Attack The Middle or Spread 'Em Out?
It seems like everyone is just grandfathering in this Baltimore Defense as an "elite" defense. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Last year, Baltimore had an elite Defense, #3 overall in the league. This year, The Ravens are in the bottom half of the league in total Defense. Granted, this iteration of the team has been ravaged by injuries to Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis, Lardarius Webb, and others. Regardless of who was on the field for the past 20 weeks, this Baltimore Defense is just not as good as they were last year.
Likewise, a great number of radio callers, ignorant A-holes, and even some media members have referred to Ray Lewis' play as "dominant." If there was ever a word that is more misused in football than that one, I can't think of it. Sure, Ray was credited with 17 tackles against Denver, but his play was by no means "dominant." His coverage skills are lacking, his speed is diminished, but his personality works like a blindfold for his inadequacies.
Ray knows he's all done. He wouldn't have announced his retirement unless he was aware of his own status. So, the question arises about how to attack Ray Lewis and his cronies in purple and black. Do we spread the field or do we keep the receivers in tight to attack the middle?
As I've stated, I think that Ray Lewis's coverage skills are leaving much to be desired. The Broncos lacked depth at RB after McGahee and Moreno went down with injury, but The Patriots are well stocked with a diverse stable of stallions. Shane Vereen stepped up in a big way as a receiver and a ball carrier, and I expect him to be split out wide quite often. Depending on how The Ravens account for the RB out wide, Brady will determine the strategy.
Attack The Middle
If Baltimore sends a LB outside the numbers to contend with our RBs, then Brady will likely try to attack the vacated middle with Welker and Hernandez. I expect to see Welker and Hernandez in the slot or even tighter (in a "wing position). This will set up Brady for quick passes, which will do a lot to neutralize the Ravens pass rush.
Spread 'Em Out
If Baltimore elects to keep their LBs between the hashmarks, then they will be forced to account for our RBs out wide with zone schemes. This will then set up pick plays and rub routes for completions outside the numbers. With LBs inside, and zone all around, The Patriots should be able to get their WRs in space on the outside for big runs after the catch.
Most likely, The Patriots will have to utilize both game plans because Baltimore will mix up their schemes throughout the game. I think that we would rather follow the Attack The Middle plan, but I don't that The Ravens will subject themselves to the RB-LB man-to-man all that much. I think that their LBs need to be in simple zones to be effective because they cannot keep up with out smaller, faster RBs.
Overall, regardless of how Baltimore plays our passing attack, we've go to establish the run wih Stevan Ridley. Against Houston, the offense did not really get going until Ridley got some touches. This week we cannot afford to wait for 2 series before using Ridley. I honestly think that he needs to be the workhorse this week because the up-tempo attack with Ridley really wears down a Defense. The Ravens are an old, banged-up team that just played 5+ quarters of football last week. In my opinion, the best way to beat them is to make it a test of endurance.
Baltimore likes to play no-huddle on Offense as well, but I don't think that they can afford to speed the game up against us. I think a fast game plays into The Patriots favor because our Defense is younger and healthier.
This is a rematch from last year, but the teams are much different. Last year, The Patriots had "MHK" patches. This year, The Ravens have their "Art"patches for their late owner Art Modell. Also, Sterling Moore is no longer with us. Likewise, Lee Evans and Billy Cundiff are no longer with The Ravens. No matter what happens, this is a whole new ball game.
Likewise, a great number of radio callers, ignorant A-holes, and even some media members have referred to Ray Lewis' play as "dominant." If there was ever a word that is more misused in football than that one, I can't think of it. Sure, Ray was credited with 17 tackles against Denver, but his play was by no means "dominant." His coverage skills are lacking, his speed is diminished, but his personality works like a blindfold for his inadequacies.
Ray knows he's all done. He wouldn't have announced his retirement unless he was aware of his own status. So, the question arises about how to attack Ray Lewis and his cronies in purple and black. Do we spread the field or do we keep the receivers in tight to attack the middle?
As I've stated, I think that Ray Lewis's coverage skills are leaving much to be desired. The Broncos lacked depth at RB after McGahee and Moreno went down with injury, but The Patriots are well stocked with a diverse stable of stallions. Shane Vereen stepped up in a big way as a receiver and a ball carrier, and I expect him to be split out wide quite often. Depending on how The Ravens account for the RB out wide, Brady will determine the strategy.
Attack The Middle
If Baltimore sends a LB outside the numbers to contend with our RBs, then Brady will likely try to attack the vacated middle with Welker and Hernandez. I expect to see Welker and Hernandez in the slot or even tighter (in a "wing position). This will set up Brady for quick passes, which will do a lot to neutralize the Ravens pass rush.
Spread 'Em Out
If Baltimore elects to keep their LBs between the hashmarks, then they will be forced to account for our RBs out wide with zone schemes. This will then set up pick plays and rub routes for completions outside the numbers. With LBs inside, and zone all around, The Patriots should be able to get their WRs in space on the outside for big runs after the catch.
Most likely, The Patriots will have to utilize both game plans because Baltimore will mix up their schemes throughout the game. I think that we would rather follow the Attack The Middle plan, but I don't that The Ravens will subject themselves to the RB-LB man-to-man all that much. I think that their LBs need to be in simple zones to be effective because they cannot keep up with out smaller, faster RBs.
Overall, regardless of how Baltimore plays our passing attack, we've go to establish the run wih Stevan Ridley. Against Houston, the offense did not really get going until Ridley got some touches. This week we cannot afford to wait for 2 series before using Ridley. I honestly think that he needs to be the workhorse this week because the up-tempo attack with Ridley really wears down a Defense. The Ravens are an old, banged-up team that just played 5+ quarters of football last week. In my opinion, the best way to beat them is to make it a test of endurance.
Baltimore likes to play no-huddle on Offense as well, but I don't think that they can afford to speed the game up against us. I think a fast game plays into The Patriots favor because our Defense is younger and healthier.
This is a rematch from last year, but the teams are much different. Last year, The Patriots had "MHK" patches. This year, The Ravens have their "Art"patches for their late owner Art Modell. Also, Sterling Moore is no longer with us. Likewise, Lee Evans and Billy Cundiff are no longer with The Ravens. No matter what happens, this is a whole new ball game.
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