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do you think stork is/was the catalyst for turning the offensive line around (so far), ever since he has taken over the starting center position the line has gotten a little better

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Obviously! Well, he was part of it at least. I think putting actual interior linemen (Connolly-Stork-Wendell) at the interior line positions is really what did it. I wish I could ask BB why they wanted to try tackles inside early this season. I guess the real answer, not the BB-speak “we’re just trying to find the best guys”, would be an attempt to put more size in the middle of the line because that had been lacking in recent seasons.

But what you lost with those tackles was the quickness needed for guards who are pulling and tracking down defenders to block in space. Those are key elements of the Patriots offense and the difference between Connolly pulling and Cannon/Devey doing it are light years apart.

There’s no question, at this point Stork looks like he could be the starting center for the next decade. While Wendell/Connolly certainly made things look a lot better on Sunday night, I think that is still a long-term area of need. So keep an eye on those first round guards next spring in the draft.

Do you think that Tim Wright can be the key to the patriots returning to their two tight end formation that they used wen they had Hernandez?

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I think Tim Wright has a ton of potential in this offense and we just saw him scratch the surface on Sunday night. The Hernandez comparison is an easy one to make and the potency of a high-functioning two tight end offense is well documented.

The key as I see it is getting Gronk’s blocking back to 100 percent. That’s what made Gronk the ultimate tight end weapon and right now he’s still getting the power to block and sustain back. We’ve seen great strides from him the last couple weeks in the passing game – he’s running more comfortably, and doesn’t look aware of his knee or anything else. But watching him block, it’s not where it needs to be.

So get Gronk back blocking like he did in the old days and then you can phase out Hooman for Wright. I don’t know if they’ll be able to get to the same level of fast execution the 2011/2012 offense had, but they’ll present similar matchup problems for opposing defenses.

Which years were your favorite on both sides of the ball to just watch as a fan and enjoy what you we’re seeing

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2013 had to be one of my favorites since I really started blogging full time about the Patriots in late-2007. They overcame so much seemingly impossibly-to-overcome adversity – near complete overhaul at WR, loss of both Hernandez and Gronk, Wilfork, Mayo and Kelly. That team reached as deep as any team I’ve ever seen.

2007 was obviously a thrill ride that came to a crashing halt, but I really enjoyed 2006 as well for similar reasons to 2013 – lots of turnover and adversity that was overcome. To think that team came as close as they did to going to the Super Bowl is special.

Every years has its moments, but 2013 and 2006 really stand out to me personally.

What offensive personnel are you looking for with Tyms back? I personally liked them to run the 2 TE with gronk/wright or hooman and Lafell/Dobson or Tyms. As as much how Edelman has the most chemistry with brady, physicality seems like a better option.

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I don’t really even know if Tyms is going to see the field and really, he could be the 53rd guy on the roster right now – a tenuous spot. Might take an injury to Dobson for him to dress for a game. We’ve seen plenty of wide receivers tear it up in the preseason only to never be heard from again. It made sense to keep him on the roster because he cost nothing, but how much value will he have now? I’m not sure.

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lolpats:

A TB12 #TBT – Bet these guys would be smiling if they knew who they were ultimately posing with #Patriots

(pic courtesy Tom Brady Facebook)

https://www.patspropaganda.com/lolpats-a-tb12-tbt-bet-these-guys-would-be/

Patriots vs. Bengals All 22 Thoughts: Offense Edition

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On to the offensive side of the ball where I found a lot to be encouraged about. Most specifically the team-wide commitment to blocking downfield. The linemen and receivers were blocking with gusto and that finally got the explosive plays in the ground game going.

Rob Gronkowski and Shane Vereen showed they were rounding into form finally as the elite weapons we think they should be.

Here are my All 22 observations on the offensive side of the ball.

As I wrote this week on my Three GIFs piece, I loved the opening call, a play action 20-yard pass to LaFell.

It was apparent from the first drive that the Pats came to play, the first time that’s happened this season. Loved the balance and use of play action.

