AzPatsFan
Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal
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The Pats have had a problem integrating new receivers into their Offense. It is also making Tom Brady very tentative in his throws, ruining his accuracy and confidence at the margin.
The problem is the optional route running that is part and parcel of their passing game philosophy. This means that depending on what the receiver and the QB sees, the route is supposed to change in mid play. The problem is that the receivers are not picking up the same cues, and sometimes do and sometimes don't, change the route that they run.
Tom Brady sees what they see, and would be expected to throw the ball expecting them to change routes but no longer is he sure that they will do so. If he throw for a break left, and the receiver goes right, then there is the possibility of a INT. If there is a blitz and the receiver is supposed to break off a route and Brady throws short expecting this, if they don't, then there is a possibility of not only and INT, but an INT returned for a score.
In short, Brady is unsure waht his new receivers are going to do. Consequently, he is compensating by holding the throw a bit to see what happens and is throwing "late" or "aiming" the ball and trying to change direction possibly in the midst of his throw. Obviously this leads to some bad throws.
It will either take time and practice without changing the philosophy, or there is a coaching decison to be made. The coaches have to decide to stop optional routes either permanently, or for enough time to let everyone, especially Brady to regain confidence that he knows where the receiver is going to be.
In your opinion what should the Patriots do???
The problem is the optional route running that is part and parcel of their passing game philosophy. This means that depending on what the receiver and the QB sees, the route is supposed to change in mid play. The problem is that the receivers are not picking up the same cues, and sometimes do and sometimes don't, change the route that they run.
Tom Brady sees what they see, and would be expected to throw the ball expecting them to change routes but no longer is he sure that they will do so. If he throw for a break left, and the receiver goes right, then there is the possibility of a INT. If there is a blitz and the receiver is supposed to break off a route and Brady throws short expecting this, if they don't, then there is a possibility of not only and INT, but an INT returned for a score.
In short, Brady is unsure waht his new receivers are going to do. Consequently, he is compensating by holding the throw a bit to see what happens and is throwing "late" or "aiming" the ball and trying to change direction possibly in the midst of his throw. Obviously this leads to some bad throws.
It will either take time and practice without changing the philosophy, or there is a coaching decison to be made. The coaches have to decide to stop optional routes either permanently, or for enough time to let everyone, especially Brady to regain confidence that he knows where the receiver is going to be.
In your opinion what should the Patriots do???