Wk.1 Game Ball Thread: vs. Steelers

[tims4wins]

I’ve heard a few people bemoaning the lack of a pass rush last night, but is it really all that surprising?  Ben isn’t necessarily a threat to pick up big yards with his legs like a Russel Wilson, but he does have a knack of escaping and extending plays.  We’ve seen time and time again that Belichick, against a mobile QB, is going to ask his defensive ends to prioritize containing the QB vs. selling out for the pass rush.  It’s a part of their defensive philosophy to avoid big plays.  I don’t know if I always agree with it, but it’s what they seem to like to do.  We should probably expect the same next week against Taylor.

 
Totally agree with this.
 
The one thing they were awful at defensively was setting the edge. That's not a game plan issue, it is an execution issue. Nink was terrible. I'm sure they will get it cleaned up for next week. They better, since Buffalo will run wild if they don't.

 

[JerBear]

-I didn't think Solder was particularly bad. Are we just complaining about the one sack where Allen was unblocked?

Solder wasn't in on the play, Cannon had rotated in and was playing LT that drive.

 

[Saints Rest]

The DL, esp Ninkovich and Brown, did struggle badly against the run.  I think it was a combination of:
 
   - Game plan; Belichick's philosophy is to focus on certain players, and I don't think containing Williams was originally a primary focus;
   - A really inspired game by a newly focused Williams (career wise this is his last shot, and he's got fresh legs this time of year);
   - General adjustment issues for new players.  Brown's a rookie, and Easley is essentially a rookie, and got hurt anyway;
   - Solid performance by the Steelers OL; they were a decent unit last season;
   - A difficult game by Nink.  
 e

It seemed like the D's main issue against the run was that they were too undisciplined: not enough setting of edges; filling gaps; etc.

 

[ShaneTrot]

It seemed like the D's main issue against the run was that they were too undisciplined: not enough setting of edges; filling gaps; etc.

They also played with 2 LBs and 3 safeties for much of the night. The run defense could be better but they were clearly more worried about the pass.
 
I will digress on Butler, he looked like Darius Butler out there. He was in position but did not play the ball that well.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

It seemed like the D's main issue against the run was that they were too undisciplined: not enough setting of edges; filling gaps; etc.

Setting the edge was an issue early on, but they rectified it. A lot of success came in the B gap or over the tackle later on.

Williams was very patient behind his line, give him credit. We've seen patient backs - Moreno, Charles, etc - have a lot of success against the Pats defense over the last few years. Whether that's a product of scheme (2-gap dline can only control 2 lanes for so long before losing control of a gap) or personnel, I have no idea, I'd have to rewatch as I don't know how they were lining up.

Still, give the Steelers credit, they were trying to score, too. Williams and their line played well.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Dunces who run the Steelers website:
 
@JasonColeBR This is an ugly accusation from the #Steelers website about #Patriots: 
 

 

[RG33]

I don't think it has been mentioned, but game ball to OC Josh McDaniels. The 3 TE goaline sets with Gronk/Chandler shifting out wide was obviously a new look, created huge mistmatches both times, and led directly to two scores. That is great coaching.

Ghost also had I think 4 out of 5 touchbacks with 4 for 4 on the next extra points. Fundamentals.

#12 was also pretty solid. Don't piss him off.

 

[RG33]

 
I will digress on Butler, he looked like Darius Butler out there. He was in position but did not play the ball that well.

Yeah, it seemed like it was the "welcome to the big leagues, kid" moment for Butler. Aside from a couple of plays (the missed jam at the line, one of the pick plays) he was in position all night against Brown. However, Brown still made plays. If you are a #1 CB in the NFL, it is accepted as fact that you have to be there all night -- but you also have to make plays on the ball. That's what separates the great ones from the JAGS.

The kid has so much talent. Reads stuff well, great instincts, recovers well. He'll be fine.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

In regards to Butler, Ben was really good last night. Several of those 9 catches came with Butler blanketed on Brown. The combo of tough receiver and good QB isn't something he'll see often. If he survived last night, I agree, he'll be fine.  I also thought he was physical in tackling situations and aggressive to help against the run. It's going to be fun watching him play all year in the spotlight. 

 

[Toe Nash]

I don't think it has been mentioned, but game ball to OC Josh McDaniels. The 3 TE goaline sets with Gronk/Chandler shifting out wide was obviously a new look, created huge mistmatches both times, and led directly to two scores. That is great coaching.

 

Great point. I have no idea how you could stop this team at the goal line, especially once Blount is back and the o-line gels a little more.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

Those 4-TE sets were nuts.  Having three TE who can all make athletic catches (yes, even Hooman) split wide seems like an impossible situation for the defense.

