MMQB -Andy Benoit - Patriots problems can be fixed.

[SVN]

http://mmqb.si.com/2014/10/01/new-england-patriots-problems/

 

[JackBauer]

...though there’s overwhelming evidence from last year’s film that Mankins, had he not been traded to Tampa Bay in late August, would have simply been part of these problems rather than a solution to them. The 32-year-old was slowing down in pass protection.

Not sure if I agree, but interesting nonetheless.

 

[luuked]

I think he summed up in more eloquent sentences what many have been saying here. That we don't have problems all across the teams but specific issues that cause a ripple effect. The chess pieces that need to fall in line so we can move on are the OL players.

 

[Seanzayyy]

The first thing that happens in each and every football play is blocking. If our OL can't block, and if our DL can't drive the line backwards and cover their gaps, we will continue to have the same problems. It starts with the line. Once we fix that, everything else will fall in place.

 

[Spiral]

I like his optimism about the o-line. One can make the case young o-linemen can be coached up and will improve as the season progresses, and that's OK unless Brady winds up on IR before this happens. I don't share his optimism about the defense. The d-line is getting run over, and I don't think this can be easily fixed. I believe that's the bigger problem.

 

[VrabelJr]

In the middle of that post is a pretty cool analysis of Cincinnati and Arizona's defenses. Both teams keep the scheme pretty simple and it's that very thing that keeps teams guessing.

 

[Jackson 2]

http://mmqb.si.com/2014/10/01/new-england-patriots-problems/

Warning: this will not play well in some corners of this board.