Defending against the Patriots offense

[Cas2800]

Im sure the Pats will run a hurry up offense because they know Hardy and McClain will probably get tired. While most think we need to pressure Brady i think that exactly what he wants. It will wear out our linemen while allowing him to get the ball out quick. I hope we mix in some linemen not focusing so much on the rush but trying to bat down the quick throws. Lets be honest, to win this game we willneed to win the turn over battle with at least +2. Brady love the quick two step throws.

 

[Junglist]

Surely the coaches have studied what Miami and Seattle did to them last year, right?

 

[maxdallasfan]

Put 2 Safeties on Gronk.

1 LB to spy the RB

4 DL

CB's to defend the WR, and the little dudes.

Otherwise, it's mismatch city.

 

[31smackdown]

What really stands out if you watch some film on the Patriots is that they will consistently abuse blown coverage and undisciplined play. A lot of big plays against teams that did not communicate well and did things like forgetting to put a safety over Gronk and the corner releasing him, because they got cute with their coverage or again bad zone switching/pickups with players staring at Brady. When teams played man and had tight coverage Brady was a little more hesitant to squeeze something in. Buffalo had a couple of 3 man lines and played bracket coverage, but then the defense didn't execute and defeated the purpose of the defense. My guess is that Brady is really good with his play fakes and holding players with his body and eyes with how often players were getting frozen in their coverage just long enough for the receivers to separate. Communication and disciplined defense will be a big key.

 

[RunDMC]

Double Gronk. New England is gonna move him around the formation. Dallas has to get matched up. They can't afford to have a guy like Tyler Patmon at him when he gets moved into the slot. Have to give him different looks. Claibourne, Carr, Byron Jones, and with how poor safeties have been in help situation I think our linebackers could be that guy to help the rookie out when he's matchup against Gronk.

Edelman and Amendola are the benefactors of the coverages Gronk sees, but I think you just have to live with that. It's pick your poison. Can't let Gronk beat you and live with one on ones against these guys and the tackling has to be good. Have to take great angles. Have to be disciplined. Can ill afford to have lapses against these guys. Neither are down field threats, but they are so good after the catch and using their shiftiness and quickness similar to that of Cole Beasley. They are hard to tackle. Can't have a guy like Church trying to get him by his leg. You gotta wrap these guys up. Square yourself and wrap up.

 

[conner01]

Pass rush is only equally as important as taking away Brady's first read. He wants to get rid of the ball in <3 seconds. If you can make him hold the ball, he will get happy feet and start to bounce. That's when he makes errant throws. The drags and slants have to be on lock down, with a defender still devoted to Gronkowski. We don't have anyone who can stop Gronk from making the catches, but whoever guards him needs to be a sure tackler and not give up RAC yards.

Good point
Can't throw the quick pass if it's not open
That's the key to forcing him to hold the ball, then you have to get in his face
Crawford is the guy we need in the backfield a lot. Brady, like most qb's really doesn't like middle pressure
He's good at avoiding the edge rusher but if there is no pocket to step up into then you can get to him

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Zone defense requires a pass rush or a poor QB to be successful. Even an average NFL QB will thrash zone coverage given time.

 

[30yrheel]

I don't think we can stop them unless we get 2-3 turnovers.