Pats @ Texans, all-22 rewatch thread

[PP2]

How do we know this was a one read play? Was it because of the defense they were playing? The matchup? Or simply because Brady forced the throw?

The quick slant is a fairly common play.

 

[PP2]

Honestly, I think this is where Sanu will help the most if they can get him somewhat healthy. A third reliable inside option was an absolute need to help out deal with teams doubling Edelman and paying special attention to White.

I actually think that we should start using pony formation on 3rd downs, put Burkhead in there on the other side.

One thing is clear, we just can't continue doing the same thing on third down, expecting White to bail us out because he will be well covered.

 

[PP2]

If you look at the clip, it looks like he looks right first, didn't like what he sees right away, then goes left, takes a second to see the matchup, then throws.

He just looks MOF to hold the backfield in place. Avoid telegraphing the throw.

 

[PP2]

One other tactic that Texans employed was a lot of pushing, grabbing, shoving, and whatever it took to disrupt timing routes. They know Brady very well and know he loves his timed routes- and if the receiver isn't in the exact place at the exact time Brady wants, he'll throw a hissy fit, and that throws his game off.

 

[Sicilian]

@luuked in regards to some of the free defenders you've pointed out, I wonder if we're just seeing a lot more DB blitzes than we would in the past, because defenses feel confident manning up our receivers. Some of our playcalls may have been designed under the philosophy that "we're lined up in X, we expect them to play Y" and they're getting crossed up because defenses are more aggressive than usual. I'm just speculating though, it could very well be simply blown assignments or hesitation from Michel, as you've said.

 

[PP2]

Breaking down the Houston Texans' victory over the New England Patriots | Baldy's Breakdowns

 

[Sicilian]

To finish up the first drive.. Brady has Dorsett wide open for a TD but I suppose he feels the pressure from the DE, resets a little bit and then sails that one:


Too bad. This would have set a totally different tone in the game.

On this one, it looks like Dorsett stops ever so briefly in the back of the end zone, then tries to pick up speed across it again. I don't think the throw would have been perfect there either, but it looks like Brady read it thinking Dorsett would keep running, and Dorsett got a fleeting instinct to sit, then thought better of it. Very subtle, but enough to blow the timing on the play.

 

[luuked]

One other tactic that Texans employed was a lot of pushing, grabbing, shoving, and whatever it took to disrupt timing routes. They know Brady very well and know he loves his timed routes- and if the receiver isn't in the exact place at the exact time Brady wants, he'll throw a hissy fit, and that throws his game off.

Interesting.

I don't really understand why Brady would insist on the go there. There is no traffic, Dorsett is like 4-5 steps ahead of his DB there is a ****ton of space. Brady just needs to lead him slightly and its an easy TD. To me it looked a lot more like that quick move in the pocket where Tom reset his feet screwed a bit with the throw as he wasn't really set. And the frustration is with himself and not Dorsett.

Anyone care to explain what I am missing here ?

 

[PP2]

On this one, it looks like Dorsett stops ever so briefly in the back of the end zone, then tries to pick up speed across it again. I don't think the throw would have been perfect there either, but it looks like Brady read it thinking Dorsett would keep running, and Dorsett got a fleeting instinct to sit, then thought better of it. Very subtle, but enough to blow the timing on the play.

Interesting.

I don't really understand why Brady would insist on the go there. There is no traffic, Dorsett is like 4-5 steps ahead of his DB there is a ****ton of space. Brady just needs to lead him slightly and its an easy TD. To me it looked a lot more like that quick move in the pocket where Tom reset his feet screwed a bit with the throw as he wasn't really set. And the frustration is with himself and not Dorsett.

Anyone care to explain what I am missing here ?

Brady sees Dorsett way too late. You can see him suddenly launch into the throw and because he throws off his back heel, the ball sails.

Dorsett isn't without fault, however- he should know he is in man coverage and should have never sat.

 

[PP2]

We are really missing Chad O'Shea. He was our RZ specialist.

 

[luuked]

Brady sees Dorsett way too late. You can see him suddenly launch into the throw and because he throws off his back heel, the ball sails.

Really ?

