Patriots Offense Primed To Finally Be Back Near Full Strength Saturday. NESN

[Pats2000]

Practice. He just turned 24, and is in his first year in a new offense.

This isn't exactly an Ochocinco situation.

Yeah but how do you practice being heavier. He's not Edelman, where he needs to be quick directionally and can sacrifice some straight line speed for power. His straight line speed is his biggest asset

 

[Nunchucks]

Well, we've been saying that the receivers aren't getting open. The data seems to track with that.

I am suggesting that Brady is more willing to fit the ball into tight spaces than Alex Smith. Look at the Gronk catches, he has guys draped all over him.

I am not saying that guys are getting good separation, I am just throwing out a confounding variable to consider.

 

[Deus Irae]

I am suggesting that Brady is more willing to fit the ball into tight spaces than Alex Smith. Look at the Gronk catches, he has guys draped all over him.

I am not saying that guys are getting good separation, I am just throwing out a confounding variable to consider.

We're not disagreeing. In this case, I think one's a part of the other.

Brady is willing to throw into tighter windows, and Brady's been forced to do that more often this season, because of

• No Edelman
• Injured/missing Hogan
• Aging Amendola
• Deeper throws leading to defenders closing in
• Safety often over the top with Cooks
• Gronk getting doubles and/or being Gronk (meaning he's open even when he's not open)
• Lack of comfort with Dorsett, particularly early on
• Lesser OL play, requiring more throws before patterns have cleared
• Injuries to Burkhead and White

The data is pretty straightforward. I don't think the same can be said for how teams get to those numbers.

 

[WHPats]

Ok so I'm seeing all kinds of reports, some saying Mitchell is done, some saying he might still get activated. I don't live anywhere near the New England area so I miss out on the casual water cooler talk. Could someone let me know what players are back for the divisional round (and what percentage of health they're at, if you know) and who's still out and who's likely not coming back this year? (other than the obvious guys like Edelman and Hightower)

 

[The Brandon Five]

Ok so I'm seeing all kinds of reports, some saying Mitchell is done, some saying he might still get activated. I don't live anywhere near the New England area so I miss out on the casual water cooler talk. Could someone let me know what players are back for the divisional round (and what percentage of health they're at, if you know) and who's still out and who's likely not coming back this year? (other than the obvious guys like Edelman and Hightower)

Mitchell practiced today, FWIW.

 

[K. Dog]

one of the downsides of Cooks is that he doesn't have the strength to beat press man coverage with CB that are fast enough to keep up with him.

I don’t think Cooks problem is strength, I think it’s technique. I really like him and I hope they can re-sign him but he needs to learn how to fight and win jump balls, and he needs to learn how to beat pressing corners.

His technique is awsome, but when guys that are much heavier get hands on him, he's light enough that it's easy for them to redirect his route or throw off timing.

Practice. He just turned 24, and is in his first year in a new offense.

The first three observations of Cooks in press man were noted in my preseason post here: Brandin Cooks film study (merged) That post cited this video analyzing his tendencies.

I specifically noted "difficulty in press coverage" .

 

[PScottman]

I am suggesting that Brady is more willing to fit the ball into tight spaces than Alex Smith.

Depends on a lot of things...including the game situation. Brady CAN absolutely do it better than Smith, but he also knows WHEN. Why is he the GOAT, because he can be a manager or a gunslinger depending on need. He takes care of the ball so well because he doesn't try to fit the ball in when the four yard check down is there, unless the team is down and its late, then he'll absolutely take the riskier throw.

 

[Pats2000]

The first three observations of Cooks in press man were noted in my preseason post here: Brandin Cooks film study (merged) That post cited this video analyzing his tendencies.

I specifically noted "difficulty in press coverage" .

That video breakdown was part of my reasoning when I made the post.

