The Dropped Passes

[neuronet]

I'd put it down to too much thinking not enough "just" playing, likely a case of trying too hard to not make a mistake which in turn is forcing them to make the mistakes.

People said the same thing about Hernandez (see thread below), but he never got over it, he consistently dropped passes at key points during games. Not convinced it is all that easy to train away once you hit this level...time will tell...

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/682648-hernandez-drops.html

 

[Canuck]

From (http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/drops/2013/):

Here's where the Patriots rank in the NFL in dropped passes:

#2 - Thompkins - 6 drops in 44 targets (13.6%)
#t5 - Dobson - 4 drops in 27 targets (14.8%)
#t11 - Edelman - 3 drops in 50 targets (6.0%)
#t28 - Bolden - 2 drops in 15 targets (13.3%)
Vereen and Amendola each have 1 drop

So we have 4 of the "top" 28 NFL players in dropped passes. Combined, they have 15 drops in 136 targets (11.0%). This is a major, major problem. I am not sure how they fix it, but they'd better, because it's costing them dearly.

The only one I am worried about is KT. He bobbles his catches way too much for my liking.

 

[PatsFan2]

To say this is 90% of the issue is ignoring how bad Brady is playing. His decision making has been terrible, he is consistently staring down his number one option and he has become a QB that is no longer calm under pressure. This year he has developed the Bledsoe patented happy feet whenever a defense rushes more than 4. I hope he can recover the courage under fire he used to have, but if history is any indicator we're in trouble. Once QBs start developing the skittishness that Brady is displaying this season, it's down hill from there.

I have no doubt that if Brady was on a practice field with targets and no rush he could throw as accurately and with nearly as much velocity as he ever has, but when you throw in pass rushers getting anywhere near him he becomes the 1999 version of Drew Bledsoe. How many times in the last two seasons has Brady curled up into the vertical fetal position when he sensed pass rushers were near him only to have to wait a second or two before the rusher actually got there. He used to make those slight slide step adjustments to the left or right that got him a clear throwing window and frustrated the heck out of defenders. Now if you get anyone near him at all, even if there is an open area to slide to, he's done.

I agree completely, lets hope Gronk gives him a measure of comfort because he doesn't look comfortable out there and Good Defenses knows that.

 

[Dagg]

KT catches all his passes with his arms like a punt returner and they bounce off his chest vs with his hands like say Tony Gonzalez. But that was my thread from yesterday so I wont beat a dead horse.

 

[neuronet]

KT catches all his passes with his arms like a punt returner and they bounce off his chest vs with his hands like say Tony Gonzalez. But that was my thread from yesterday so I wont beat a dead horse.

versus atlanta he had two bounce straight off his hands...

 

[DaBruinz]

This cannot be accurate. I think Dopson alone had at least 6 drops against the Jets.

Shows your propensity for exaggerating things out of proportion..

 

[DaBruinz]

Kenbrell Thompkins need to start catching with his hands and not his hards/chest. This has been a huge issue for him since day one.

BTW, Deion Branch and David Givens had similar issues as rookies, when it came to drops. It wasn't as noticable because they weren't the primary receivers (Thank you Troy Brown and David Patten). An off season with the Juggs machine set to it's highest setting changed that and both became highly reliable pass catchers for the Pats.

Thompkins needs to be putting in a LOT of time with the juggs machine right now because that is what he needs.. getting it ingrained into him to catch with his hands.. So that it's instinctual.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Welker has 1 more drop and a worse percentage than Edelman though

...

Why does it seem like every thread eventually becomes a referendum on the Welker move?

Wes has "1 more drop" on a base of 31 v. 36 receptions for Edelman, so I'm not sure what that says other than that Edelman has a slight edge in this category, but that, at the end of the day, they both catch a lot of balls and drop around the same number, while playing different roles in their respective Offenses.

Welker also has seven TD's vs. Edelman's two. Does that make him better? Not necessarily but it does confirm that Welker plays a different role in the Denver Offense and Peyton is putting up a lot more points so far this year than Tommy.

Can't we just leave this particular horse "unbeaten" once in a while, whichever way we feel about it? :deadhorse:

 

[strngplyr]

I'm pretty sure that these numbers are on the low side, and that there have been more drops than this.

This. And it's also not counting the stupid double catches on EVERY FREAKING PLAY.

Every catch is so god damned difficult, it's stupid. It should be the most basic task.

I'm really liking the young guys athletic ability, their route running is coming along nicely (the decision making on some option routes could certainly use help), and it appears that none of them have quit, but how can NONE of them possess the ability to catch a football?

I don't think it is an issue that will persist, but i've never seen so many drives killed by drops as I have this season from the Patriots.

