What are the Pats doing that we are not?

Winning superbowls obviously but beyond that. On the field they have a more consistent team that has better fundamentals and much better depth. They seem to always have a very good OL that can handle good defenses and blitzing even though they do not have blue chippers on the line. What do we need to do to get to the level the Patriots are at? The whole NFL is asking that question but maybe we can be the one to answer it.

I think the first step is to make our OL solid.

 

how did i know that would be your solution?

 

The Patriots and their 5 #1 picks starting on the OL, yeah

 

How is their defensive backfield so superior to our's ? To me that is the big difference. Fuck, we even had Poole who wasn't all that hot in our D. Is it our DBs coach??

 

that was 3 Ds ago, I don't see the relevance

 

What do they do better?

1. They have a lot of veterans on the team. Rodney Harrison and Colvin are the only big name FA contract they have committed too, everyone else has been signed at or below market. They find those players who can play at a high level in their scheme. Vrabel makes plays in what they ask him to do. On another team they don't have that.

2. They draft well, obviously, and have been able to make trades with greedy teams. The Bledsoe and Boller trades landed them 2 defensive line starters and a starting TE, and a starting receiver. If you can trade down and hit on all your picks, that helps. Getting second day starters helps too.

3. They have great coaches and vary gameplans to gameplan. Their players are smart. They draft pretty much Seniors who have degrees, and value quality smart veterans over workout warriors.

Thier line really isn't that good. No where near Pitt or KC, not athletic or powerful. Light is pretty good, but even he was only a second rounder. But they get smart, young players on the line. Staying away from aging 10th year guys and stuff like that is smarter. Smart, young, healthy guys can allow you to put money in other areas and not have liabilities like we do. But, as you say, that's easier said than done.

 

I heard on the radio this morning that all of their players have degrees. Some may be in underwater basket weaving, of course, but they have them.

Plus, I imagine it's hard to just plug any player in on their defense if the player is stupid - although it appears to have worked in Hank Poteat's case.

 

Even when Poole and Law were back their, they didn't put them in one on one coverage that much. They have rangy safties that can cover. They have very good cover linebackers. Even when they blitz, they usually keep deep help.

What they basically ask of their corners is to be tough and physical. If they get beat, Harrison will be back their to help.

 

How about having receivers play corner or defensive ends play linebacker

It seems they have an eye for a players strength and know they how to use it.

 

Belichick.