Just a couple of questions/concerns

[eagle eye]

Numbered in order of importance for me.

1. Why are we using Welker on punt returns? I think the guy is too important to our offense to be using on STs, like guys coming running down the field at high speed looking to kill and we don't want Welker getting injured.

2. Our second half offense, whats going on? we are cruising through the first half of every game and suddenly we are struggling to score in the second half. This needs to be sorted out quickly before it becomes engrained in the minds of our players.

3. Our second half defense. Why are we backing off in the second half, when its clear that aggressive defense is working for us?

 

[mayoclinic]

Numbered in order of importance for me.

1. Why are we using Welker on punt returns? I think the guy is too important to our offense to be using on STs, like guys coming running down the field at high speed looking to kill and we don't want Welker getting injured.

2. Our second half offense, whats going on? we are cruising through the first half of every game and suddenly we are struggling to score in the second half. This needs to be sorted out quickly before it becomes engrained in the minds of our players.

3. Our second half defense. Why are we backing off in the second half, when its clear that aggressive defense is working for us?

I've been asking #2 and #3 all season.

Some thoughts:

1. I haven't gone through the actual plays and tallied up the count, but my impression was that we ran much more out of the shotgun in the 2nd half. It seems to me that every time we do this we get predictable and slow down our offense. When we mix up the run and the pass and use play action, we are unstoppable. I've come to hate the bleeping shotgun.

2. The answer to #3 is simple: Dean Pees. He keeps putting the brakes on our defense. He was even able to make Sanchez look effective for one series, with no pass rush and soft coverage. Amazing. I understand there's a learning curve, but he's been our DC for long enough now, and I'm close to losing patience with him. O'Brien at least is new enough that there's hope that he'll grow into the role, but I think Pees is a lost cause.

As for your Welker question, it's a reasonable one. The 69 yard punt return against the Colts is a good reason to keep WW out there. But we lost TBC for the Colts game because of a special teams play, and Welker is much more critical than Banta-Cain, good as Tully has been this year.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

1. Because he's good at it. However, I agree with you that they should'nt put him out there.

2. A lot of people on this board feel the same way. I don't like it how the Pats are in shotgun so much. In addition, whether they're in shotgun or under center, their motions are always by the same players. For example, when Watson motions, it's most likely a run with Maroney or a play action.

Also, because the Pats stay in shotgun so much and refuse to run the ball, this allows opposing teams more time and more chances to get back in the game with incomplete passes. That is just one reason why the Colts were able to catch up last Sunday and the Jets had plenty of time to catch up today. The Pats need to run the ball more. I don't care if Maroney gains 1 yard, it's keeps the clock running and makes defenses think twice when the Pats go play action.

3. Has any reporters asked this during post game interviews?

 

[HarkDawg]

IDK...... it is tough to play the BLAME game here.... BB I trust..... knows what he is doing..... ypu must trust our COACH as well.... he is the BEST. TRUST him and expect the best. TF

 

[wilfork is beastin']

to be fair our 2nd half defense gave up only 1 TD and forced several key turnovers

 

[SidelineSid]

1. Because he's good at it. However, I agree with you that they should'nt put him out there.

2. A lot of people on this board feel the same way. I don't like it how the Pats are in shotgun so much. In addition, whether they're in shotgun or under center, their motions are always by the same players. For example, when Watson motions, it's most likely a run with Maroney or a play action.

Also, because the Pats stay in shotgun so much and refuse to run the ball, this allows opposing teams more time and more chances to get back in the game with incomplete passes. That is just one reason why the Colts were able to catch up last Sunday and the Jets had plenty of time to catch up today. The Pats need to run the ball more. I don't care if Maroney gains 1 yard, it's keeps the clock running and makes defenses think twice when the Pats go play action.

3. Has any reporters asked this during post game interviews?

Count me in this party. We are in agreement.

1.) Welker is toooooo valuable to be returning punts. Lets get Edelman some reps.

