Patriots will ‘stick to the same plan’ this week with Zak Kuhr calling plays as Terrell Williams recovers
Williams will be more involved this week, but the defensive play-calling set up will be the same as last week, according to Mike Vrabel.
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots are sticking with inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr as their defensive playcaller for the second-straight week as defensive coordinator Terrell Williams continues to recover from an unforeseen health issue, coach Mike Vrabel said Monday.
The home contest against Pittsburgh will be the second straight-game Williams has missed. The Patriots prevailed against the Dolphins last Sunday, securing a 33-27 win at Hard Rock Stadium.
Williams is feeling better, Vrabel said, but the Patriots want to handle the situation with care.
“I think that we’ll probably be operating under the same premise,” Vrabel said. “I mean, Terrell’s around, I just want to try to get some continuity, and with the situation probably being fluid, we’ll stick to the same plan that we had last week. He’ll just be more involved. I just want to make sure that we’re not in and out and in and out. That’s all.”
Tackling was an issue during the close win, Vrabel said. The Patriots had eight missed tackles, four of which were credited to linebacker Robert Spillane. Alex Austin had two. Marcus Jones had one, and Marte Mapu had one.
“We’ll have to tackle much better,” Vrabel said. “We’ll have to tackle [Jaylen] Warren, Jonnu [Smith], [DK] Metcalf, [Calvin] Austin [III]. So, that’s the focus. That will be a critical part of this game plan. Those guys are great with the ball in their hands. They run very hard, they’re skilled, they’re big and present a challenge.”
Pittsburgh added quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the offseason. The 41-year-old quarterback is still tough to gameplan for, Vrabel said.
“I think the ball can go. I mean, when you see him extend the play to the right and throw it down 60 yards or whatever that was, his operation is excellent,” Vrabel said. “His ability to find relief throws in plays that he doesn’t think will be positive plays, he finds relief throws. It will be a great challenge to be able to find ways to affect him.”
Two weeks into the season, the Patriots are giving up a league-worst 315 passing yards per game. They have been better at stopping the run, limiting opponents to three yards per carry. New England is allowing 23.5 points per game, which is 14th in the league.
There is a chance that the Patriots’ secondary could get a boost on Sunday. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez has returned to practice for the first time since late July. It’s not clear if he’ll be ready to play right away, but Vrabel didn’t rule it out.
With Williams out and the defense looking suspect in the pass game, the Patriots could certainly use Gonzalez if he is available.
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