I don't know the finer points and Xs Os like you, but this was my point even before the Julio Jones talk began. The Patriots have assembled a great offense...as soon as they can find that stud player who can provide that trickle down effect. Algohor is a perfect #2 receiver, kind of like Donte Stallworth in 2007. Meyers is a slippery guy who can get open and would excel with teams worrying about Jones/Algohor. Now add in those two pretty good tight ends, and it's a big problem for defenses. But without that stud player, it's like every guy in the offense is being placed in a role that's a little bit more than he's shown capabable of doing well. They'll be okay but nothing special.
Again, I think it's baffling how people just watched the Gronkowski effect and to some degree the Edelman effect and still aren't understanding this. Maybe it's because those guys weren't traditional receivers like Jones, but it doesn't matter. Great players allow you to be so much more flexible and cover up the defiiciencies of other guys out there.
They definitely allow you to do more and also give you an idea of how defenses might play you bc you know Jones is getting followed by CB1, bracketed and / or getting all eyes on him. Very much like Seattle here. All game they would bracket, especially goal line or switch up looks like Seattle did here.
Focusing on the 2nd play here. At first I thought Seattle was in Cover 6 (quarter, quarter, half = 1 side Cover 2 to boundary side & C4 elsewhere) but this looks like quarters coverage to me Cover 4. Looks like man below, zone up. Maybe MOD = man only deep.
Killer double move. Sells the in-breaking route. Jones runs special in/out - breaking, blaze out routes. He would have scored here easy if the timing was better and Ryan didn't under throw him big time.
Last few routes shows all eyes are still on Jones as well.
Off-coverage and guys still can't get near him. These stems are a thing of beauty. Inside on the first play, outside on the second play. Both sweet but the 2nd play is textbook. Gets right on top of the defenders feet before breaking. Looks quick, powerful coming out of his breaks.
Still capable of taking a screen 20+ and beating a shell/anti-deep play look. Still trucking DB's and very physical. + run blocker.
We would have had an insane 12 personnel package but I still think we play a ton of that this year. It's easily our strength. We'll basically tell teams ... Play us base and we'll box you out and pass to our power forwards. Come in with sub and we're bullying you with big blockers on smaller DB's.
One of the possibilities I really liked was Jones in the slot, Smith detached/slot, Henry & Agholor wide.
Our offense should be unique. It could have been special imo bc of the potential ground game but we should still have a fun offense that dictates package, tempo & possession.
