Playbook - Route Running
The Patriots value route-running very highly because subtlty and precision in footwork make it very tough on the defenders. Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd are some of the most savvy route-runners in the whole NFL. The play we're looking at here demonstrates the pressure that these guys put on a Defense. It's a 2nd and 9 with no-huddle personnel: Brandon Lloyd and Wes Welker together on one side of the field.
As you can see, Danny Woodhead is split out wide to occupy a DB outside the numbers. This allows Hernandez to work the seam with a couple of inside-out footwork moves in order to get inside leverage on the S, Laron Landry. Gronkowski runs right at the slot corner as he comes outside, but he gets open on a quick cut back to the middle, where he sits in the hole between the CB and LB.
On the other side, Wes Welker is lined up directly behind Brandon Lloyd to insure that he gets a free-release. Lloyd works his first few steps like a wheel route, and with a quick step, he baits the CB #31 Cromartie and the S #37 Bell to the inside. Lloyd gains space with a few backward steps toward the sideline, looking for a sideline pass from Brady. Instead, Brady takes the easy pass to Welker, who takes a 3 yard pass for 10 YAC.
The Jets are at a huge disadvantage pre-snap because they have a LB, a CB, and a S to match-up against two pro-bowl caliber WRs. Its obvious that Welker is going to be matched-up against the LB #56 DeMario Davis because #37 Yeremiah Bell is so far off the line. Welker beats the LB with a classic move: he comes off the line slow, takes a few jab-steps inside-outside and then he's gone. This move is so effective because Welker can hurt you inside or outside, it doesn't matter. There's just no way that Davis can defend this pass, but Rex Ryan's scheme hopes that Davis can make the tackle to force a 3rd down.
Welker's savvy move actually comes after the catch, as he gets quickly upfield to elude Davis and move the chains. First of all, Brady puts the ball in a place for Welker to get upfield at an angle that will allow him to beat the LB. Basically, Brady's throw informs Welker of how to avoid his would-be tackler. Sometimes Brady throws it behind Welker to help him avoid big hits, but here Brady just puts a little extra loft on it. Brady's throw tells Welker to go upfield immediately (rather than continue across the formation). The chemistry between these two is just ridiculous.
As you can see, Danny Woodhead is split out wide to occupy a DB outside the numbers. This allows Hernandez to work the seam with a couple of inside-out footwork moves in order to get inside leverage on the S, Laron Landry. Gronkowski runs right at the slot corner as he comes outside, but he gets open on a quick cut back to the middle, where he sits in the hole between the CB and LB.
On the other side, Wes Welker is lined up directly behind Brandon Lloyd to insure that he gets a free-release. Lloyd works his first few steps like a wheel route, and with a quick step, he baits the CB #31 Cromartie and the S #37 Bell to the inside. Lloyd gains space with a few backward steps toward the sideline, looking for a sideline pass from Brady. Instead, Brady takes the easy pass to Welker, who takes a 3 yard pass for 10 YAC.
The Jets are at a huge disadvantage pre-snap because they have a LB, a CB, and a S to match-up against two pro-bowl caliber WRs. Its obvious that Welker is going to be matched-up against the LB #56 DeMario Davis because #37 Yeremiah Bell is so far off the line. Welker beats the LB with a classic move: he comes off the line slow, takes a few jab-steps inside-outside and then he's gone. This move is so effective because Welker can hurt you inside or outside, it doesn't matter. There's just no way that Davis can defend this pass, but Rex Ryan's scheme hopes that Davis can make the tackle to force a 3rd down.
Welker's savvy move actually comes after the catch, as he gets quickly upfield to elude Davis and move the chains. First of all, Brady puts the ball in a place for Welker to get upfield at an angle that will allow him to beat the LB. Basically, Brady's throw informs Welker of how to avoid his would-be tackler. Sometimes Brady throws it behind Welker to help him avoid big hits, but here Brady just puts a little extra loft on it. Brady's throw tells Welker to go upfield immediately (rather than continue across the formation). The chemistry between these two is just ridiculous.
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