ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski held a conference call today and here are two Patriots-specific points that stood out:
Randy Moss revisited. Jaworski had been critical of Moss after watching his performance against the Eagles Nov. 25. He was asked if his thoughts have changed. “I had watched all the Patriots games offensively, and after the first 10 games, I saw a Randy Moss I had never seen before, he was busting his tail on every play. Then the Philly game I saw a handful of plays in which I thought he did not give the maximum effort. It caused a stir, and my thought was that the eye in the sky doesn’t lie. I know the standard in New England is high -- it has to be 100 percent every play. I was going to do a follow up if it came up the next week, but it did not. Clearly, he got the message [from the team]. Since then, he's picked it up.”
Run defense – focus outside, not inside. When asked about vulnerabilities in the Patriots’ run defense, Jaworski believes the soft spots are on the edges, not inside. “I think back to that Ravens game, Monday night, when they ran at Adalius Thomas and had success. I’m sure Jacksonville has broken down every game the Patriots played this year and seen the vulnerability on the edges and that teams have had success there. If they can get [left tackle Khalif] Barnes and [right tackle Tony] Pashos singled up blocking linebackers …" As for whether there is a chance to run inside against Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau, Jaworski said: "I don’t see it inside. People look at the age of Junior [Seau] and Tedy [Bruschi] -- maybe some of the giddy-up isn’t there in pass coverage -- but I don’t bring up age in the run game."
EXTRA POINTS: Jaworwski believes the Colts are the remaining playoff team that could give the Patriots the most trouble. … He feels the Colts’ offense and Patriots’ defense are the best in the NFL at adjusting after the snap. … He pointed out that Patriots QB Tom Brady took 75 percent of his snaps in the shotgun. … According to his film work, Brady was blitzed more than any other quarterback this year. … Jaworski called the Patriots’ offense the best he’s seen since he’s been associated with the NFL (1973-present).
Mike, was Jaworski asked if he was aware that Moss plays virtually every snap on offense or if that was unusual for a WR? Was he impressed in Moss' TD catch against the Giants on a play that wasn't designed for him after running a similar deep route on the play before? Does Jaworski check to see if Reggie Wayne is running full speed on every Colts play?
Yeah, run right at Vrabel / Warren. Great idea.
Was Jaws suggesting Randy got the message that Jaws was putting out? Jaws needs to leave ESPN and MNF before he becomes an empty suit too.
Jaworski doesn't understand football at this point in his life, really. He has no clue of aerobic recovery of wide receivers. No clue on who was rushed the most this season, he is incorrect. These guys have to stop analyzing and start announcing, that's the real problem when you watch TV and sports. Announcing what is actually going on in a game , the reality. It will be 4th and 1 and Jaworski will be talking about last weeks play instead of looking at the play that is in front of him.
Hi Tom. Jaws was not suggesting that. I added that into the quote later in the day to clarify the context.
--Mike
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
ask reiss
Questions will be considered for Mike's mailbagbrowse this blog
by categoryINside Boston.com