Archives for February 2014

It all comes down to having an X receiver that is a threat on the outside. The Patriots are certainly hoping the Aaron Dobson develops into this kind of player.

Even when they don’t have that guy, they still take shots (see the deep throw to Matthew Slater in the AFCCG that Brady underthrew), but there’s a big difference between those to keep a defense honest and having a real target on the outside with the speed to get deep.

Tom Brady’s strengths are obvious. He makes the right read and is deadly accurate within 15 yards. He’s not going to launch an aerial assault twenty yards down the field with every pass. 

They want to attack the perimeter and they need to be able to, but not at the expense of putting a one-trick pony, ala Ochocinco, into the offense. What makes the offense go are receivers who can read defenses and get open quickly. As long as they have a couple of those guys, they’ll be a top-10 offense with Brady at the helm.

But if they truly want to be explosive they need that X. We saw it against the Broncos in the AFCCG. The Pats moved the ball but it was tedious and they had just three 20+ plays, and none over 30 yards. The Broncos had eight, including two that went 30+.

That’s the difference Demaryius Thomas makes on the outside (he had four 20+ plays). The Patriots need that element to their offense.

An X will only make it easier to do what Brady does best and allow the inside receivers to deal with less coverage because at least one safety and probably two would have to be deep.

So let’s hope Dobson has a big offseason and takes a big step forward in 2014. Or maybe even second-year player Mark Harrison, a dark horse who has elite size and speed.

I think it just boils down to finding creative ways to employ all of the weapons that they have. They were a bit inexperienced with the pieces this year so there wasn’t much “shock and awe” to the offense.

But as guys like Dobson and Amendola continue to progress, along with at least a couple other additions at tight end, receiver and running back, they will be harder to defend. Getting by with basically only Edelman healthy and consistent all year was a miracle. Injuries and turnover like 2013’s are rare and they took their lumps for it.

But just by experience and better luck in the injury department and they’re already significantly more talented than 2013’s crew.

I think Shane Vereen really brings a unique element, but I don’t think he was ever truly comfortable after returning from his wrist injury. Yes, he went off against Cleveland but that was really the last impact game he had this season. Whether that’s because defenses were game-planning for him or just a fall of in production will be something to study this offseason.

But with Gronk or another tight end who’s actually a threat in the passing game, an improved/more experienced receiving corps and things should open up for Vereen a bit more. 

Perhaps the most interesting offensive revolution might be when it comes time to replace Brady. Will Belichick stick with a pocket-passer or will there be a focus finding a threat to run?

We saw the value of a great running game late in the 2013 season. With defenses getting lighter up front to generate more pass rush perhaps the next offensive revolution is a return to power running with multiple threats to run.