The Patriots offensive line

[Ram65]

This group is playing good football right now. They have established a dominant run game and have kept things pristine for Tom.

We need to crack em - but how?

Let’s look at the group:

Trent Brown, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon

The tackles: Brown is enormous. 6’8 and 380. 380? Yes, 380! And for that size, he can really move. We can thank the Niners for this one - they gave him to the Patriots who moved him the right side to the left where he has flourished. freaking 9ers.

Marcus Cannon holds down the right side. Draftnics may remember this kid - he was a sure fire day one or two prospect until he was diagnosed with some sort of cancer during the draft process. The Patriots played the patient game and took him in the 5th round and waited on him. That patience has paid off - he is a stud on the right side.

Tom has really good pocket awareness anyway - so the outside edge rush generally isn’t an issue. Neither of these tackles is going to make the ballet but they both handle their respective edges well enough that Tom doesn’t usually get blindsided. Still - anything Fowler can offer cutting around the edge will be a plus.

The guards

Joe Thuney was a stud at NC State and he has been incredibly solid and reliable as a pro. I hate that I like him as much as I do.

Shaq Mason

When he is right - he may be the best of the NE lineman. He has missed a few games here and there but seems to be healthy now. I think he is the difference maker in the run game for the Pats.

Center

David Andrews - undrafted. Unrecognizable. Becomes the starter when Stork got hurt and never gave the job back. You know how you never really want to hear an offensive lineman’s name called? That’s this guy.

Ok - so how do we beat this unit? It depends on how they play us. I assume Donald will get doubled which means Suh and/or Brockers will need to beat Shaq or Joe one on one.

If Tom Brady has a weakness from a pocket presence perspective, it’s the middle pressure. Most QBs don’t excel with pressure right in their face - but Tom isn’t going to move the pocket much - there will be some but not many rollouts and boots in this offense.

They are going to try to quick hit - get rid of it to a back or to the slot. We need to be ready for the ball to come out fast - get those paws up.

When there is a chance to hit Tom, it needs to hurt. He may seem ageless, but as a 40+ myself - crap hurts more now than it used to. For that reason more than any other, I think this game comes down to Suh. If he dominates, we can roll. If he gets handled, we may be in trouble defensively. Even when there isn’t a sack to be had - every QB hit matters. Let’s nudge Tom into retirement and remind him old he is.

Great write up. I had no idea they are that big and good.

 

[FrantikRam]

Their OL is a huge concern.

Our secondary has to win - Edelman and Gronk need to be contained. We showed last week we can win giving up 10 catches and a zillion yards to RBs, which the Patriots will definitely expose. Although it should be easier for Littleton and Barron to cover White instead of Kamara.

Stopping the run is priority number one. It beat down both the Chargers and Chiefs. I would rather focus on stopping the run and not letting their WRs getting open, as opposed to rushing the passer. Donald will have to step up.

 

[Poppinfresh]

That would be great if we could do it.
But I'm almost positive we will NOT get home with rushing 4, very often, or even once.
We HAVE TO send 5 or 6 once in a while. We have to or Tommy will have 4 seconds to throw.

Why do we have to? Because the Chargers didn't send anybody, the Chiefs didn't have the playmakers with their 31st ranked defense, and New England spent the season playing defensive powerhouses like the Jets and Dolphins? Other teams have very successfully demonstrated that line isn't nearly as good as the sack/pressure stats show just because the Patriots get a minimum of 8 free games a year. The Rams very likely can - and will - be able to get to him, just like they've been able to get to pretty much every other quarterback they've faced this year. And it wasn't until the last couple of games that Suh has decided he's motivated enough to put in maximum effort - and the results have been pretty impressive, at least from a pass rush front.

Mug the receivers at the line, don't give Brady the dink and dunk crap, and actually decide that run defense might be somewhat important for once, and this team will be fine. There's no way Brady's getting 4 seconds to throw with Suh and Donald crashing inside and Fowler providing his last audition reel for his next contract.

 

[BriansRams]

Why do we have to? Because the Chargers didn't send anybody, the Chiefs didn't have the playmakers with their 31st ranked defense, and New England spent the season playing defensive powerhouses like the Jets and Dolphins? Other teams have very successfully demonstrated that line isn't nearly as good as the sack/pressure stats show just because the Patriots get a minimum of 8 free games a year. The Rams very likely can - and will - be able to get to him, just like they've been able to get to pretty much every other quarterback they've faced this year. And it wasn't until the last couple of games that Suh has decided he's motivated enough to put in maximum effort - and the results have been pretty impressive, at least from a pass rush front.

