Josh's new toy: the death alignment

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

4 WRs, Brown, Gordon, Edelman, and Dorsett, with 1 RB, White or Burkhead.

We saw this a bit in Miami.

Other than with an overwhelming pass rush that gets there in under 2 seconds, how can this be defended?

Let's say you go man coverage, as people prefer to do vs. Brady.

With 6 DBs in the defense, two WRs are doubled, two have single coverage, and a linebacker is on White or Burkhead. Targeting the RB vs. a LB is like taking candy, but so is going to the most open of two WRs who are single-covered.

With a whopping 7 DBs, two WRs are doubled, two have single coverage, and a safety is on White or Burkhead. Running the ball vs. this light box is like taking candy, but so is going to the most open of two WRs who are single-covered.

I think that this lineup, when Brown is up to speed (assuming he stays on the roster) cannot be man-covered. It would have to be a zone scheme, but still requiring AT LEAST 6 DBs.

Brady loves targeting soft spots in zones. It could be epic.

 

[Bradyking12]

Add Harry a few weeks later might have rename it the suicide alignment.

 

[Simpelton]

Dorsett is easy to overlook, and that's exactly why his role is so important. Dorsett was our top receiver last week, still got 40 yards this week despite only 3 targets.

It's really an incredibly impressive corps of talent we suddenly have. Even if you lock down 2 of our receivers, any of the other 2 can kill you.

 

[mosslost]

with Gronk running down the seam this thing going be YUGE

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Let's say I am a stubborn defensive coordinator and go man, with dime (6 DBs)

I bracket Brown with my #2 CB and my fastest safety. I bracket Gordon with my #1 CB and a bigger/more physical but slower safety. My #3 CB and #4 CBs are then on islands with Dorsett & Edelman. My LB is on an island with Burkhead/White, if he comes out of the backfield.

I cannot imagine at least one guy among Dorsett, Edelman, or Burkhead/White not getting leverage, either inside or outside, on their defender, EVERY TIME.

It will have to be zone, it will be a stretched zone, and Brady will dissect it.

 

[imahobgoblin]

It is all up the the OL to keep it together.

 

[ALP]

3 of our WRs are almost uncoverbale 1on1 by any CB

That’s a sweet thing to have, and then our 4th WR can usually handle another teams #2-#5 cb

 

[TomPatriot]

Dorsett is easy to overlook, and that's exactly why his role is so important. Dorsett was our top receiver last week, still got 40 yards this week despite only 3 targets.

It's really an incredibly impressive corps of talent we suddenly have. Even if you lock down 2 of our receivers, any of the other 2 can kill you.

People, including me, often forget Dorsett has great speed and that has to be respected. He ran a 4.25 40 at Miami's pro day in 2015. That's the Pats fourth receiver right now.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

It is all up the the OL to keep it together.

Generally I agree, but then I recall the Seahawks SB when Bennett was literally getting to Brady untouched and Brady was able to zip the ball to Edleman or Ridley in 2.2 seconds or less.

I made a similar comment in PFKs post. Each of these WRs are complete (once Brown gets acclimated to the system). I'm impressed with Dorsett and the way he is running routes. Seems to have made that jump to comfort in the scheme

 

[Simpelton]

Not only that, Dorsett has excellent hands.

 

[patsrj]

with Gronk running down the seam this thing going be YUGE

The meltdown across the nfl would priceless too

 

[Kontradiction]

You try to defense that the same way you’d defense any high-powered passing game - press their receivers and knock the QB on his ass while trying to rush only 4-5 guys. The bad news for the rest of the league is there are not many defenses that can do that successfully. The Patriots have also shown a willingness to smash the ball down your throat if you go too light with your personnel.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

If Sony becomes a pass-catching threat, the outlook for the D gets even worse.

 

[mitsudriver]

Its been said over and over but i'll reiterate. If the OL can keep pressure off Brady for 2.5-3 seconds a play (provided it doesn't take a full second for the snap to flutter back to Brady, although that was much better this game) these skill players can NOT be covered using 11 defensive players. I'm not sure, if the OL held up, if you let the defense play 13 on 11 that it could be stopped consistently.

 

[mosslost]

You try to defense that the same way you’d defense any high-powered passing game - press their receivers and knock the QB on his ass while trying to rush only 4-5 guys. The bad news for the rest of the league is there are not many defenses that can do that successfully. The Patriots have also shown a willingness to smash the ball down your throat if you go too light with your personnel.

That's how the Pats crushed the Chargers and their 6, 7 DB defense, just pound them into submission

 

[mosslost]

Dorsett, Edelman, or Burkhead/White not getting leverage

And not even mentioning Gronk running by his lonesome down the seam...

 

[SacPete1]

Add Harry a few weeks later might have rename it the suicide alignment.

Watch when they go heavy but with Gordon and Harry. The D will still have to play basic. Those 2 guys could block LBs let alone dominate DB's. Or how about a hitch screen to a RB with those 2 guys blocking.

The game plan options will be interesting to watch play out.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Generally I agree, but then I recall the Seahawks SB when Bennett was literally getting to Brady untouched and Brady was able to zip the ball to Edleman or Ridley in 2.2 seconds or less.

That was Vareen.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Generally I agree, but then I recall the Seahawks SB when Bennett was literally getting to Brady untouched and Brady was able to zip the ball to Edleman or Ridley in 2.2 seconds or less.

I made a similar comment in PFKs post. Each of these WRs are complete (once Brown gets acclimated to the system). I'm impressed with Dorsett and the way he is running routes. Seems to have made that jump to comfort in the scheme

Press/bump coverage has the ability to shut that right down. Bump everyone and send the blitz would be the weakness. I think you agree that if we only have 2.2 seconds as an average, we are in serious trouble.

 

[iapatsfan]

Would still like to see them throw an offer to Tampa for OJ Howard. He seems to be a disappointment in the eyes of Arians, and it doesn't really seem like he has a place in the offense. He could be a real long term weapon in NE if they can get him right.