Defending against the Patriots' offense

Don't know that there IS a "formula" unless you have better people who are better coached. Right now - Brady is ALL-WORLD, & he is hard to deal with as long as his supporting cast is as good as they are!

Must be able to consistently apply pressure inside while playing great man coverage behind it without giving up many big plays. Obviously a lot easier said than done. I do agree that Green Bay would probably have as good a shot as anyone.

I'm a Cowboys fan first and foremost... but I would love to see a Green Bay/New England matchup in the Superbowl myself.

Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach

Well, let me embarrass myself and say that I am a Miami Dolphins fan....There, now that I have gotten that out of the way, let's talk football. I am an offensive minded coach that is always trying to figure out how to most effectively stop what I run. With that being said, the Patriots run so many formations and shifts that they are one of the hardest teams to defend that I have ever seen. They also do a good job of lining their personnel up in situations that allow them to become threats to any defense. I talk football with my brother (former NFL OLB, 11 yrs Pitt, Philly, NYG) and he said that they would probably prepare to stop them by not stopping themselves...I know that sounds funny, but he said that the only way to stop them is by playing a mistake free ball game...The Giants had an opportunity...Philly had an opportunity. They succeeded in rattling Brady. Have you ever noticed how frustrated he is when he gets touched? He doesn't even have to get sacked, he just doesn't like for his timing to be thrown off. So, if I had to develop a game plan against them it might include the following:
1. Keep constant pressure from the front 4...Doesn't have to be a blitz, just work the Get off (1st two steps) then dial up one of those J. Johnson blitzes.
2. Press Welker and Stallworth. From the five games that I have watched, neither really work well without a clean release. Welker in motion or as the inside receiver in 3 X 1 is dangerous.
3. Don't try to make the big play. I have seen far too many times where a opposing DB goes for the INT by trying to read Brady's eyes only to have him ball fake and drop it off to the best shallow route runner in the league (Welker).

Just my opinion coaches, I am still young in the business. Comments and constructive criticism are welcomed.

Coach Mitch

When all is said and done, all the defensive schemes, offensive game plans, etc. are finally put to the test on the field in two weeks, the winner will be decided by who executed the best!!! Who doesn't turn over the ball, who makes the critical first downs when they are needed the most, who makes the critical catches on the pass plays, who KEEPS THEIR COMPOSURE AND DON'T GET THEIR TEAM STUPID PENALITES BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET THE FACT THAT HE WHO RETALIATES IS THE LOSER!!! WHICH TEAM CAN BUST THE LONG GAINERS ON THE GROUND TO PUT THE DEFENSE IN A BIND ON HOW TO DEPLOY TO STOP THE RUN FIRST AND THE PASS SECOND. LET US NOT FORGET THE FACTOR OF WHO JUST HAPPENS TO BE THE LUCKIEST ON THAT DAY ALSO!!! The real fact of the matter is that coaching may acount for maybe 20% of the win, while 80% is going to be accounted for by the guys out there putting their bodies on the line for the full 60 minutes! Just my opinion as always.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

Brady owes his O-line half his paycheck (and I'm sure he's very grateful to 'em). If you let him get on a rhythm, you're beat. If you man up and bring people, one of those wideouts is gonna get separation and he'll find him. If you bracket the wideouts he'll check down and/or they will run the football. The only way to beat them is to get consistent pressure from your front 4 and knock him around to get him off that rhythm. Any QB is going to have a tougher time of it if he's getting smacked around. Gamble once in awhile and bring some people for a change up, but your big dogs up front had better be prepared to play the game of their lives.

Which brings us back to the first point, that O-line and their pass protection are the Patriots Most Valuable Players.