 

[Pats2000]

Ok so I'm seeing all kinds of reports, some saying Mitchell is done, some saying he might still get activated. I don't live anywhere near the New England area so I miss out on the casual water cooler talk. Could someone let me know what players are back for the divisional round (and what percentage of health they're at, if you know) and who's still out and who's likely not coming back this year? (other than the obvious guys like Edelman and Hightower)

The consensus is that Mitchell might or might not play in the post season

 

[scott99]

Talking about Jacksonville, I believed the hype that they are all defense, and their offense sucks. It was shocking to me to find out that Jacksonville averaged more points per game than Pittsburgh. Obviously they gave up less per game as well. We need to take care of business Saturday, but everyone’s plans for a New England/Pittsburgh AFCCG can possibly be in danger. IF Bortles doesn’t completely self destruct (which IS a possibility), they have a chance at an upset in Pittsburgh. That defense is really good, and the offense is more than serviceable, it’s above average at worst. They were 5th in points per game scored, and 2nd best in points against. Very balanced team.

It’s very possible Pittsburgh is looking past Jacksonville, and that’s another positive in Jacksonville’s favor.

 

[Patjew]

This will end well.

I have to hand it to him, he has survived longer than I expected.

 

[RIpats88]

So, Hogan is completely off the injury report. this is very big news for the offense. Not just that it gives brady another reliable target, but what it does for Cooks/amendola.

If teams want to double cooks, Hogan can surely beat them deep as well. He also runs the comeback group up there with anyone.

Not to mention Amendola is clearly better equipped to go up against the 3rd CB which he was eating up prior to Hogan getting injured.

 

[jimnance]

Man, it would be amazing to have Gronk, Hogan, Cooks, White, Amendola and Lewis out there!

At the same time? (count em)

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

For all the discussion of Jax or Steelers in this thread, I'd like to see how Antonio Brown looks in his first game back from injury. Brown seemed like he was on his way to ruining the game for New England before he went out.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Nice piece by Rich Hill - wonder if it will change some perceptions of the Brady is done crew.

Patriots receivers are failing to get separation, making life incredibly difficult for Tom Brady

In 2016, Bennett had an average of 3.8 yards of separation from the coverage. Chris Hogan had 3.2 yards of separation, which Brady clearly missed over the second half of the season when Hogan was sidelined. Edelman had 2.7 yards of separation and Mitchell had 2.6 yards of separation.

In 2017, Danny Amendola leads the Patriots with 2.9 yards of separation, while Brandin Cooks has 2.6 yards of separation and Rob Gronkowski has 2.3 yards of separation. That’s not a recipe for a thriving passing offense. Hogan averaged 2.7 yards of separation, so his return should help the rest of the offense gain more space.

Oh, and Bennett averaged 3.1 yards of separation in his limited time on the field in 2017, so he still has that magic and would have been a nice piece for the offense.

Part of the reason for the lack of separation by the Patriots receivers is the strategy of the opposing defense. Gronkowski receives just 4.6 yards of cushion at the snap, which is the 4th-lowest amount of space in the NFL, right up there with Marvin Jones (4.2), Antonio Brown (4.3), Amari Coopers (4.5), and DeAndre Hopkins (4.6). Cooks has just 5.2 yards of cushion.

They are 29th at 2.69 yds

 

[Ring 6]

Nice piece by Rich Hill - wonder if it will change some perceptions of the Brady is done crew.

Patriots receivers are failing to get separation, making life incredibly difficult for Tom Brady


They are 29th at 2.69 yds

This is a bs “stat”.

 

[bormio]

Obviously didn’t help Alex Smith (or Winston or Flacco).

 

[BradyFTW!]

Not surprising at all. This passing game works almost entirely because Gronk is open even when he's covered--basically doesn't need to create separation--and because Brady is the best in the league at fitting balls into tiny windows. Hogan and Edelman have been sorely missed, Brady's margin of error has pretty much evaporated without them. I hate to say it, but IMO Cooks has been a bit of a disappointment this year for what the Pats gave up to get him. Not a colossal bust or anything, he's a very good receiver. Just not what I think we were hoping for when we gave up a first rounder.

 

[oldrover]

https://imgflip.com/memegenerator

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

Not surprising at all. This passing game works almost entirely because Gronk is open even when he's covered--basically doesn't need to create separation--and because Brady is the best in the league at fitting balls into tiny windows. Hogan and Edelman have been sorely missed, Brady's margin of error has pretty much evaporated without them. I hate to say it, but IMO Cooks has been a bit of a disappointment this year for what the Pats gave up to get him. Not a colossal bust or anything, he's a very good receiver. Just not what I think we were hoping for when we gave up a first rounder.

Just not a complete wr. We need him to be a factor in these playoffs.