I'll admit Brady has not looked like himself in the majority of at least 2 games, but how can he? He'd probably be sitting around 65% completion or better were catchable balls caught and he would probably have a lot more confidence making each throw if he felt they could make the plays he puts them in position to make.

Frustrating. It'll get better though. We all knew they needed time and we all let ourselves on the hype train a little too early.

 

[Amazon4]

1. I swear Edelman had at least 3 drops in Sunday's game alone.
2. When you are genuinely surprised at a completion...your team has a problem.

When Gronk is back, he'll take two defenders - which is why he needs to be 100%. These guys better learn to catch. Like now.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Three of Dobson's happened in his very first start. His hands have been better since then. KT hasn't improved yet, but there is hope since he is a rookie and we've seen how good his hands can be.

I also put some of the blame on Tom for the drops since I've seen several clangers that were thrown way too fast and/or off target.

Wow, good point, 3 of Dobson's drops came in his first game, so 1 over the last 3 games isn't TOO bad. I still think he needs to spend time with the juggs machine catching passes (like Givens did after 2002), but definitely an improvement over the first game.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I hope Belichick sees this thread and
fixes the problem before we play the next 11 games.

 

[TruthSeeker]

The list is raw numbers, not percentages. Here's a version of it on the NBC site:

NBC Sports

Wow, that list is REALLY interesting. Not only do rookies lead the league in drops (Tavon Austin was the top drafted receiver), there are some damned good receivers/players on that list. Eric Decker has 5 drops, yet I'd take him on the Pats any day of the week.

Also, Thompkins and Dobson have 10 drops combined, that averages out to 2 a game, not a great thing, but not horrible. The way people here are talking, I thought these guys have dropped at least 25 passes so far (combined).

 

[olschool]

I hope Belichick sees this thread and
fixes the problem before we play the next 11 games.

BB already said he doesn't do the Interweb, Facepage, or Tweety.

 

[Deus Irae]

....Also, Thompkins and Dobson have 10 drops combined, that averages out to 2 a game, not a great thing, but not horrible. The way people here are talking, I thought these guys have dropped at least 25 passes so far (combined).

Again, that list is grading "drops" generously. The Patriots receivers have probably got more "drops" they than they are being credited with. I certainly recall more than the numbers they are being given, but it's a subjective stat.

Even using the given numbers, the Patriots were 2nd in the NFL in drops coming into this past game and Brady is currently on pace for his worst completion percentage as a starter, partly as a result, so it's not as if this doesn't matter. Your attempt to minimize an obvious problem is noted, though.

 

[Ring 6]

Again, that list is grading "drops" generously. The Patriots receivers have probably got more "drops" they than they are being credited with. I certainly recall more than the numbers they are being given, but it's a subjective stat.

Your attempt to minimize an obvious problem is noted, though.

They are grading drops correctly, there is no conspiracy.
What is not included is should have caught, which is more where the problem lies.
The NFL isn't using a different standard for the Patriots, so the comparison to everyone else is accurate.

 

[ATippett56]

2013 New England Patriots Offense

Pass - Rush Distribution:

140 Rush Attempts
207 Pass Attempts (includes sacks)

40.3% Rush
59.7% Pass

Passing Y/A 5.5 - Rank 26th
Rushing Y/A 4.2 - Rank 15th

2013 New England Patriots Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com

 

[Drake&BarmoreFTW]

KT hasn't improved yet, but there is hope since he is a rookie and we've seen how good his hands can be.

You mean how good his chest can be.

 

[TruthSeeker]

On a side note,

Dobson is on pace for 49 catches for 626 yards and 4 tds
Thompkins is on pace for 57 catches for 874 yards and 10 tds

And, they are playing terrible, imagine when they get better ?

BTW, Deion Branch's rookie season

43 catches 489 yards 2 tds

David Givens' rookie season

9 catches 92 yards 1 td

Aaron Hernandez

45 catches 563 yards 6 tds

Gronk

42 catches 546 yards 10 tds

 

[Gumby]

1. I swear Edelman had at least 3 drops in Sunday's game alone.
2. When you are genuinely surprised at a completion...your team has a problem.

When Gronk is back, he'll take two defenders - which is why he needs to be 100%. These guys better learn to catch. Like now.

Agree that my recollection has Edelman with about 3 drops on Sunday (and I could swear they were ALL IN THE 4 QTR). But that just points out how reliable he has been .... UP UNTIL THE TEAM WAS PLAYING MENTALLY TOASTED IN A POURING RAINSTORM WITH A TB WHO COULDNT THROW ANYTHING BUT DEAD DUCKS FLUTTERING SIDEWAYS THROUGH THE AIR.

The team desperately needs some SYNERGY from HEALTHY PLAYERS (gronk, amendola, SV [god knows when]) this year and probably needs another #1 or 2, or both draft pick used on the OL next year.