Content Post Brute Force

[Ross12]

The key is getting a mismatch and being able to exploit it. For that you ideally need three dual-threat instruments:

1. A QB who can both throw deep and run well (and is also comfortable throwing to all parts of the field) - check
2. RBs that can also catch passes, and at least one with top-end speed so they have to keep a safety back - check
3. TEs (preferably two or more) that can both block well and run routes/catch well - check.

Henderson and Stevenson both being able to catch the ball is great. Henry and Raridon can both run routes and catch well, though Henry is so-so as a blocker. Hill is a better blocker, but not sure how good he is as a receiver. We will find out soon! If he’s any good, I could see the team cutting Henry to save a good chunk of the cash they have to pay Brown this year.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Henderson and Stevenson both being able to catch the ball is great. Henry and Raridon can both run routes and catch well, though Henry is so-so as a blocker. Hill is a better blocker, but not sure how good he is as a receiver. We will find out soon! If he’s any good, I could see the team cutting Henry to save a good chunk of the cash they have to pay Brown this year.

Need 3 TEs:

(Reiss):
Tight ends combined for 2,870 receptions league-wide last season, the most by that position group in NFL history. Furthermore, there were 1,845 plays run league-wide with three or more tight ends on the field, which is the most in the data ESPN Research has tracked since 2007.

 

[Brady85-23]

Pats are rolling with 4 RBs + FB

 

[stinkypete]

I recall Belichick talking about this and the change is primarily due to the evolution of the college game, which also made guys with that body type more rare since big bodied players who are athletic are so few and far between. So there are fewer of those guys coming out that can play at the NFL level. That was one of the things that made Hightower so unique. I think a lot of people forget just how good he really was.

And agree on the fact they're trying to get bigger and stronger on offense. There were a lot of short-yardage situations last year they failed to convert, and the fact they couldn't get one-yard when they needed it on the ground was frustrating. Hopefully some of the changes we've seen this offseason will help, because they'll need to be better about that this season.

This was the team's most impactful weakness in 2025. I knew it would be our demise during the Buffalo game when we let them march down for 5 second half scores. The offense had no capacity to grind the clock, and the big lead was the work of quick, big play driven drives, so the defense was spent.

A huge part of Maye's playoff struggles was that he was facing so many 3rd and longs against elite defenses.

 

[DaBruinz]

This was the team's most impactful weakness in 2025. I knew it would be our demise during the Buffalo game when we let them march down for 5 second half scores. The offense had no capacity to grind the clock, and the big lead was the work of quick, big play driven drives, so the defense was spent.

A huge part of Maye's playoff struggles was that he was facing so many 3rd and longs against elite defenses.

No one LET Buffalo do jack s**t. Buffalo was gifted those scores by the NFL and the Refs..

 

[TommyD4207]

This was the team's most impactful weakness in 2025. I knew it would be our demise during the Buffalo game when we let them march down for 5 second half scores. The offense had no capacity to grind the clock, and the big lead was the work of quick, big play driven drives, so the defense was spent.

A huge part of Maye's playoff struggles was that he was facing so many 3rd and longs against elite defenses.

Yeah, those 30 yard marches were epic.