hawknation2015
New member
bostonhardo":1wnrau2q said:hawknation2015":1wnrau2q said:bostonhardo":1wnrau2q said:Will they get to Brady on 3rd down by blitzing or with a 4 man rush?
Mostly with a four man rush. Avril and Bennett are the fastest down linemen off the ball that New England has faced this year. Nate Soldier and your RG will have their hands full with those two.
But they will also mix it up with Irvin and Schofield, who are also very fast off the ball. In addition to the occasional blitz by Wagner and Wright. This is the Patriots' greatest weakness, IMO. It also happens to be one of our strengths, so you can count on a dedicated game plan to get after Brady in obvious passing situations.
Can't agree with you there on strength weakness. Since the 4th game of the season the O-line pass protection has been a strength. Buffalo (twice) , Detroit and the Ravens a few weeks ago are very good pass rushing teams who were very ineffective.
The problem with your examples is those teams lack down linemen who are as explosive off the ball as Bennett and Avril. Brady's quick decision making and release are your greatest advantages in pass pro. But to a man, your offensive line has disappointed throughout the year. One source (PFF) rates them as the 2nd worst pass blocking offensive line in the league this season: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2 ... ankings/2/
How is Nate Soldier going to match up against a speed rusher who gets off the ball faster than anyone on our entire defense (1.50)? Compare that kind of speed to explosive outside pass rushers like Mario Williams (1.60) and Dumervil (1.65).
Last year, people didn't think they would be able to penetrate the Broncos' very good pass blocking OL. That prediction didn't work out too well for them.