 

[DJnVa]

Has BB referenced Butler's play? Like many I think it was better than the numbers looked and was wondering if BB said anything.

 

[Al Zarilla]

I’ve heard a few people bemoaning the lack of a pass rush last night, but is it really all that surprising?  Ben isn’t necessarily a threat to pick up big yards with his legs like a Russel Wilson, but he does have a knack of escaping and extending plays.  We’ve seen time and time again that Belichick, against a mobile QB, is going to ask his defensive ends to prioritize containing the QB vs. selling out for the pass rush.  It’s a part of their defensive philosophy to avoid big plays.  I don’t know if I always agree with it, but it’s what they seem to like to do.  We should probably expect the same next week against Taylor.

Joe Namath would have been safe back in the pocket on most plays last night. I'm considering the pass rush a work in progress though. A lot of new guys that will develop with coaching. 

 

[SumnerH]

Those 4-TE sets were nuts.  Having three TE who can all make athletic catches (yes, even Hooman) split wide seems like an impossible situation for the defense.

Imagine those sets if Aaron Hernandez weren't a murderous thug.

 

[Stitch01]

Yeah the four TE in the goal line looks great.  Teams have to play goal line it leads to matchup nightmares. 

 

[Ale Xander]

Yeah the four TE in the goal line looks great.  Teams have to play goal line it leads to matchup nightmares. 

Very curious to know if that was a development pre- or post- Develin injury

 

[Rook05]

Very curious to know if that was a development pre- or post- Develin injury

They lined up Jackson at FB a few times. Him plus Gronk and Chandler make for a lot of beef I'm goaline sets.

I'm curious to see what's up with Easley. His lower body goes in the down category for me.

 

[nattysez]

I don't think it has been mentioned, but game ball to OC Josh McDaniels. The 3 TE goaline sets with Gronk/Chandler shifting out wide was obviously a new look, created huge mistmatches both times, and led directly to two scores. That is great coaching.
 

 
Possibly dumb question:  when in this 3-TE set, is it safe to assume that Brady audibles the play depending on the defense the other team sends on the field?  If the Steelers had come out with 3 safeties, would the Pats have stayed in standard goal-line formation and run?

 

[Trlicek's Whip]

I watched the game last night and only put this together this morning: Kelvin Beachum's performance during the second half of last night's game deserves a game ball.
 

3rd and Goal at NE 1
(12:49) PENALTY on PIT-K.Beachum, False Start, 4 yards, enforced at NE 1 - No Play.

 

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger vigorously protested after left tackle Kelvin Beachum was called for a false start on third-and-goal from the Patriots’ 1-yard line – an infraction triggered by the New England line sliding during Roethlisberger’s snap count.

 
This was a huge momentum shift, since it went from "goal line TD imminent" to Scobee field goal. 
 
Then there was this penalty:
 

1st and 10 at NE 39
(1:17) (Shotgun) B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to A.Brown to NE 10 for 29 yards (M.Butler). PENALTY on PIT-K.Beachum, Illegal Use of Hands, 10 yards, enforced at NE 39 - No Play.

 
Bringing back that play from the NE 10 on the penalty was huge. Beachum was really protesting after the call - IIRC they cut to him as they lined up for the next play and he was *still* jawing. 
 
Which brings us to that very next play:
 

1st and 20 at NE 49
(1:10) (Shotgun) B.Roethlisberger sacked at PIT 44 for -7 yards (J.Sheard).

 
-when he was beat and abused by Sheard for the sack on Big Ben. That's when the game went from "so you're saying there's a chance" to "Antonio Brown celebrating garbage time" as they fought the clock. 
 
Three plays involving Beachum where he made mental mistakes, AND let and those mistakes cascade into a bad streak of miscues and emotions that affected the outcome of the game.
 
The Pats got into his kitchen, big time. And it's a microcosm of this new, relentless cheating sandstorm being fueled in the media and from the fans and some of the players on other teams. 
 
As many have said: if other teams spend even one nanosecond worrying about or researching what they think they think the Pats are doing to cheat, it's precious time they're not spending in practice, in the film room, in walkthroughs preparing for and drilling every possible in-game scenario. It's lighting future fuses for mental lapses during games, when frustrations turn to excuses and are accelerants for continued inefficiency and errors.
 
This metagame in the actual game this year is as much a distraction for the teams that buy into and pursue the cheater culture narrative as it is for the NFL. 

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Three plays involving Beachum where he made mental mistakes, AND let and those mistakes cascade into a bad streak of miscues and emotions that affected the outcome of the game.

