What Will Our Offensive Strategy Be ?

[VrabelMayeWin]

This started to get touched on in Ken's post.

I've given up trying to guess how we'll attack a defense. It would seem like the two things we'll attempt to do is offset the pass rush while attacking their secondary but not giving up on the run as their run defense is so-so.

Any ideas ?

The shotgun/spread would seem to get the first two done but it's hard to run consistently out of it. Alternately there's the two TE set but with just 2 WR they may not be able to get open quickly enough with the pass rush.

What do you guys think ?

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I think the offensive strategy is pretty much as you're defining it... I see a lot of people advocating a lot of passing, picking apart the secondary, especially the short passes you can fire off under bookend pass rush pressure. That's fine, but as you say, it needs to be balanced by the run. Basically SD needs to be punished for their sack-happy ways, and that includes both runs to the edges and quick hits in the passing game. I don't have stats on runs inside, which kind of depends on how well those bookends read/react on running downs (pass rushing ends may also clog up the middle nicely, but on a middling run D like San Diego, I'd have to see stats to believe it.)

Basically, we're looking at running a balanced attack, and something of a chess match. It will be a matter of taking what the San Diego D gives us, though that can include strikes down the field when the pressure is not on.

On the other side of the ball, I want to see the Pats throw some wrinkles at Rivers, at least getting good pressure on him, starting on his first 10 throws especially, where statistically he throws over half his interceptions. I would not abandon that approach all game, although I'd emphasize pressure in the first quarter, mixed in with mixed-up coverages the remainder of the game. He's also better throwing right than left, so I'd keep the strong safety committed (or duplicated by another coverage,) on that side of the field. He's way more mistake-prone throwing across his body (although I would bet all QBs are.)

PFnV

 

[Chargerfan21]

I don't know.. You'll probably try to limit Merriman to 15 sacks.. Don't like your chances though.

 

[pats1]

I don't know.. You'll probably try to limit Merriman to 15 sacks.. Don't like your chances though.

You'll get a rude awakening if you think the Patriots are the Raiders.

 

[jeffd]

This started to get touched on in Ken's post.

I've given up trying to guess how we'll attack a defense. It would seem like the two things we'll attempt to do is offset the pass rush while attacking their secondary but not giving up on the run as their run defense is so-so.

Any ideas ?

The shotgun/spread would seem to get the first two done but it's hard to run consistently out of it. Alternately there's the two TE set but with just 2 WR they may not be able to get open quickly enough with the pass rush.

What do you guys think ?

I think we import last weeks gameplan. Spread offense with alot of short routes. usually when a D blitzes, those short 5-7 yd hitches are open all day. in order to make that more effective we need to take our shots deep just like last week only we need to connect on 1 or 2 of them to really keep the defense honest. also, look for the return of the charlie weiss offense, lots of screens, draws and double moves with pump fake routes.
We can't stop Merriman and BB knows it. so we sure up the middle of the OL and let Brady step up. he's better at moving in the pocket than rolling out of it. Merriman will run circles around the pocket and if we can control the middle it won't hurt us.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

i don't see why they wouldn't start out spread wide in a shotgun no-huddle. let the pass-rushers tire themselves out trying to get to a qb who's starting in the shotgun and making quick passes. tell Brady to get rid of the ball within
3 seconds... either hit a receiver or throw it away. If they don't adjust they'll just keep sending the guys like Jacksonville did, and their guys will get tired and frustrated. If they do adjust that's when you adjust.

i say throw it away because i'm worried about Brady fumbling due to pressure. early on you do not want to turn it over. as the game goes on you can let brady start holding onto it longer either due to their guys not going all-out rush, tiring down, or out of necessity.

and they better throw at least 5 screens in this game. aggressive defense and all.

looking at everything i said, if BB were coaching SD he'd probably start out with little pressure and telling his guys to try to bat down balls rather than rush the QB. we'll see if SD stays predictable or not.

*edit* oh i forgot, according to SD fans sacks are all that matters. who would ever have their guys try to knock the ball down rather than go after the QB? that'd be stupid.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

You'll get a rude awakening if you think the Patriots are the Raiders.

HA HA HA HA HA...exactly

Good post. I think they will do everything, and make SD defend against everything, they will dink & dunk, screen, go deep, run right left and centre, slants, quick outs, posts, they will do it all cause NE can do it all well, and lord help SD if they find something that works, just look at the Jets, TB worked the sideline for pretty much a whole quarter....

We gots a good squad boys and a pretty smart head coach, if there are weaknesses, BB and staff will find them....

 

[Willie55]

Spread out the Chargers, go no huddle for the first few series, hopefully get out in front by a couple touchdowns. This takes the ball out of Tomlinson's hands (on the running side of the ball) and forces Rivers to throw more.

After getting the lead, slow it down with a more balanced attack of running and passing.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I'm basically with you guys, the best way to counter their pass rush (other than having equivalent talent at Tackle which we don't) is to get the ball off quickly which suggests the shotgun and spread. I just hate to kind of give away the running game doing this but it's probably what we'll do.

