Back to Patriots football!
Per the NFL’s GSIS program:
Out of all the personnel combinations the Patriots have used this season, the one with the best per-yard average (among those used 10 times or more) has been James White, Philip Dorsett, Hogan, Edelman and Gronkowski. That grouping has averaged 9.09 yards per play and 9.90 yards per pass.
That’s the personnel grouping McD needs to use.
It’s time to let Brady get back to picking apart matchups, which he’s made a living on until this season. Now the hurry-up becomes viable again without Gordon.
White, Dorsett, Edelman, Hogan and Gronkowski should be the default personnel grouping, with Michel ready to split time with White. And it’s time to use the receiving ability Michel showed in college.
Mix Cordarrelle Patterson with Dorsett as strictly a go and screen receiver. Gordon was not threatening defenses deep; Patterson, for all his flaws, can certainly do that.
Also, while we’re at it, don’t be afraid to take Gronkowski off the field at times and insert White and/or Rex Burkhead for the tight end. Or take Hogan off, if Brady is going to continue to ignore him (and he has been doing that, outside of a few designed plays).
With Gordon gone it’s time for the Patriots to take better advantage of the skillsets of the players who are left. It should have been done months ago, but Gordon was a large part of the reason why the offensive scheme was dumbed down & has looked so different this year.
Other totals from the NFL’s GSIS program:
10 plays – 9 pass, 1 rush
Average yards per play – 2.1
James White, Chris Hogan, Josh Gordon, Julian Edelman, Dwayne Allen
14 plays – 2 pass, 12 rush
Average yards per play – 3.07
Sony Michel, James Develin, Phillip Dorsett, Chris Hogan, Rob Gronkowski
12 plays – 2 pass, 10 rush
Average yards per play – 4.42
Sony Michel, James Develin, Phillip Dorsett, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski
