The vision is almost a reality. It didn’t work the first time, but the personnel is better now.
For the sixth time this season the Patriots scored at least 30 points. They rolled up 389 yards of total offense. In 9 of 10 games the Pats gained more than 370 yards of offense. New England is second-rated offense in the NFL and third in points scored.
New England is one of the best offenses in the NFL, and they’re doing it primarily with a two tight end offense. It’s not the first time they tried this way. It’s just working this time.
Back in 2006, WR David Givens left as a free agent and leading receiver Deion Branch held out for a lucrative contract and Patriots wouldn’t pay.Without the top two passing options unavailable, New England added Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney. The biggest adaptation was shifting the focus to tight ends Daniel Graham and Benjamin Watson.
Like the defense is designed to be flexible, the change to a two tight end offense was to make the offense flexible, able to run or pass based on the matchups.
Having Graham and Watson on the field more frequently was playing to New England’s strength. Graham and Watson were first round selections in the 2002 and 2004 drafts respectively. They were a pair of burly, athletic pass catchers that could create mis-matches in the passing game and a strength advantage when running the ball.
The offense was good, but inconsistent, starting with the tight ends. Graham and Watson weren’t as good the coaching staff thought. They combined for 70 receptions for 878 yards and five touchdowns. Good numbers, but not enough carry the offense.
Further hindering the air attack was the receivers. Caldwell and Gaffney weren’t Givens and Branch’s equal and it was arrogant of the Patriots to think the incumbents were easily replaceable.
Gaffney was mis-cast as a starter in 2006. New England learned later he was an ideal slot receiver, but had to start him with the lack of options.
Caldwell just wasn’t a good fit for the Pats. He had a career year in New England, but he wasn’t consistent and he dropped passes. None was worse than in the AFC Championship against the Indianapolis Colts.
The parts are better across the board in 2011. The centerpieces, TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, are arguably the best tight end duo in the NFL in just their second year.
Both arrived through the 2010 NFL Draft and quickly became impact players. Hernandez first turned heads with speed, a receiver’s quickness and surprising run after the catch ability. Then Gronkowski took over with his unparalleled size, making him a target all over the field, especially in the red zone.
The biggest upgrade is at receiver. Branch is back, but he takes a back seat to Wes Welker. Since arriving from Miami by way of trade, Welker averaged more than 100 receptions and 1,100+ yards. This year he’s on pace for surpass his career highs in both categories.
The difference is dramatic. After nine games New England leads the NFL in passing yards and is second in touchdown passes. These are levels the 2006 team couldn’t come close to as they were ranked 12 in passing yards and seventh in TD passes.
Unlike the 2006 team, the present day team doesn’t run the ball well. ’06 featured RB Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney as they combined for 1,557 of the Patriots’ 1,969 rushing yards.
An injury to RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis has hampered today’s rushing attack. The hard-nosed between the tackles runner hasn’t been able to shoulder his typical workload.
Depth behind Green-Ellis looks good, but the opportunities haven’t been plentiful for Danny Woodhead, Kevin Faulk, and Stevan Ridley. But the pieces are there.
The schedule looks soft through the rest of the season as the remaining opponents have a combined 22-48 record. The passing game has looked unstoppable at times and should exploit these weak teams. If the Patriots can build big leads, the run game will take over late and consume the clock.
If the offense clicks both on the ground and through the air, this will become the offense head coach Bill Belichick always wanted.
A few things I’m looking for:
Beware all Tylers: The Bruins have an impressive Tyler in Seguin. New England best be weary of Palko. Imagine he has Seguin-like potential.
Big Problems: Receivers Dwayne Bowe and Jonathan Baldwin are both big, physical receivers able to make bad passes look good. Pay close attention to them.
First Tastes: If this game gets way out of reach, maybe rookies Ryan Mallett and Shane Vereen get their first snaps with the offense.
New England’s big win over a divisional nemesis might still be in their system. After burning off residual emotion, the Patriots get their act together and drub the Chiefs.
Question? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com.
