Rob Gronkowski vs Kam Chancellor

[Sarlacc83]

Maxwell, Lane, and Sherman have to erase LaFell, Amendola, and Edelman. I don't see a problem there. So we can practically devote 2 players to Gronk at all times. (One LB will want to watch Vereen who is an excellent pass-catching RB.)

It's really going to be NE's run game versus our run defense. Not too worried there, either, but Belicheck did rough up the Lions pretty good.

On paper these guys aren't as sexy as the 2013 broncos wide receiving corp, but they have way more heart. they are true competitors. Erasing them is not likely. For me, the most important matchup is our Dline with their Oline. We haven't been getting pressure lately since jordan Hill went down, and it is costing us big time. Last thing we need is Brady to tear us up from the pocket. Brady starts getting happy feet when you bring pressure in his face, especially up the middle.

I'm not saying they won't get any catches, but LaFell and Amendola are the only other players who really can go over the defense on the outside - and neither of them scare me. Teams have to test Seattle deep or they risk getting lit up in the war of attrition Seattle wants. Which is why I don't worry too much about Edelman. He's going to be a safety valve, in the middle/short of the field (generally, not always) and if you can quickly tackle/punish him, you may see alligator arms and business decisions as the game goes forward.

Pressure is always key, and Wagner may need to sneak in through the middle of the line if possible. In this game, however, the best defense is a good offense - particularly rushing offense. Get Beast Mode going, keep the Patriots on the field, and rip open the middle of the game and the fourth quarter.

 

[blazen2392]

Maxwell, Lane, and Sherman have to erase LaFell, Amendola, and Edelman. I don't see a problem there. So we can practically devote 2 players to Gronk at all times. (One LB will want to watch Vereen who is an excellent pass-catching RB.)

It's really going to be NE's run game versus our run defense. Not too worried there, either, but Belicheck did rough up the Lions pretty good.

On paper these guys aren't as sexy as the 2013 broncos wide receiving corp, but they have way more heart. they are true competitors. Erasing them is not likely. For me, the most important matchup is our Dline with their Oline. We haven't been getting pressure lately since jordan Hill went down, and it is costing us big time. Last thing we need is Brady to tear us up from the pocket. Brady starts getting happy feet when you bring pressure in his face, especially up the middle.

I'm not saying they won't get any catches, but LaFell and Amendola are the only other players who really can go over the defense on the outside - and neither of them scare me. Teams have to test Seattle deep or they risk getting lit up in the war of attrition Seattle wants. Which is why I don't worry too much about Edelman. He's going to be a safety valve, in the middle/short of the field (generally, not always) and if you can quickly tackle/punish him, you may see alligator arms and business decisions as the game goes forward.

Pressure is always key, and Wagner may need to sneak in through the middle of the line if possible. In this game, however, the best defense is a good offense - particularly rushing offense. Get Beast Mode going, keep the Patriots on the field, and rip open the middle of the game and the fourth quarter.

With Brady's declining arm, he has become less and less accurate with the deep ball. He's been doing damage within ten yards. Would be willing to say he has the fastest release of all quaterbacks this year. The patriots receiving corp have never been deep ball specialists. They are far more dangerous in the open field. Brady will rarely test us deep. They will probably have their guys run to shermans side and tell him to shed blocks and tackle in the open field with that elbow. throw in Gronk drawing double coverage, and we have an offense that has literally matched up the best against us in a while. One think i respect a lot about the pats is their ability to adapt. They didnt even run the ball once against the ravens if i remember correctly, even with that a 250 pound back.

 

[Hawkscanner]

This is the most intriguing aspect of this game to me! Kam is an absolute beast and so is Gronk. So far, there is not a single defensive back that can cover Gronk 1 on 1 for 60 minutes and hold him in check. He is too fast, too strong, too big and has great sense for body leverage to pair with an awesome set of hands. As much as I respect Kam for being the top SS in the league, I am not sure the Seahawks will be able to contain him without bracketing. Most likely I expect them to bracket Gronk with KJ and Kam.

The problem that all teams run into when having to bracket Gronk is that the Patriots possession receivers gravitate to the vacuum that Gronk leaves behind. Edelman is one of the most underrated pass catchers in the NFL and will find his space, while Lafell and Amendola are nice complimentary pieces. It's the Gronk effect and the Patriots haven't had the luxury of a healthy Gronk in the playoffs... umm... ever!

To me this is the key of the game tho, be it Kam or KJ or Irvin or even if they put Sherman on him. How they can minimize Gronk directly correlates to if the Pats can move the ball at will or not.

This is honestly a dream matchup to face the best defense in the NFL with a world beater combo of Brady and Gronk. I will be glued to my set for sure. Get the popcorn ready! I'm sure there will be ups and downs (I mean, Brady does tend to lock on Gronk once in a while and force a pick that makes all of Boston cringe)

Cheers!

For sure, this is one of the real keys to the game and I would say that people have identified correctly who will be drawing coverage on Gronkowski -- KJ and Kam for the most part. I know that Gronkowski is a matchup nightmare for most defenses, as he is just too strong and too fast for most LB's to cover. The thing with Seattle's LB's is that they are not MOST LB's -- they are extremely fast, good in coverage, and punishing hitters. Chancellor is a real cog to that defense, as he is a real tone setter. That pop that Bam Bam Kam put on Demaryius Thomas in the Super Bowl last year completely changed that game. He didn't want to go over the middle after that hit. I'm curious to see how Gronkowski will respond if he gets tagged like this ...
[youtube]0UevvfswzGk[/youtube]

or like that ...
[youtube]78qF72JwJwA[/youtube]

It goes without saying that Chancellor WILL look send to a similar message to Gronk and the rest of that receiving corps sometime during the Super Bowl. I'd count on it.

 

[SeaHawk80]

Good input Gronkzilla. I think that Edelman is a beast at YAC and at being overlooked in that offence. We have to contain Edelman and erase his YAC, which we are exceptional at that. We have not faced Blount before. He is similar to Eddy Lacy but not as dynamic, solid tackling will be key, gap integrity as well, both things we are good at. If Brady has the time that Rogers did we will pay every time and not with field goals either. This is Phillip Rivers on steroids, with brains and Balls. This is the Superb Owl i called 30 mins after last years and am stoked to see it. This should be the best Superbowl in Decades. I am So Stoked, New best coach vs Perennial best coach. Hopeful Dynasty vs Proven Dynasty. A changing of the guard perhaps. Who could not be excited about this match up. No one is getting blown out in this game, we could easily see OT or a last second touchdown, or or or.. My imagination is out of control. Their secondary is just a tick behind us, we will have issues getting open. Tight ends are key and that is a little scary for us, do they catch that day? Do they play like against the Cardinals and blow our minds or like against the Rams and make us blow chunks. Does Bevel stick to what wins for us? Beast mode down their throats, that is how we win. Nothing unusual there.
Can't wait
:snack:
Go Hawks
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