2.) We need to run the ball more consistently. Let's allow our big linemen to take on theirs. We went up against the Baltimore Ravens when they had Haloti Gnata. We took them on and kept on going. Let's get back to it. Let's mix it up so that we don't get so predictable. It's sad how unimaginative we get on offense.

3.) We need more aggression on defense. We have a really good set of safeties. Teams should be more afraid to go across the middle against us. Let's get more physical and challenge defenders in the middle of the field. Force opposing QB's to throw to the outside.

 

[Rob0729]

1.) Belichick always uses starters on special teams and always will. If someone can step up, Welker will relinquish his duties.

2.) Vollmer and Kazcur were both injured. The Jets started to bring the house more and Brady was getting hit more. With a big lead and a banged up o-line they, did take the foot off the pedal a bit.

3.) The defense gave up one TD all game. They turned the ball over 5 times (three in the second half). They weren't as shut down in the second half, but isn't as bad as people make it. Here are the Jets' possessions in the second half other than the TD drive
- 5 plays for 34 yards ending on the 50, punt
- 1 play intercepted on the first pass
- 4 plays for -1 yard which is intercepted on the fourth play
- 6 plays for 42 yards which ends on a strip sack fumble turnover.
- 2 plays for 28 yards that ended without getting past the 45 and the game ending.

So you take out one drive and the defense played just fine.

 

[Aßßynormal]

Numbered in order of importance for me.

********************
2. Our second half offense, whats going on? we are cruising through the first half of every game and suddenly we are struggling to score in the second half. This needs to be sorted out quickly before it becomes engrained in the minds of our players.
********************

Other teams are adjusting to our game plan. We're not .............. because .......... We Have No Offensive Coordinator and Brady doesn't appear to agree with SOME of the playcalling. Further we had two more delay of game penalties.

We need a complete coaching staff, somehow, somewhere we need an offensive coordinator.

 

[The Dynasty]

Numbered in order of importance for me.

1. Why are we using Welker on punt returns? I think the guy is too important to our offense to be using on STs, like guys coming running down the field at high speed looking to kill and we don't want Welker getting injured.

2. Our second half offense, whats going on? we are cruising through the first half of every game and suddenly we are struggling to score in the second half. This needs to be sorted out quickly before it becomes engrained in the minds of our players.

3. Our second half defense. Why are we backing off in the second half, when its clear that aggressive defense is working for us?

1. I dont understand this point, he as a chance of getting injured everytime he catches a pass over the middle. BB has always played his specialty players on special teams.

2. Our 2nd half offense hasnt been as effective because we are trying to have long sustained drives that burn clock and we dont really have an offense to do that with right now. We're without Morris and Taylor who are quality backs for grinding out first downs and also have been without Light and Neal on the OL. Once they get back I think this trend will hopefully change.

3. I dont think our 2nd half defense is an issue. As a previous poster said look at what we did in the 2nd half, besides that one TD drive they didnt do anything and we forced TO's

 

[mgteich]

BOTTOM LINE - REGULAR SEASON BELICHICK LOSSES WHEN WE ARE AHEAD AT THE HALF
Before 2001-2008 ONE comeback loss to Miami in 2004
In 2009 THREE comeback losses

We USED TO BE ABLE to seal the deal better.

2nd half defense
------------------
It's been getting much better.

2nd half offense
----------------
Injuries on the OL may be the difference. Neal was out. Both Vollmer and Kaczur were injured. LeVoir was OK. With the injuries, there needed to be adjustments to more shotgun in the second half.

 

[wilfork is beastin']

speaking of levoir, that block he put on strickland was epic

 

[HarkDawg]

BOTTOM LINE - REGULAR SEASON BELICHICK LOSSES WHEN WE ARE AHEAD AT THE HALF
Before 2001-2008 ONE comeback loss to Miami in 2004
In 2009 THREE comeback losses

We USED TO BE ABLE to seal the deal better.

2nd half defense
------------------
It's been getting much better.