Mug the receivers at the line, don't give Brady the dink and dunk crap, and actually decide that run defense might be somewhat important for once, and this team will be fine. There's no way Brady's getting 4 seconds to throw with Suh and Donald crashing inside and Fowler providing his last audition reel for his next contract.

I respect your opinion and a lot of it makes sense.
I'm just saying we will not get home enough (or even at all) by just rushing 4 guys. We just won't.
Brady with time = Brady going down the field for easy touchdowns. It's that simple. Cannot give him the time he's used to having.

 

[12intheBox]

I respect your opinion and a lot of it makes sense.
I'm just saying we will not get home enough (or even at all) by just rushing 4 guys. We just won't.
Brady with time = Brady going down the field for easy touchdowns. It's that simple. Cannot give him the time he's used to having.

We have through most of the year. I think this Donald kid is going to be pretty good.

 

[Mackeyser]

Brady’s QB passer rating with interior is literally half that of when that pressure is off the offense... 60 to 120 ( I think it’s actually like 61.2 to 118.9 or thereabouts)

What Suh and AD bring up the middle the Pats haven’t faced even close.

 

[Poppinfresh]

I respect your opinion and a lot of it makes sense.
I'm just saying we will not get home enough (or even at all) by just rushing 4 guys. We just won't.
Brady with time = Brady going down the field for easy touchdowns. It's that simple. Cannot give him the time he's used to having.

I disagree we can't get to him with 4 guys, cause we've been doing it all year. Sending 5 is actually a pretty poor idea, because one of Brady's best traits is identifying who that 5th guy is going to be and making sure the ball ends up in the gap that is created by that guy coming in. As a matter of fact, a good portion of his career has been defined by it.

 

[OntarioRam]

It will be very important for Suh and Fowler to keep playing at a high level. The Pats' offensive line is very strong. But when all members of our DL are playing at their best - and not just Aaron Donald, which sadly happens to often - I would take our DL over any opposing OL in the league.

 

[Loyal]

Right. But no other team has been able to yet. So, if we can't harass him, then what? What other options?

The Gunslinger, Jared Freakin' Goff.

 

[Poppinfresh]

It will be very important for Suh and Fowler to keep playing at a high level. The Pats' offensive line is very strong. But when all members of our DL are playing at their best - and not just Aaron Donald, which sadly happens to often - I would take our DL over any opposing OL in the league.

This game is a perfect storm to ensure these two really go balls to the wall with no real regard for personal safety. Suh is one game away from solidifying his legacy and ensuring that, no matter what happens from here, his career involves a ring (thus enabling him to chase the money next year rather than trying to catch on with a contender to make a run like he did this year). All year, it's felt like he was just sort of on cruise control (because he's had 8 years of playing for junk teams, which breeds laziness), but these last few weeks, you've really seen him go from going through the motions to having him go "wait, so you're telling me there's a chance?" and just start demolishing people. Fowler has largely been considered a bust and has somewhat redeemed himself so far, but this game is going to serve as an audition for a big contract for him, so you know he's gonna go all out. And then Donald is...well, Donald.

 

[Loyal]

This game is a perfect storm to ensure these two really go balls to the wall with no real regard for personal safety. Suh is one game away from solidifying his legacy and ensuring that, no matter what happens from here, his career involves a ring (thus enabling him to chase the money next year rather than trying to catch on with a contender to make a run like he did this year). All year, it's felt like he was just sort of on cruise control (because he's had 8 years of playing for junk teams, which breeds laziness), but these last few weeks, you've really seen him go from going through the motions to having him go "wait, so you're telling me there's a chance?" and just start demolishing people. Fowler has largely been considered a bust and has somewhat redeemed himself so far, but this game is going to serve as an audition for a big contract for him, so you know he's gonna go all out. And then Donald is...well, Donald.

One difference though, was that Suh was reportedly offered (or would have been offered) more money to play for the Saints before signing with the Rams. The Saints were every bit a contender as we were.....so it's not all about the money for Suh.

