Some thoughts after seeing a Pats game in its entirety since week 1:
- Last year the Pats O took the no-huddle into warp-drive speed under BOB, but it still was a pass-heavy (shotgun-heavy) offense. This year JMcD tweaked that discipline by adding a big dose of power running. I cannot imagine how tiring this must be to a D. In addition to the tearing it up on the ground, this was exemplified by the 14 men on the field call...the Broncos couldn't wait to rotate their guys as they were huffin' and puffin'.
- I need to review the game at nfl.com, but it did appear that when Brady was under center, it was a run the bulk of the time. If they indeed were giving away such an obvious key and still had the success they had on the ground, that says a lot to their execution and their ability to impose their will on the game.
- For the first half, when the Pats weren't running the ball it was the Brady-to-Welker show. It's easy to wonder why the Broncos "weren't covering" Welker better, but between the success of the run, Gronk's matchup issues in the secondary and Lloyd has to be accounted for as a deep threat, how can Denver really allocate the extra attention to him? Maybe they were ready to bracket him at several points throughout the game, except the Pats used those plays to run the ball down their throats instead.
- Chandler Jones is such a treat to watch. Lines up on both sides of the line, hand-down or standing up, has that DeMarcus Ware-like ability to bring the heat without appearing to put in much effort (unlike the ferocity of Jared Allen), sets the edge so well on the run vs. tackles much bigger than him, collapses the pocket with a veteran's toolbag of moves. The refs have to get their act together and start calling the insane amount of holds against him, particularly around the neck.
- The front 7 as a whole hasn't been this good since the 2007 days of Seymour, Bruschi, Vrabel and Colvin were plugged in. Ninko had a great game. Kyle Love is a legitimate DT next to Wilfork. Cunningham continues to be a beast as a substitute DT...and he was even in on the goalline D on that McGahee fumble. Mayo was all over the place yesterday, even rushing the passer and Spikes continues his run-stuffing ways. With Hightower's return, this unit is title-contending.
- McCourty's play reminds me of early 2010 when he had great coverage, but awful ball awareness. He turned it around...like he needs to do with his head as the ball arrives...around the Ravens/Chargers games around this deep into the season. I hope he's about to rediscover his latter 2010 form.
- That being said, Demarrius Thomas clearly is in sync with Manning and looks like one of those matchup nightmares a la Vincent Jackson and other huge WRs.
- Arrington finished 2011 as their best cover corner (his excellent game vs. Victor Cruz in SB46 went overlooked in the loss), but appears to have slipped a bit. I bet he rounds into form as the year progresses.
- Safeties. I dunno. Give Tavon more playing time? Move McCourty there for several plays depending on the opponent or game situation?
Regards,
Chris