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Current Depth chart how do we match up with NE week one?
I thought with all the discussion about week one against NE that I would do some analysis of the depth chart comparison and see if I think we even have a chance head to head with our offense vs. their defense. The results, are all opinions and I will revisit them after training camp.
Our offense vs. their defense:
Brandon Meriweather James Sanders
Leigh Bodden Johnathan Wilhite
Pierre Woods Jerod Mayo Tedy Bruschi Adalius Thomas
Richard Seymour Vince Wilfork Ty Warren
L. Walker A. Levitre G. Hangnarter E. Wood B. Butler S. Nelson
L. Evans Trent Edwards J. Reed T. Owens
Fred Jackson
Our offense vs. their defense:
Brandon Meriweather James Sanders
Leigh Bodden Johnathan Wilhite
Pierre Woods Jerod Mayo Tedy Bruschi Adalius Thomas
Richard Seymour Vince Wilfork Ty Warren
L. Walker A. Levitre G. Hangnarter E. Wood B. Butler S. Nelson
L. Evans Trent Edwards J. Reed T. Owens
Fred Jackson
The key to attacking the Patriot defense is to take advantage of their aging players and to make mis matches. Most likely, they will sub out some of their rookies in places come the home opener, but as is, this is how their depth chart is listed.
Noone has any idea of how Hangnarter will play and he certainly gets a big test day one against Vince. What Hangnarter does have though is two vicious finishers at his side to help him out. Although they are rookies, they match up well against the bigger NTs because they are so athletic and quick. Wood and Hangnarter or Levitre and Hangnarter should be able to take care of Wilfork. However, the real question is, can Hangnarter take Wilfork one on one? Well, if we are running the no huddle, he should be able to. Wilfork isn't the kind of "athlete" that can take the physical pounding and fast paced tempo that will be thrown at him in week one. That is, if the Bills actually do use the no huddle. We never know what is going through the coach's minds these days.
Butler vs. Ty Warren will be interesting. Butler is returning to his original position and that may help him. Of course, it is a new position to him, NFL-wise. Warren isn't the best he will face all year, but it is a test. Like Hangnarter and the rookies, it is hard to tell how we will match up here.
Walker vs. Seymour is going to be fun to watch. Walker has the strength to hold Seymour up, but he may not have the quickness to overtake him completely. Once again, this is where the no-huddle can possibly help us. With the no huddle, we can wear Seymour down, not only that, but Trent should be able to capture the Pats off guard and quickly get the passes off, giving Seymour less and less time to get to him. Walker may not have as much work as he would have, running back and forward from the huddle.
now heres the fun stuff...
Our o-line vs their d-line is going to be a toss up, but here is where I think the Bills can take advantage...
Fred Jackson is quick enough to work his way between the tackles. In a no-huddle atmosphere, he will likely get the chance to slip past the tiring Patriot D and bust off a couple good runs. The finishers in the middle should be able to open some holes well enough. Jackson is the kind of back that only needs you to open a path, then he finds his own way from there.
Evans, Reed and Owens matched up against, the Patriots secondary is where the real interesting stuff starts. They won't be able to load the box to stop the run because now they have a few players to worry about whether than just Evans. Owens will keep the Patriots honest and even if they choose to double him they'll have Evans get open on the outside. Reed working underneath will draw safety help, but Evans and Owens will work the outside with ease.
Then we have Nelson. Knowing the skills and speed that Nelson has, I would bet money on Nelson over any of the Patriots linebackers covering him. You heard it here first. I don't think they have a single linebacker that could run with Nelson, and that is where he becomes a key stone in our no-huddle attack.
All in all, this game, offensively, comes down to play calling. The weapons and mis matches will be there. The offensive line can make up for its lack of experience by wearing down the d-line of the Patriots. The LBs will have to try and help in coverage, and the CBs/ Safeties are going to have to do the same. When they get to focused on the pass, we'll be able to hit them with the run. Jackson and Rhodes can easily hit that homerun. You really think Wilfork will be able to play at a no huddle pace all game? I don't think so. They won't even get to make too many substitutions. This is why the no-huddle and right play calling is KEY to beating the patriots.
we CAN do it. we have this off season to let the o-line gell, and to let Trent get his calls down.
