Improved Ground Game Can Fix Patriots’ Problems
Friday B/R column is up, taking an in-depth look at third quarters and third downs, and suggesting how a renewed dedication to the running game can help fix the problems.
Dobson seems to be able to get open/behind the secondary of teams pretty well. Do you think it’s a matter of time and practice before him and Brady start really clicking?
Yeah I noticed that too watching the all-22 of the Jets game. (Also noted Thompkins having a little more trouble getting off the line, which wasn’t the case earlier in the season).
But yes, I think we’ve seen a pretty good (not great) progression from Dobson, and it’s just a matter of time before he becomes a significant weapon in the red zone, especially going after jump balls.
I’m not sure if he’s going to be superstar or anything, and my biggest pet peeve is that he catches with his arms instead of hands too much, but that should improve over the offseason.
Perhaps the biggest thing is just getting some help from the return of the other weapons. Gronk, Vereen and Amendola should all take some heat away from Dobson and give him some favorable matchups. It’s just up to him to start taking advantage of them.
I think we’re privileged to have, probably, the finest coach and the finest quarterback, and we happen to have them at the same time – Robert Kraft
https://www.patspropaganda.com/jcincleats-i-think-were-privileged-to-have-4/
Fixing Patriots’ offensive woes starts up front | Boston Herald
Fixing Patriots’ offensive woes starts up front | Boston Herald
It’s doubtful anyone would call allowing 20 sacks of the quarterback in seven games a recipe for offensive success. Only four other NFL quarterbacks (Ryan Tannehill, Geno Smith, Ben Roethlisberger, Brandon Weeden) have been sacked more times this season than Brady. In the past three weeks, the line hasn’t been able to handle the defensive fronts of the Cincinnati Bengals (four sacks, eight quarterback hits), the New Orleans Saints (five sacks, seven hits) or the New York Jets (four sacks, three hits) in Sunday’s 30-27 overtime loss. That’s the first time in Brady’s career he’s been sacked at least four times in three consecutive games. Currently, he’s on pace to be dropped 46 times, which would top his previous season high by five.
Pressure Points: Chargers’ Depth Paying Off | The MMQB with Peter King
Pressure Points: Chargers’ Depth Paying Off | The MMQB with Peter King
Good week for the Pats pass rushers, with both Chandler Jones (edge rusher) and Chris Jones (interior rusher) ranked 4th-T for the week. Pats are up to 23rd overall in the Cumulative Defensive Pressure Points. Good sign and the progress needs to continue.
Hopefully Andre Carter brings a little boost as well.
I’ve always believed football teams aren’t bought. Football teams are built, especially when you need to lay a foundation down for when young players come in. Veteran players too; you hope they fit in with the players you already have, the mentality of the locker room, the chemistry of the locker room. Once you sign a player and pay him what he wants, does his motivation change? That’s something you never can anticipate, if the player’s goal in the NFL was to get a monetary reward. Do they want team rewards? Do they want to win championships? It’s always interesting to see how a player acts and reacts after he gets his big contract. The same goes with rookies. You get a first-round pick. Was that their goal in college, to become a first-rounder, and do they feel like they’ve achieved something by not doing anything? I think the right approach is that you don’t achieve anything by getting drafted; all you do is get an opportunity to play more football. But as we’ve seen, that’s not the way everyone approaches it.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/ive-always-believed-football-teams-arent-bought/