I still have some concerns about the Pats’ short yardage ability, but how was the ball spotted so badly after James Develin’s 3rd and 1 carry?

Hooman is a necessary evil for now but how I’d love to get Tim Wright more involved at Hooman’s expense. Hooman is literally zero threat, though I see improvement in his blocking.

Missed this before but Iloka was giving some extra post-whistle business to Gronk on the second drive and that’s likely why Gronk had a shove for him later that picked up a penalty. Nice job by Amendola coming to Gronk’s defense.

Tim Wright’s touchdown came out of a a tight formation that the Bengals clearly weren’t ready for. Wright found the seam perfectly and Brady didn’t hesitate to immediately throw it to him.

Gronk continuing to look more like his old self in space as he picks up a first down in the first quarter, the one that drew a penalty. He’s attacking contact now. Need to focus on his blocking more now.

Next play Pats try play action on first down, Brady has Edelman for a moment but doesn’t pull the trigger. He’s going to his second read when the sack comes. 

Brady’s missed deep throw to Edelman came off his back foot as pressure arrived. Wish we could’ve seen if he hit or missed it if he had had the time. Those are throws that need to connect when it’s all on the line and one of the biggest criticisms of this offense.

Right side of the line was unaware of the snap count on the next play, a third down. Two rushers just came flying in as Gronk and Vollmer stood there. Ugh.

Such a better job picking up defenders in space by the pulling offensive linemen. Connolly especially. Such a huge difference from previous weeks.

Here’s what you didn’t see earlier this season – DOWNFIELD BLOCKS! Vereen gets 11 yards on this one.

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Continue to see Amendola getting open. Wish Brady could find him more often.

The interesting personnel package near the goalline at the end of the first half was Dobson/LaFell/Gronk/Edelman/Vereen. Dobson gets open but Brady doesn’t see him. 

Amendola comes in for Dobson on the next play and gets open but it looks like it was a roll out play designed for Edelman who is not open.

They go to Ridley/Hooman on the third down attempt at the goalline and while he had a good burst, Ridley gets stopped cold in his tracks.

Really love how Develin has progressed and carved a role out for himself. Who doesn’t love an old school fullback with a neck roll who can catch a bit. Tom Rathman fans like me can’t get enough of that!

Said it before and I’ll say it again, Gronk is looking more and more like Gronk.

Shane Vereen hasn’t gotten much love yet but deserves some. He ran well and broke a few ankles on this day. Seems likehe’s rounding back into form. He had two big carries in the third quarter, including a long third down pickup.

How about this three tight end look? And they ran right.

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Vintage Gronk touchdown and I loved how he casually avoided contact. Can’t be easy to feel comfortable with guys diving at his knees again.

BB pointed it out today in his press conference, but great block by Dobson downfield to spring Ridley near the end of the third quarter. Those kind of plays will get him on the field more often.

I feel like once Brady’s presnap read tells him Edelman should be open he doesn’t deviate from throwing it to Edelman.

Still not impressed once by Gronk’s blocking. Once that comes back (assuming it does), look out. This Pats offense will hit high gear then because Hooman can then stay on the sidelines.

Patriots vs. Bengals All 22 Thoughts: Defense Edition

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Nice to finally get a look at the All 22 after a day’s delay. Pats seem to be finding their stride on defense and when they wrap up and make tackles, things look pretty good. They’re flashing more and more physicality in the secondary as well, which is needed.

Perhaps the biggest note is Darrelle Revis looking like Darrelle Revis, but also how well Arrington and Dennard played as well. Can’t remember having three corners playing this well since… well… ever.

The biggest concern – defensive end depth with Chandler Jones and Dominique Easley ailing while Michael Buchanan was just shut down for the season. Might be a move to come there.

Here are my notes on the defense…

Dennard might be the unsung hero of this defense. He’s feisty, shows good anticipation and seems like the key guy to allow man defense across the board. Very curious to see what happens with Browner now in the mix. Dennard seems too good to ride the pine now.

