Broaddus: Re-Examining The Breakdowns From The Patriots Tape

[RS12]

• Tip of the cap to Byron Jones in the way that he played against Rob Gronkowski. What was impressive about Jones’ play was his ability to maintain position in route. The film showed that there were several snaps where Gronkowski had to literally shove Jones to gain any type of separation. Where the Patriots were able to take advantage of Jones was when they got in those 3-by-1 looks, which put Gronkowski away from the receivers and allowed him to work one-on-one. It was a nice adjust on their part to put Jones in those situations, making him have to deal with that big body on those inside breaking routes. Where you also have to give Jones credit was in his willingness to not shy away from trying to bring Gronkowski down in the open field. Where he causes difficulty is on the run-after-catch and Jones was able to limit that for the most part.
  
  
  
  
  
• The Patriots had a nice game plan in dealing with the two main weapons on this Dallas offense – Jason Witten and Cole Beasley. Even in the second half when the game was in hand, Witten and Beasley were still drawing double coverage. Witten was dealing with two safeties in dime packages and a drop defensive end and safety in base defenses. The Patriots made Beasley an upfield player by cutting off his underneath routes. There was one particular snap on third down where they buzzed Rob Ninkovich to the flat in order to cut him off from running the slant, which Weeden wanted to throw.
  
  
  
  
• I had a scout from another team that studies the Cowboys weekly tell me thatBrandon Weeden will never be more than a really good 7-on-7 quarterback. When there is no rush and the pocket is comfortable, he is going to make throws all day. As much as I wanted to disagree with that thought, I couldn’t. Weeden had his opportunities to make throws in this game, but he chose not to. When he needed to throw with anticipation – he didn’t. When he needed to show some patience and allow the routes to develop – he didn’t. Weeden didn’t take advantage of the times where he had a clean pocket to take a shot on a quick out or comeback route. The film didn’t show these receivers winning on many of their routes, but the ones where they did, he either didn’t take a chance or was late with the throw or his accuracy was off. Even though the game had been decided – his throw to Terrance Williams on fourth down was inexcusable. Williams probably ran his best route of the year and for him not to be rewarded for it tells you all you need to know about the current quarterback situation.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2015/10/12/broaddus-re-examining-breakdowns-patriots-tape

 

[Floatyworm]

Weeden's biggest problem is he is slow to read/react to a pass play. By the time he sees an opening window....it's closed. He needs to know where to go w/ the football before the snap. This is not rocket science...or inventing the wheel. Other teams around the league seem to get open...yet we struggle to complete even the simplest of routes like slants or dig routes.

 

[sureletsrace]

I never thought I'd read a Broaddus article and agree with everything he said.

Hell has frozen over.

 

[Floatyworm]

I never thought I'd read a Broaddus article and agree with everything he said.

Hell has frozen over.

Oh...don't kid yourself....If Broaduss was all that he would still be working in someones front office somewhere....In alot of ways he is like John Madden...Master of the Obvious

 

[darthseinfeld]

I think Jones is going to be a poor mans Asomugha. I wouldn't be shocked if he ia starting over Carr by the end of the season

 

[TwoDeep3]

"Doesn't throw with anticipation."

This sums up Weeden for me. I know he is playing with a short deck. That is understandable. But he also is playing on scared money because he doesn't risk at all. One might make the claim that risking has proven to be more negative than positive for him. The interception (as Phil Sims was touting Weeden will be the starter next game) might appear to indicate he does risk, and his approach is proven to be right since it causes a catastrophe when he does. But he flat missed the safety coming over on that route and threw a pass more out of desperation than trying to thread a needle.

To me, Weeden waits....

This is the difference between a marginal back-up and a starter. Weeden doesn't force the action. He waits for a safe throw.

I would rather have had Weeden throw three interceptions, one being a pick-six, and tossing three touchdowns and losing something like 49 to 24 than this miserable dink and dunk and play it safe offense. At least there would be hope that he could correct what he is seeing.

Now to be fair, the offensive brain trust could be more inventive to get a guy open. But completing a bunch of passes that fail to move the sticks is playing to lose.

And this is where stats lie for me. Because Weeden doesn't make plays. He protects the ball to the point he isn't even a bus driver. His skill set invites defenses to sit on the short stuff because he rarely tests them deep. He rarely tests them on the edges. He shrinks the field with his choices, and that gives the opposition a HUGE advantage.

Now the wheels on the bus are mostly flat. And options are limited, especially with the way this offense calls plays. But there isn't much to hang your hat on about his game and his play making ability, or inspiring those around him to be play makers.

Romo elevates the talent around him with leadership and talent.

