Game plan against the Patriots: Take away Julian Edelman
If you know anything about the way Bill Belichick likes to prepare for an opponent, then you are probably aware of his goal to completely take away their greatest weapon. When Belichick creates a strategy, he tries to focus mostly on eliminating the chances for the opponent's key weapon to create plays.
What will happen though, if the Patriots playoff opponent takes a page out of Belichick's book and tries to do the same thing? If they were to focus on one key player, you could imagine that it would be leading receiver and go-to-guy Julian Edelman.
Edelman was the team's receiving leader in yards (1,056), targets (151), receptions (105), touchdowns (6) and also in first downs (54). Clearly Tom Brady's favorite target at this point, teams will try their best to reduce Edelman's impact and force Brady to improvise with the rest of his surrounding cast. Doug Kyed of NESN.com posed the question of the day, what happens if teams successfully take away Edelman?
It’s unclear what will happen if an opposing defense takes Edelman out of a playoff game. Brady has trouble looking Edelman off at times. Obviously Edelman is Brady’s most dependable target, but it would help the passing game if the other wide receivers, running backs and tight ends were more involved. Edelman had another strong game, but he might not be there for Brady eventually.
Kyed makes note that Brady does tend to lock on to Edelman, most likely on short routes when there is not much time to try and fake out defenders by looking in a different direction. In doing this, not only is the play more susceptible to being disrupted, but it leaves #11 open to a big (and potentially dangerous) hit. The point that Kyed got across was that Brady needs to spread the wealth a little more and to do that, the other offensive skill players need to continue to step up.
Danny Amendola will hopefully lead the charge for this. The veteran slot receiver was brought in to replace Wes Welker and though he has been riddled with injuries throughout the season, Amendola has been fairly productive and done his job. For the Patriots to succeed if/when their opponent takes away Edelman though, Amendola will need to become more than a reliable go-to. He needs to be the play-maker and first-down machine that he was brought to Foxboro to be. That may not be too much to ask however, as Amendola was not only the Pats' second leading receiver, but also second to only Edelman in first-downs.
The running game will also be crucial. If LeGarrette Blount can keep up the elevated play, Shane Vereen can be effective when flexed out to WR, and Stevan Ridley just holds on to the ball, the running back group will be everything the Patriots need it to be. Asking for Blount to play as well as he did against Bills in Week 17 may be a little too hopeful, but if he can play at least somewhere near that level then the Patriots will be well off.
For a team that entered the season with what seemed to be a lack of offensive weapons, the Patriots skill players have certainly made names for themselves. Different guys have stepped up each week and helped the team clinch a much needed first-round bye-week. That is all good and great when looking back on the season, but none of it will mean anything unless they continue to produce in the playoffs.
They cannot rely on just two or three players to have a huge game, they all need to have big contributions especially if opponents are focusing on taking away Julian Edelman. This is the playoffs, there is no room for mistakes or poor play.
Stats via ESPN.com
Anthony Aidonidis
@aidonidis18
The running game will also be crucial. If LeGarrette Blount can keep up the elevated play, Shane Vereen can be effective when flexed out to WR, and Stevan Ridley just holds on to the ball, the running back group will be everything the Patriots need it to be. Asking for Blount to play as well as he did against Bills in Week 17 may be a little too hopeful, but if he can play at least somewhere near that level then the Patriots will be well off.For a team that entered the season with what seemed to be a lack of offensive weapons, the Patriots skill players have certainly made names for themselves. Different guys have stepped up each week and helped the team clinch a much needed first-round bye-week. That is all good and great when looking back on the season, but none of it will mean anything unless they continue to produce in the playoffs.
They cannot rely on just two or three players to have a huge game, they all need to have big contributions especially if opponents are focusing on taking away Julian Edelman. This is the playoffs, there is no room for mistakes or poor play.
Stats via ESPN.com
Anthony Aidonidis
@aidonidis18
