The O-Line’s performance against Atlanta in SB

[Tony2046]

I suspect that most teams will try to deploy a man concept against NE, including the Steelers who have already said as much publicly. It is something with which NE has struggled over the years - post Randy, I suppose - because of their diminutive and athletically limited (comparably speaking) receivers. A healthy Gronk and, as you've pointed out, the addition of the speedy Cooks will make that very very difficult for defenses to execute in reality though. As @robertweathers stated, this offense is the most diverse we've ever seen (on paper anyway) in NE. It's seemingly built perfectly to play against man and zone coverage. And if Gillislee can provide that extra element to the ground, one with more home run capability than Blount (I really like LG), then I just don't see how teams will stop it.

I normally try not to engage in 19-0 stuff (hate it) and talk of being unstoppable, but at least the unstoppable part has to be on the table here for the reasons mentioned already. If the O can strike a good run/pass balance, it will be a hard day for every team on the schedule. I said it in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and 2017 is no exception - provided health to the key guys and solid OL performance, I don't see any other team in the NFL stopping NE. In fact, I think it applies this year more than ever.

Great post.

I saw a defensive chart the other day that showed opposing defenses played man vs the Pats about 50% of the time. That is total plays and not per game specific. IOW, although Pittsburgh will play or say they will play man v man they will also play zone during the same game and depending on each personnel package and situation. It will interesting to see how each team attacks this offense.

19-0 reflects the excitement of this team on paper but it also ignores the injuries and that "any given Sunday" a team can beat another team. Bad and good days happen.

But yeah, if this team is healthy by the end of the year it's should be another great season.

 

[Tony2046]

They won't go 19-0 but they sure do have the team to do it

Sometimes you perfectly state in a few words what I attempt to say in a novel. WTF.

 

[Tony2046]

This reminds me of what everyone was saying before the 2007 Super Bowl.

I'm not sure I understand what you're worried about. Not getting to or not winning the SB? If so you are worrying about something 5 months too early.

Let's watch them get through the preseason and then go from there.

Don't let the worry set in until week 12 or so. If at all.

The team we see during the preseason is not the same team we will see during weeks 1-4 and the team we see weeks 1-4 will not be the same team we see during weeks 12-16.

They jel, they build continuity, they lose players, they add players and the deeper into the season they go the more game film they have on their opponents.

BB teams get better as the season goes on.

I'm excited.

 

[Tony2046]

How could anyone be saying everything was fine because they won the SB before they won the SB?

You do realize we won SB 51 right?
You do realize that no one can analyze that away right?

He's not understanding your point. You wrote "we win the SB" which was a typo and he thought you assumed the Pats are going to win SB 52.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Sometimes you perfectly state in a few words what I attempt to say in a novel. WTF.

I suggest drinking more. The more bain cells you kill the simpler life becomes.