The Offensive offense

[mgteich]

There were two issues on offense. Brady didn't play and niether did half the offensive line. We need a backup QB and enough healthy offensive linemen to play together for a few weeks.
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QB
I think we need a veteran backup QB.

WIDE RECEIVER
Chad Jackson be fine as the #4 or #5 receiver with Brady throwing to him. There is little downside in keeping him.

TIGHT END
Do we have one beside Watson?

RUNNING BACK
Morris is back healthy, but didn't show much.

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OFFENSIVE LINE
The 4th string center didn't do so well! Our backups didn't do well against TB's first string at 85 degrees. There is no reason for panic.

 

[Deus Irae]

OFFENSIVE LINE
The 4th string center didn't do so well! Our backups didn't do well against TB's first string at 85 degrees.

And yet, people keep ignoring this when they attack the QB.....

 

[mgteich]

I have always thought that the "proper" balance at QB when you have a solid starter is a veteran backup and developing youngster. We have two of the three. O'Connell was drafted to take the #3 clipboard job.

The open question is "who is the backup?"
1) Gutierrez
2) Cassel
3) a veteran to be named, who could be picked up after Game One if necessary.

My gut says that the patriots have decided on Gutierrez, but I personally would cut him and get a veteran. Belichick would need to feel comfortable with Guutierrez coming in for a couple of games if Brady is ever out. I don't see it.

The bottom line for me is that we don't need two developmental QB's and Gutierrez is not ready to be the veteran backup, ready to step in at any time, in any situation. And Gutierrez is not the developmental backup. Belichick used a 3rd on that position, not exactly a vote of confidence for Gutierrez, or perhaps it is a great vote of confidence.
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ALL roads lead to Cassell leaving.

And yet, people keep ignoring this when they attack the QB.....

 

[PATRIOT64]

And yet, people keep ignoring this when they attack the QB.....

I know we disagree on this Cassel thing Deus but in reality I think you could put 10 guys in front of Cassel and he will find the open guy...In the other uniform

Cassel is a clipboard holder,not a pro QB and I think BB realizes this now since he has been pathetic since the end of camp as we will see within the next week what happens - I would not bet on him being around when the next game comes about - If he is still on the roster by week one as the
#2 I will be highly surprised- and concerned.

 

[RayClay]

And yet, people keep ignoring this when they attack the QB.....

I think you missed this part.

We need a backup QB

 

[D-cleater]

I see more than two issues. Ofcourse, Brady changes the offense immediately, but the O line has bigger issues than Light and Neal being out. Britt actually didn't look that bad to me , I thought he looked as good if not better than Kaczur over on the right side.

I think the line as a group needs a someone that brings a physical presence. I see what the Jets did bringing in a guy like Alan Faneca, and think thats really what this group needs - a road grater type guard or tackle with an attitude.

The other issue is that the O line has never been as good at run blocking as they are pass blocking, and our lead running back needs a large hole to get any positive yardage.

I'm not sure why Maroney has this thing for dancing around behind his blockers, but watching him today he seems to have regressed back to where he was during the first half of last year... not hitting the hole, not bouncing it outside when there is no hole, and not running with the authority that you need from a #1 back.

 

[RayClay]

I have always thought that the "proper" balance at QB when you have a solid starter is a veteran backup and developing youngster. We have two of the three. O'Connell was drafted to take the #3 clipboard job.

The open question is "who is the backup?"
1) Gutierrez
2) Cassel
3) a veteran to be named, who could be picked up after Game One if necessary.

My gut says that the patriots have decided on Gutierrez, but I personally would cut him and get a veteran. Belichick would need to feel comfortable with Guutierrez coming in for a couple of games if Brady is ever out. I don't see it.

Cut Cassel and let Gutz and a vet fight for #2. Hate to go with 4 QBs, but we invested a lot of time in Cassel and need to "move on".

GUTZ could play himself into or out of the #2, allowing us to back to 3 either way.

The bottom line for me is that we don't need two developmental QB's and Gutierrez is not ready to be the veteran backup, ready to step in at any time, in any situation. And Gutierrez is not the developmental backup. Belichick used a 3rd on that position, not exactly a vote of confidence for Gutierrez, or perhaps it is a great vote of confidence.
---------------

ALL roads lead to Cassell leaving.

Cut Cassel and let Gutz and a vet fight for #2. Hate to go with 4 QBs, but we invested a lot of time in Cassel and need to "move on".

GUTZ could play himself into or out of the #2, allowing us to back to 3 either way.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I have always thought that the "proper" balance at QB when you have a solid starter is a veteran backup and developing youngster. We have two of the three. O'Connell was drafted to take the #3 clipboard job.

The open question is "who is the backup?"
1) Gutierrez
2) Cassel
3) a veteran to be named, who could be picked up after Game One if necessary.

My gut says that the patriots have decided on Gutierrez, but I personally would cut him and get a veteran. Belichick would need to feel comfortable with Guutierrez coming in for a couple of games if Brady is ever out. I don't see it.

The bottom line for me is that we don't need two developmental QB's and Gutierrez is not ready to be the veteran backup, ready to step in at any time, in any situation. And Gutierrez is not the developmental backup. Belichick used a 3rd on that position, not exactly a vote of confidence for Gutierrez, or perhaps it is a great vote of confidence.
---------------

ALL roads lead to Cassell leaving.

Did you watch Gutierrez play last week? Just askin... He's had a dreadful TC, one louse outing, been injured and was sailing passes into the stands on Thursday. My gut tells me he's the odd man out. And there won't be a vet because there isn't one available who could remotely run this offense let alone without a full off season to attempt to learn it. Vinny and Flutie were heady players whom Bill admired and it took them a full off season to be remotely comfortable in it. And remember, Bill considers a guy a veteran after 8 seasons during which they have shown some capacity for a consistent level of success.

