A major issue for the Ravens will be how their older players on defense will respond to playing yet another road game after playing 174 snaps in a six-day span already this postseason. The Patriots offense operates with an up-tempo approach, frequently using quick snaps to catch opponents when they’re winded and to prevent them from getting lined up properly. That approach is why the Patriots lead the NFL with 1,191 plays from scrimmage during the regular season.
Do you think Ayanbadejo’s comments about us will be used as a huge motivational tactic?
Every little bit helps and who am I to complain if he wants to throw an early log on the fire. Not sure what he was thinking, anyone who’s watched any of the Rocky movie’s know whoever talks the most trash before always loses. But I’d guess that’s the last we’ll hear from him or anyone else in Baltimore this week.
How much of an impact do you think Vereen will have against the Ravens? I know it was just one game, but the exploitation of a LB on the outside proved pivotal. Against the slower LBs of the Ravens, can we have similar success using Vereen’s speed and pass catching ability?
Good question, BB said today that Woodhead could’ve gone back in if they needed him. Vereen was lighting it up so they stuck with the hot hand. Woodhead will be re-evaluated, but I expect the Patriots will use both him and Vereen to attack the Baltimore linebackers in coverage as you said. Ball security will be paramount against the Ravens tough defenders, that’s still something that scares me with Vereen. But with Gronk done the Pats need to get all of their weapons involved and Vereen has clearly demonstrated he’s a weapon.
The top backup was rookie free agent Justin Francis, as he came on as a sub rusher over Trevor Scott and Jermaine Cunningham. That was a role previously held by Cunningham, but his late-season suspension opened the door for Francis and now his role has been diminished. Jones didn’t play in the second half because of an ankle injury, which is when Francis’ numbers really spiked.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-top-backup-was-rookie-free-agent-justin/
What a catch by Vereen, he had a carbon copy of this play in college. Great to see a breakout performance by another young player.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/what-a-catch-by-vereen-he-had-a-carbon-copy-of/
So let’s look at Brendon’s argument: The Patriots are “suspect” because they… what? Don’t let defenses get set? Like they owed it to Houston last night on 1st & goal from the 2 to make sure they were good to go before snapping the ball? Is that about it? Like Brady should be required to say “Hey, fellas. You look confused. We’re all set, but why don’t you get all lined up and give us a signal when you’re ready? Sound good?” Because being faster, smarter and more practiced than the defense you’re playing is #bitchassness and not mano y mano. Got it. I guess instead of putting him down for sounding like a moron, I should give him credit for holding out a good hour before he brought up those old chestnuts SpyGate and 18-1. That’s probably his personal best. But I guess when you’re a 10 year veteran with 153 career tackles (16 in 2012) and 4.5 sacks, you’ve earned the right to pop off. You can’t spell Ayanbadejo without “bad.”
https://www.patspropaganda.com/so-lets-look-at-brendons-argument-the-patriots/
Rob Ninkovich of Patriots shows great timing again – Patriots – Boston.com
Rob Ninkovich of Patriots shows great timing again – Patriots – Boston.com
Great breakdown of Ninkovich’s clutch interception that really slammed the door on the Texans. Another thing that played into the Patriots hands was how the Texans had been picking on Tavon Wilson with Casey. Made it even more likely they’d dump it off there even if Wilson was in coverage.
The Patriots, from film study, knew how Schaub would react to a blitz. In every offense, if a certain player rushes, then one or more receivers will break off their routes, otherwise known as a “hot” route. The Patriots knew that Casey was going to be Schaub’s hot route, and were willing to bet that he would rush his throw to Casey. Schaub read blitz, and figured that since Mayo was the only linebacker on the field, that the middle would be wide open to throw to his hot route. What he didn’t see was that Ninkovich, though he started on the line, had replaced Mayo as the middle linebacker in the defense and was in perfect position to pick off the pass.