 

[Mooch]

I think you try to use their aggressiveness against them. Lots of traps, screens and draws. Things like the fake screen to one side, screen to the other side type stuff. Also, run an end around or two to WRs. Seems like the Chargers run less man coverage and more zone so we'll probably see a bunch of Troy Brown crossing routes, etc...

 

[PlattsFan]

I'd do a lot of traps and draws, trying to catch Merriman up the field as much as possible. The Charger ILBs aren't very big, so if the Pats can get either Graham or an OL on them, they can get pancaked. They're pretty fast, though, so I'm not sure if screens are the best way to attack them. It may be ... all depends on what they look like on tape. Recognition is the whole deal with screens (I'm still surprised at how bad the Eagles were defending the screen in the SB).

Spreading the field is good, but you need to account for Merriman with a couple of guys.

I'm not all that worried about moving the ball, I guess. Maybe I should be (the Pats sometimes have trouble with teams with fast ILBs), but ... I think they'll score).

 

[Chargerfan21]

I havent completed this week's game plan yet, but should have it shortly. I cant, obviously, release it here though.

I will say this, though.... I am gong to get Jackson more involved with the passing game, seeing as we now have a double threat of Gaffney and Caldwell, I am going to throw in the triple option wrinkle... along with a heavy dose of Benjamn Watson, and of course, will be throwing a lot more to Kevin Faullk and Laurence Maroney out of the backfield.

And, just to throw something totally different at the Chargers, I am going to have Brady do a little rolling out, with a moving pocket for him....

I should have all the details allworked out by the end of the day today.

l

OOOHHHH Double threat of Gaffney and Caldwell!! Two great recievers there....

 

[PATSNUTme]

You can run out of a spread offense. In fact that may be our most effective run offense. the biggest problem is Williams. He is as good if not better than Big Vince and I don't know if Koppen will be able to handle him one on one.

I would also use Corey as a single back in most formations and Maroney in the slot. When Maroney is the single back, put Kevin in the slot.

But this game will come down to turnovers. The Patriots will have to be +2 in turnovers in order to win.

 

[PATSNUTme]

OOOHHHH Double threat of Gaffney and Caldwell!! Two great recievers there....

Not great, but good enough, smartass.

 

[PatsDeb]

I havent completed this week's game plan yet, but should have it shortly. I cant, obviously, release it here though.

I will say this, though.... I am gong to get Jackson more involved with the passing game, seeing as we now have a double threat of Gaffney and Caldwell, I am going to throw in the triple option wrinkle... along with a heavy dose of Benjamn Watson, and of course, will be throwing a lot more to Kevin Faullk and Laurence Maroney out of the backfield.

And, just to throw something totally different at the Chargers, I am going to have Brady do a little rolling out, with a moving pocket for him....

I should have all the details allworked out by the end of the day today.

l

The problem with Jackson is he can't fake anyone out. Whenever he goes deep there is always a defender right on top of him (except once in the Buffalo game) and he isn't open. He had to break up two possible INTs in the Jets game because the guy was right there with him. He needs to do something other than run straight down field. How do you coach this 3 days before the game?

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I'm as big a fan of Jackson as I can be but it's for next year, not this year. The fact that he was in for 3 plays last week pretty much puts a wrap on that issue.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

The biggest problem is Williams. He is as good if not better than Big Vince and I don't know if Koppen will be able to handle him one on one.

DeOssie talked about Williams on Monday. He said that while Williams is as good as, or bettter than, Vince, he's different in that he comes off blocks faster so he makes more plays but can also give up more plays. Which makes me wonder if the quicker Maroney may be better for this game than Dillon.

 

[Willie55]

OOOHHHH Double threat of Gaffney and Caldwell!! Two great recievers there....

I just broke out into a cold-sweat thinking about how the Pats were going to defend Eric Parker and Vincent Jackson.

 

[Flying Fungi]

not quite the Offensive key, but the key to this game is likely psychological:

stay loose and confident

SD will likely come into this game too tight--they will press very hard from the getgo. If NE can stay loose and take advantage of the mistakes that an overemotional team can make, then NE stands a good chance of going up early and forcing SD from their gameplan.

On Offense--I expect BB to go right at Merriman. Block, release and screen to Dillon and/or a TE allll day long...

 

[abyzmul]

BLIND HOMER ALERT, BLIND HOMER ALERT!!

Gates is a fine receiver, but after that, they have just an average corps of receivers.

While we may not have a super star receiver, overall our corps of receivers is far better than theirs, and the key word is Overall.

sorry, but you can't be serious in thinking that your receiving core is anywhere near what the chargers have. vincent jackson, antonio gates, malcolm floyd, keenan mccardell, eric parker, and ladanian tomlinson can all burn your secondary.. Caldwell, Gaffney, Jackson, and Brown?? sorry, nobody other than blind patriot fans agree with you at all...

I would stack up the Pats receivers, OVERALL AS A GROUP, against any team inthe NFL. Defenses never know which one will be the key receiver on an given Sunday.

try watching teams other than the patriots, and you'll start to realize that you should remove the homer glasses every once in a while. have you seen cincinnati's receiving core? how about arizona. what about indy... or the cowboys. sorry son, your team isn't even close.