Keys To Victory @ Tennessee
Every Friday, we will break down the most important themes for the Patriots in the upcoming game. Usually, we shoot for 3 keys for the Offense, and 3 for the Defense. Although these keys will represent a team effort, certain match-ups will loom larger than others. For this reason, we will choose one or two guys (players/coaches) for each key to watch more closely as representatives of that aspect of the game.
OFFENSIVELY
1. Tom Brady must be given time in the pocket.
-->The O-Line, particularly Nate Solder
We will watch the number of hurries, hits, and sacks very closely in this game. Tom is our most important player, and it is a long season.
2. The running game must have an element of explosion.
--> Stevan Ridley
The main reason that BJGE is not a Patriot again this year is his lack of open field explosion. Sure, he had a good average and great ball control, but Defenses did not fear him nor alter their alignments for him. Ridley needs to prove to the league that he can hurt you once or twice a game if you do not account for him with your Safeties. This will also take pressure of Tom Brady.
3. Brandon Lloyd must be welcomed into the Offense.
--> Brandon Lloyd and Josh McDaniels
At this point last season, we still thought that OchoCinco was going to catch 60 passes for 750 yards and 7 TDs. So, lets not assume that Lloyd will be dominant. Likewise, McDaniels needs to work him into his production. Show the fans a little taste of what this guy can do, because we certainly didn't see it in the preseason.
DEFENSIVELY
1. Play with excellent gap discipline against the run and pass, particularly on the edges.
-->Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich
Chris Johnson does most of his damage when he gets to the edge. Likewise, Jake Locker is most dangerous when he escapes the pocket. The guys on the edge must force Johnson and Locker to cut back toward the middle of the field, where our sure tackling linebackers await them. This may indeed cause Jones or Ninkovich to seem unproductive in terms of tackles and sacks, but this job (however un-glorious) is the most important aspect to defending the Titans on Sunday.
2. Abandon the bend-but-don't-break mentality on the back end.
-->Devon McCourty
McCourty was selected to be a team captain in his 2nd year, and again this year. He is the leader on the back end, and the secondary mimicked his poor season a year ago. This year, McCourty and the other DBs need to be a bit more aggressive when the ball is in the air, while still maintaining a defense that is geared to limit big plays.
OFFENSIVELY
1. Tom Brady must be given time in the pocket. -->The O-Line, particularly Nate Solder
We will watch the number of hurries, hits, and sacks very closely in this game. Tom is our most important player, and it is a long season.
2. The running game must have an element of explosion.
--> Stevan Ridley
The main reason that BJGE is not a Patriot again this year is his lack of open field explosion. Sure, he had a good average and great ball control, but Defenses did not fear him nor alter their alignments for him. Ridley needs to prove to the league that he can hurt you once or twice a game if you do not account for him with your Safeties. This will also take pressure of Tom Brady.
3. Brandon Lloyd must be welcomed into the Offense.
--> Brandon Lloyd and Josh McDaniels
At this point last season, we still thought that OchoCinco was going to catch 60 passes for 750 yards and 7 TDs. So, lets not assume that Lloyd will be dominant. Likewise, McDaniels needs to work him into his production. Show the fans a little taste of what this guy can do, because we certainly didn't see it in the preseason.
DEFENSIVELY
1. Play with excellent gap discipline against the run and pass, particularly on the edges.
-->Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich
Chris Johnson does most of his damage when he gets to the edge. Likewise, Jake Locker is most dangerous when he escapes the pocket. The guys on the edge must force Johnson and Locker to cut back toward the middle of the field, where our sure tackling linebackers await them. This may indeed cause Jones or Ninkovich to seem unproductive in terms of tackles and sacks, but this job (however un-glorious) is the most important aspect to defending the Titans on Sunday.
2. Abandon the bend-but-don't-break mentality on the back end.
-->Devon McCourty
McCourty was selected to be a team captain in his 2nd year, and again this year. He is the leader on the back end, and the secondary mimicked his poor season a year ago. This year, McCourty and the other DBs need to be a bit more aggressive when the ball is in the air, while still maintaining a defense that is geared to limit big plays.
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