RelocatedPatFan
Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract
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It seems like it was only last year that the Patriots struggled on offense. Brady was deemed too old. His arm, not strong enough and people had figured out how to finally stop their offense. It was the defense carrying the team until the offense finally started to click and then all that discussion about Brady did a 180.
They were off to a slow start in 2013 as well with an overhaul of the WRs (LaFell, Amendola, Dobson, Thompkins, Edleman to main starter) and a certain TE (who shall not be named) robbing them of some talent.
This year, we seem to have only a couple new weapons (Dion Lewis & Scott Chandler) that needed to be educated and brought up to New England speed (speed of thought apparently). The rest have been in the system for 2+ years (with the exception of Cadet, we’ll have to wait and see) and known elements to Brady. Even Amendola seemed to shine in his role last year (accepting the role and spelling Julian Edleman on some returns and doing quite well down the playoff stretch).
Plus we have a Brady with a high level of motivation (probably higher than we even believe it is) and in midseason form against the Steelers. The Bills defense will give us a better gauge of where we’re at and provide BB with some coaching points.
What I saw last week
They were off to a slow start in 2013 as well with an overhaul of the WRs (
This year, we seem to have only a couple new weapons (Dion Lewis & Scott Chandler) that needed to be educated and brought up to New England speed (speed of thought apparently). The rest have been in the system for 2+ years (with the exception of Cadet, we’ll have to wait and see) and known elements to Brady. Even Amendola seemed to shine in his role last year (accepting the role and spelling Julian Edleman on some returns and doing quite well down the playoff stretch).
Plus we have a Brady with a high level of motivation (probably higher than we even believe it is) and in midseason form against the Steelers. The Bills defense will give us a better gauge of where we’re at and provide BB with some coaching points.
What I saw last week
- Edleman and Brady are locked in a Vulcan mind-meld (11 catches on 12 targets for 97 yards), they share the same thoughts when looking at the field. Edleman is forcing DCs to take notice of his presence or beef up their resume for their next gig.
- Gronk is Gronk and while Brady only went 5 of 8 to him, 4 of those 5 catches were game changing plays and I’m sure most of us would take that production every week.
- Chandler & Lewis did well in their debut and had success against the Steelers. Time will tell us what type of Defense the Steelers have this year and it might only seem mediocre when compare to teams in the AFCE. It was a good start with limited plays that they should build from. Better than many players that come from the outside.
- Chandler & Gronk lined up left for 3 of TD catches, with Gronk getting 2 and Chandler getting 1. Gronk’s other TD came on a defensive breakdown by the still fuming Tomlin and his DC.
- How many of Lewis’s completions were the same comeback route on the left side? Not sure, but to run the same or similar pattern and keep having success says good things, just not sure how much it will mean next week. I just take it as a positive that Lewis is running the plays and each week he’ll get better.
- Seems Rex Ryan lives for playing against BB and wins against their AFCE nemesis will go a long way in making the coach a fan favorite (and help extend his coaching career a year or two longer if post-season success is elusive, with some wins against the Patriots). I imagine he’ll reach into his bag of tricks to come up with a few extra plays the Patriots aren’t expecting. Meanwhile, BB will horde his until the game counts for more than an early season W.
- I’ll never claim to know what is in BB/McD’s head, but logic would say the run game is going to be weak this week. Could be 3rd down back situation on most of the downs.
- Plenty of 2+ TE sets
- Plenty of quick releases and hopefully Gronk or (maybe) Chandler down the seams. Would be interesting to see some screens with those 2 out front to give pause to an aggressive Rex defense. But, the fact that I mention that makes it almost 100% chance we don’t see it.
- Spread the O out and plenty of movement to give Brady better reads. Some crossing/rub routes and perhaps a couple offensive PI’s.
- I expect some issues with the Oline, but this will probably be one of the toughest games for them until they get settled.
- 3rd down conversions will be key and I expect our fair share of 3rd and longs (will be happy to be wrong)
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