Why we could really use a healthy Sammy Morris

[BradyManny]

Alan (Nashua)


With Freeney and Mathis attacking Tom, do you see the Pats responding with a whole lot of Kevin Faulk?
Tedy Bruschi
(12:09 PM)


Alan, you must have been watching NFL Live last night. That's exactly what I was talking about. That Patriots can use Kevin in the short passing game with draws and screens to counteract that rush. Good question, buddy.

We've seen a lot of the 2-back set recently, and I think that would be pretty effective this week. One of its strengths is they can fake the screen to one side and set it up on the other. So even if the Colts want to take the screen game into account with an LB shadowing Faulk or something, and just let Freeney/Mathis tee off, they'd have to worry about screens & dump-offs on both sides of the field.

However, BJGE is leaving a lot to be desired as the #2 back in those sets. Perhaps is blocking is OK (haven't really noticed) but he's never shown sure hands, and he dropped a sure TD this past Sunday and a first down against Tampa Bay. In both cases, he had the ball in his hands, but it came out when he contacted the ground - we can't have a 3rd down back in there who can't reliably catch the ball. I'd love to see Maroney replace him in these sets until Morris gets back, but I think it's probably too much to ask of Maroney since he's carrying the load in the running game now too.