Ending the Season Long Patriot Orgy

Did anyone notice the article TDZ: The Blueprint by Mike Tanier? This guy watched hours of the Patriots during Week 17 when the NFL Network broadcast a bunch of games back-to-back. From this Herculean effort, Tanier came away with a Blue print for beating Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and company.

He begins by listing a series of objectives for those opposing the Pats: Hold them to 20 or fewer points; Generate “hurries” or flush Brady from the pocket; Do not allow any long Moss touchdowns; Shut down the screen game. This is sound advice for any game, but is it possible against the Pats in the off season? So far this season, no matter what teams do, the Pats offense just improvises and then trounces them.

Next Tanier suggests an opposing team has to have certain goals: Bring pressure up the middle to keep Brady from stepping up, get the fastest players on the field; use aggressive blitz packages; Avoid 3 and short (good luck with this one); use defensive packages that eliminate the deep ball; Cover Moss at all times; Always expect a screen on the non-Moss side of the field. Again these are really no brainers, but I am still not sure they're possible. I look at the Patriots this season and really wonder if they are beatable. There have been moments they seemed vulnerable, but somehow they find a way to come back.

In all, I think Tanier offers some pretty sound arguments for his blueprint so you should really check out his article on (footballoutsiders.com). The plan seems employable by teams like the Jaguars, Colts, Chargers, and Cowboys. But the real question is whether any team can put such a plan in motion. Unfortunately, I just can’t see the Pats juggernaut being stopped this off season since the next two games happen in Foxboro. I really like the Colts, but their record playing in the cold sucks and I can't imagine the Charges will make it beyond this weekend. If anyone can do it it might be the Jags (who did a number on the Steelers twice at home).

Note to anyone the Pats face in the playoffs, clearly any joker can draw up a bunch of plays in his office, but it doesn’t mean it will stop the Patriots from having an orgy in your end zone.