2nd half offense
----------------
Injuries on the OL may be the difference. Neal was out. Both Vollmer and Kaczur were injured. LeVoir was OK. With the injuries, there needed to be adjustments to more shotgun in the second half.

Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game MG.....

Our O-Line loses significantly impact how we perform as a TEAM.


We dominated the First HALF.... Vollmer my man got hurt and w/ him and Koppen getting injured..... it hurt our offensive PASSING ATTACK. TFB was a lesser version w/ VOLLMER out.

we won the game but a healthy O-Line is a necessity

 

[mgteich]

I was just trying to explain why the offense changed and looks so much weaker in the second half.

We did very well in spite of all the injuries, but we do need some health on the offensive line.

Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game MG.....

Our O-Line loses significantly impact how we perform as a TEAM.


We dominated the First HALF.... Vollmer my man got hurt and w/ him and Koppen getting injured..... it hurt our offensive PASSING ATTACK. TFB was a lesser version w/ VOLLMER out.

we won the game but a healthy O-Line is a necessity

 

[HarkDawg]

I was just trying to explain why the offense changed and looks so much weaker in the second half.

We did very well in spite of all the injuries, but we do need some health on the offensive line.

Totally agree MG..... that is unfourtunately out of our hands.


This Team Healthy is a SUPER BOWL Contender...... no doubt in my mind.


just gotta roll w/ the punches my man. We were lucky to just have been playing a weak team like the NYJ today...... MIAMI would have been a much tougher opponent to handle.

 

[JoeShmoe]

Numbered in order of importance for me.

1. Why are we using Welker on punt returns? I think the guy is too important to our offense to be using on STs, like guys coming running down the field at high speed looking to kill and we don't want Welker getting injured.

2. Our second half offense, whats going on? we are cruising through the first half of every game and suddenly we are struggling to score in the second half. This needs to be sorted out quickly before it becomes engrained in the minds of our players.

3. Our second half defense. Why are we backing off in the second half, when its clear that aggressive defense is working for us?

Great points and against good teams we will get beat. Be interesting next week if this happens again and we let Brees get comfortable. Perhaps its just BB sandbagging and saving something for the post season? Also when we get a downhill runner like Taylor and/or Morris back I think we run out of the shotgun less

Needs sorting if we want a run in the Playoffs

 

[Jangles]

Great points and against good teams we will get beat. Be interesting next week if this happens again and we let Brees get comfortable. Perhaps its just BB sandbagging and saving something for the post season? Also when we get a downhill runner like Taylor and/or Morris back I think we run out of the shotgun less

Needs sorting if we want a run in the Playoffs

No way is he just holding out for the post season. I think you could only consider that an option if we had home field advantage locked up.

 

[patsfan-1982]

Numbered in order of importance for me.

1. Why are we using Welker on punt returns? I think the guy is too important to our offense to be using on STs, like guys coming running down the field at high speed looking to kill and we don't want Welker getting injured.

2. Our second half offense, whats going on? we are cruising through the first half of every game and suddenly we are struggling to score in the second half. This needs to be sorted out quickly before it becomes engrained in the minds of our players.

3. Our second half defense. Why are we backing off in the second half, when its clear that aggressive defense is working for us?

#1 i dont under stand it not only he can get hurt and the O is not the same with out him but it's not like he is the greatest punt returner of all time i think Edelman can do the job just as good


#2 when brady is at he's best he's geting the ball to every one but this year so far its been moss welker or noting and that what they are geting in the second half noting

team's are puting two guy's on moss and not leting welker kill them

why are they not throwing to watson and Edelman ?

they need to get the ball to more then just moss welker and Faulk cause the runing game is not good a nuff to get first down's

#3 this is the way BB's defense has been playing for the last 10 year here its just that the last 3 year's he has not had the player to get it done

they have no passrush at all and you cant blitz 5 or more for 60 min

the titans are the only team this year to not have at lest one pass play of more then 20 yerd's vs the the pats and most of the team's have more then 2 when they blitz they get beat deep