A few things we still don’t know about the Patriots
COMMENTARY
Dissatisfaction is a postgame tradition in New England.
But Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s displeasure may have been warranted after their win in Indianapolis. The Colts are not a good football team, and the Patriots (who are hyped to be worthy of an undefeated regular season) won by a seven-point margin. It could have been more.
The Colts exposed the Patriots secondary. A week earlier, the Cowboys exposed New England’s offensive line. It’s clear the 5-0 Patriots are excellent, but they’ve yet to be tested. There are players that need developing, positional groups that need improvement, and questions that need answering.
Here are five things we still don’t know about the Patriots.
1. Can the secondary shut down an excellent quarterback?
Imagine a scenario where Tony Romo and Dez Bryant were healthy for the Dallas Cowboys’ matchup against the Patriots in Week 4. Imagine if that version of the Cowboys passing offense had faced the Patriots secondary, while the Cowboys defense sacked Brady five times in the first half.
It’s not a pretty picture, is it?
Without Le’Veon Bell or Martavis Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger had 351 yards and a touchdown, as Antonio Brown burned the Patriots for 133 yards and a touchdown. Sure, they won, but it doesn’t take much imagination to realize it was a bad defensive outing for the Pats.
In Week 6, no Colts receiver surpassed 75 yards against the Patriots, and yet Andrew Luck passed for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Before Luck missed two games with a shoulder injury, he was averaging 251 yards, 1.7 touchdowns and 2.3 interceptions. Against the Patriots, Andrew Luck found a rhythm on the opening drive, spread the ball around, and lost by the closest margin in his career verses New England.
The solution to the problem involves improved play from five players: Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Chandler Jones, Jabaal Sheard (who is injured), and Rob Ninkovich. It’s surprising when a Patriots pass-rusher has a 2.5-sack performance, like Jones did against the Colts. It’s surprising when Malcolm Butler shuts down a No. 1 receiver.
“Bend don’t break’’ be damned — those are bad standards for a defense that hopes to win a Super Bowl.
2. Can Dominique Easley and Malcom Brown become every down players?
The Patriots have spent consecutive first-round picks on the same position. Belichick has never done that before, and it’s likely because the players have vastly different skills sets.
Easley is agile and evasive with quick hands and feet — his fast jump off the line allows him to penetrate the backfield for sacks and tackles for loss. And he can dance.
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Easley had an injury history, and fell to the Patriots in the draft, but (seemingly because of his injury history) had a slow rookie season and played only 24 percent of snaps. This season, he’s starting to be the disruptive force Belichick touted him to be.
The rookie, Brown, is a strong, pocket-pusher with the ability to shed blocks and consume gaps in the center of the line. Consistency, however, has not been either player’s strong-suit. Brown has gotten discarded by blockers in a few games. And Easley hasn’t provided consistent pressure in passing situations. As a result, the Patriots have gone by committee at defensive tackle, playing Sealver Siliga 141 snaps, Brown 115, Alan Branch 104, and Easley 88.
Easley and Brown have the talent to transform an underwhelming position group into one of the most versatile defensive tackle tandems in the league. Perhaps it’s only a matter of time.
3. Are the Jets legit? Can the Patriots beat them?
Jets Pro Bowler and 2013 first-round pick Sheldon Richardson is a backup, according to the team’s website.
So, yes, this team is legit.
The defensive lineman’s four-game suspension has something to do with his “backup’’ title. Still, the Jets also have 2011 first-round pick Mo Wilkerson and 2015 first-round pick Leonard Williams. They’re elite without Richardson.
Their roster looks like an AFC Pro Bowl roster but with outstanding chemistry and communication. The arrival of head coach Todd Bowles has done wonders for an already elite pass rush. And the revamped secondary is one of the NFL’s stingiest, with cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.
Running back Chris Ivory is leading the NFL with 115 yards per game, and former Patriot Stevan Ridley could return from injury to provide additional depth in the already deep backfield.
The only question is at quarterback, which — as it turns out — is the most important position in football.
Ryan Fitzpatrick’s mobility has been his saving grace, and the quarterback has a knack for efficiently picking up first downs with his legs in a way that parallels Aaron Rodgers. Of course, he can’t throw like Rodgers. But wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been a monster — displaying power and finesse. Eric Decker has been a reliable redzone target, catching a touchdown in each of the games he’s been active.
The Jets could — and perhaps should — beat the Patriots at least once.
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4. Can the offensive line improve in pass protection?
Brady has been mobile in the Patriots’ first five games.
Brady? Mobile?
It’s not by design, and it’s not a Cam Newton impression. Because his offensive line is struggling, Brady is buying time in the pocket by stepping up and giving wide receivers a “second window’’ to get open, Belichick said in his weekly film breakdown.
Even before injuries to Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon, the offensive tackles were consistently getting beat by defensive ends. Brady’s quick release has been partially a product of the Patriots’ quick passing attack, but it has also been a product of necessity. Despite his fast release, Brady has been sacked 13th-most in the NFL. And consider, too, the Patriots have played one fewer game than all but two of the teams with more sacks allowed (the Vikings and Titans had also had byes).
The awaited return of center Bryan Stork and guard Ryan Wendell may shore up the interior, but that hasn’t been their biggest problem. Solder is out for the year, and Sebastian Vollmer doesn’t look like he’s got the makings of a left tackle anymore. If healthy, Cannon will be tasked with Brady’s blindside — and it’s unclear if he’s capable.
Brady may not need the extra time, but imagine what he could do with it.
5. How does Brandon LaFell fit into the offense?
LaFell figures to return as the Patriots’ third pass-catcher, behind Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman. He’ll be sharing time with Danny Amendola, who in Week 6 had his first 100-yard game since 2013. Scott Chandler and Keshawn Martin have been solid but unspectacular.
While Edelman works underneath, LaFell will take control of the deep-middle of the field. During the 2015 season, LaFell was a reliable receiver with 74 receptions for 953 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught a pair of touchdowns in the Patriots’ three playoff games. With so many options in the passing offense, his average of .4 touchdowns per game will fall. But he can still expect about 60 yards per game.
He’s a big-bodied, sure-handed target. Most important, Brady seems to like throwing to him.
Belichick yourself before you wreck yourself
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