It looks like it’s coming together. Against Buffalo, the offense scored 21 of their 28 points in the second half.
The defense, which gave up 46 total points in the second half in three games, allowed just seven points after halftime to Miami.
The Patriots seem to be getting it. The second half trend on both sides of the ball is showing signs of coming to an end. It was at its worst against the New York Jets when the offense failed to score while the defense allowed 18 points.
They’ve played for 60 minutes. The defense and offense took turns in different games. Now they got to do it in one game.
This development of the Patriots into a four quarters team is not just about inexperience on defense and consistency on offense, but about the development of quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien and linebackers coach Matt Patricia.
Head coach Bill Belichick made the decision not to name offensive or defensive coordinators before this season. Instead, O’Brien and Patricia retained their coaching titles while adding play calling to their duties. Belichick’s judgment was roundly criticized.
People were so quick to jump on Belichick for not assigning new titles to O’Brien and Patricia despite the fact Belichick did this before.
After the Super Bowl XXXIX, Bill lost close friends and both coordinators, Romeo Crennel (defensive) and Charlie Weis (offensive). Belichick replaced Crennell with Eric Mangini, but didn’t name a replacement for Weis. But Josh McDaniels, the quarterbacks coach at the time, assimilated play calling duties.
It was described as an apprenticeship for McDaniels as he learned on the job with Belichick providing sage advice and direction to the inexperienced McDaniels to ensure Josh develops into the offensive coordinator Belichick wanted for his team.
That arraignment worked out well as McDaniels led the offense through four prolific seasons, including the record-breaking 2007 season.
Doubters don’t question whether Belichick can raise more coordinators. People doubt Bill can raise two simultaneously.
Belichick understands developing two coordinators can’t be done passively. He said that he would be more hands-on through training camp and he did so. Bill realized handing over play calling duties to a pair of coaches that never did it at the pro level is a daunting challenge to Patricia and O’Brien. Belichick is doing everything he can to bring them along.
With 12 years of college experience, including two years as offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, O’Brien is better prepared for the on the job interview. Patricia on the other hand watches Belichick coordinate during the week, waiting for game days to get the key to the defense.
It’s a learning process for the team and the coordinators in waiting. But it looks like they’re making progress.
Question? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com.
