Not surprising: Pats banished 6OL from the playbook last year

[ctpatsfan77]

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Formation Analysis: 6OL Sets

They actually used it an average of 3+ times a game in 2009, but used it exactly 3 times total in 2010. As Aaron Schatz notes:

Interestingly, the Patriots hardly used any 6OL sets last year, after using the formation more than 50 times the year before. I guess once they had Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and Alge Crumpler, there was no reason to bring out a sixth lineman. They did use Dan Connolly as a fullback at the goal line, but we did not count that as a 6OL set.

 

[Calciumee]

They actually used it an average of 3+ times a game in 2009

Am I correct in thinking they used Vollmer as a TE, before Light got injured???

And why do it when you have Crumpler and Gronk!

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Am I correct in thinking they used Vollmer as a TE, before Light got injured???

And why do it when you have Crumpler and Gronk!

If by TE you mean blocking TE, generally yes.

After Light's injury then they generally used KR Connolly as the sixth OL.

 

[patriotscpfc]

I disagree with that.

Quinn Ojinakka was in there at least 4, maybe 5 times as an extra TE replacing Hernandez.

 

[Shockt327]

So weird. I was just thinking about that the other day. I wasn't sure. Always nice to have an inclination proven correct.

 

[mgteich]

Did the sets actually change, or are we just talking about labels? In 2009, offensive linemen played the 3rd TE position. In 2010, a TE usually played the 3rd TE position.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Did the sets actually change, or are we just talking about labels? In 2009, offensive linemen played the 3rd TE position. In 2010, a TE usually played the 3rd TE position.

I suppose you could call it a matter of labels, but they're talking specifically about having 6 OLs on the LOS (they don't count FB snaps).

 

[Rob0729]

When you have more than two viable and consistent targets to throw to, you don't get blitzed on as much and a guy like Brady can find a receiver quickly if he does.