Countering pressure up the middle?

[patchick]

Aside from the ways the Patriots hurt themselves, IMO the big story of how the Texans hung around for 3 quarters was a terrific defensive game plan to direct their considerable pass rush talent straight up the middle.

First, a quick aside to give props to Paul Gallant who led with this in Steph Stradley's "Experts try to find Patriots' Death Star exhaust port vulnerability" game preview:

Paul Gallant (@GallantSays) Sports Radio 610
1. Obviously, you have to pressure Brady and to do it RIGHT UP THE MIDDLE. Not from the sides, he'll murder you in the pocket and step up ...

The good news, of course, is that most team won't have a huge, powerful, explosive duo like Clowney and Mercilus to work with. It was a perfect match of scheme and talent. But you know that upcoming opponents will be looking hard at this. X's and O's folks, if you were the Patriots brass how would you try to counter it?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

God created fullbacks for that purpose. Use it.

 

[bruce_w]

Some good schemes. There were plenty of plays when Brady had all day to throw and the people that are panicking about Andrews are going way overboard. He will be fine.

 

[IllegalContact]

Nobody else left in the playoffs have mercilus and clowney to scheme with

 

[RobertWeathers]

God created fullbacks for that purpose. Use it.

We've seen multiple times Blount, White, Lewis all with delayed releases up the middle.

IIRC I didn't see that once last night

 

[reflexblue]

Aside from the ways the Patriots hurt themselves, IMO the big story of how the Texans hung around for 3 quarters was a terrific defensive game plan to direct their considerable pass rush talent straight up the middle.

First, a quick aside to give props to Paul Gallant who led with this in Steph Stradley's "Experts try to find Patriots' Death Star exhaust port vulnerability" game preview:


The good news, of course, is that most team won't have a huge, powerful, explosive duo like Clowney and Mercilus to work with. It was a perfect match of scheme and talent. But you know that upcoming opponents will be looking hard at this. X's and O's folks, if you were the Patriots brass how would you try to counter it?

Imo D Scar adjusted the blocking scheme because tb was under less pressure starting in the second half. And the texans have some terrific tallent when it comes to rushing the passer that we won't see from another team..

 

[BKapatsfan]

It's fine. Romeo came out with a really good creative scheme to get his good rushers to Tom. The Pats adjusted and did better with it in the second half. Only other team that has the personal to do something like that to the Pats is KC.

 

[drewskie]

The formula to slow us down has always been press man coverage and pressure up the middle right in TB's face. On offense the opponent will need to control the clock by running the ball. Nothing we didnt already know.

As a comparison, with Rodgers you bring pressure from the edge to keep
him in the pocket.