I would like to see us commit to the run a bit more..

[dales804]

The passing is what got them downfield twice for FGs though, and both of those long drives (started inside Patriots 10) should have ended in TDs were it not for 2 big drops and one horrendous pick call on Gronk.

At some point, esp. when you're behind in the 4th qtr., you have to go with what works, and clearly passing was working well. Even the people complaining about Brady's misfire to Dobson in the 4th should acknowledge that he came back with a 20 yard completion over the middle to Gronk.

Now, given how the Jets DL overpowered the Patriots OL in OT, I can easily see running at least once to test whether you can break the Jets aggressive D by breaking through the line.

I agree Brady made some plays yesterday when the chips were down. Would have been great if Gronk was able to haul in that pass at the end of the 4th and probably waltz in for a game winning TD. All I'm saying is they can maybe make it easier on themselves if they don't throw it all on TB to move them down field. Ridley and Bolden are capable runners I think and the o-line can get after it in the run game.

This won't be the last game they face a good d-line and I hope we see a larger commitment to running the ball against them in the future.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

I thought MacDaniels had one of his absolute worst days as OC. Going empty backfield on first down and second downs over and over was ridiculous. they have a good run game and telling the other team they have no intention of using it is as stupid as it gets. it's one thing when your empty sets are unstoppable, as they have been in the past, but with this receiving corps at this time they are far from it.

Well said Ivan. The biggest negative was the playcalling. 3 consecutive low percentage downfield pass plays on OT, including a back shoulder throw to a rookie who's struggling with the playbook? Did they think the Jets suck on defense or something?

Sad to see the team hang in there and not execute at the end.

 

[oldskool138]

They all but abandoned the run on early downs until late in the game, then it started working. First down, by what I saw, was a passing down far too often yesterday, and it often resulted in 2nd and 10 when one of the rookies either dropped the ball or Brady locked on to Gronk and he was either well covered, or dropped it himself. The Pats were ripping off decent runs, be it with Ridley or Bolden yesterday, and should have been running the ball far more often on early downs.

I hear you, man. I was confused as to why they didn't even try to run it in OT. They have a full 15 minutes and two time-outs. I kind of understand the urgency but what happened to the old Patriot long-sustained-drive-resulting-in-points philosophy?

 

[upstater1]

Well said Ivan. The biggest negative was the playcalling. 3 consecutive low percentage downfield pass plays on OT, including a back shoulder throw to a rookie who's struggling with the playbook? Did they think the Jets suck on defense or something?

Sad to see the team hang in there and not execute at the end.

That play was audibled between Brady and Dobson. I could see Brady looking at Dobson and Dobson acknowledging him presnap based on the coverage the Jets were giving. The Jets defender was playing well off him, and Brady noticed there was no safety on that side of the field.

The throw was right on target. Dobson also came back to it well and turned his body correctly. He was interfered with, should have been PI, but you don't get those calls in OT (oh wait!!!!!!!!).

I'm sure this is one of those plays Brady and Dobson practice endlessly. Brady saw the perfect opportunity for it. Good throw, good try by Dobson, good pass interference by the Jets defender.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Unfortunately sometimes when we face strong run D's it seems like our gameplan is we're not even going to try to run. Couple that predictable, one dimensional mess with our OL inability to pass protect and it results in Brady taking a fierce beating.

 

[SeymourTrophies]

I don't think much of our o-line, but I think it would help if it weren't so obvious when we are running and when we aren't. Most of the posters on this board can tell what each play is going to be, so I can't imagine defenses are getting blindsided by our offense. I thought the McDaniels of 07 and 08 was pretty unpredictable. Not so much anymore.

 

[upstater1]

I don't think much of our o-line, but I think it would help if it weren't so obvious when we are running and when we aren't. Most of the posters on this board can tell what each play is going to be, so I can't imagine defenses are getting blindsided by our offense. I thought the McDaniels of 07 and 08 was pretty unpredictable. Not so much anymore.

We haven't been unpredictable since Charlie Weis. In 2007, they just outexecuted teams. Same as last year. Unbelievable offense, all based on execution.