Weeden is merely a face in the crowd for me. And while I complain about the moves of this FO, and sometimes do so when it isn't called for. This is an indictment of the people who make the decisions, by not seeing this guy has no place on this team. He was never the answer to the question, "What happens if Romo can't go?"

And with age and injury history in the more recent years, that question should be the foremost question in the minds of those who delighted in the accolades they received for drafting this past off-season.

To me, this move was like driving an off-road rally and not taking a spare tire.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Weeden's biggest problem is he is slow to read/react to a pass play. By the time he sees an opening window....it's closed. He needs to know where to go w/ the football before the snap. This is not rocket science...or inventing the wheel. Other teams around the league seem to get open...yet we struggle to complete even the simplest of routes like slants or dig routes.

Vince Young....RG3....Brady Quinn....the list goes on and on with college QBs who do not succeed in the NFL because they are waiting to see the WR number before they throw the ball. Windows are tighter, athletes are better....by the time you see the WR number....the DB is already closing....it's too late. This is something you already KNOW about a kid coming out of college. Even more....you KNOW this about Weeden...because this is who he has always been in the NFL....so WHY......WHY was he a backup on a team with championship hopes? They were hoping that IF....IF....Romo got hurt, it would only be for a game or 2. Once Romo was out for an extended period of time....they went to get someone who gave them a better chance over a longer window. So this means they KNEW Weeden is not a long term backup. So they question becomes....should we employ a backup whose ceiling is finishing a game...or starting 1 or 2 games?

 

[TwoDeep3]

Vince Young....RG3....Brady Quinn....the list goes on and on with college QBs who do not succeed in the NFL because they are waiting to see the WR number before they throw the ball. Windows are tighter, athletes are better....by the time you see the WR number....the DB is already closing....it's too late. This is something you already KNOW about a kid coming out of college. Even more....you KNOW this about Weeden...because this is who he has always been in the NFL....so WHY......WHY was he a backup on a team with championship hopes? They were hoping that IF....IF....Romo got hurt, it would only be for a game or 2. Once Romo was out for an extended period of time....they went to get someone who gave them a better chance over a longer window. So this means they KNEW Weeden is not a long term backup. So they question becomes....should we employ a backup whose ceiling is finishing a game...or starting 1 or 2 games?

This!

 

[Bleu Star]

Oh. We're still talking about clay pidgeon boy? Please wake me when the conversation morphs to a real NFL QB.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

"Doesn't throw with anticipation."

This sums up Weeden for me. I know he is playing with a short deck. That is understandable. But he also is playing on scared money because he doesn't risk at all. One might make the claim that risking has proven to be more negative than positive for him. The interception (as Phil Sims was touting Weeden will be the starter next game) might appear to indicate he does risk, and his approach is proven to be right since it causes a catastrophe when he does. But he flat missed the safety coming over on that route and threw a pass more out of desperation than trying to thread a needle.

To me, Weeden waits....

This is the difference between a marginal back-up and a starter. Weeden doesn't force the action. He waits for a safe throw.

I would rather have had Weeden throw three interceptions, one being a pick-six, and tossing three touchdowns and losing something like 49 to 24 than this miserable dink and dunk and play it safe offense. At least there would be hope that he could correct what he is seeing.

Now to be fair, the offensive brain trust could be more inventive to get a guy open. But completing a bunch of passes that fail to move the sticks is playing to lose.

And this is where stats lie for me. Because Weeden doesn't make plays. He protects the ball to the point he isn't even a bus driver. His skill set invites defenses to sit on the short stuff because he rarely tests them deep. He rarely tests them on the edges. He shrinks the field with his choices, and that gives the opposition a HUGE advantage.

Now the wheels on the bus are mostly flat. And options are limited, especially with the way this offense calls plays. But there isn't much to hang your hat on about his game and his play making ability, or inspiring those around him to be play makers.

Romo elevates the talent around him with leadership and talent.

Weeden is merely a face in the crowd for me. And while I complain about the moves of this FO, and sometimes do so when it isn't called for. This is an indictment of the people who make the decisions, by not seeing this guy has no place on this team. He was never the answer to the question, "What happens if Romo can't go?"

And with age and injury history in the more recent years, that question should be the foremost question in the minds of those who delighted in the accolades they received for drafting this past off-season.

To me, this move was like driving an off-road rally and not taking a spare tire.

You are right. If you decide to employ Weeden as your QB...then you have to have a gameplan that gives this team a chance. Our gameplan only allows for superior talent at 11 positions. That is risky business in todays NFL. There is too much parity. You are not going to line up Sunday after Sunday....and be fortunate enough for your 11 to be better than their 11. And if this is going to be our philosophy....then what are the coaches brining too the table? To use a basketball analogy...we will see if Phil Jackson is one of the greatest basketball minds...without Jordan, Pippen, Shaq and Kobe. And I like Phil Jackosn...but it is easy too look great when you have the best players!

