tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634922814516750640.post771350459452624244..comments2023-10-19T08:11:05.471-04:00Comments on Yoooooour New England Patriots!: Patriots 10, Chargers 30 (10/12/2008)Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127199317146493976noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634922814516750640.post-28777792252446175592008-10-15T11:10:00.000-04:002008-10-15T11:10:00.000-04:00So not being a diehard football fan, I have to ask...So not being a diehard football fan, I have to ask a question. It seems that starting late last year, definitely into the Superbowl and continuing this year: the Pats O-line does not provide adaquate coverage to our QBs, or do they? One of the few memories I haven't repressed from the last Superbowl was that Brady was constantly getting hammered. This season's injury was caused by a lineman getting into the backfield, getting knocked down and getting back up to then hit Brady's knee at a bad angle. Also it seems like Cassel is constantly scrambling immediately upon receiving the snap. So am I not understanding part of this or is our O-line imitating my favorite cheese? Swiss with big holes in it?<br><br>MPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1634922814516750640.post-42944045615975608532008-10-16T09:50:00.000-04:002008-10-16T09:50:00.000-04:00Late last season, the only games where I thought t...Late last season, the only games where I thought there was a lot of pressure on Brady were the AFC Championship game and the Super Bowl. Other than that, I thought they played well when Brady needed protection. And in the Super Bowl, I thought the play-calling was the real culprit.<br><br>They called almost no max protection, screen passes, or draw plays to slow down the Giants pass rush, and they kept trying to throw the ball deep against a defense specifically design to stop that. Short passes were the order of that day, and they just didn't throw them often enough.<br><br>As for the O-line now, they aren't playing great, but Chargers game aside, I don't think they suck. Brady was injured on a poor block by Sammie Morris (not a breakdown by the O-line), and Matt Cassel takes longer to make decisions, which leads to pressure.<br><br>I never bought the idea that the Patriots O-line was one of the top 5 in the league, they're more like in the top 12. They don't have the size or physicality to line up and run the ball down your throat, and they usually need help from a tight end or running back to protect the QB. They're clearly in the top half of the NFL; just not as great as many pundits thought they were.<br><br>Over the years, there's been a lot of change on the O-line, and it might be starting to show. But give Cassel time to grow into the position and see how they do when he makes quicker decisions.<br><br>BTW, I think the best way to open up the offense is to go with the no-huddle spread formation. Worked well against the Chargers when they started using it in the second half -- they just missed too many opportunities and the defense played poorly, too.<br><br>Thanks for checking in, MP.<br><br>- ScottAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com