Chris Jones continuing to progress, taking on double teams better. 

Revis anticipates double moves so well, he never stops moving. His talents were on clear display right off the bat, smoothly sticking with AJ Green like glue.

Man-to-Man defense certainly has it’s plusses when Revis-Dennard-Arrington are all playing. But on third-and-long on the first drive the Pats went to Cover 4 to snuff out the underneath routes. A good example of how mixing coverages is key.

Savvy “ole” move by Ninkovich on the second Bengals possession against the tight end trying to block him. Ninkovich has been under the radar this year somewhat, but continues to show up in the run game. 

Some good stuff out of Easley playing defensive end. His power continues to flash, but he’s still developing the savvy needed to pass rush in the NFL. He’s really shown how versatile he is early in the year and as he gets more comfortable on his knee he should only get better.

Casey Walker showed up on just his second snap with the Patriots, plowing through the line to blow up a run for a loss. Might be a little early to say anything definitive but the Pats have to be happy to see this from their big body replacement of Siliga. He could be a key piece down the stretch.

Next third-and-long the Pats went to Cover 2 Man but when that play was blown dead by a penalty they went back to Cover 4 for third-and-longer.

Clear as day where Easley hurt his shoulder mid-way through the second quarter, he was just trying to extend against a block and immediately reached to it. His arm hung limp as he walked to the sideline. Doesn’t seem major and he was at practice today so that’s a good sign.

Love Jamie Collins in the passing game, but he’s not a downhill linebacker how can hammer an oncoming offensive linemen. In space against pass-heavy teams he’ll be incredibly valuable. Of course that is most of the teams in the NFL that we worry most about. But against some of the NFC teams it might be interesting with him.

Chris Jones with another great stack-and-shed in the second quarter. Solid game for him so far. Michael Buchanan entered for Easley and he looks a little lost so far. Looking for the injury that landed him on IR.

I’m sure one of the talking points you’ve heard this week is that the Pats pass rush pressure wasn’t great but against a quick-throw team like the Bengals it’s almost impossible to get to the QB consistently. The good thing I see is that the pass rush is getting there right after Dalton unloads it, forcing him to quickly throw to his first read consistently. That’s a positive and something we’ll need to do against the good QBs like Peyton.

Holy ticky tacky holding call on Dennard! 

Bengals went run-heavy at the end of the second quarter after taking a couple shots at the end zone. Pats countered with a 3-4 base defense that held up well, forcing the field goal. Good red zone stop.

On the forced fumble by Revis on AJ Green it felt like it all started with a great jam by Revis that put Green off balance. Again, Revis was everything we thought Revis is and was in this game.

Look at that, Dennard gets sent on a blitz on the first play of the second half forcing a rushed throw and incompletion. Nothing better than a three-and-out to start a half, and the Pats got on their way to one with some rare DB pressure.

Jerod Mayo bounced back again in what has been an up-and-down start to his season. It’s amazing how much better the Pats are when he plays well. And how bad they are when he doesn’t.

Pats were in base defense, Cover 4 on the 37-yard touchdown pass to Sanu. Chung jumped the underneath route leaving Dennard with no help. McCourty’s absence was felt here.

Pats got caught in an exchange on a 15-yard gain to Hill. Ninkovich dropped and Mayo blitzed off the edge. Great throw by Dalton and a tough catch. Like seeing this kind of disguise.

On AJ Green’s touchdown Logan Ryan got no jam and then ran into Mayo which opened up enough space for an easy TD throw from Dalton. Not entirely Ryan’s fault, but a better jam would’ve likely helped him avoid Mayo coming over to cover the RB.

Collins is almost better getting right up on the line of scrimmage and using his athleticism in tight space to avoid blocks. In the fourth quarter he did just that, blowing up a zone run.

Great move by Chris Jones to pick up the first sack of the season against the Bengals. Not playing every down has allowed Jones to really elevate his game. He made a handful of impact plays in this game.