All -22 Look Says Brady Not Using All His Weapons
 Tom Brady needs to start utilizing all of his weapons on offense for the Patriots to thrive. (USA TODAY Images) |
After the first two weeks of the season the Patriots offense is far from a well-oiled machine and the passing game is languishing among the bottom in certain statistical areas. While the fans demand more from receivers not named Edelman and Gronkowski, the real question should be, why isn’t Tom Brady utilizing the others more?
Granted it is very early in the season, but after two weeks the Patriots rank last in the NFL (tied with Jacksonville) with only 6 offensive plays of over 15 yards of which only four are passes. Tom Brady ranks last in starting NFL QBs averaging only 5.1 yards per pass attempt.
So where are Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson and Brandon LaFell you ask? They are getting open; they’re just being shut out of the equation by the dreaded “Brady Trust Factor”.
Taking a look at the Minnesota game, there are a handful of plays that were left on the field for other players to be more productive and we’ll take a look at them here.
Play #1 takes place in the second quarter, Brady and the Pats have a 3rd and 4 from the Vikings 15 yard line. Julian Edelman runs a dig route just past the sticks. Brandon LaFell runs a fade into the left corner of the endzone.
Brady opts for the short pass that nets a first down, but LaFell has body position and single coverage. Had Brady opted to look at him, he was in good position for a big play and a touchdown.
Play#2 is on the next snap, this time Edelman lines up inside and runs a fade route and has position on the defender. LaFell lines up wide and runs a post. Brady lobs a perfectly thrown ball and Edelman scores a touchdown. While it’s hard to argue with the results here, looking at the film, both Vikings inside linebackers come on an inside pressure move.
LaFell has body position and nothing but green real estate in front of him. Brady has a much easier throw with no one near, all he has to do is lead LaFell just a tad and it’s an easy touchdown as he can block out the defender.
Play #3 has the Patriots facing a 2nd and 16 at their own 39 yard line, Edelman lines up wide left and runs a medium (7 yard) comeback. The Vikings deep safety on the right is already cheating to the left at the snap. Danny Amendola lined up on the right runs a route straight down the numbers.
Brady again looks down Edelman and takes the safe, short option for a short gain with little opportunity for yards after catch. Amendola has position inside and plenty of room to run. Brady doesn’t even look in his direction and misses an opportunity to gain a lot more yardage on a throw that is easily makeable.
Play #4 has the Patriots on Minnesota’s 45 yard line, Gronkowski lined up inside on the left side of the line runs a short out pattern toward the sideline. Stevan Ridley goes in motion to the outside on the left, drawing a linebacker with him. Once again, the deep safety Harrison begins to shade left. Aaron Dobson lines up wide right and runs a deep (10 yard) slant.
Brady stares down Gronk and tosses him a short pass that he grabs and makes a 5 yard gain….once again with little chance for any substantial yards after catch. A look to the top of the screen has Dobson, with body position and a throw to him has the chance for a lot of yardage as he’s in excellent position with only one man to beat.
Play #5 finds Brady and the Pats at Minnesota’s 45 yard line, Edelman lines up wide left and runs deep fly route straight down the field, outside the numbers. Dobson lines up wide right and runs a similar route.
Both receivers beat their coverage and are open; Brady’s pass is just over the outstretched finger tips of Edelman for an incomplete pass. One has to wonder if the pass is thrown in the exact same place would the 6’3 Dobson be able to haul it in where the 5’10 Edelman cannot?
That is what Dobson is supposed to be the outside the numbers vertical threat. He was certainly open as much as Edelman and his physical makeup make him a better choice to bring down a pass like that.
None of these issues thus far with the New England passing game are unfixable. If Dobson, Amendola, LaFell and Wright were running bad routes and in the wrong place at the wrong time, it would be easy to point the finger and say, they need to step up.
The old adage used to be, “Who is Tom Brady’s favorite receiver? Answer: The open one.” But since 2007 when he had Randy Moss and Wes Welker, Brady has grown increasingly dependent on his favorites to the detriment of the others. The Patriots have a lot of offensive weapons for Brady to utilize. They’re doing their job; it is time for #12 to do his.
Oakland has had a rough time stopping the run as well as the pass so far in 2014. This is a prime opportunity for Brady to spread the wealth offensively and get everyone involved and get this offense back on track.
