ESPN Insider: Pats look "virtually unstoppable" on offense

[mayoclinic]

From Gary Horton at ESPN Insider:

The two most elite teams in the NFL a year ago during the regular season, the Pats and Green Bay, shared traits. Neither had a great running game and neither had a great defense; they won with their prolific passing games, which will continue to be the trend in the NFL until some kind of a rule change limits it. That's not happening. And both will be elite again in 2012, but the Pats look virtually unstoppable on offense. If their defense is even middle of the pack, it will likely be good enough to earn them a trip to New Orleans.

NFL - With deep threat, improved running game, New England Patriots offense may be unstoppable - ESPN

It's a nice article. Insider content, unfortunately. I'm happy to post as much as Ian and the mods consider permissible. Among the article's key points:

1. The addition of Brandon Lloyd stretching the field and opening things up underneath.
2. The use of Aaron Hernandez from a variety of positions.
3. More "deliberate" use of the running game to keep defenses off balance. "They will use both zone and man blocking principles up front in their offensive line, and we will see more power run schemes than in the past. McDaniels likes to create confusion with the play-action as well, and that starts with effective running."
4. "The versatility and ability to change looks and sub-packages in this unit is absolutely terrific."
5. Brady as the "ringleader who can piece together a puzzle with so many appealing pieces."

The article somehow slipped by the editors at ESPN without getting a negative spin put on it, which is refreshing.

 

[strngplyr]

I really can't wait to see how our new offense looks against a legitimate defense, first. The reports out of TC are absolutely incredible, but lets not forget that they may as well be playing 11 on 0 at times.

Our defense is great at getting turnovers and that was about it for the most part last season, stopping someone cold in their tracks wasn't their strong point, and our offense is one of the best at not giving it up. It's a great setting to make any offense look god-like.

I fully expect to be a top 2 offense but there will be teams who will give us trouble and the D will need to step up. There is always that team, we just don't know who it will be yet.

 

[Banjo]

19-0! We will get our revenge!

 

[Sciz]

I don't know if the 2012 Pats can top the 2007 Pats' 589 points, but last year's Packers' 560 is definitely within reach. The Pats need to improve on last year by 6 TDs to make that happen. That'd give the Pats the top two scoring offenses of all time.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I don't know if the 2012 Pats can top the 2007 Pats' 589 points, but last year's Packers' 560 is definitely within reach. The Pats need to improve on last year by 6 TDs to make that happen. That'd give the Pats the top two scoring offenses of all time.

If the defense steps up that should give the Pats a lot more opportunities to score.

 

[BradyFTW!]

From Gary Horton at ESPN Insider:



NFL - With deep threat, improved running game, New England Patriots offense may be unstoppable - ESPN

It's a nice article. Insider content, unfortunately. I'm happy to post as much as Ian and the mods consider permissible. Among the article's key points:

1. The addition of Brandon Lloyd stretching the field and opening things up underneath.
2. The use of Aaron Hernandez from a variety of positions.
3. More "deliberate" use of the running game to keep defenses off balance. "They will use both zone and man blocking principles up front in their offensive line, and we will see more power run schemes than in the past. McDaniels likes to create confusion with the play-action as well, and that starts with effective running."
4. "The versatility and ability to change looks and sub-packages in this unit is absolutely terrific."
5. Brady as the "ringleader who can piece together a puzzle with so many appealing pieces."

The article somehow slipped by the editors at ESPN without getting a negative spin put on it, which is refreshing.

The editors must not have sprung for ESPN Insider.

 

[PatsWSB47]

I don't know if the 2012 Pats can top the 2007 Pats' 589 points, but last year's Packers' 560 is definitely within reach. The Pats need to improve on last year by 6 TDs to make that happen. That'd give the Pats the top two scoring offenses of all time.

I don't think they will push the score up as much....especially if our defense is better. Remember the were also on the FU tour in 07.

 

[Sciz]

I don't think they will push the score up as much....especially if our defense is better. Remember the were also on the FU tour in 07.

I don't know if McDaniels has any setting other than FU. O'Brien definitely did, and it came back to bite the Pats at times.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

i am so pumped about this season. Mostly becasue of the WRs and Jones/Hightower

 

[NEGoldenAge]

I don't think they will push the score up as much....especially if our defense is better. Remember the were also on the FU tour in 07.

If the defense is better, it should give the offense more drives.

 

[BananaRepublican]

I don't know if the 2012 Pats can top the 2007 Pats' 589 points

I don't see why any goal would be out of reach for this team.

 

[shmessy]

3 Names:

Vollmer, Mankins and Waters.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

If the defense is better, it should give the offense more drives.

And this offense could threaten records for yards per play. . . .

 

[NEGoldenAge]

And this offense could threaten records for yards per play. . . .

Agreed, but that would, in large part, be due to YAC.

 

[strngplyr]

Agreed, but that would, in large part, be due to YAC.

YAC doesn't start a new play, sooooo... I don't really see the issue.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

YAC doesn't start a new play, sooooo... I don't really see the issue.

Never said it was an issue, even agreed with you. I just wanted to add some context. Brady got some sick YAC last year, and now that they can attack most of the field, I expect the YAC to increase significantly.... especially if Brady doesn't have any elbow issues this year. He's taking a ton of throws this camp that he has in recent years so I think he's OK.

 

[Frezo]

3 Names:

Vollmer, Mankins and Waters.

Very true. The only way to stop this offense is to put Brady on the ground and beat him up. Defenses will be coming after him like free beer. If he has time in the pocket somebody will get open. Sure this can be said about any QB, but a lot of teams rely on coverage sacks and pressures. There won't be a lot of those with this receiving corp. It's going to be blitz, blitz and blitz some more. The O-line has to pass protect and those three players are instrumental.

 

[BananaRepublican]

3 Names:

Vollmer, Mankins and Waters.

And Gallery ...

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Pats ran Hernandez out of the backfield again successfully today. A beast.
Josh will unleash a monster on the NFL this season.

 

[patsinthesnow]

What else would you get when you combine a top 2 QB, the best TE, a top 5 WR, a top 5 TE, a top 20 WR, and the best depth in the league at both positions in Gaffney and Shiancoe?

Bart Scott Can't Wait!