 

[superonyx]

As much as the front office and I guess JG deserve credit for talent on the offensive line and adding talent to the defensive line they also deserve criticism for going into the season with Brandon Weeden as our backup QB. The decision to let Murray leave is shaky at best. But to add to this by having a backup who isn't a NFL worthy QB makes it look even worse.

I know Dez going down is significant even if Romo was our QB, having him go down when the league already determined that your running game is worth challenging just adds to the troubles. With Romo and Dez healthy our running game was going to be a struggle.

You just can't replace Romo, Dez, and Demarco with Weeden, Randle, and Street.
We were fortunate to come from behind in many games last year to barely win with Romo, Dez, and Murray.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Weeden's biggest problem is he is slow to read/react to a pass play. By the time he sees an opening window....it's closed. He needs to know where to go w/ the football before the snap. This is not rocket science...or inventing the wheel. Other teams around the league seem to get open...yet we struggle to complete even the simplest of routes like slants or dig routes.

I think his biggest problem is that he is miscast as an NFL quarterback.

 

[Aven8]

For all the people who thought Ro sucks.

 

[perrykemp]

For all the people who thought Ro sucks.

I can't imagine there are many people who think Ro sucks when he is on the field.

That's not really the issue with him is it?

 

[brucekr]

I'm disgusted with the performance of our offense with Weeden running it, but let's be a little bit fair. 80% of the backups in this league aren't starting qb quality, case in point, the Arizona Cardinals. Look what happened last year when Palmer went down.
Weeden folds like I've never seen a qb when even the illusion of pressure hits the pocket. And it's infuriating to watch our defense get 3 snaps off before they're back on the field again. But no qb is going to make this team look as good as Romo.
I'm all about Cassel getting a chance, but I fear he won't be much better.
I think we need a better game plan on offense. We need to be more aggressive, because this conservative run 2, pass 1, punt offense isn't getting it done.

 

[RS12]

I think Jones is going to be a poor mans Asomugha. I wouldn't be shocked if he ia starting over Carr by the end of the season

We can only dream. Problem is that would still leave Church an or Wilcox on the field.

 

[RS12]

For all the people who thought Ro sucks.

Nobody thinks he sucks, we question his desire and commitment. When he wants to play he is very good. That doesnt happen all the time.

 

[Alexander]

80% of the backups in this league aren't starting qb quality, case in point, the Arizona Cardinals. Look what happened last year when Palmer went down.

Not sure what your point is here.

The Cardinals still went 11-5 to close the season after Palmer's injury, meaning they went 3-4 with Drew Stanton and Ryan Lindley.

Arians kept them afloat and they made the playoffs, albeit limping in there.

Will Garrett do that?

So far, he's lost three in a row with Weeden and he has at least three games to go until Romo can possibly return.

 

[Idgit]

I'm disgusted with the performance of our offense with Weeden running it, but let's be a little bit fair. 80% of the backups in this league aren't starting qb quality, case in point, the Arizona Cardinals. Look what happened last year when Palmer went down.

Weeden folds like I've never seen a qb when even the illusion of pressure hits the pocket. And it's infuriating to watch our defense get 3 snaps off before they're back on the field again. But no qb is going to make this team look as good as Romo.

I'm all about Cassel getting a chance, but I fear he won't be much better.

I think we need a better game plan on offense. We need to be more aggressive, because this conservative run 2, pass 1, punt offense isn't getting it done.

There's no doubt about it, we're limited offensively. I understand that people think you can try to game plan out of it, because there really aren't that many levers to pull, but at the end of the day, the game really is about assembling the best personnel. Romo and Dez were our two biggest playmakers by a wide margin. Next biggest this season was Lance Dunbar. That's the top 3 out of the 11 guys you've got. Like it or not, when those guys go down, your best bet is to not make mistakes that will get you beat, and hope your defense and your OL can get you through. That's what AZ did in the example from last season. That's what we're hoping we can do now that we've got the players back defensively to put some pressure on people.

But the reality is, on both sides of the ball, if you're exceptional players are on the bench, your team is going to be limited. The idea that coaches are going to be able to take their backups and beat other good teams' starters just isn't realistic. Especially when the teams you're playing are largely undefeated against everybody else. There's not a scheme that lets you beat Tom Brady with Brandon Weeden.

 

[punchnjudy]

I think the verdict is out on the whole Weeden thing, but what they do about Leary will be a lot more interesting to me. If they know he's injured--and they think he'll play much better at the bye--then they may stick with him. However, if he doesn't start, is he even active? And if they deactivate him how much drama does that start? I don't know if that figures into coaching decisions at all, but it might.