The reality is that there is another way of considering the poor line play and our running game.
Connolly, Cannon and Fleming would be much better at guard if 8-9 defenders weren't in the box.
We've had poor lines in the past. Belichick and Josh know what is needed. Obviously, we can whine and say the answer is to have all top round draft picks on the OL, including Mankins as good as he was in 2012. IMHO, the OL would be better, but other positions would be worse.
SOLUTIONS
more dump offs, misdirections and screens
more hurry-up
short passes over the middle
and an occasional pass downfield
Other than 2007, this has taken place in the patriot offense. 2007 was special because we had one of the two best WR's in the history of the NFL playing for us.
WHY ARE WE NOT DOING THE ABOVE FOUR THINGS
1) Starting Cannon at LG and Devey at RG was a disaster. I expect that after the bye the OL will look a lot better, especially be comparison. I see no reason for the OL not to be as good as 2012. After all, Mankins wasn't very good last year, and we have added Stork and Fleming.
2) The TE's aren't blocking all that great so far. We do need more blocking from Gronk and Wright, including wham blocks. A leading guard is great; a leading TE is AWESOME. We should not underestimate the importance of blocking by TE's (and RB's and WR's). Blocking is about more the five OL starters.
3) Hurry-up requires everyone to be one the same page, especially the offensive linemen. Hopefully, we'll see more of this as the season progresses.
AND NOW THE "REAL" ISSUE
4) The WR's simply aren't getting open enough. This is essential over the middle. This was Brady's bread and butter even last year. And if the passes over the middle can be extended to even 10 yards, the options will open for the offense.
Edelman cannot be everything. If Amendola can't be productive in the slot, we NEED to give up and have him inactive. Edelman would need to move to the slot (and be active on every play as Welker and Brown were). So. Edelman would end up doing a bit more than slot. But his primary job would be the slot.
SOMEONE has to extend the field even it is a 50% receiver with no YAC's like Lloyd used to be. DOBSON, THOMPKINS, BOYCE or TYMS! SomeONE of these needs to step up as even a mediocre downfield receiver.
IMHO, with Edelman in the slot and LaFell doing what he's doing now, we are close to having what we need.
BOTTOM LINE
The NUMBER ONE problem for the offense is the lack of a mid to downfield passing game and receivers in that role. Josh made this absurdly obvious by not even activating any of the choices against KC. We can afford to lose games, but we cannot afford not to have a downfield threat. That threat would open up the short game and the running game. And as I said, the player doesn't need to be great. We've have lloyd and Branch2 in that role, with success.
As a side issue, an alternative is for Edelman to be that receiver (that's being tried now). However, that has failed because (for whatever reason) Amendolda is failing a slot receiver.
So, for me, the OL can be sorted out and be at least OK. IMHO, the OL (and DL for that matter) are good enough for us to win.