It looked to me like saw Dorsett just as he was breaking, wanted to throw, felt some pressure, reset and then threw unset and the ball sailed.

I guess if he just saw him late that might be a reason why.

Dorsett isn't without fault, however- he should know he is in man coverage and should have never sat.

I wonder if he overthought it and didn't want to cross behind that Texans defender to make it a harder completion. But yeah I suppose he should have ran through.

 

[The Brandon Five]

We are really missing Chad O'Shea. He was our RZ specialist.

...and WR coach.

 

[PP2]

Really ?

It looked to me like saw Dorsett just as he was breaking, wanted to throw, felt some pressure, reset and then threw unset and the ball sailed.

I guess if he just saw him late that might be a reason why.

That is my interpretation- it's hard to see which way Brady's helmet is pointed. The GFY gets fuzzy when I blow it up to full screen. I could be wrong.

Rewatching it again, it might be that Brady initially has eyes on Dorsett and is rushed into the throw.

 

[luuked]

That is my interpretation- it's hard to see which way Brady's helmet is pointed. The GFY gets fuzzy when I blow it up to full screen. I could be wrong.

Rewatching it again, it might be that Brady initially has eyes on Dorsett and is rushed into the throw.

Here is a higher res version:


My initial instinct was that he felt pressured by the Texans player behind him. He clearly has no idea what is going on in that 1v1 behind him so the clock goes off a bit.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Here is a higher res version:

Agreed that Dorsett should have kept running. Slowing down actually allowed a defender to cut it off and forced Tom into a higher throw, IMO.

 

[luuked]

Agreed that Dorsett should have kept running. Slowing down actually allowed a defender to cut it off and forced Tom into a higher throw, IMO.

The ball is out of his hand before Dorsett even slows down.

Anyway, whatever happened it was just another wasted opportunity.

 

[The Brandon Five]

The ball is out of his hand before Dorsett even slows down.

Anyway, whatever happened it was just another wasted opportunity.

You're right. That throw makes even less sense, unless he was essentially throwing it away.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I think there is some aspects to be encouraged by Meyers. His metrics are pretty good for a rookie WR - 62.9% catch rate & 13.6 yards per reception. These are just plays from the first half:

1) Posters have mentioned previously but on the play that was meant to go to Harry, Meyers did separate in the middle of the field



2) An example of a negative. Posters with more knowledge could correct me. Why are two players side by side running verticals in the first quarter? Meyers should be coming in more right? He has a sizeable gain if he runs the right route



3) Edelman takes the underneath defenders. Meyers is open against zone for a sizeable gain



4) Edelman is doubled. Meyers separates from his man but Cannon ends the play



5) Edelman doubled. Meyers trips up the cornerback in man & the underneath defender is in zone. There is a first down to be had but Brady launches it to Edelman



6) Meyers beats his man. Cannon ends the play



7) Edelman doubled. Meyers beats his man but Brady is going deep to Dorsett. Dorsett runs the wrong route as this play could have been a big gain if he goes vertical



8) Meyers is open vs cover 2 zone. What looks like a bad Brady pass on the TV angle may be Meyers drifting too upfield



In just the first half Meyers showed he has potential & can separate vs man. He also showed his fair share of rookie mistakes - drifting on a potential TD in the endzone, running the wrong route, not understanding Brady's hand signal & not settling in a zone

This kid can play. Unlike Thompkins 46.4% catch rate & Dobson 51.4% there have been a decent amount of positives with the negatives. Healthy Sanu in the slot with Edelman, Meyers & Dorsett rotating on the outside (Harry redzone specific?) may be the way to salvage the offense

 

[luuked]

You're right. That throw makes even less sense, unless he was essentially throwing it away.

I think we got to the point where everything is pure speculation with this play.

It could be a bad throw that sailed due to not being set, it could be him anticipating Dorsett to run the go & seeing him stop in mid throw motion and just putting more on it to avoid disaster. It could be a throw-away all the way.

Not sure there are enough breadcrumbs to find some kind of resolution.

 

[venecol]

I counted 4, not 6, at the time but the point still holds. QB sneak was a tough play. If it was there he would have taken it.

Howe's 33 things: There were lots of what-ifs, but there was...