 
The more I watch the NFL and the Patriots and things like the Do Your Job special the more I'm convinced that something like 80% of winning in the NFL is solely based on letting the other team beat themselves (fyi, not a scientific process to get to that 80%).  It's amazing how much stupid comes from players and coaches every week that just adds up to losing games.  BB's greatest ability may not be his in game decision making or scouting/planning but his ability to convince a team/coaching staff to be as disciplined as possible.

 

[Al Zarilla]

 
The more I watch the NFL and the Patriots and things like the Do Your Job special the more I'm convinced that something like 80% of winning in the NFL is solely based on letting the other team beat themselves (fyi, not a scientific process to get to that 80%).  It's amazing how much stupid comes from players and coaches every week that just adds up to losing games.  BB's greatest ability may not be his in game decision making or scouting/planning but his ability to convince a team/coaching staff to be as disciplined as possible.

Well, the not evil twin to what you're saying is for a team to be better prepared for as many possible game situations as you can. We've heard this over the years so much about Belichick's teams that I absolutely believe it. We heard about the Pats practicing the play that Malcolm saved the SB on, Malcolm as the guy that covered the hot receiver, and there it was in the Do Your Job documentary. And it was no walk-through. The Pats practiced it over and over. Did it ever pay off. Malcolm may have gotten it wrong in practice, but if they don't practice it multiple times, we probably are still major pissed at Kearse's catch.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

 
The more I watch the NFL and the Patriots and things like the Do Your Job special the more I'm convinced that something like 80% of winning in the NFL is solely based on letting the other team beat themselves (fyi, not a scientific process to get to that 80%).  It's amazing how much stupid comes from players and coaches every week that just adds up to losing games.  BB's greatest ability may not be his in game decision making or scouting/planning but his ability to convince a team/coaching staff to be as disciplined as possible.

 
I'm wondering how much the modern culture of impatience has an indirect impact on this. It's hard enough to build a winning team in any time frame, but if you suck for two years it's hot seat time. Teams like the Lions roll through coaches like Gronk through a sorority. About half the league's current coaches were hired within the last two offseasons. No time to build respect, continuity, or a system for your staff and players to grow into. Then you have young guys like McDaniels and Mangini jumping at the big job a smidge too soon. For how many teams around the league is talking about accountability just lip service? BB has traded multiple all-pro players, fan favorites, etc. For 14 years the Pats have maintained a "next man up" culture where every body on the roster is ready and able to take someone's place if they fuck up, get hurt, or get traded.
 
"Maybe God isn't omnipotent. Maybe he's just been around so long he knows everything." 

 

[Super Nomario]

The Pats used a four-TE package down at the goal line Thursday night - I wrote it up for ITP: http://insidethepylon.com/film-study/film-study-nfl/offense-film-study-nfl/2015/09/14/new-englands-four-tight-end-package-getting-one-on-one-matchups/

 

[lambeau]

It's a real good read on the 4 TE's. As Mike Mitchell said after the game, "We thought we were well-prepared, but..."
McDaniels is going to have fun with this. He's already playing with lining up Gronk or Chandler at FB before they go in motion.
Or he sends Hooman in motion out wide and they have to treat him like a receiving threat. I think eventually Williams will be targeted.
The variations are nearly endless. And note that when Shaq Mason is at FB it may be for power running--but he checks in as an eligible receiver.

 

[Saints Rest]

It's a real good read on the 4 TE's. As Mike Mitchell said after the game, "We thought we were well-prepared, but..."
McDaniels is going to have fun with this. He's already playing with lining up Gronk or Chandler at FB before they go in motion.
Or he sends Hooman in motion out wide and they have to treat him like a receiving threat. I think eventually Williams will be targeted.
The variations are nearly endless. And note that when Shaq Mason is at FB it may be for power running--but he checks in as an eligible receiver.

IIRC the first offensive play of the game started with Gronk lined up as the lone man in the backfield.

 

[edmunddantes]

Belated game ball for Mason for this funny moment...
 
 

 
 
8. I think I laughed during a funny exchange with Mason in the locker room after the game. I asked him what he thought of his performance, and he responded, “I just wanted to go out there and do my job… oh wait,” he paused, realizing he had plagiarized his coach’s favorite saying, surveyed the situation, and realized that he was probably saying exactly what he was supposed to say. “OK well… yeah… do my job!” Nice job, rookie. (original emphasis)

 

[edmunddantes]

Back to the Week 1 review....
 
Like Bill with the sly critique of the Harmon/Devin celebration at around 4:55 mark.
 
http://www.patriots.com/video/2015/09/16/belichick-breakdown-week-1-vs-steelers
 
"gotta work on this one a little bit"