Thuney During the Winning TD: It's The Details

[shmessy]

The first time watching the winning TD pass, my impression was simply that Thuney was eaten up by the pass rush and was the weak link causing Brady to throw under such heavy pressure.

Upon rewatching, it is evident that Thuney truly made a gutty play that was key in Brady actually being able to throw the pass.

Step One: Watch how the Texans ran an inside 1-2 punch stunt on Thuney who first effectively blocks Whitney Mercilus.

Step Two: This then exposes the planned second punch of Jadeveon Clowney who is supposed to hit the gap caused by the Mercilus engagement of Thuney.

Step Three: Thuney adroitly disengages from Mercilus and throws himself in front of the rampaging Clowney who, as expected at this point because Thuney is off balance by the double team, blasts Thuney back.

Step Four: Thuney is getting demolished at this point by this combination punch (Mercilus and Clowney - - probably one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFL) but aggressively hangs in to the end, not letting Clowney get over him without a fight. That extra half second allows Brady to partially step into his throw.

Without that 1) awareness to intercept Clowney as the second rusher and 2) perseverance to doggedly obstruct Clowney who had the head of steam going, Brady is either sacked or forced into a far more troublesome throw and, possibly, the Patriots are 1-2 today.

It really comes down to the little things sometimes. Great job, Joe!

Highlight: Brandin Cooks keeps toes in bounds on game-winning TD
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[scott99]

Great recap of an amazing play ! I noticed that as well, Brady JUST got that throw off which is amazing.

 

[Sicilian]

Great observation! And another piece in the case of "Just because you saw it, doesn't mean you really know what happened."

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

great observation on Thuney, and I am pretty sure Brady knew it too, as the film clip shows Brady patting Thuney on the side of the helmet acknowledging the pick up of the block.

 

[farn]

Thuney has been excellent from Day one. Does he dominate like an alltime great ? Perhaps not. But for a young player to be trusted right away and play a key role in winning a championship? Miam.

 

[brdmaverick]

I think it can be a little of both right.........I mean, Thuney definitely made a heads up play in switching off to Clowney but it still looks like he's getting thoroughly owned. Sure, he got in the way just long enough that Brady could get the pass off so I guess that's all that matters.

 

[shmessy]

I think it can be a little of both right.........I mean, Thuney definitely made a heads up play in switching off to Clowney but it still looks like he's getting thoroughly owned. Sure, he got in the way just long enough that Brady could get the pass off so I guess that's all that matters.

Of course he was getting owned. That was two against one, with each of the two having the advantage of a head of steam.

I wrote that he was demolished by Clowney in Step Four but it was because he was switching off from Mercilus and was picking up the second man from a vulnerable back-pedaling point. It was an amazing and scrappy play by the kid just to hang in there. It was like throwing oneself in front of an onrushing second car. Aware and persevering.



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[Snooky97]

Think he can become a very very good Guard for us in a few more years.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

nice work

 

[brdmaverick]

Of course he was getting owned. That was two against one, with each of the two having the advantage of a head of steam.

I wrote that he was demolished by Clowney in Step Four but it was because he was switching off from Mercilus and was picking up the second man from a vulnerable back-pedaling point. It was an amazing and scrappy play by the kid just to hang in there. It was like throwing oneself in front of an onrushing second car. Aware and persevering.



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Trust me, I don't mean to nitpick b/c I actually really like and appreciate your in depth analysis of the play. I guess the way I see it is that it was never a two on one situation. Sure, they switched responsibilities and changed their 'one on one' assignments. Perhaps there is something to him being in an unfavorable position though.

 

[shmessy]

Trust me, I don't mean to nitpick b/c I actually really like and appreciate your in depth analysis of the play. I guess the way I see it is that it was never a two on one situation. Sure, they switched responsibilities and changed their 'one on one' assignments. Perhaps there is something to him being in an unfavorable position though.

I hear ya, brd. I just felt he did an amazing job with an overload situation on that one - - and it wasn't chopped liver ganging up on him - - that was Mercilus and Clowney.

Vrabel called a perfect rush where they were the hammers and Thuney was the targeted nail.

To me it was one of those Malcolm Butler type scrappy plays where he was physically overmatched but hung in there admirably and was amazing aware.

By contrast, on the other (right) side, Waddle and Mason looked like the old Maytag repairmen with almost nothing to do

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[brdmaverick]

I hear ya, brd. I just felt he did an amazing job with an overload situation on that one - - and it wasn't chopped liver ganging up on him - - that was Mercilus and Clowney.

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Right those dudes are no joke and caused havoc all day. Putting up 5 TDs despite such a ferocious pass rush is just another testament to how our offense can adapt to whatever style is necessary.