Positional groupings
A look at the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots’ offense against the Giants:
3 WR/1 TE/1 RB – 37 of 68 plays
2 WR/1 TE/1 FB/1 RB – 15 of 68
2 WR/2 TE/1 RB – 7 of 68
1 WR/2 TE/1 FB/1 RB – 7 of 68
3 WR/1 FB/1 RB – 2 of 68
ANALYSIS: The Patriots never went to their spread 4 WR package, which seemed to be a case of them leaving extra players in to pass protect against the Giants pressure. Another factor could have been the return to health of TE Benjamin Watson, who played every snap but two. … In all, the Patriots ran 29 plays with either multiple TEs or a TE/FB combination, another indication of the focus on added help in pass protection and tighter formations, especially in the first half (22 of 37 snaps). … The Patriots’ 22 plays in 2 WR packages were their most since Week 6 against the Cowboys. … If there was one sequence that stands out, it was the back to back long throws from Tom Brady to Randy Moss. The first attempt came out of the 1 WR/2 TE/1 FB/1 RB package, which was perfect for play-action and providing maximum protection to give Brady time to throw the long bomb. The next attempt came out of the 3 WR/1 TE/1 RB package, so there wasn’t as much protection help, and it was a nice effort up front to give Brady the time to step up in the pocket.
Mike,
First, thanks for your continued excellence in informing the throngs of Pats fans who read your blog regularly including me.
One point about the 4 wide set. While protection may have been part of it, they lined up in this set many times during the game, putting Faulk, Evans, and sometimes Watson out there where a WR would normally be.
Hi Darren...Was speaking with Steve DeOssie about this last night, as I respect his opinion because he's played the game. Part of the reason they were putting Evans out there was to create matchups as he is usually kept in to protect. It was sort of a chess match in that regard. The 3 WR/1 TE/1 RB package can morph into a spread look. After watching the game over again, I think the overall point is that they really picked their spots with it. Unlike other games, where they don't hide their intentions and let it rip out of the spread, they had to be more judicious in this one.
Mike:
On another note, please confirm that the Pats will get the 7th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Hi Kent. I have it as the seventh pick but the NFL is not yet confirming. I always hesitate to jump out and report things like that until the league confirms it, for fear that I am missing something in the tie-breaking process or something else. But I do have it as the seventh pick. The league is expected to send out final word on this today, and I'll plan on reporting it as soon as it is finalized.
How did the Colts go from being one of the worst Defenses ever last year to the best this year? I've watched the Colts plenty and they are certainly legit on D. Its awfully impressive that they've been able to plug in undrafted rookies and get such results. Begrudingly I must tip the cap to Polian and Dungy.
I hate to be the grinch who stole the holidays, but am I the only one who thinks the "positional breakdown" reports are a bit excessive in reporting news on our beloved Patriots team? Couldn't this information (week after week) be used for evil by teams ready and willing to knock the Patriots off, especially in the playoffs?!!! I know I know...scouts attend the games and record their own information, but I can't shake the thought that these reports could function as cliff notes!
I am going from memory, but I don't recall them playing much of a 2 WR/1 TE/1 FB/1 RB set this year. Why do you think they used that in this game? Even when they want to go to max protect, they will usually bring in a second TE and only use 1 RB.
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