Dilfer: Pats' struggles easy to see

[Box_O_Rocks]

I know this getting off-track with this thread...but what is the Pittsburgh LB theory? I imagine it deals with the talent on the field vs. the schemes by the DC coordinator?

Drafting argument, some are enamored with Pittsburgh's Linebacker drafting history (as opposed to the scheme which uses their Linebackers a bit differently) and argue that NE should be drafting more Linebackers.

 

[TheComeback]

Yeah, that's another myth. It's right there with the Pittsburgh linebacker theory.

No it isn't. Any buffoon could tell you that our offense slowed down big time in the second half of 2007. It's not even up for debate. We scored something like 40% fewer points in the second half of that season. Moss slowing down was a part of that.

It wasn't just chance that we played most of our close games toward the end of that year, and it wasn't coincidence that our offense looked so average in the AFC Championship and Superbowl. Maroney stepped up because he had to, and he was finally healthy again.

As for the person who said unpredictability is overrated, the results speak for themselves. If the defense has no idea what play you're going to run on any given play, no matter what your personnel or formation is, how can they prepare for you? No one saw us coming in 2007--that's why we dominated. It's proof positive that unpredictability is essential to a high-scoring offense. It's the entire point of play-action and trick plays. And our failure to change the offense once teams did pick up on us is why we eventually lost the Super Bowl.

 

[Deus Irae]

No it isn't. Any buffoon could tell you that our offense slowed down big time in the second half of 2007. It's not even up for debate. We scored something like 40% fewer points in the second half of that season. Moss slowing down was a part of that.

It wasn't just chance that we played most of our close games toward the end of that year, and it wasn't coincidence that our offense looked so average in the AFC Championship and Superbowl. Maroney stepped up because he had to, and he was finally healthy again.

As for the person who said unpredictability is overrated, the results speak for themselves. If the defense has no idea what play you're going to run on any given play, no matter what your personnel or formation is, how can they prepare for you? No one saw us coming in 2007--that's why we dominated. It's proof positive that unpredictability is essential to a high-scoring offense. It's the entire point of play-action and trick plays. And our failure to change the offense once teams did pick up on us is why we eventually lost the Super Bowl.

Yes, it's a myth. It's been gone over time and again.

 

[DocE]

I've been saying similar things to what Difler expressed most of the season. I think one of the huge problems with the offense is the 3rd and 4th receivers and, in some games, the tight end have essentially become window dressing. When the Patriots spread the field, teams keep a safety over Moss and say "beat us short". Brady usually is going to Welker so much in these situations, that teams are really keying on him and limiting hi yards after catch. Nobody worries at all about Aiken, Stanbeck,Edelman, Watson or Baker.

The Oline getting absolutely no push on short yardage plays is also a big factor.

I don't know if this is worth a seperate thread, but do you think any of the current problems with being predictable would be alleviated if the Pats went back to the more hurry up style they used in '07? I believe they went away from the faster pace to try to protect the defense and become more ball control. The other issue is whether Aiken, Stanbeck, and/or Edelman know the offense well enough to run it without a conventional huddle. It seems like I notice Brady or Moss correcting other skill guys on where to line up several times a game.

 

[Rob0729]

No it isn't. Any buffoon could tell you that our offense slowed down big time in the second half of 2007. It's not even up for debate. We scored something like 40% fewer points in the second half of that season. Moss slowing down was a part of that.

It wasn't just chance that we played most of our close games toward the end of that year, and it wasn't coincidence that our offense looked so average in the AFC Championship and Superbowl. Maroney stepped up because he had to, and he was finally healthy again.

As for the person who said unpredictability is overrated, the results speak for themselves. If the defense has no idea what play you're going to run on any given play, no matter what your personnel or formation is, how can they prepare for you? No one saw us coming in 2007--that's why we dominated. It's proof positive that unpredictability is essential to a high-scoring offense. It's the entire point of play-action and trick plays. And our failure to change the offense once teams did pick up on us is why we eventually lost the Super Bowl.

The results do speak for themselves. People claim the 2007 Pats had a predictable offense and it was the most prolific offense of all time. It only took 18 weeks of teams being blindsided by the fact that Brady was going to throw to Moss and Welker, but once they did they shut it down. Did no one had game film, Internet, or televisions in 2007. So most coaches knew the Pats were a high powered offense, but most didn't even know that Randy Moss was a Patriot until he showed up to play against them on game days? Seriously, either the 2007 offense was predictable and unpredictability is overrated or it was unpredictable.

Also, the Pats' offense was pretty darn good in the AFC Championship game. It didn't score a lot of points (21), but they had the ball 33:20, had 347 total yards, and held the ball on one drive for most of the fourth quarter. Brady threw three picks, but overall it was a good offensive performance.

BTW, you must have missed the playoff game vs. the Jags the week before the AFC CG and three weeks before the Super Bowl in 2007 (actually January of 2008 )where the Pats totally changed their offensive strategy and the Pats scored 31 points, Brady completed 26 of 28 passes for 262 yards and 3 TDs, and Maroney rushed for 122 yards and 1 TD.