Eating Pot Roast- Exposing An Overrated and Flawed Run D

[makoute]

Great analysis, but is McDaniels going to run the ball!

 

[Wheelman]

Sheerly from a personnel standpoint, they're actually one of the best teams in the league defending the run in sub which will be a major component of defending Manning.

Where did you get that info from? Is there a site that tracks that, I'd be curious to see where all the teams rank for that.

 

[mosi]

So the Jets, who ran all over us only had like 30 yards total against Denver.

From the tape, why could the Jets not run the ball? Not committed? This is a serious question. Not being snarky or anything just trying to understand...

 

[Skree]

Ya I think Chicago got about 120 of their rushing yards after the Pats went up 45-7. Now i'm not saying the Pats weren't trying to stop the run in the 2nd half but there is definitely a difference at playing against the run when you're up 30 points the whole 2nd half.

Maybe BB did that so Denver did not have too much on tape...

 

[woolster22]

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts. Always good to see a break down from one of the more knowledgeable posters around here.

It will be interesting to see how things break down tomorrow. Four o'clock can't come fast enough!

 

[SVN]

I think pats will play this like the chiefs game. Come with the idea of quick short passing game with occaisional runs. I dont know if they will rely on the running game.

 

[PP2]

Great write up Jay. This is one of those games that has the ability to affect what happens the rest of the season for either team.

Some thoughts from me that are nowhere on your level: I'm going to be watching what happens over the flat- we know both teams love to run picks plays, crossers over the flat, and we deal with that last time by putting Hightower in robber. With the new contact/holding rules and flag-happy Anderson coming to town to call the game, I think this might have the potential to be a slow penalty-filled game. I think we start six in the box on a 42 nickel look (to dare the run as you say, and especially because Hillman has ball control issues) and we may see Dennard on Sanders in the slot to really beat him up (reroute) as he comes off the line.

I am also eager to see how Stork handles Pot Roast and think Del Rio will test Stork right off the bat by having Pot Roast go BOB on him and depending on his success may then shade to either side. Wendell failed miserably last time around, but as RG is in a position to perform far better as either he or Connolly can combo if Pot Roast aligns wide of Stork to stress him.

This is going to be Stork's biggest game, so I think the critical question is "Do Storks eat Pot Roast?"

 

[Archeryaddict12]

If the pats can get the run going, play action could be really effective

 

[RayClay]

So the Jets, who ran all over us only had like 30 yards total against Denver.

Why could they not run the ball? Not committed?

The Broncs got an early lead and they are a pile up points team. We didn't and are a patient team. There's no sense running against Manning unless you're ahead. We were also tired from 4 games in a short number of days, injuries etc.

I'm sure the jets could have run the ball against the Broncs and lost by two touchdowns, but why would they?

Missing their best LB, the Pats still won an ugly game and that's what counts. The Broncos don't win many close or low scoring games.

 

[RayClay]

Ya I think Chicago got about 120 of their rushing yards after the Pats went up 45-7. Now i'm not saying the Pats weren't trying to stop the run in the 2nd half but there is definitely a difference at playing against the run when you're up 30 points the whole 2nd half.

It would take a while to make up that deficit on the ground if you pulled the defense. Of course they played to deny the big play.

 

[mosi]

The Broncs got an early lead and they are a pile up points team. We didn't and are a patient team. There's no sense running against Manning unless you're ahead. We were also tired from 4 games in a short number of days, injuries etc.

I'm sure the jets could have run the ball against the Broncs and lost by two touchdowns, but why would they?

Missing their best LB, the Pats still won an ugly game and that's what counts. The Broncos don't win many close or low scoring games.

Thank. So looking back at the Broncos-Jets game, Denver did get up quickly and maybe that is why the Jets did not bother running the ball. But I wonder if the Jets did not see this and did not attack these formations that are being shown. I could see that as I don't think RR is 1/4 the coach that BB is.

 

[AzPatsFan]

while Iam hopefull and jays52 knows more than most, pot-roast killed our oline in the AFCCG in cruscial situations and he is going against a rookie center. Looking forward to the breakdown.

That is one of the reasons that I am not particularly concerned with this game. The Pats are growing stronger, as time passes. By the time of the Playoffs, the Pats newcomers, be they imported vets, or rookies, will be fully integrated with the game plans.

Plus we will have the weakest areas of the team thoroughly in sync,irrespective of whether the playoff game is in Foxboro or MIle High.

