Ben Muth's take on Pats OL in AFCCG and in review

[QuantumMechanic]

Here's the final Muth column of the season that will be talking about the Pats:

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Word of Muth: Patriots Exit Exam

 

[jmt57]

Interesting that Muth and Bedard have polar opposite views on Vollmer's performance in the AFCCG against the Ravens.

 

[DocHoliday]

More interesting that Muth is giving the line a thumbs up on pass blocking.

My eyes agreed with Bedard, but Muth is a former left tackle.

 

[patriotsdynasty12189]

Def need an upgrade at Right guard I feel as if Connollys much more valuable as the 6th offensive lineman as he is athletic enough to play fullback in short down situations.

 

[DaBruinz]

Interesting that Muth and Bedard have polar opposite views on Vollmer's performance in the AFCCG against the Ravens.

I don't find it surprising in the least. Bedard is a sports reporter who basically guesses as who is supposed to have what assignments. Muth, being a former OT, is able to look at the film and know who is supposed to be doing what based on his experience.

Bedard is going the way of Ron Borges and Al Breer in that he's starting to write antagonistic pieces based more on his own views than on what really took place.

 

[PittPatriot]

I don't find it surprising in the least. Bedard is a sports reporter who basically guesses as who is supposed to have what assignments. Muth, being a former OT, is able to look at the film and know who is supposed to be doing what based on his experience.

Bedard is going the way of Ron Borges and Al Breer in that he's starting to write antagonistic pieces based more on his own views than on what really took place.

The Ravens were in nickel practically the whole game…and the Pats, who would gladly run on most teams during the regular season (Buffalo) in that situation…were either too afraid, hesitant, or simply unable to run on Baltimore.
I fault in no specific order - Brady and McD - but my guess is, if they COULD run behind their OL, they would. This is the same formula anytime who wants to beat the Pats uses - throw lots of DB's out there and see if the front 4-6 guys can stop the rush.

 

[DaBruinz]

The Ravens were in nickel practically the whole game…and the Pats, who would gladly run on most teams during the regular season (Buffalo) in that situation…were either too afraid, hesitant, or simply unable to run on Baltimore.
I fault in no specific order - Brady and McD - but my guess is, if they COULD run behind their OL, they would. This is the same formula anytime who wants to beat the Pats uses - throw lots of DB's out there and see if the front 4-6 guys can stop the rush.

Listen, the Ravens were NOT in their nickel package nearly the whole game. Not unless their nickel Package looks exactly the same as their base 3-4 which includes Suggs, Ellerbe, Lewis, Kruger, McPhee, Ngata and either Kemoeatu or Jones. That was the grouping on the field a majority of the day, contrary to Greg Bedard.

 

[Ring 6]

Interesting that Muth and Bedard have polar opposite views on Vollmer's performance in the AFCCG against the Ravens.

Bedard considers the QB being hit after the throw basically the same as a sack, hurry, or flushed from the pocket.
Bedard is a good reporter who should stick to reporting, his analysis is usually off the mark.

 

[Ring 6]

Listen, the Ravens were NOT in their nickel package nearly the whole game. Not unless their nickel Package looks exactly the same as their base 3-4 which includes Suggs, Ellerbe, Lewis, Kruger, McPhee, Ngata and either Kemoeatu or Jones. That was the grouping on the field a majority of the day, contrary to Greg Bedard.

The article that said they were in nickel all but 5 snaps also said we ran 22 times vs the nickel, and we had 34 rushing attempts.

 

[Ring 6]

The Ravens were in nickel practically the whole game…and the Pats, who would gladly run on most teams during the regular season (Buffalo) in that situation…were either too afraid, hesitant, or simply unable to run on Baltimore.
I fault in no specific order - Brady and McD - but my guess is, if they COULD run behind their OL, they would. This is the same formula anytime who wants to beat the Pats uses - throw lots of DB's out there and see if the front 4-6 guys can stop the rush.

They ran 34 times

 

[eom]

They ran 34 times

they did.......?

I think your analysis may be off the mark.

 

[eom]

The Ravens were in nickel practically the whole game…and the Pats, who would gladly run on most teams during the regular season (Buffalo) in that situation…were either too afraid, hesitant, or simply unable to run on Baltimore.
I fault in no specific order - Brady and McD - but my guess is, if they COULD run behind their OL, they would. This is the same formula anytime who wants to beat the Pats uses - throw lots of DB's out there and see if the front 4-6 guys can stop the rush.

well, they ran 20x in 3 quarters, and then on the 'final' drive they ran the ball 4 of 5 plays before ridley got knocked out.

after that it was all passing trying to make up 2 scores in the final 8 min, or whatever it was, and they had a couple 50 yd drives.

 

[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

They ran 34 times

Link? Everything I'm seeing shows they ran it 28 times and 2 were Brady scrambles.

By my count that's 56 designed pass plays and 26 designed rush plays. It looks like 19 pass plays and 1 rush play were called after the Ravens went up by 2 scores. Previous to that it was 37 called passes and 25 called rushes, so about a 60/40 split. This isn't bad unless the bit about the Ravens being in nickle most of the game is true. If that was the case they really needed to stick with it and have faith that they were going to wear them out.

Other thoughts on the running game: I only recall 2 "trick" plays with the run (end around by AH and direct snap to Woody); they picked up 13 yds on those plays, and either could've easily gone for more. In the first half they ran the ball up the middle 4 times with Vereen and Ridley for 18 yds and only twice in the second half for 16 yds. That's 47 yds on 8 plays, so the problem might've been more the Pats couldn't run it how they wanted to more than they couldn't run it. When 11 of Ridley's 18 rushes are off LT and RG and only net ~3.4ypc while his other 7 rushes yield ~4.7ypc something doesn't look right. That's including the run right up the middle on the goal like under the other rushes. If you exclude the goal line dive for no yards then you get 5.5ypc. There might not have been any explosive runs, but one has to think that if the Pats were taking what they were given rather than predictably running behind their "strengths" they likely would've ripped one off.

 

[ALP]

the Oline in pass protection played extremely well, Brady had all day in most cases, he just didn't think he did so he got rid of ball early (and gameplan called for that as well, gameplan did not trust Oline protection)

 

[ausbacker]

FWIW, I thought the OL played well in the AFC Championship game. Brady had a huge amount of time to throw the ball and there were open seams in the running game. The skill position players didn't take advantage or execute anywhere near enough.