No-huddle offense

[Carlos Cowart]

What happened to the Patriots no-huddle offense of 2012 that was so effective that teams (cough, the Jets) bitched to the league? Did the NFL change the rules? Did the league figure it out and figure out a way to counter it? Or is the current crop of Pats not able to pull it off? It seemed to work like a char and then it just want away.

 

[Reverend]

Aaron Hernandez got murdery.

 

[Carlos Cowart]

So it only works with 2 great TEs, rather than 1 great TE and whoever? Wright? I thought the point was to constantly catch the defense on its heels and keep them from subbing, in which case it was about tempo, so personnel should be pretty interchangable. Obviously I'm missing something since they've quit doing it, but it all hinged on Hernandez?

 

[mascho]

They ran it the opening drive against the Jets, which ended on the long TD to Vereen.

Or so I read...http://central.sonsofsamhorn.net/nfl/new-england-patriots/twip-part-1-mcdaniels-vereen-and-the-glory-of-the-up-tempo-offense/

 

[mpx42]

The most effective example of the no-huddle I can remember was a game in which Hernandez didn't play - against the Broncos in 2012. Denver couldn't handle the pace.
 
I think it's just hard enough for the new pieces to learn the regular offense right now, let alone for them to do it at that speed.

 

[Carlos Cowart]

They ran it the opening drive against the Jets, which ended on the long TD to Vereen.

Or so I read...http://central.sonsofsamhorn.net/nfl/new-england-patriots/twip-part-1-mcdaniels-vereen-and-the-glory-of-the-up-tempo-offense/

 
Perfect - so why aren't they riding the tempo horse until iit's ineffective?

 

[Toe Nash]

So it only works with 2 great TEs, rather than 1 great TE and whoever? Wright? I thought the point was to constantly catch the defense on its heels and keep them from subbing, in which case it was about tempo, so personnel should be pretty interchangable. Obviously I'm missing something since they've quit doing it, but it all hinged on Hernandez?

My understanding was that the versatility of Hernandez and Gronk were a huge part of it. They could both catch passes or block and so the defense couldn't really line up to stop them. If the defense has a bunch of big guys, you send the two TEs out on routes and the big guys can't cover, and the no-huddle prevents them from subbing. If they go small with 5 DBs, you run the ball. Wright is mainly a pass-catcher so even if were up to speed in the offense (which I doubt he is) he is not much of a plus in run blocking.

 

[Carlos Cowart]

 
I think it's just hard enough for the new pieces to learn the regular offense right now, let alone for them to do it at that speed.

 
That makes sense. Perhaps it will reemerge as the seasomn progresses. People often call the NFL a copycat league and no one seems to have successfully copied the "2-minute offense all game" offense, perhaps it's really dificult and the Pats aren't there yet.

 

[Carlos Cowart]

My understanding was that the versatility of Hernandez and Gronk were a huge part of it. They could both catch passes or block and so the defense couldn't really line up to stop them. If the defense has a bunch of big guys, you send the two TEs out on routes and the big guys can't cover, and the no-huddle prevents them from subbing. If they go small with 5 DBs, you run the ball. Wright is mainly a pass-catcher so even if were up to speed in the offense (which I doubt he is) he is not much of a plus in run blocking.

OK. Makes sense, Thank you.

 

[grimshaw]

The most effective example of the no-huddle I can remember was a game in which Hernandez didn't play - against the Broncos in 2012. Denver couldn't handle the pace.
 
I think it's just hard enough for the new pieces to learn the regular offense right now, let alone for them to do it at that speed.

They did it in Week 1 in Miami on MNF in 2011 as well.  The Dolphins were sucking wind instead of the Patriots in the heat.  Of course teams actually practiced in training camp a few years ago.

 

[bakahump]

Hernandez was not much of a blocker.  Perhaps true that he was better then Wright....but only marginally.  Like most "WR" which lets face it in the scenario you present ("when Small run") they essentially are, you dont have to be a (old) Hooman/Gronk road grader blocker.  You need to get in between the DBs and the carrier.  They real question is ....is Wright a better Blocker then most of Edelman Amendola Lefell Dobson  or Tyms.
 
I think you could argue he is better then the Vowel Brothers, and much better then Dobson and Tyms.  Lefell is probably better then Wright.
 
It wouldnt surprise me to see a Hurry up Package of OL, Brady, Vereen, Edelman, Lefell, Wright and Gronk.  With Lefells recent "dual threat" (Blocker/Catcher) ability that could be devastating offensive Grouping.  When running against a Nickel you have 2 excellent blockers (Lefell and Gronk) and 2 decent blockers (Edelman and Wright) especially considering who they would be blocking (DBs).   When throwing against a base defense you have 2 VG Pass catching TEs and good enough WRs who can burn Safety help on Gronk to keep the secondary honest.
 
I think a big part has been getting Gronk up to speed/Game Shape.  You cant run the hurry up with out him.  (at least not they way they did).  He is the lynchpin.  Essentially giving you a 6th OL able to take on the "Front 6" of a Nickel Defense (and allowing Wright to block DBs), or able to beat a LB and often require safety help when facing a Base Defense.
 
As Gronk gets more wind.....I think we see more Hurry up.