We CAN wear them down. we HAVE the weapons, the tools to finally beat them offensively. Go ahead and bash my optimism.
I may be crazy. I may not be thinking about how we are starting two rookies on the o-line, or how we are missing Lynch, or how Nelson is a rookie TE, or how we havent beaten them in years and years and years.
BUT, I have a feeling that offensively, we have certain things at our disposal that we can finally give ourselves a chance at beating them.
defensively, that is another story.
Turk and Trent, it is up to you.
Bash my optimism, I can take it.
Noone has any idea of how Hangnarter will play and he certainly gets a big test day one against Vince. What Hangnarter does have though is two vicious finishers at his side to help him out. Although they are rookies, they match up well against the bigger NTs because they are so athletic and quick. Wood and Hangnarter or Levitre and Hangnarter should be able to take care of Wilfork. However, the real question is, can Hangnarter take Wilfork one on one? Well, if we are running the no huddle, he should be able to. Wilfork isn't the kind of "athlete" that can take the physical pounding and fast paced tempo that will be thrown at him in week one. That is, if the Bills actually do use the no huddle. We never know what is going through the coach's minds these days.
Butler vs. Ty Warren will be interesting. Butler is returning to his original position and that may help him. Of course, it is a new position to him, NFL-wise. Warren isn't the best he will face all year, but it is a test. Like Hangnarter and the rookies, it is hard to tell how we will match up here.
Walker vs. Seymour is going to be fun to watch. Walker has the strength to hold Seymour up, but he may not have the quickness to overtake him completely. Once again, this is where the no-huddle can possibly help us. With the no huddle, we can wear Seymour down, not only that, but Trent should be able to capture the Pats off guard and quickly get the passes off, giving Seymour less and less time to get to him. Walker may not have as much work as he would have, running back and forward from the huddle.
now heres the fun stuff...
Our o-line vs their d-line is going to be a toss up, but here is where I think the Bills can take advantage...
Fred Jackson is quick enough to work his way between the tackles. In a no-huddle atmosphere, he will likely get the chance to slip past the tiring Patriot D and bust off a couple good runs. The finishers in the middle should be able to open some holes well enough. Jackson is the kind of back that only needs you to open a path, then he finds his own way from there.
Evans, Reed and Owens matched up against, the Patriots secondary is where the real interesting stuff starts. They won't be able to load the box to stop the run because now they have a few players to worry about whether than just Evans. Owens will keep the Patriots honest and even if they choose to double him they'll have Evans get open on the outside. Reed working underneath will draw safety help, but Evans and Owens will work the outside with ease.
Then we have Nelson. Knowing the skills and speed that Nelson has, I would bet money on Nelson over any of the Patriots linebackers covering him. You heard it here first. I don't think they have a single linebacker that could run with Nelson, and that is where he becomes a key stone in our no-huddle attack.
All in all, this game, offensively, comes down to play calling. The weapons and mis matches will be there. The offensive line can make up for its lack of experience by wearing down the d-line of the Patriots. The LBs will have to try and help in coverage, and the CBs/ Safeties are going to have to do the same. When they get to focused on the pass, we'll be able to hit them with the run. Jackson and Rhodes can easily hit that homerun. You really think Wilfork will be able to play at a no huddle pace all game? I don't think so. They won't even get to make too many substitutions. This is why the no-huddle and right play calling is KEY to beating the patriots.
we CAN do it. we have this off season to let the o-line gell, and to let Trent get his calls down.
We CAN wear them down. we HAVE the weapons, the tools to finally beat them offensively. Go ahead and bash my optimism.
I may be crazy. I may not be thinking about how we are starting two rookies on the o-line, or how we are missing Lynch, or how Nelson is a rookie TE, or how we havent beaten them in years and years and years.
BUT, I have a feeling that offensively, we have certain things at our disposal that we can finally give ourselves a chance at beating them.
defensively, that is another story.
Turk and Trent, it is up to you.
Bash my optimism, I can take it.
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