General offensive strategy

[Tb12goesinya]

You should accept that this was a bad thought. Things just don’t work that why, not to mention why would you want them to?
You are endorsing the patriots essentially giving up when they are behind because they are afraid of the other team. If BB thought that way we would be about to embark on a 3-13 season.

I didn't say give up, I said even when they happen to be behind in 2nd half I think they will stick to the run more then in years past.

If Brady dropping back 50 times was their only way to a 1 seed I think they would do it. But the team is set up differently.

I'm not making this stuff up, they are transitioning to a run heavy team, assuming their defense is as good as most believe it will be.

 

[zydecochris]

Having a strong running game to support your 42 year old QB is a little different than playing conservative in the 4thQ when behind because you fear your QB may get sacked.

Which is what you suggested and is ridiculous.

Agreed. There are plenty of examples of teams with great, but aging QBs focusing on developing a strong running game. The best known case was Elway's last two seasons in Denver when, at age 37 and 38, he won Superbowl rings largely due to the strength of the Broncos running game. Elway's performance had declined at that point much more than Brady's has (who looks close to as good as ever).

More recently, New Orleans has done something very similar with 40 year old Drew Brees and they have greatly strengthened their running game behind Kamara. Unlike the case with Elway, the New Orleans passing game has, if anything, improved as defenses focus more on defending the run. I would argue that New Orleans has been the strongest team in the last few years that has not reached the Super Bowl (with bad luck being at least one factor).

The fact is that the Patriots have lost two experienced (especially at pass blocking) LT's to other teams who offered ridiculous contracts, and they lost arguably the best pass blocking tight end of all time. They have a talented but inexperienced LT coming off a horrible injury who arguably was a stronger run blocker than pass blocker in college (although he was pretty good at both). In addition to White, a great passing RB, they now seem to have two running backs that are strong in both the running game and the passing game (both receiving and pass blocking). One hopes that the defense won't be able to determine if a running play or a passing play is coming with Michael and Harris in at RB.

Of course they are going to run the ball more! It is the smart thing to do. I have the feeling that BB, Josh, and even Brady are salivating at zigging when everyone else is zagging and finally trotting out a strong running game to complement their perennially strong (with Brady at the helm) passing game.

 

[Ring 6]

I didn't say give up, I said even when they happen to be behind in 2nd half I think they will stick to the run more then in years past.

If Brady dropping back 50 times was their only way to a 1 seed I think they would do it. But the team is set up differently.

I'm not making this stuff up, they are transitioning to a run heavy team, assuming their defense is as good as most believe it will be.

They aren’t transitioning to anything. They will do what works.
They won’t run because they would rather run or pass because they would rather pass.
They won’t put players on the field with he idea that you have to call plays differently to keep them from getting injured. That just isn’t part of football.
They threw as much last year as they always do.
Why? Because they have the GOAT so you put winning or losing in his hands.

If the OL does a good job run blocking and the RBs run well, we will run more. If not we won’t.
I’m going to vail out of this conversation now because I think you just aren’t in touch with the reality of how it works. No hard feelings.

 

[Tb12goesinya]

They aren’t transitioning to anything. They will do what works.
They won’t run because they would rather run or pass because they would rather pass.
They won’t put players on the field with he idea that you have to call plays differently to keep them from getting injured. That just isn’t part of football.
They threw as much last year as they always do.
Why? Because they have the GOAT so you put winning or losing in his hands.

If the OL does a good job run blocking and the RBs run well, we will run more. If not we won’t.
I’m going to vail out of this conversation now because I think you just aren’t in touch with the reality of how it works. No hard feelings.

Ok not trying to get the last word, but I believe teams have strategies in draft, free agency, game plan, and season plan. They aren't just complete chameleons, although we know Patriots have been the best ever at adapting. They still have a vision of their identity. To me, the vision is clearly being a dominant rushing team with a dominant defense and being prudent in the exposure of TB allowing him to flourish in smart manner.

 

[Ring 6]

Ok not trying to get the last word, but I believe teams have strategies in draft, free agency, game plan, and season plan. They aren't just complete chameleons, although we know Patriots have been the best ever at adapting. They still have a vision of their identity. To me, the vision is clearly being a dominant rushing team with a dominant defense and being prudent in the exposure of TB allowing him to flourish in smart manner.

We disagree

 

[Tb12goesinya]

The NFL implements rules to keep QBs healthy, I also think teams have strategies to keep QBs healthy. I didnt really think it was as blasphemous as some are making it out to be.

 

[ChessToCheckers]

I think the 2019 Pats will be a juggernaut!

Their Passing Game is the GOAT with: Edleman, Gordon, Watson, DT, Harry, Meyers, White, D.Harris, Michelle, and Burkhead.

