on most of the plays while Warren Blew up the Right side of the Offensive line.. But against the Jets Warren stayed home while Seymour and Wilfork were set loose. A scattered line leaves holes... and LT is shifty enough to take advantage on a delayed run.
Off Tackle where the running back bounces out on tight O-line formations tend to do well. I make this point because its San Diego's strength. How many of the 8 to 10 yard runs during the season have come from a tight O-line formation where the RB took some liberty to push it outside. The Jets got most of their running yards this way. If you run inside your toast against Wilfork and Warren... so stack it up and bounce it out.
Close in screens are worrisome. By comparison Wide screens tend to get blown up by the OLB's and they are like highlight reals for Pats fans, but screens that are throw tight in to either tackle tend to do well. Our plan against screens might explain why one of the linemen is always staying back... but assume that the D-line read goes wrong and we keep Warren back, but the RB finds his way left instead where Seymour has just vacated. This is like the delayed run comment above.... This usually ends up being a big play against our defense... and particualrly worrisome given LT's skills.
So what does BB devise to prevent this stuff?
Does he only rush Wilfork and use an ILB to create a blitz (something that isn't on film this year for the Pats)?
Four Man line leaving Seymour and Vrabel (or Warren and Rosie, depending on the read) back for delays and screens?
Two man line? We've seen a bunch of this throughout the season.
Run Blitzing?
I think he needs something that will prevent the long throw.. so we have to get to Rivers....but also something that doesn't compromise the rush and leave open the screen.
