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February 3, 2008

Halftime thoughts

Clearly, first and foremost for New England is better protection for Tom Brady. In the team's last meeting on Jan. 29, Russ Hochstein and Ryan O'Callaghan filled in at right guard and tackle, respectively, due to injuries to Stephen Neal and Nick Kaczur. Though Brady was pressured quite a bit in that game, he was sacked only once. He has been sacked three times so far today.

Part of the problem for New England is they are getting into long-yardage situations, and New York bring Justin Tuck onto the field on obvious passing downs. It is Tuck who has done most of the damage, strip-sacking Brady at the end of the half.

Brady didn't look to Randy Moss until late in the second quarter, and Moss has one catch on three pass attempts his way.

Though it wound up not mattering because of Ellis Hobbs' interception a few plays later, Amani Toomer's 38-yard reception in the second quarter should have been waved off, as he pushed off of Hobbs, shoving him under the chin, as the ball came in.

One miscue for New England defensively was when Pierre Woods lost the fumble he had clearly recovered. Woods immediately fell on a fumble by Ahmad Bradshaw, but in the scrum was rolled over and stripped of the ball. Had he held on, the Pats would have had the ball around the New York 33.

New York is playing conservatively on offense, and clearly has the game plan to play keep-away from Tom Brady by eating time off the clock.

Bill Belichick is renowned for his ability to adjust, and his team will need to make several changes, particularly on offense, in the second half.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 7:54 PM | Permalink