As depressing as things are tonight, the Pats are 2-2 at the quarter pole and still very much in control of their own destiny in the AFC Least. Since there's no game ball thread for obvious reasons, what would you like to see adjusted/kept going forward? Some quick thoughts:
--more commitment to Ridley and the power run game. Might not always work, and not ideal for the modern NFL, but this team is dead on third and seven or longer and ran the ball pretty damn well last year with similar OL personnel. Let's give it more of a shot and build the game plans off of that, he's more effective than Vereen right now IMO. Thought they gave up on running too easily the last two games.
--play some more Cannon at tackle. Still too early to write off Solder, but he's played badly. Might need to decide whether to sign Cannon this offseason.
--keep the interior line from tonight. In a couple of weeks decide whether to trade for an interior OL.
--Nuke Jordan Devey from orbit just to be sure his mere existence isn't causing the suck. Consider kidnapping Dante Scarnecchias loved ones and holding them hostage until he returns to the sidelines.
--more aggressive 4th down decisions. Moving the ball is hard for this team, when you have a chance for seven instead of three or short 4th downs in midfield, go for it. Play to win. Pressures the Pats defense more, but that defense has to carry the load for this team to be successful.
--play Dobson, reduce Amendola's role. Dobson is really the only young WR who has shown flashes of potential and is less duplicative than Amendola. Let's give it a crack for a couple of games. If Dobson has nothing, try Tyms if he's on the practice squad.
--Alternatively, deactivate Tim Wright and his four snaps a game and go with more wideouts.
--evaluate of there is a blocking TE that can upgrade Hooman. He's not a great blocker and has been non existent in the passing game. Might rather have Matt Mulligan back.
--more two back sets on third down with White and Vereen chipping pass rushers. Or even more Ridley and Develin two back sets. Throw to the backs more, take advantage of Brady's decision making ability and reduce the reliance on his poor downfield accuracy.
--more press man with Browner back. I get they are varying coverages, but it's where Revis is most comfortable and they have a great safety. Run it out the majority of snaps, if beat for too many big plays adjust.
--more Michael Buchanan. He looked OK preseason and they're going to run Jones and Nink into the ground again otherwise. Jones isn't great on run downs anyways.
--more commitment to Ridley and the power run game. Might not always work, and not ideal for the modern NFL, but this team is dead on third and seven or longer and ran the ball pretty damn well last year with similar OL personnel. Let's give it more of a shot and build the game plans off of that, he's more effective than Vereen right now IMO. Thought they gave up on running too easily the last two games.
--play some more Cannon at tackle. Still too early to write off Solder, but he's played badly. Might need to decide whether to sign Cannon this offseason.
--keep the interior line from tonight. In a couple of weeks decide whether to trade for an interior OL.
--Nuke Jordan Devey from orbit just to be sure his mere existence isn't causing the suck. Consider kidnapping Dante Scarnecchias loved ones and holding them hostage until he returns to the sidelines.
--more aggressive 4th down decisions. Moving the ball is hard for this team, when you have a chance for seven instead of three or short 4th downs in midfield, go for it. Play to win. Pressures the Pats defense more, but that defense has to carry the load for this team to be successful.
--play Dobson, reduce Amendola's role. Dobson is really the only young WR who has shown flashes of potential and is less duplicative than Amendola. Let's give it a crack for a couple of games. If Dobson has nothing, try Tyms if he's on the practice squad.
--Alternatively, deactivate Tim Wright and his four snaps a game and go with more wideouts.
--evaluate of there is a blocking TE that can upgrade Hooman. He's not a great blocker and has been non existent in the passing game. Might rather have Matt Mulligan back.
--more two back sets on third down with White and Vereen chipping pass rushers. Or even more Ridley and Develin two back sets. Throw to the backs more, take advantage of Brady's decision making ability and reduce the reliance on his poor downfield accuracy.
--more press man with Browner back. I get they are varying coverages, but it's where Revis is most comfortable and they have a great safety. Run it out the majority of snaps, if beat for too many big plays adjust.
--more Michael Buchanan. He looked OK preseason and they're going to run Jones and Nink into the ground again otherwise. Jones isn't great on run downs anyways.