I watched "Inside the NFL" this week on Showtime. So glad the show got picked up by a major network - it's too good to just let go. Anyway Coach Cowher pointed out something about the Patriots that was a very astute observation. He said when Brady took over the Patriots, they were a team that was built to run the ball. Which was perfect for a young QB. But as Brady's skills increased over the next few years the team evolved around him. More and more emphasis was placed on the passing game and less on the running game. Eventually, last year, the Patriots were a 4 and 5 wideout team. Which fit Tom's great passing ability perfectly. Throw the ball downfield a lot. Now, however, the team has a rookie QB again. And even though most coaches would like to feature a power rushing game to support their young QB(such as Atlanta & Baltimore this year ), the Patriots just don't have the personnel to do it any more. They are no longer a smashmouth team but a finesse 5 wideout team. And that mis-match between the team they are and the team they need to be to help their rookie QB could be a problem for them this season.
That is interesting...but incorrect. I'd expect that from Blunderhead, though. Which RB was our pounder? Antowain Smith or Marc Edwards?
^^That is an interesting observation. I think we can generalize this logic to the Jets--that is, they brought in a great passing QB but perhaps do not have the surrounding infrastructure or right game plan to support him. That is, should we not have an offensive plan that maximizes his skills? We probably should have adopted the West Coast offense immediately after signing him.
I think the Pats have run a pretty balanced gameplan between the run and the pass. They only went pass-first when Moss and Welker got to town.
