Making Believe At Wide Receiver

[BlueThunder]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

Had the Pats not had brain freeze on a few plays, the game was actually winnable....even as bad as the defense played allowing over 200 yds rushing.

Wilhite wiffs on a sack and Browns get a first down on a completion. Next play is a TD. Gronk's mistakes cost the team 14 points....that's a 21 point swing....Pats lost by 20...

All around a bad day for the Defense.....they had to stop Hillis and they didn't/couldn't.

Time to regroup and hope the youngsters learned a few things, albeit the hard way.....

 

[patsfanboy]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

This whole season there has been a lot, and i mean a lot, of drop passes. Not too long ago, i read that we were the 2nd worst team in dropped passes. But yet no one in the pats seems to realize it.

 

[The Dynasty]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

This whole season there has been a lot, and i mean a lot, of drop passes. Not too long ago, i read that we were the 2nd worst team in dropped passes. But yet no one in the pats seems to realize it.

Yes, going into this week the Pats were 2nd in the league in drops and they just added to that total yesterday. Obviously this makes Brady look worse than he is.

 

[crowell33]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

The OL's struggles have definitely effected Brady's play. When teams rush more than 4 guys the OL has had a difficult time picking them up and Brady has been under pressure and has had to rush throws. This is not when Brady is at his best. When teams rush 3 or 4 the OL can protect Brady and give him plenty of time, but it is tough to find open WRs when there are 6 or 7 guys covering our 4. The OL needs to be able to pick up the blitz better. This will be an even bigger issue with better defenses, such as the Steelers this week. It all starts with the OL, they need to step up

During the SuperBowl years of 2001, 2003, & 2004, Brady was sacked an average of 33 sacks per season. Last season the Patriots allowed only 16 sacks, and this year 13. So it would appear that this offense line is giving Brady significantly better protection than he had during the SuperBowl years.

 

[Patstopia]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

How is making an inaccurate statement being "honest"?

LoL, good one from you!

 

[The_Riddler]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

Yes, going into this week the Pats were 2nd in the league in drops and they just added to that total yesterday. Obviously this makes Brady look worse than he is.

No question there's been some drops, but you can't deny that Brady's accuracy has been questionable since the season began. It's dropped off even with plenty of time to throw.

I know his life is alot different now than it was 5-7 years ago, where he probably put in alot more time in the film room etc back then. Not sure what his issue has been, but I wonder if some of it is tied to a little less time being spent before and after practice and in the film room. I mean, we all know that Tommy has a curfew now

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

No question there's been some drops, but you can't deny that Brady's accuracy has been questionable since the season began. It's dropped off even with plenty of time to throw.

I know his life is alot different now than it was 5-7 years ago, where he probably put in alot more time in the film room etc back then. Not sure what his issue has been, but I wonder if some of it is tied to a little less time being spent before and after practice and in the film room. I mean, we all know that Tommy has a curfew now

Brady is 8th in the NFL in passing accuracy at 63.6%, even with the team dropping passes at an alarming rate, the bad Jets game, and the spotty route reads/runs by his receiving corps. His career percentages, beginning in 2000:

33.3
63.9
62.1
60.2
60.8
63.0
61.8
68.9
63.9
65.7
63.6

Career average: 63.4


A claim that his accuracy "has been questionable" is just not supported by the data.

 

[Ian]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

Brady is 8th in the NFL in passing accuracy at 63.6%, even with the team dropping passes at an alarming rate, the bad Jets game, and the spotty route reads/runs by his receiving corps. His career percentages, beginning in 2000:

33.3
63.9
62.1
60.2
60.8
63.0
61.8
68.9
63.9
65.7
63.6

Career average: 63.4


A claim that his accuracy "has been questionable" is just not supported by the data.

True - but as I said earlier I still think it's fair to say he's been "erratic", which again leads back into the fact that they're extremely young offensively and he's still trying to get comfortable with this group. I also think that it's pretty obvious that they need to go no-huddle earlier in the game to establish a rhythm early. Brady pointed out that they've had a tough time getting going early, so maybe we'll see some changes going forward.
Excellent data BTW - good stuff.

 

[BradyManny]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

Brady is 8th in the NFL in passing accuracy at 63.6%, even with the team dropping passes at an alarming rate, the bad Jets game, and the spotty route reads/runs by his receiving corps. His career percentages, beginning in 2000:

33.3
63.9
62.1
60.2
60.8
63.0
61.8
68.9
63.9
65.7
63.6

Career average: 63.4


A claim that his accuracy "has been questionable" is just not supported by the data.

It's also worth noting that he hit over 70% accuracy in 3 of the first 4 games this season, with it hovering just under 80% in week 3 & 4.

And that nearly 80% completion percentage over those two games came with a fair share of drops.

I mean, really, through 4 weeks, throwing out that 2nd half against the Jets, its probably the most accurate Tom Brady has looked in his entire career. Only untimely penalties and drops slowed this offense.

 

[Brady2Welker]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

I personally think that Brady doesn't trust Tate or Tates separation is just awful. I liked us using Gronk downfield, but once he had 2 guys on him he should've dropped to the ground. Odds of you breaking a 2 person tackle is pretty slim, yet alone 3. Especially with them ripping the ball out.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

It's also worth noting that he hit over 70% accuracy in 3 of the first 4 games this season, with it hovering just under 80% in week 3 & 4.

And that nearly 80% completion percentage over those two games came with a fair share of drops.

I mean, really, through 4 weeks, throwing out that 2nd half against the Jets, its probably the most accurate Tom Brady has looked in his entire career. Only untimely penalties and drops slowed this offense.

Exactly. Even a game-by-game breakdown of this season shows this.

