Death by a 1000 paper cuts

[cstjohn17]

Re-watching the Panthers game and thinking more about the offensive line I think we will see a transition back to the quick hitting dink and dunk offenses of years yonder. This plays to the strength of Brady, the WR and the offensive line. They don't have the personnel for 5 and 7 seven step drops without serious play action.

This offense is going to score a lot of points (top 5-7 in the league) but it is going to be 8 yards a clip aided by a fast tempo.

 

[Galeb]

Re-watching the Panthers game and thinking more about the offensive line I think we will see a transition back to the quick hitting dink and dunk offenses of years yonder. This plays to the strength of Brady, the WR and the offensive line. They don't have the personnel for 5 and 7 seven step drops without serious play action.

This offense is going to score a lot of points (top 5-7 in the league) but it is going to be 8 yards a clip aided by a fast tempo.

I think a lot of this hinges on the OL. If the OL isn't that good, I completely agree. If the OL comes together, I think this offense will change, sometimes dramatically, depending on the opponent. With the influx of competent, larger receivers that can work outside the numbers, a move tight end and a stable of dynamic RBs, the Pats can threaten every part of the field with multiple players. Let's hope the OL gels.

 

[Uncle Rico]

I always hated use of the phrase "dink and dunk" during the Brady era. It makes me think of Chad Pennington somehow. Brady throws the bejeezus out of those short balls, and there's a reason few others have succeeded at it. The Pats' short game under Brady has always been about quickness, sharpness and precision. I think Zip and Zap is more appropriate.

 

[RayClay]

Everything you do successfully, opens up something else spreading the ball around and moving the chains will stifle the pass rush (and require more coverage in the short area) making time for the occasional long ball due to hesitation in the defense.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

No matter what they do it's going to be entertaining as h*ll. I know I'm ready for some football.

 

[Sicilian]

McDaniels has his flaws, but his biggest strength to me is taking a variety of weapons and finding a combination that takes advantage of them. Right now we have 8 guys on this team that have the potential to catch 50+ balls (key word is potential. they won't all do it, but any one of them could):

Edelman
Amendola
Gronk
Wright
Dobson
Thompkins
Lafell
Vereen

Those eight names includes four guys 6'3" or taller, two smaller shiftier guys, two tight ends, and a running back. McD can get creative with this group, and there are going to be mismatches galore when everyone is healthy.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

McDaniels has his flaws, but his biggest strength to me is taking a variety of weapons and finding a combination that takes advantage of them. Right now we have 8 guys on this team that have the potential to catch 50+ balls (key word is potential. they won't all do it, but any one of them could):

Edelman
Amendola
Gronk
Wright
Dobson
Thompkins
Lafell
Vereen

Those eight names includes four guys 6'3" or taller, two smaller shiftier guys, two tight ends, and a running back. McD can get creative with this group, and there are going to be mismatches galore when everyone is healthy.

As I said in the Meet Tim Wright thread, we might set a record for personnel groupings this year. Gronk will be in most of the time, when healthy, and Edelman likely will, after that it will be a lot of groups in and out. Defenses are capable too but they will have occasional breakdowns, I think, and we will be a b!tch to prepare for with all the combinations Josh is likely to throw at them.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

outside of 2007 this O was never really a deep passing, big play team

 

[ewg_gestalt]

outside of 2007 this O was never really a deep passing, big play team

That's in part because they don't need to be, and in part that's because Brady isn't a deep-ball specialist. He's much better at the 5-15 yard range (probably one of the very best ever), so he doesn't need to air it out 50 yards. It's nice to have that threat in the arsenal, but having an arsenal of players who can reliably get you first downs is a lot better than just having one deep threat.

 

[Bruins29]

Which is why having a good move TE is critical. Problem is there arent many and we may now have the up and coming guy in the position.