< Back to Front Page Text size – +

Positional groupings

Email|Link|Comments (0) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff December 1, 2008 10:10 AM

A look at the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots in their 33-10 loss to the Steelers:

3 WR/1 TE/1 RB -- 48 of 67 snaps

2 WR/2 TE/1 RB -- 15 of 67

4 WR/1 RB -- 2 of 67

1 WR/2 TE/1 FB/1 RB -- 1 of 67

3 TE/1 FB/1 RB -- 1 of 67

(snaps include an ineligible downfield penalty on Logan Mankins, a defensive pass interference penalty, and a defensive holding penalty)

ANALYSIS: Likely as a sign of respect for the Steelers' rush, the Patriots opened the game with more multiple tight end packages, keeping two or more tight ends on the field for 13 of the first 25 plays. But as the game progressed, and the Patriots fell behind, the offense settled into a 3 WR/1 TE/1 RB package. That seemed to impact the protection up front at times, as both strip sacks came out with no TE blocking help on the left side. ... The short-yardage packages were bright spots. The team's goal-line package, with Mike Vrabel as the third tight end, punched in a 2-yard score (Sammy Morris run) in the first quarter. And on fourth-and-1 in the second quarter, the 1 WR/2 TE/1 FB/1 RB package earned the necessary yardage (Sammy Morris 2-yard run).

» Back to Front Page

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

You must be logged in to submit a comment.

This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.

Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

see all globe blogs