 

[Froob]

ill give you big props if it happens. but dont think we'll do much on the ground.

 

[RayClay]

Thank. So looking back at the Broncos-Jets game, Denver did get up quickly and maybe that is why the Jets did not bother running the ball. But I wonder if the Jets did not see this and did not attack these formations that are being shown. I could see that as I don't think RR is 1/4 the coach that BB is.

Also, Peyton's game plan is well known. The jets know that they are very unlikely to have a low scoring game. The Broncos either pile on the points, or they lose, for the most part.

The Patriots, on the other hand, move the chains and win ugly games when they aren't tops. Broncs built to pile up points and rush the passer. In a close game, the pats are much better. It's one reason why Peyton is less effective in playoff games.

The Pats simply haven't been good enough, due to injuries and turning over the defense, but they are built to win tough games.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Yeah, exactly. You go up 45-7 and then give up lots of runs but aren't getting gashed you're getting the opponent to play directly into your hands.

That what I have been saying in at least one of the so-called 200 yard "disasters".

 

[patsfan13]

Some vg comments here, a couple of things I am looking for.

Base nickel package on the D. Lots of press coverage, Browner/J Thomas, Revis/D Thomas, Arrington & Dennard/ Welker & Sanders, the matchup will depend on Dennard's health ideally Dennard/Sanders and Arrington/Welker. MCCourty clearly on every play when in the dime package other safety determined by situation. If windy Ryan could be the other safety on a 2 deep arrangement, If Manning is throwing ducks long in the wind I want ball hawks out there.

On O I expect a lot of 2 TE sets with Gronk and Wright Chipping Miller and Ware a lot. I think Talib will match up on LaFell and neutralize him. Edleman will need to show up, no dropsies this week.

 

[Nflfan88]

So this is my laptop view today. They're going to run all over Denver tomorrow night. Edit and in-depth breakdown coming soon

The Denver defense stifled the Patriots run in the AFC championship game. In spite of missing Derek Wolfe, Von Miller, and various other pieces on defense. This year they also have a physical CB in Talib as well as TJ Ward that are not afraid to stick there nose in and stop the run. And somehow New England's rookie line is going to run all over them? Expert analysis from Football Outsiders that take into account various other components have Denver as the number 1 defensive line. The one aspect I am confident about tomorrow is the Patriots will struggle to run the football.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/dl

 

[ausbacker]

The Denver defense stifled the Patriots run in the AFC championship game. In spite of missing Derek Wolfe, Von Miller, and various other pieces on defense. This year they also have a physical CB in Talib as well as TJ Ward that are not afraid to stick there nose in and stop the run. And somehow New England's rookie line is going to run all over them? Expert analysis from Football Outsiders that take into account various other components have Denver as the number 1 defensive line. The one aspect I am confident about tomorrow is the Patriots will struggle to run the football.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/dl

I find it difficult to believe that given the proliferation of fine Defensive Lines in the NFL, Denver's is ranked number 1.

 

[Nflfan88]

I find it difficult to believe that given the proliferation of fine Defensive Lines in the NFL, Denver's is ranked number 1.

It is very impressive given their strength of schedule thus far. You can make an argument they are not the #1 defensive line, but they are most certainly in the top 5.

 

[JMC00]

The Denver defense stifled the Patriots run in the AFC championship game. In spite of missing Derek Wolfe, Von Miller, and various other pieces on defense. This year they also have a physical CB in Talib as well as TJ Ward that are not afraid to stick there nose in and stop the run. And somehow New England's rookie line is going to run all over them? Expert analysis from Football Outsiders that take into account various other components have Denver as the number 1 defensive line. The one aspect I am confident about tomorrow is the Patriots will struggle to run the football.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/dl

Why the hell are you bringing up last year? Denver played to stop the run that game because Brady had one legit WR in that game and even then Pats still averaged 4 yards a carry.

If we are talking about additions and returns let's look at the offense. Gronk back, LaFell coming on, and Wright who has done nothing but catch every ball thrown his way. Little bit different than Austin Collie, Hoohwhogivesacrap, Matthew Mulligan, and Matthew Slater.

Rookie line? No. The rookie is a Center but the line isn't.

Sorry but Patriots fans saw Talib in run support for 1.5 seasons. I honestly can't remember if I ever saw him breaking away from his receiver to come up in run support. And as for Talib being physical again we saw him for 1.5 seasons he may out physical some receivers. But this guy twice in two seasons tapped out of the biggest games of the year before halftime.