Remember the Vikings in 2006?

[sebman2112]

Before they played NE everyone was talking about them being improved and how great their defense was. NE comes out in the spread and just constantly throws the ball on them. The Vikings had absolutely know answer for this and Belichick exposed them to the entire league. Other teams then started using some of the same tactics against the Vikings who started 4-2 but finished a sour 6-10.

I bring this up because I'm wondering if Belichick just exposed the Chargers in the same way? The Patriots obviously used a simular offensive gameplan but it was executed with better offensive weapons than were present on the 2006 Patriots. The 2007 Patriots also have more offensive weapons than most teams in the NFL so how much will other teams be able to duplicate this gameplan?

 

[DGameguy]

I remember that game pretty clearly. I remember reading somewhere afterwards that when the preparation began, BB pulled Tom aside and said "this is the week. this is the week you put up numbers." or something along those lines.

You might have a good point. I have always thought the Chargers secondary wa skind of their Achilles' Heel, but they protected it so well with their stellar pass rush. I have to think that eventually they will adjust and use more Nickel and Dime sets, but I don't know if they have the depth to be any mor eeffective with it.

 

[Ring 6]

We did the same thing to the Steelers in the 2002 opener. They struggled to win some games and make it to the playoffs, but our spread the field and throw gameplan was copied by everyone against them and they were never the same that year.

 

[borg]

My two memories of that game...
1. Up to that point, the Vikings were on a role and Brad Johnson was doing a nice job for them. One of the announcers proclaimed that he was worthy of a hefty new contract. Unfortunately, Johnson had a horrible game vs the Pats and the rest of his season was dismal. Today , Johnson is a backup in Dallas.
2. Apparently Brady told one of the announcers (Theisman?) on the sideline before the game, "We're gonna kill these guys"

 

[sebman2112]

We did the same thing to the Steelers in the 2002 opener. They struggled to win some games and make it to the playoffs, but our spread the field and throw gameplan was copied by everyone against them and they were never the same that year.

I've noticed the same things myself. It's seems NE figures out a team/finds a new gameplan to beat them than a bunch of other teams tries copying it the rest of the season. Heck, we all know how teams tried to copy NE's old defensive gameplan's put into place against the 2002, 2003, and 2004 Colts.

 

[DGameguy]

I don't even think it's that genius a gameplan, it's just few teams have the depth at DB to live in a dime the whole game.

 

[SVN]

Before they played NE everyone was talking about them being improved and how great their defense was. NE comes out in the spread and just constantly throws the ball on them. The Vikings had absolutely know answer for this and Belichick exposed them to the entire league. Other teams then started using some of the same tactics against the Vikings who started 4-2 but finished a sour 6-10.

I bring this up because I'm wondering if Belichick just exposed the Chargers in the same way? The Patriots obviously used a simular offensive gameplan but it was executed with better offensive weapons than were present on the 2006 Patriots. The 2007 Patriots also have more offensive weapons than most teams in the NFL so how much will other teams be able to duplicate this gameplan?

iam quite sure when the colts play the chargers they will do the same thing. I didnt watch the colts "america's game" on NFLN but read it on CHFF how manning watched the pats playoff game against the jets and prepared to play the ravens ..here

http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Article.php?Page=1597

 

[MetalBleachers]

I've noticed the same things myself. It's seems NE figures out a team/finds a new gameplan to beat them than a bunch of other teams tries copying it the rest of the season. Heck, we all know how teams tried to copy NE's old defensive gameplan's put into place against the 2002, 2003, and 2004 Colts.

That's Belichick. Flashback to first half of 1999 season: Pats go 6-2, Jets 2-6. Jets (with BB as DC) flatten Pats WRs at the line to disrupt Ernie Zampese's timing offense as they blitz Bledsoe up the middle. Jets QB Ray Lucas (in for injured Vinny) leads team to victory as Drew throws game away.

Rest of the league says, hey, let's try that. Pats finish 8-8, behind 8-8 Jets in the standings due to worse division record.

Like other great coaches, BB can help set the tone for a team's season with a well-executed game plan.

 

[MetalBleachers]

I don't even think it's that genius a gameplan, it's just few teams have the depth at DB to live in a dime the whole game.

And most teams don't have TB, true; however, what was kind of amazing was the lack of a pass rush from SD overall. Typically, with 4-receiver sets, the QB will get killed by one unblocked rusher - if not sacked, then knocked down on a regular basis. That didn't seem to happen Sunday.

If Peyton doesn't light it up against SD, wouldn't you be shocked?

 

[Fixit]

Before they played NE everyone was talking about them being improved and how great their defense was. NE comes out in the spread and just constantly throws the ball on them. The Vikings had absolutely know answer for this and Belichick exposed them to the entire league. Other teams then started using some of the same tactics against the Vikings who started 4-2 but finished a sour 6-10.

