I’ll be honest, the years we tried to go in there and fire zone and play Tom Brady in that way, he was able to pick us apart. In that, you’re not overloading the offense – one-on-one rushes, only rushing five, so he’s able to find places to go,” Clark answered. “Two years ago we played them and dominated them, because we went man-to-man and had a big corner in Cortez Allen on Gronkowski, and made it hard for Tom Brady to get the ball off, in timing, and made him to have to make plays. It was hard for him.
Steelers’ Clark on Brady seeing ghosts – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston
Interesting read, and really everything that Ryan Clark lays out is why I believe the Pats were ready to evolve from the Welker-based offense. Will Amendola play the slot receiver role that Welker did? Sure. But what the Pats are now trying to do is develop outside threats in Dobson and Boyce.
So if the Steelers want to keep playing man-to-man like they did in 2011 they might be in a for a little surprise when they’re getting beat off the line and Brady’s chucking it deep instead of just sitting on Welker and waiting for him to get open.
And yeah Ryan, you dominated us in 2011… and won by 8 points.