CIN: 71.4
NYJ: 55.6
BUF: 77.8
MIA: 79.2
BAL: 61.4
SDG: 59.4
MIN: 59.3
CLE: 52.8


We all understand the Jets game, where Brady had an inaccurate second half. The rest should be pretty obvious.

 

[Ian]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

I personally think that Brady doesn't trust Tate or Tates separation is just awful. I liked us using Gronk downfield, but once he had 2 guys on him he should've dropped to the ground. Odds of you breaking a 2 person tackle is pretty slim, yet alone 3. Especially with them ripping the ball out.

He gained a couple of yards after the initial hit before they stripped him. He admitted afterwards that he needed to get both hands on the ball the next time and hang on better. He's a guy with a reputation for fighting for extra yards - so I don't fault him for trying. I just fault him for letting it get ripped out, and I'm guessing we won't see it happen again.

 

[BradyManny]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

Exactly. Even a game-by-game breakdown of this season shows this.

CIN: 71.4
NYJ: 55.6
BUF: 77.8
MIA: 79.2
BAL: 61.4
SDG: 59.4
MIN: 59.3
CLE: 52.8


We all understand the Jets game, where Brady had an inaccurate second half. The rest should be pretty obvious.

I think what's most disconcerting is that it's not trending up. Things looked OK against a tough Baltimore defense with a healthy Branch, but with him hobbled, the WR depth is scary.

Brady is having to adjust midseason from "trying to find the open man" to "forcing the ball to the least blanketed receiver", which is not going too well.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

I think what's most disconcerting is that it's not trending up. Things looked OK against a tough Baltimore defense with a healthy Branch, but with him hobbled, the WR depth is scary.

Brady is having to adjust midseason from "trying to find the open man" to "forcing the ball to the least blanketed receiver", which is not going too well.

I agree, and I think the Baltimore game gave Patriots fans a false impression. Branch was in his first game back, and he wasn't exactly lighting it up early. He didn't really do much until the 4th quarter (7 of his 9 catches), and he was playing a game where teams didn't have film on how he'd be used.

This team's passing game has gone from a sports car type, high performance, 3-4 wide receiver based offense to more of a tractor pulling 2 tight end base. Against Cleveland, for example, the team employed a 2TE/2WR/1RB set 35 times in 62 snaps, according to Reiss.

Positional groupings: 2-TE set the key - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

No Moss and recovering Welker has had a triple effect:

1.) Teams can now stack the box against the run
2.) Teams can now pass-defend the field with more defenders covering short/middle yardage
3.) The Patriots are being forced to rely on young players who aren't consistent and are still learning

 

[D-Money]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

The wrs stink!They traded for a guy whose always injured and doesnt have it anymore.Welker hasnt been the same since Moss left.Tate is what he is.A return specilist.WR will be a big need in the off-season.

 

[BradyManny]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

1.) Teams can now stack the box against the run
2.) Teams can now pass-defend the field with more defenders covering short/middle yardage
3.) The Patriots are being forced to rely on young players who aren't consistent and are still learning

This about sums it up for me as well. Which is why I'll give Brady a pass for his inconsistency in the last 4 weeks, while admitting its generally as inaccurate as I've seen him in a 4 week stretch. But that makes the whole offensive trend no less disconcerting.

What I don't get is that they'd be even in more of a bind if not for pulling off the Branch trade...they couldn't have been relying on that when they moved Moss, so what was their plan? Was Edelman going to get more reps? What is slowing him down?

 

[ATippett56]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

Blame it on injuries if you wish (Welker and Edelman).

Welker is coming off knee surgery while Edelman has been a non-factor all season in the passing game. Furthermore, Hernandez has replaced Edelman's role in the offense this year.

Perhaps Branch doesn't have all that much left; but he was just supposed to be the icing on the cake, perhaps helping some.

Deion Branch is currently suffering from a hamstring pull.

Blame it on the top special teamer in his first full year of play. Of course, Tate is also coming back from injury.

Brandon Tate essentially is a rookie wide receiver in the New England Patriots offense this season.

Bottom line, if the New England Patriots passing game is struggling then it's back to the running game. It's time for the offensive line to man up and start playing smash mouth football!

 

[patsinthesnow]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

I think the main issue is, are the outside WRs the worst of the BB era?

Tate and old injured Branch could be worse than Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney....

I'd rather Moss and Sam Aiken over these two so far.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

This about sums it up for me as well. Which is why I'll give Brady a pass for his inconsistency in the last 4 weeks, while admitting its generally as inaccurate as I've seen him in a 4 week stretch. But that makes the whole offensive trend no less disconcerting.

Well, a fair part of that "inaccurate" has been a combination of his receivers running the wrong routes and his throwing the ball into the ground because nobody's open.

What I don't get is that they'd be even in more of a bind if not for pulling off the Branch trade...they couldn't have been relying on that when they moved Moss, so what was their plan? Was Edelman going to get more reps? What is slowing him down?[/QUOTE]

The Moss trade was another blunder by BB, because he didn't have an adequate replacement available. Moving players without adequate replacement has become an unfortunate pattern for BB, with Samuel, Hobbs, Seymour, Maroney and Galloway being other recent examples. However those players may have done/are doing/will do elsewhere, they were all significantly better than their replacements during their time as Patriots, and none of them needed to be lost.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Re: Making Believe At Wide Reciever

A lot of dropped passes also killed the offense. Gronk was uncharacteristic yesterday. If he makes those catches and doesn't fumble, we're talking more sustained drives in the first half, at least another TD for the offense and a much closer ball game. The offense was just out of sync this sunday. I wouldn't go into panic mode yet.