 

[Poppinfresh]

One difference though, was that Suh was reportedly offered (or would have been offered) more money to play for the Saints before signing with the Rams. The Saints were every bit a contender as we were.....so it's not all about the money for Suh.

Actually, many people before the season started felt the Saints were probably going to finish 3rd in their own division. They were a middle of the road team "on paper" that grossly exceeded expectations while Atlanta and Carolina completely shat their respective beds. The Rams were clearly the better choice if one was chasing a ring, which is why he took less money to come here.

 

[Loyal]

Actually, many people before the season started felt the Saints were probably going to finish 3rd in their own division. They were a middle of the road team "on paper" that grossly exceeded expectations while Atlanta and Carolina completely shat their respective beds. The Rams were clearly the better choice if one was chasing a ring, which is why he took less money to come here.

disagree. We had a lot of holes,and Suh almost an extra with Brockers filling the spot Suh occupies now. Our memories are different.

 

[Poppinfresh]

disagree. We had a lot of holes,and Suh almost an extra with Brockers filling the spot Suh occupies now. Our memories are different.

Clearly, they are different, because going into the season, most people only had a concern about our pass rush from the linebackers and thought we were going to demolish teams in every other facet of the game. The only concern anybody had was that the team was racking up so many high-touch personalities and the fear they'd clash. If anything, we UNDERPERFORMED relative to expectations this year, just because the defense took such a step back.

My memory involves people saying "they've got the best offensive player, they've got the best defensive player, they've got the best offensive line, they've got the best special teams, their receivers are amazing, Goff is reborn, and they've got the best secondary (hindsight on this last one: HAH!)"

 

[rking4441]

I see everyone saying that Brady hasn't really been pressured in the playoffs, but if that is true why did he throw 3 INTs last week? (I know one was taken back for the offside penalty). I think teams build Brady up too much. I get it, he is the GOAT but lets honestly evaluate how he played last week. If the Rams, or Chiefs for that matter, don't get off to a slow start I think they have a great chance at winning this game. The Chiefs scored 24 points in the 4th Q! and 31 in the 2nd half!!

If the Rams are not overwhelmed by moment and play their best football we have a great chance in this game!

 

[jap]

I wanna see Aaron, Suh, & Brockers ragdoll the man called Brady repeatedly. In the 4th quarter when the Patsies are trying desperately to mount a massive comeback from the shellacking we are unleashing on them, I want Sean McVay to repeatedly go to Wade with the command, "Release the Kraken!!! " I wanna see The Gurley Express! and the CJ Wrecking Ball both surpass the century mark rushing. I want Brandin & Robert to both surpass 100 yards receiving. Naturally, this would bode well for Jared to surpass 300 yards passing. I wouldn't mind seeing Greg the Leg driving a 65-to-70 yard FG through the uprights just before halftime. I want our Rampaging Horns to slap the one organization that has been disgracing this entire league for nearly two decades with their relentless cheating ways. In short, I want poetic justice for our org and at the full expense of the Patsies.

 

[janthony6]

After seeing AD run with the ball against the 49ers, I’d like to see us run a toss to him in this game from the start. Can’t imagine a more terrifying person to try to tackle than AD. Good tone setter for this game.

 

[Rmfnlt]

I agree.
Blitzing Brady may be a waste of time.
Rush 4 guys and focus on their underneath passing game. Cheats dink and dunk more than any other team in the league. Making it very difficult to get to Brady.

NYG got pressure in both Super Bowls.
NYG won both Super Bowls.

Sit back and let them dink-and-dunk and you will lose.

Watch those NYG-NE Super Bowls... it's all there... laid out in front of you.

 

[Dodgersrf]

NYG got pressure in both Super Bowls.
NYG won both Super Bowls.

Sit back and let them dink-and-dunk and you will lose.

Watch those NYG-NE Super Bowls... it's all there... laid out in front of you.

If you cant get to Brady in less than 2 seconds, your not going to get your him.
Jam these guys at the line of scrimmage and get cover sacks rushing 4 guys.
Blitzing him and playing our secondary 10 yrds off the LOS and we will lose.

 

[Classic Rams]

This is finally the game that Wade can pull out all the tricks. New blitz packages and other wrinkles that he held back from during the season. A lot of the same looks but with a few surprises mixed in. I want to see some 3rd down stops in this game and some turnovers. We aren't the KC defense.