Borges re the running game

[Fencer]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...triots_report_card_brady_gronk_carry_the_load

The rest of the article is drivel or worse -- pro- and anti-Pats parts alike, of which there were plenty of each -- but Borges' run game comments were IMO downright interesting this week.

Solid performance with LeGarrette Blount away on suspension. Lewis had a career day in his first game in two years, rushing for 4.6 yards per carry and being effective in the passing game. He also made, by my count, eight different tacklers miss, a sign of great vision and quickness. He played with his eyes wide open, several times making perfect cutbacks inside to get through holes some might not have seen opening. None of the other backs did much, but Brandon Bolden made a great pickup of LB Bud Dupree, who was a freight train heading toward Station 12. May have been unnoticed MVP play of the night.

With Bryan Stork on IR for half the season, rookie David Andrews was the surprise starter at center. He was also the only lineman to play every snap and acquitted himself well. He wasn’t overpowering, but more importantly, he wasn’t glaring. Same could not be said for rookie guard Tre Jackson, who allowed four hurries in 23 pass protection chances. LT Nate Solder must have still been celebrating his contract extension because his head didn’t seem in the game early. He was flagged for a stupid personal foul for retaliation that negated a 12-yard gain and then for blatant holding. He improved as the game went along, however, including an excellent block when pulling that flattened a linebacker and helped spring Lewis for a 9-yard gain. Marcus Cannon played both tackle positions, but neither well. He gave up a ridiculous sack on 3rd-and-3 when he missed a blitz pickup and blocked air. RT Sebastian Vollmer and G Josh Kline were the most consistent performers, although rookie G Shaq Mason had his moments. His best: Blowing up Timmons on a 13-yard run. His worst: Failing to pick up LB Ryan Shazier, resulting in Bolden being decapitated for a 3-yard loss. Overall the run blocking was not great (3.3 yards a carry) and the ball was coming out so quickly they didn’t have to pass block for long. When they did, Brady was mostly left clean.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I hate Marcus Cannon and fear that either he or Tre Jackson is going to get Brady killed. There were a few plays where the Steelers inside guys pushed the pocket right into Brady. He still completed passes on each (IIRC), but it's still a concern, especially considering what I saw today in how Rex attacked Luck. It was blitzing from everywhere but mostly the middle of the pocket. That Buffalo interior D-Line is crazy and they like to stand guys up and have them moving all over. Brady is good to capitalize on the lack of discipline at times, but he'll also probably take some shots.

 

[borg]

1) The Solder punch. It looked like the defensive player was gripping and squeezing Solder's adam's apple.
2) NE's RBs were awesome picking up the blitz. Little Lewis has big cajones
3) Maybe I'm not aware of Bolden's presence on the field, but when I do notice him in the backfield, NE seems to hand it off to him every time. "Bolden's in....handoff to Bolden." I felt the same way a few years ago.....Sammy Morris is in.....he gets the ball.
Come on Ernie......TENDENCIES
4) Cannon.......I don't see it.....I never saw it. That contract........someone has compromising pictures of someone else
5) I expect NE to go heavy at O line next week...6 linemen, waves of TEs lengthening the line. quick strike passing game to JE/DA.....and the non Gronk TEs.

 

[archstanton543]

From Borges - "Speaking of losses, hard-luck DT Dominque Easley suffered what appeared to be a serious hip injury eight plays into the game. His body doesn’t seem made for pro football."

Umm, Borgie. A hip pointer isn't a serious injury and could have happened to anyone. Another not-so-subtle dig at BB the GM.

 

[Sciz]

From Borges - "Speaking of losses, hard-luck DT Dominque Easley suffered what appeared to be a serious hip injury eight plays into the game. His body doesn’t seem made for pro football."

Umm, Borgie. A hip pointer isn't a serious injury and could have happened to anyone. Another not-so-subtle dig at BB the GM.

We saw this logic with Gronk too. After a few major injuries, people extrapolate from the minor injuries as well. A high ankle sprain has never been used to argue that a player is injury prone, except with Gronk.

 

[Galeb]

Lewis will be a good back if he can stay healthy hold the ball high and tight. He doesn't seem to push or bowl over defenders, but he has a knack for bouncing off of them. He seems to block well, and seems to be a dynamic pass catcher.

Although Brady wasn't getting hit much, the interior pocket kept collapsing. Brady usually struggles a lot when he can't step into his throws, but he showed both great touch and accuracy without stepping into several throws this game. I suspect that is the aspect of his game that he focused on fixing on this off season (like throwing on the run early last year *Pats self on back*). If the improvement is as good as it looked in Buffalo, it makes Brady much more difficult to stop. That would be a great question for a media member to ask him.

 

[archstanton543]

Borges- "Bill Belichick was a step ahead of Mike Tomlin all night. Of course, he didn’t have Zolak for a half in his ear as Tomlin did, so that may have cleared his mind."

Hey, idiot! The Pats had communication problems too! Ugh what a jackass. I don't know why I even read him.

 

[oldrover]

Fencer: you lost me at "Borges".

 

[aluminum seats]

I hate Marcus Cannon

I think everyone does. It's strange...from what he seems to bring to the table (very little) and his apparent regression, it's hard to understand his roster spot, let alone the size of his contract.

 

[Galeb]

I think everyone does. It's strange...from what he seems to bring to the table (very little) and his apparent regression, it's hard to understand his roster spot, let alone the size of his contract.

He's not a bad OT, but he's a mediocre OG.

 

[CheekyDave]

Borges ?

Pass.

 

[aluminum seats]

He's not a bad OT, but he's a mediocre OG.

But it seems as though the experiment with him at guard has diminished his skills at tackle. I don't know, I'm no expert. But he doesn't seem like he brings much to the team.