Their Running Game is Michelle, D. Harris, White, Burkhead, Izzo, and Develin.

Their "Offensive Strategy" will be to Pass OR Run on EVERY play, irrespective of their personnel, because these guys can execute either at a high level. Opposing Defenses will have fits trying to stop this, especially when they go up tempo. Our Play-Action will reek havoc!

I expect the running game to especially excel in the fourth quarter, as opposing Defenses get gassed.

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Their Defense will be top 3 / elite!

Their ST will be top 10 or better.

Their Coaching will be Elite.

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If the OLine can keep Brady clean, (we need more depth here), I expect this team to go deep into the playoffs AGAIN!

Go Pats!

 

[Tb12goesinya]

Some people here act like they are the gatekeepers of the Patriot way. Very incestuous with some of the most active people on the forum. Get off your high horses. The vast majority of us understand what makes this organization so great. Someone suggesting that the Patriots may go run heavy early in season in certain situations to protect Brady is not something that you should be calling people names over.

 

[Deus Irae]

The point is that this is uncharted waters. The most valuable player, a 42 year old QB at the helm of a super dynasty, a management strategy is worthy of debate. Not because he is too old to handle it, its risk/reward

The expectations I laid out, helps put my thought/management strategy into context.

I think that, if the TE position was solid, this team would be built to light up the scoreboard via the air early, and then to pound the defense on the ground late. The ridiculously weak TE position is, IMO, the real issue here, in terms both of team talent and offensive game planning.

 

[Deus Irae]

But you draw the line at a run heavy tilt in week 4(that wouldn't necessarily be there in January)to protect your 42 year old mvp?

Herm Edwards covered this years ago.

 

[Bruins29]

Some people here act like they are the gatekeepers of the Patriot way. Very incestuous with some of the most active people on the forum. Get off your high horses. The vast majority of us understand what makes this organization so great. Someone suggesting that the Patriots may go run heavy early in season in certain situations to protect Brady is not something that you should be calling people names over.

You were going to be called names for proclaiming this team "battle tested" anyway, so what difference does it make?

"calling people names" lol Time for your nap.

 

[Tb12goesinya]

You were going to be called names for proclaiming this team "battle tested" anyway, so what difference does it make?

"calling people names" lol Time for your nap.

Coming from the guy who told me to "shut up" earlier.

You keep saying this team isn't battle tested, get over yourself. We all get it that you have to constantly prove yourself in this league, every single game.

 

[venecol]

A guy can't get a little stoned and start philosophizing on the forum without being attacked by an angry pack of forum hyenas. Got it. You guys are brutal. LMFAO

 

[Bruins29]

We all get it that you have to constantly prove yourself in this league, every single game.

So, if that is the case, how is this team "battle tested?"

 

[Deus Irae]

You were going to be called names for proclaiming this team "battle tested" anyway, so what difference does it make?

"calling people names" lol Time for your nap.

Sadly, this place is becoming more of a "hospital corners" kind of place every day.

 

[Bruins29]

Sadly, this place is becoming more of a "hospital corners" kind of place every day.

Yep, if you saw what was deleted from this thread earlier you would have given it a major league eye-roll.

 

[Tb12goesinya]

I think that, if the TE position was solid, this team would be built to light up the scoreboard via the air early, and then to pound the defense on the ground late. The ridiculously weak TE position is, IMO, the real issue here, in terms both of team talent and offensive game planning.

Whenever Gronk was out we had guys like Dola who would allow us to spread it out. With new receiving group I'm not sure a spread offense is something that will be in the works early. My initial thought was that Izzo would win the job and we would go real heavy early to acclimate Wynn and really establish a dominate running game with a passing game a tad more vanilla yo begin with then we are used to.

 

[Deus Irae]

Yep, if you saw what was deleted from this thread earlier you would have given it a major league eye-roll.

I warned that this would happen, and I was told I was crazy to think it would. It's really a joke now.

 

[Deus Irae]

Whenever Gronk was out we had guys like Dola who would allow us to spread it out. With new receiving group I'm not sure a spread offense is something that will be in the works early. My initial thought was that Izzo would win the job and we would go real heavy early to acclimate Wynn and really establish a dominate running game with a passing game a tad more vanilla yo begin with then we are used to.

After all the problems at the position last year and early in this offseason, if the WRs all pan out (statistically speaking, a big if, but still), this team has plenty of talent to go open backfield, 5 WR.

Edelman
Gordon
Thomas
Dorsett
Meyers
Harry

I don't expect that we'd see that too much early on, because of the now-usual protection issues that we're likely to see, but the talent at WR is, at least theoretically and hopefully, there for it.

 

[Tb12goesinya]

So, if that is the case, how is this team "battle tested?"

8 straight conference title games
3 straight super bowls

Significant part of team played in those games.

You are an argumentative punk