I bring this up because I'm wondering if Belichick just exposed the Chargers in the same way? The Patriots obviously used a simular offensive gameplan but it was executed with better offensive weapons than were present on the 2006 Patriots. The 2007 Patriots also have more offensive weapons than most teams in the NFL so how much will other teams be able to duplicate this gameplan?

Yeah, I remember that game well. That was the game I missed all of the Pats' first scoring drive because of f^&%$#* Time Warner.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Before they played NE everyone was talking about them being improved and how great their defense was. NE comes out in the spread and just constantly throws the ball on them. The Vikings had absolutely know answer for this and Belichick exposed them to the entire league. Other teams then started using some of the same tactics against the Vikings who started 4-2 but finished a sour 6-10.

I bring this up because I'm wondering if Belichick just exposed the Chargers in the same way? The Patriots obviously used a simular offensive gameplan but it was executed with better offensive weapons than were present on the 2006 Patriots. The 2007 Patriots also have more offensive weapons than most teams in the NFL so how much will other teams be able to duplicate this gameplan?

But the irony is that the gameplan was almost obvious. The Vikings had the best run defense in football last year--but their pass rush was about as good as the JEST's last week. How to stop it? Pass, pass, and pass again. . . .

 

[sebman2112]

I was just reminded the Patriots also exposed the Seahawks in 2003.

 

[The_Dragon]

I was thinking the same thing earlier Seb. Great point. However you have to take into consideration that the Pats:

1. O-Line was superb
2. Have Tom Brady
3. Have some serious options at WR and TE that could get open

How many other teams have that? The Colts certainly but I can't think of many more. Some of the weaker teams trying this against the Chargers will be killed by the pass rush. But I agree that the basic idea of not running on the Chargers front was a good one. We tried it in the playoffs last year but didn't have the same options to make it work.

 

[spacecrime]

We did the same thing to the Steelers in the 2002 opener. They struggled to win some games and make it to the playoffs, but our spread the field and throw gameplan was copied by everyone against them and they were never the same that year.

Not to mention the Rams in the game before the 2002 opener. They were never the same, either, as teams played them more physically.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Before they played NE everyone was talking about them being improved and how great their defense was. NE comes out in the spread and just constantly throws the ball on them. The Vikings had absolutely know answer for this and Belichick exposed them to the entire league. Other teams then started using some of the same tactics against the Vikings who started 4-2 but finished a sour 6-10.

I bring this up because I'm wondering if Belichick just exposed the Chargers in the same way? The Patriots obviously used a simular offensive gameplan but it was executed with better offensive weapons than were present on the 2006 Patriots. The 2007 Patriots also have more offensive weapons than most teams in the NFL so how much will other teams be able to duplicate this gameplan?

I think offensively they were already exposed by Chicago, who comitted extra men defend the run. I think SD is going to be facing that all year unless Rivers can get some kind of decent passing going (beyond chucking it to Gates every play).

As far as their defense, I don't know if we exposed anything or not. Their NT was injured, didn't play the whole game, and was hampered when he did play. They had another LB go down as well. Add to that the fact that our offense is just insane and that all teams are going to have a hard time stopping it. Did we expose some secret way to beat their defense or did we just pulverize it with a far superior offense?

 

[Fencer]

Just how many brilliant BB discoveries are we talking about here?

Most of them seem to amount to spread the offense or beat up the other guys.

 

[The_Dragon]

In fairness like all great ideas they're very straight-forward and simple. No less brilliant for that though. It's just that the Pats execution and willingness to try it is better/higher than other teams.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

BB's philosophy is simple in concept, difficult in implementation.
Take away what the other guy does best and is most comfortable and most prepared to do. Make him do what he's less prepared and able to do to beat you. This approach maximizes mistakes by the opposing O resulting in 4th downs and occasionally TOs. It disrupts their game plan. Most coaches have NOT practised myriad eventualitites. A BB team has.

 

[The_Dragon]

Most coaches have NOT practised myriad eventualitites. A BB team has.

That's a great point I think. Many teams focus on what they are good at. They don't anticipate facing different things.

The Pats could have a totally different gameplan this week from last. Planning to play the Pats can't be easy for other teams. I mean no-one - Pats fans included - knows what to expect. Would it be a huge surprise to see the Pats run the ball all day on Buffalo give their past success in getting to Brady?

 

[stinkypete]

You might have a good point. I have always thought the Chargers secondary wa skind of their Achilles' Heel, but they protected it so well with their stellar pass rush.

That is the difference. The Vikings had ZERO pass rush in 2006, the Chargers have enough pass rush to make their secondary look good almost every week.