I think that's a pretty good game plan actually. I think the Patriots best offensive performance this year was against Pittsburgh (and yes the Jets are different but hold on) The Steelers D had been on a roll and were intimidating many teams. I'm sure they were planning to pressure Brady as much as possible but the Pats blocking scheme really was excellent that day and gave Brady the time he needed. The Steeler secondary couldn't adapt and they were totally out of sync. How many times was Polamalu out of position. Plus the Steeler seconday is not that fast. I'm sure the Jets will try to pressure Brady as well and if they succeed it will probably be a long day for the Patriots but if they don't (a definite possibility) it will come down to how well the Jets secondary responds. They ARE definitely better then the Steeler secondary but how well is a big key to me. The other key is how well Sanchez and company can move the ball against the Patriots. I would feel better if they try to establish a running game first rather then try and move the ball with short and mid-field passes. If Sanchez comes out throwing early and has some success, again, it could be a long day for the Patriots. The other big key for me.
I think you have a fabulous idea here...and a previous poster mentioned this is similar to what we employed last year in our win. Let me make a change or two and add a comment or couple... Firstly, this is the game we drafted Kyle Wilson for...let me explain. He has speed and is a sure tackler and you need not waste a safety. Instead of putting a safety down in "spy" mode for whomever is rolling out of the backfield or slot...you put Wilson on that guy. He has the speed and tackling ability to hang with any of the backs as well as the smaller slot receivers. Due to the fact that NE really has not Tier 1 receiver we have a good problem to have. We have two premier corners who basically can cover any one of their available receivers or TE's. I am not sold on "The Law Firm" as a RB option. Not against a good set of LB'ers and a solid D-line. I propose you play in a 3-3-5 (nickel) set as your "base". At LEAST in the first half to see what you get...obviously adjust accordingly. You have Ellis, Pouha & Devito down...Pace, Harris & Scott/Thomas standing and then load up with Revis, Cro, Lowry, Leonard, Smith & Wilson. The front 6's only job is to stop anything resembling a hand off....the back 5 cover... You play Cro, Leonard & Revis in Thirds (mix up zone and man) and you play Wilson and Smith underneath as a safety valve for the LB'ers as well as short crossing and out routes. As mentioned above, you mix in the occasional blitz packages and put Brady on his keister OFTEN!!!! With a defensive alignment like this you minimize their strength, open up a greater possibility of turnovers and SHOULD take away their poor running game. Just a wild idea....but hey...stranger things have happened!
How many times did Faulk ever make it onto ESPN's top ten plays of the week? Wooidhead is faster, more elusive and even better at breaking tackles than Faulk ever was. I'd much rather face the Pats with Faulk vs. Woodhead. Woodhead has big play ability that Faulk could only dream about. I think the way to slow the Pats down is to have 2 DB's set up to hit any receiver that goes over the middle, be it Woodhead out of the backfield, Welker from the slot or any NE TE that goes over the middle. Hit them hard as the ball arrives. Make it suicidal for any reciver to go with a slant route or a quick crossing pattern. Brady is going to use short drops to avoid blitz pressures, so hitting Brady won't be easy to do. Instead make his recievers going over the middle pay for it. I don't care how big the NE TE's are, if you rock them as the ball arrives, size won't mean a thing. Line those over the middle receivers up even if it means a penalty or two.
I judge players by how tough, scrappy and white they are. That's why I love Santonio Holmes and hate Eric Smith.
Not that its relevant, but I'm sure Faulk made it on to a stupid countdown once or twice. ESPN is horrible, just want to put that out there. If Woodhead had big play ability, he wouldn't be behind a 4 name JAG RB in the Pats scheme, and he'd still be here. He gets as many touches as Faulk did in his early years. Woodhead may be younger, but they are the same player playing the same role.
The Patriots have been saving a RB for the stretch run this year. Freddie will be running the ball if you go small on defense.
Nice. I haven't bought madden since 04. I've played it once or twice, but its fucking terrible now and I just can't be bothered with it.
The Jets in Madden '11 are the best they've ever been in Madden history. It's almost impossible to lose with them.
