YattaOkasan

Very disappointed in the D line today. Actually think the secondary has been the better of the two groups. The offense has also been frustrating as well.

Thanks. This could work (I was trying to think of ways to free up the Tackle) but I would be happy if a TE is staying to block (or even to chip), and I really like the idea of Mario or Hughes rushing against a TE.

Agree this is a huge game. I can't wait. As for the middle I am not sure what they will do to help besides keep the running back in. I expect heavy pressure up the middle similar to what Luck saw (I think Bradham blitzed like 15 times). If Bradham is blitzing I am not really sure if you can double team Dareus or Williams. That would leave Bradham 1 on 1 against Blount or Lewis. I'll take either of those matchups over the course of a game.

I agree with most that's been said (Boring I know) and I think we can get the job done with 11 Heavy pressure up the middle with Dareus Bradham and K Williams Bumping Edelman/Amendola and Gronk at the line with Darby/Gilmore and Lawson respectively Over the top coverage on Gronk with Williams Brown on Blount out the backfield (probably bring Robey in for Lawson if Lewis is in and have Jerry or Mario bump Gronk) Leaving a safety on their 3rd WR/2nd TE; Mario and Jerry setting the edge and stopping screens. It puts a lot of guys on islands (4) but the only matchup I worry about is Edelman. These matchup are also in our base package on an offensively favorable down. I like our matchups a lot in nickel, obvious passing downs, or anytime they keep skill players to pass protect. Still a very tough match up. However, the disguise at the LOS will be crucial to make sure the run game is halted and Brady feels. pressure up the middle.

If they are running this stuff out of a twins set we could commit 3 to the coverage and just shell them. One inside, one outside, and one deep. Once the pick happens should be easy to see who takes who. If they don't go towards a pick then you keep your assignments with the safety and LB sorta double covering the inside player. Even if they go twins both sides we have 5 to commit to the run/blitz plus the inside guys would also be in run support. Thoughts?

I actually expect the same game plan from the Pats as Indy. Stop McCoy with Run Blitz and Double Sammy. Maybe they'll disguise their coverage more but I don't know how the Pats can do anything more than that. Their defense looked really bad against Pitt.

Agreed I would like to see heavy nickel; I just wasn't sure who the safety would be. Then I thought more about it and realized I really like Robey as the hard hitter. That's why I thought just straight nickel. Let's be honest both our nickel and base defenses are very legit. As I mentioned though I have the same concern as a poster up thread. My general concern on defense this game is Brady getting us in an unfavorable personnel grouping, and they are able to run no huddle to the red zone. At which point they just throw it up to Gronk.

I think their no back formations will almost exclusively be 11 personnel. Why would you take Gronk off for even your #2 WR let alone your #4? I would also take the Pats RBs aligned wide over their #5 WR (especially because 11 personnel would likely mean a LB in coverage) I expect a heavy nickel or nickel against this line up. I am a little worried about Robey in run support versus this line up but I think our base defense would get picked apart in a no huddle situation. He does blitz. Basically he likes to press cover and disguise his blitzes. Sound familiar. I am hoping that he sends Bradham, K WIlliams, and Dareus up the middle every time.

We do have a 5th year option and we exercised it already. My order of importance ATM is Gilmore>Bradham>Glenn. This could change if Glenn reverts back to pre2014 mode, but so far I haven't seen it. I think we'll find a way to retain all three. You're right Whaley does know LBs but I sorta hope we lock it down with the current two. Then we can have good depth rather than needing a young LB to prove Whaley right again. Plus you can always trade you're young LBs for studs at other positions (see Shady deal).

Cassel under center backwards pass to TT who wants to throw to Sammy but has to keep it instead for a loss or small gain. 24 first downs.

Yeah a combination of (in ascending order of scariness) K Williams, Bradham, and Dareus should be able to own any G-C-G combination in the league. I like the idea of this stunt: Kyle smashes across the Guards face into the Center. Bradham comes in and blows up the Guard that Williams was over. Finally Dareus loops around the pile and goes through the huge created gap between the center and the guard.

I would disguise everything. All the time. I think they use exotic blitzes if they disguise them well (I think Rex's success doing this is well documented). On top of that I would drive the middle of the line into Brady's lap. I agree the DE and outside blitzes will not be as important because he gets the ball out so quickly. However pushing a half ton of lineman (O & D) into him should throw off his timing.

The trade happened before the draft. I still make that trade.

Merge the threads???

The legend taketh and the legend giveth. Ouch. Rough call to get. Also Julio is killing it in FF.

He OBJ'ed a ball in the endzone. It was nice. Watch sportscenter it will be in top 10 for sure.

Agreed on the colts d. While they gave up yards last year they were really good on 3rd down (I think top 5). They are certainly not incompetent.

Really, with plays like that he would be better then what their offense has now. Plus he played against the offense when he was at Oregon so he should be familiar with the concepts.

Were you unimpressed we didn't make it to the red zone enough??? Because we were 1/1 yesterday. https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/red-zone-scoring-pct/?date=2015-09-14

Gonna need at least 3-0 (with all being convincing wins) before I am sold. I've been tricked too much.

There is tape on Rex and there is tape of our players in a similar defense. I don't think Rex is pulling too many new things out of the hat. I agree that our pass rush will remain good this year, and I don't think it blind sided Luck at all. He only took 2 sacks for -3 yards. If anything I think he was as prepared as he could be.

Agree with most of what you wrote. Particularly point #1. Side note: Colts TD drive finished with <16 minutes left in the game. This also stood out to me. With the way NE couldn't keep the edge against Jennings this might be the strategy. I was talking to a NE fan (as best I could cause they don't use reason), and he was saying that they'll contain TT because Roethlisberger is a running QB. I laughed and walked away.

I know the Wiz was being sarcastic, as is his nature. I don't think anyone has a problem at all with Tyrod.

Thanks for the recap. I agree with more Karlos. I would actually love to see him and McCoy in the backfield together when we have a lead. Options up the middle to Karlos or to the outside with McCoy would be devastating.

Yeah the last one was ridiculous. Gronk just ran into the defender and then turned back to the QB. Even put his arms out like I would for a pick in basketball