 

[BradyFTW!]

we abandon the run way too much

As long as the offensive line remains in its current form, we'll be forced to against the best defensive lines. We're just plain not very good at C and RG, which means that really our only shot against good lines is to hope that Mankins and Solder are both on and run behind them and Gronk. Even then, if the play doesn't develop fast enough Wendell's man is likely to blow the play up in the backfield.

 

[AzorianPats]

My issue is more them abandoning Ridley more so than the running game. Ridley should at the very least be getting 15 carries. He's so much better than Bolden or Blount. I understand keeping him fresh, but when the game on the line, you want your best players out their making plays, and Ridley along with Gronk and Amendola are our best weapons.

 

[Dagg]

Better today ESP in 2nd half. I would love to see what Ridley could do with 25 carries a game. Either way much better commitment to run this week.

 

[Dagg]

I would just like to thank Josh for coming around on the running game, this was the offense I really wanted to see for this team. Run first really will help our pass game and lack of threats and we have the horses to do it with Blount/Ridley Vereen.

I think Den and SD can both be run on so I would like to see it continue. Those remaining NFC teams are pretty stout but NO moved the ball decently on the ground against SEA, will be interesting if we stick to it or not.

 

[Mack Herron]

I think Den and SD can both be run on so I would like to see it continue. Those remaining NFC teams are pretty stout but NO moved the ball decently on the ground against SEA, will be interesting if we stick to it or not.

Pandora's box has been opened and there is no turning back. LGB for MVP.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Besides the fact that we just put 43 points up on the board, the commitment to run IMO makes your offense mentally tougher and less likely to fold like ours have several times in the playoffs lately. Passing is a skill, running the ball is an attitude. As great as it was watching this team finesse its way for 400-500 yards and put up 40 night in night out (which they just did anyways), an offense like the current IMO is alot harder to thwart the way our high flying offense was in the biggest playoff games since 2007.

And as big a disappointment as Amendola has been this season, his ability to stretch the field possibly makes him a bigger asset to us thank Welker right now as teams not only have to respect the run but you better respect the deep ball as well or you'll get tagged for 50+ like the Colts did midway through the 3rd.

 

[mgteich]

A Fullback and A Power Running Back

It is a new day for the patriots!

Josh's vision has come into fruition. Of course, it is always about game plan and situational football. However, this was AWESOME! Our OL played very well indeed, including our very fine blocking TE Hooman. Develin has been an important part of the success of the running game. So, has the ability to rotate backs.

Let's re-sign Blount, Wendell and Hooman! Let us get some health from the young receivers, and some production from those on reserve lists!

 

[Patradomous]

Re: A Fullback and A Power Running Back

I absolutely love it. I love watching the O-line getting nasty and ugly.

 

[Patters]

Do you think the dominant running game was planned from the start of the season?

I remember just before the season wondering if the Pats will get anywhere with a great QB but no great receivers. I did not understand why BB wasn't building more depth and bringing in some established talent. Then when we lost players and BB grounded Ridley, I had similar questions -- How in the world are the Pats going to do well without more weapons on both defense and offense? This is a team that was only supposed to go downhill -- too young, not enough weapons, injury after injury after injury, slow starts and critical fumbles. We'd be lucky to have been 8 and 8. But, instead, we're clearly an elite team that played an outstanding game against the Colts. It has all come down to our run game.

Did BB catch much of the League (especially the AFC) off guard by creating a running game when most everyone was looking to defend the passing game? I think this was his plan from the start; if it wasn't, the Pats would not have the talent at RB that they currently have and would have tried far more aggressively to get great replacements for Hernandez and Gronk.

 

[RayClay]

Re: Do you think the dominant running game was planned from the start of the season?

I'm sure they hoped to have a stronger running game, with a RB/WR in Vereen while the young WRs developed.

To say anything in this season was "planned" is hilarious, though. Think about it. I imagine they planned to build on a base of Wilfork, Mayo and a ton of Gronkowski.