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How to you think Jamie Collins is going to be used?

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I think the simple answer is on passing downs. Depending on how balanced the opposing offense is will determine how much he plays. Against the Ravens, he probably won’t be much more than a 3rd down player, both in coverage and rushing the passer.

But against the Broncos and Texans, he might play 75% of the snaps.

Lot of discussion re efforts to become more verticals in the passing game this year. How much of lasts year’s lack of stretching the field ws due to the skill personnel and how much jelling with a revamped o-line ( played significant minutes in 12 w/o any of the opening day ’11 o-line in which everyone had been to pro bowls.

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Interesting question, and one that I had been poking through some stats on. The first place you have to look regarding the vertical passing game is Brandon Lloyd. Prior to coming to the Patriots he was one of the most targeted downfield receivers in the NFL. His yards per reception was the lowest of his career with the Pats. 

The Pats had the same vertical problem last year, so it makes you wonder how much of it was tied to Wes Welker’s ability to get open almost every time.

Some will say it’s the Patriots dink and dunk offense, or that Brady can’t throw deep anymore, but Brady’s favorite receiver has always been the open one, and Welker was pretty much always open.

So this year, without Welker, and more speed at the position, we might finally see the Pats open things up downfield.

As for the offensive line, I think we should expect a really stellar year from them. I’m watching Ryan Wendell to make progress in his pass protection, and whether Dan Connolly gets challenged for the starting right guard spot by Marcus Cannon. Mankins and Vollmer should be more healthy, and Solder now has a full starting year under his belt. 

You can never under play continuity, and I think we’ll see the benefits of it on the offensive line and in the defense.

RE: Defending the Pats question. I think you definitely want to key in to stop the pass, but I’d only go nickel if I thought my front 4/6 wouldn’t get gouged. That means if I’m Buffalo, I’m staying in base, I’d imagine. But I’d just put my top guy on Dobson, double Amendola, have the strong safeties keep an eye on Hernandez and see if Ballard can beat me.

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Good stuff, but I think in that scenario Brady will have Hernandez all day long. 

For me, I’m doubling Hernandez, he’s the only target Brady’s played with before. My top guy goes on Amendola as if he were Welker. I’d force Dobson prove he can beat an NFL corner off the line before worrying about him. Despite the speed of Amendola and Dobson, I’d still be okay with a single high safety, at least initially. 

Friday Pats Q & A with a Q for U!

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Friday Pats Q & A with a Q for U!

The floor is open for our weekly Q and A, but for those of you without a Q, I’ve got one for you, especially the brave opposing fans who frequent this site.

It’s week one (or two), and the Patriots offense consists of Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson at wide receiver, Jake Ballard and Aaron Hernandez at tight end, and Stevan Ridley in the backfield.

The last couple of years the conventional wisdom to beat the Pats was play press man, not worry about the deep part of the field, primarily out of nickel package (at least in the Bills’ case). 

Now there’s no Gronk, no Welker, no Lloyd, and Dobson/Amendola have some speed and size elements the offense hasn’t had, granted both are unproven in the system, as is Ballard.

The question is what’s your defensive game plan? Who do you try to take away? Do you play nickel and worry about the pass, or do you stick to base to make sure Ridley is contained? Who are you least concerned about? Do you respect the speed/explosiveness of Amendola/Dobson in the deep part of the field?

Just a fun little exercise, most interesting answers get posted. This is what opposing defensive coordinators are thinking about right now as well, so I’m curious what our esteemed fanalysts think.