Playbook - Brady to Lloyd

The Brady to Lloyd connection was not in sync on Sunday. I think that Brady threw at least 3 intentional overthrows, but Lloyd also had 3 drops. This is a 2nd and 9 where Brady goes to Lloyd, who can't come up with it. Even though Brandon Lloyd had to do a dive/slide move to get there, he should have caught this. On the next play, Brady badly overthrows Lloyd because of a Jets blitz. This drop on 2nd and 9 sunk the rhythm of a very impressive opening drive. A catch would have put the Patriots in FG range at least. 

As you can see, #81 Hernandez is lined up as a FB in front of #34 Shane Vereen. Vereen had already gained some yard through the air and on the ground, but on first down he had been stopped for a gain of 1. Still, The Patriots liked the match-up, and were in the no-huddle to keep The Jets in Nickel personnel. The Patriots run a play-action to the left to trap The Jets LBs.

Although The Jets LBs don't make much motion towards the run fake, they are both moved outside the left hash by the TEs routes to the outside. Both Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd are open on the play, which is why its so tough to see Lloyd drop it. Welker gets space between the LB and the S (coming from the other side of the field. Lloyd manages to get single coverage, and he beat his man (Cromartie) with a speed move. In essence, he speeds up for 5 yards to act like he's trying to get pass the defender to the outside, but then he cuts in on the post to get open.

Brady could have thrown a better pass, but he makes the right read going to Lloyd. Welker is open, but Lloyd is more open. Its just a shame that they couldn't connect. Brady did a nice job of looking the LB out of his passing lane by following Hernandez and Gronkowski with his eyes. Looking back to the opposite side of the play is difficult, and Brady threw a catchable pass. Lloyd, really? Hope you redeem yourself against your (other) former team.