 

[Deus Irae]

I think you missed this part.

I didn't miss any part. Cassel has been the team's best QB in the exhibition games. I don't know what BB is going to do, but I understand that what a bunch of emotional fans bleat about is not what he's going to make final evaluations on.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

I think the line as a group needs a someone that brings a physical presence. I see what the Jets did bringing in a guy like Alan Faneca, and think thats really what this group needs - a road grater type guard or tackle with an attitude.

Do you not see Mankins as this type of OL player?

 

[DocE]

I think the line as a group needs a someone that brings a physical presence. I see what the Jets did bringing in a guy like Alan Faneca, and think thats really what this group needs - a road grater type guard or tackle with an attitude.

I have said the same thing, I feel like we are missing that "nasty" attitude on our offensive line. If teams want to play essentially 3 DE's on their line ala the Giants in the Super Bowl, we should be able to pound the football. A pure run blocking TE would be a nice addition as well.

The other issue is that the O line has never been as good at run blocking as they are pass blocking, and our lead running back needs a large hole to get any positive yardage.

Agree for the most part here, but I don't think Maroney needs huge holes, he just can't deal with penetration in to the backfield.

I'm not sure why Maroney has this thing for dancing around behind his blockers, but watching him today he seems to have regressed back to where he was during the first half of last year... not hitting the hole, not bouncing it outside when there is no hole, and not running with the authority that you need from a #1 back.[/QUOTE]

I think he's dancing because the Oline was getting pushed backwards.

 

[LuthierJr]

on the bright side Welker looked like his awesome self....

 

[mgteich]

Yup, and the best offense against a 3 DE defense is to pound the ball up the gut all game. Maroney is the man to do that. NOT! We don't road graders because we CHOOSE not to have that kind of OL.

I think the line as a group needs a someone that brings a physical presence. I see what the Jets did bringing in a guy like Alan Faneca, and think thats really what this group needs - a road grater type guard or tackle with an attitude.

I have said the same thing, I feel like we are missing that "nasty" attitude on our offensive line. If teams want to play essentially 3 DE's on their line ala the Giants in the Super Bowl, we should be able to pound the football. A pure run blocking TE would be a nice addition as well.

The other issue is that the O line has never been as good at run blocking as they are pass blocking, and our lead running back needs a large hole to get any positive yardage.

Agree for the most part here, but I don't think Maroney needs huge holes, he just can't deal with penetration in to the backfield.

I'm not sure why Maroney has this thing for dancing around behind his blockers, but watching him today he seems to have regressed back to where he was during the first half of last year... not hitting the hole, not bouncing it outside when there is no hole, and not running with the authority that you need from a #1 back.

I think he's dancing because the Oline was getting pushed backwards.[/QUOTE]

 

[mgteich]

Maroney doesn't like running up the gut. I suspect that he get his call from Dancing With the Stars.

Yup, and the best offense against a 3 DE defense is to pound the ball up the gut all game. Maroney is the man to do that. NOT! We don't road graders because we CHOOSE not to have that kind of OL.



I think he's dancing because the Oline was getting pushed backwards.

[/QUOTE]

 

[BradyToMoss]

Do you not see Mankins as this type of OL player?

I'm starting to wonder about Mankins. Who else is tired of seeing LM dance around in the backfield waiting to get hit. LM, like they were saying last night, is not your horse, he's a situational guy that needs space, based on what I've seen so far, the horse I would take to run inside the trenches is definately Lamont Jordan, then sprinkle LM in here and there for screens or maybe some delayed draws.

 

[BradyManny]

Yup, and the best offense against a 3 DE defense is to pound the ball up the gut all game. Maroney is the man to do that. NOT! We don't road graders because we CHOOSE not to have that kind of OL.



I think he's dancing because the Oline was getting pushed backwards.

Yeah, the OL is getting overpowered in the running game at times. Last week it was Kaczur and Yates, I'll have to take a look at the tape to see who the main culprits were this week. There's not much for Maroney to do when there's defenders in the backfield by the time he gets the ball.

 

[Ring 6]

Maroney doesn't like running up the gut. I suspect that he get his call from Dancing With the Stars.

[/QUOTE]

lets bring back Reggie Dupard, he would hit the hole whether there was one there or not.
This stuff is ridiculous to me. Maroneys job is not to close his eyes and run to the hole.
I have heard so much talk about how exciting it is that we moved to more of a zone blocking scheme. Hello. That means the RB needs to FIND the hole, and cutting back is critcal.
The idea that Maroney 'doesnt like running inside' is ludicrous. If a hole develops inside that is where he will go. It seems that NFLN choosing to put Patriot Hater Marshall Faulk on the broadcast, has caused Pats fans to jump on the hater bandwagon.

 

[alvinnf]

The lack of a legitimate blocking TE is the only thing that makes me nervous. They have always operated with a finess sort of line and relied on a good blocking TE against certain teams. I dont think any of the TE's on this roster fit that bill. I was hoping for Pollard in that role, but not so much. Thomas pass catcher bad blocker , Watson improving as a blocker, but his play is still inconsisent. Other than that they're locked and loaded....

 

[JR4]

I believe the Oline can only be as good as it's weakest link.

It only take one weak link to degrade the Oline performance.
If one line guy begins to weaken it will cascade across the whole
line unless they are very very disciplined.
It's probably like the small hole in a dam that brings the whole structure down.

Hopefully this is not the starting line that will play against KC in game one.