Anyone else concerned about O'Callahan vs. Strahan?

[AzPatsFan]

I sure am. The few times we've seen him, he's been killed in pass protection by guys a lot less accomplished than Strahan.

With Neal also out, and the absence of Kyle Brady, just how will the Pats scheme to protect Brady?

You bet. Plus the Pats are thin at TE, so they can't add a chipping TE easily, wihtout disrupting the Offensive sets.

 

[mgteich]

Bingo!

The patriots use TE's to help protect Brady. We usually play a 6-man line. When playing a team with a great pass rush, both our tackles need help. The problem is NOT that we are playing without Kaycur and Neal. The dropoff to O'Callaghan and Yates isn't that great, and we still have Hochstein and Britt available n case of injuries during the game. The team would have confidence with either Hochstein or Britt starting if necessary. We have incredible depth on the offensive line, in addition to three probowlers. But even then, we need TE help.

The problem is that we don't have any tight ends. Well, I guess we have an injured Watson and a scrub street free agent. Britt will definitely be playing tight end. The patriots will adapt, but playing without an entire unit (TE) does limit game planning.

My choice would be to use lots of the shotgun, with Faulk as Brady's protector. No one can beat our offense when we using the dink and dunk. We are great at dumpoffs (to Faulk and the slot receiver) and at screens. Screens take the back burner, since we have such a great set of receivers. It is truly unbelievable to look at what gaffney has been capable of in our offense; and he clearly is our #4 receiver.

We should, of course, try the run, but I don't think that we are good enough to run the ball down their throats effectively. It is NOT that we don't have an effective running game, it is that we do not have the kind of running game that can be the primary source of offense.

All this being said, I think that we can score 35 from the shotgun, and can chew clock with long drives from the shotgun.

You bet. Plus the Pats are thin at TE, so they can't add a chipping TE easily, wihtout disrupting the Offensive sets.

 

[stcjones]

The scary thing to me is just that- kaczur is only a jag, yet he beat out O'C because of his 'ability' in pass protection. Form the little I saw of O'C, he was the superior run blocker.

The few times I saw him, O'C's first step is horribly slow. He can be beat in any number of ways, whether by Strahan, omi, Pierce, etc.

I expect Britt to get a lot of time at RT and / or TE. Faulk will be busy picking up the first guy to get in there. I'm more concerned about the 2nd or 3rd guy.

I do expect a lot of screens and draws, hopefully enough to get a 3 to 4 td lead and get Brady out of there healthy, with most of the records they are close to.

Obviously they will find ways to double up strahan etc.....who is our other TE that is starting? I was hoping Brady would be healthy enough to go.....but doesn't look like it......Watson out too I believe.....although not as good of a blocker.......O'C will need some help in keeping strahan away from Brady......an let's hope Light has one of his best games of the season and can control Pierce......I do see more screens and dump offs coming in this game....Josh better get his big time creative hat on!!!

 

[Crazyeechrispats1]

I see alot of quick passes to Moss, Welker, and Stalworth alike.
Maybe some quick dumps off to Maroney to see what he can do with the ball in his hands.
He proved last week he is definitely a play maker when the balls in his hands with space to run.
Since Ocallaghan is starting we have a much more better line to run first pass second.
Running the ball will be key this game to keep the defenders from trying to tee off on Brady.
This may sound crazy but I wouldn't mind seeing a Eric Alexander or a Pierre woods out there as a fullback in certain instances.
Just to get a big body out there to protect Brady.
Does anybody know how well Matt Spath can block?

On defense first priority is tackle right the first time if you let Plaxico break a tackle he can he really hurt you he's a long strider much like Moss without the breakaway speed Moss possesses.
As far as Amani Toomer he is very solid well polished receiver great route runner decent blocker.
Hobbs can't have any mental mistakes covering this guy or it can be a quick huge play.
Sinorce Moss is a burner who hasn't really made a impact but he can take the ball the distance any time if the ball get's placed in his hands.
I wouldn't be shocked to see a reverse or two to him.
There Rookie wideout Steven Smith alot of guys here wanted before the draft.
But like many rookies is having a hard time grasping the pro game.
As far as Brandon Jacobs I have memories killing us in pre season although that was mostly our scrubs.
We need to penetrate and not give him a foot of space to run.
The rookie Ahmad Bradshaw had his coming out game last week and he is gonna be good.
Think Maroney without the strength but more elusive finding the hole the short time watching film on him that was what I took from his play.
I expect this to be a tight game down to the wire a complete nailbiter.


Go Pats!

 

[WhiZa]

O'C might actually be an upgrade, so I'm not too nervous. I can't wait to see how O'C does.

 

[mgteich]

I want to see very little four or five wideouts. Brady needs to be protected. For the base is 5 linemen, one blocking TE (presumably Spach, but could be Britt), Brady, and a RB who can reliably pick up the blitz (to me that means Faulk or Evans). The other three skill players should depend on situation, but this is the basic eight. Note that both OT's have help, one from the TE, and one from the RB.

The above needs to be able to give Brady time. He will always have five targets, the RB and TE above for outlets, and the additional three skill players.

As I have said elswhere, I believe the offense above in the shotgun and three wideouts can easily score 34 points, and break lots of records.

 

[Koettbulle]

Line up Britt as a TE and run to set up the pass. And go play action out of running formations and run out of the spread. Keep them guessing today.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Can we call him The O'C? I mean, he's big enough. That's what I've called him since the draft.

 

[JR4]

I want to see very little four or five wideouts. Brady needs to be protected. For the base is 5 linemen, one blocking TE (presumably Spach, but could be Britt), Brady, and a RB who can reliably pick up the blitz (to me that means Faulk or Evans). The other three skill players should depend on situation, but this is the basic eight. Note that both OT's have help, one from the TE, and one from the RB.

The above needs to be able to give Brady time. He will always have five targets, the RB and TE above for outlets, and the additional three skill players.

As I have said elswhere, I believe the offense above in the shotgun and three wideouts can easily score 34 points, and break lots of records.

I was thinking this same kind of thing earlier today with Tom in shotgun
----------------------Tom RB
---------------TE/Britt
wr ---------OC Hoch Kop Man Lgt---wr------ wr

I think they could do a lot of good things , including run, out of something like this.
TE/Britt helps OC and then is free.