Looking Back - Looking Ahead
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Slightly different format this week, with the end to the Patriots season. I look at two plays that had an impact on Sunday's game and also ramifications for the future.
Offense - The offense had its worst day of the season, scoring just 13 points despite moving the ball well. The star of the day was veteran receiver Wes Welker, who faces free agency this offseason. Welker made many contributions to the team in the game and throughout the course of the season, but he also has limitations.
This play stalled New England's first drive. On 3rd-and-2, the Patriots run a play that appears to be designed for tight end Aaron Hernandez (#81), who runs a drag from the left side to the right. Receivers Brandon Lloyd (#85) and Welker (#83) are to the right side at the beginning of the play and both run post patterns deep to clear out the underneath for Hernandez. It doesn't work, however; Hernandez is double-teamed by the Ravens. The coverage on Lloyd and running back Stevan Ridley (#22) is tight, so Brady goes to the open man, Welker, who has a step on Baltimore cornerback Corey Graham (#24).
Brady makes an amazing throw to a spot where only Welker can get it. Welker is unable to haul it in, however. Welker's lack of straight-line foot speed and height make him an iffy target on long passes, and opposing defenses don't have to respect his ability to stretch the field. That was evident here as Hernandez drew the double-team. The Patriots may still work out a deal with the prolific Welker, but if not, it may not just be dollar signs that stand in the way. They may be looking for a wideout who keeps defenses honest with his deep game.
Defense - the Patriots' defense had its struggles this year, and perhaps their worst struggles were in covering opposing tight ends. Football Outsiders ranked them 29th in DVOA (their proprietary efficiency statistic) against that group. This was on display in Sunday's game, as Ravens TE Dennis Pitta torched the Patriots underneath.
New England blitzes Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco on this play, rushing safety Steve Gregory (#28) off the offensive left edge, with linebacker Jerod Mayo (#51) looping from the right around to the left, probably on a "hug" with back Ray Rice (#27), who blocks Gregory. The Pats are still afraid of Baltimore's deep passing game, so free safety Devin McCourty (#32) is playing 20 yards deep. This opens up the underneath. The Ravens take advantage, with all four receivers running short routes. Pitta (#88) has a mismatch in the lead-footed Brandon Spikes (#55) and beats him on a slant. Flacco hits Pitta in stride, and Spikes is so far behind he can't even make the tackle after the catch. McCourty comes down from the deep safety spot to make the tackle, but only after a 22-yard gain.
This play was indicative of the Patriots' struggles Sunday, and some of their struggles throughout the season. The pass rush couldn't get to Flacco, the defense didn't re-route the receivers at the line, and the coverage was a step behind and slow. These are areas they will likely look to improve in the offseason.
Slightly different format this week, with the end to the Patriots season. I look at two plays that had an impact on Sunday's game and also ramifications for the future.
This play stalled New England's first drive. On 3rd-and-2, the Patriots run a play that appears to be designed for tight end Aaron Hernandez (#81), who runs a drag from the left side to the right. Receivers Brandon Lloyd (#85) and Welker (#83) are to the right side at the beginning of the play and both run post patterns deep to clear out the underneath for Hernandez. It doesn't work, however; Hernandez is double-teamed by the Ravens. The coverage on Lloyd and running back Stevan Ridley (#22) is tight, so Brady goes to the open man, Welker, who has a step on Baltimore cornerback Corey Graham (#24).
Brady makes an amazing throw to a spot where only Welker can get it. Welker is unable to haul it in, however. Welker's lack of straight-line foot speed and height make him an iffy target on long passes, and opposing defenses don't have to respect his ability to stretch the field. That was evident here as Hernandez drew the double-team. The Patriots may still work out a deal with the prolific Welker, but if not, it may not just be dollar signs that stand in the way. They may be looking for a wideout who keeps defenses honest with his deep game.Defense - the Patriots' defense had its struggles this year, and perhaps their worst struggles were in covering opposing tight ends. Football Outsiders ranked them 29th in DVOA (their proprietary efficiency statistic) against that group. This was on display in Sunday's game, as Ravens TE Dennis Pitta torched the Patriots underneath.
New England blitzes Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco on this play, rushing safety Steve Gregory (#28) off the offensive left edge, with linebacker Jerod Mayo (#51) looping from the right around to the left, probably on a "hug" with back Ray Rice (#27), who blocks Gregory. The Pats are still afraid of Baltimore's deep passing game, so free safety Devin McCourty (#32) is playing 20 yards deep. This opens up the underneath. The Ravens take advantage, with all four receivers running short routes. Pitta (#88) has a mismatch in the lead-footed Brandon Spikes (#55) and beats him on a slant. Flacco hits Pitta in stride, and Spikes is so far behind he can't even make the tackle after the catch. McCourty comes down from the deep safety spot to make the tackle, but only after a 22-yard gain.
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