Halftime mal-adjustment in the Pats and UM

Submitted by michelin on
I was listening to a local analysis of problems the Patriots are having (see link below). An announcer noted that the Patriots have trouble adjusting at half time. They often go into the half with a lead, the other team adjusts to what they are doing, and then the Pats offense sputters. It's a new problem for the Pats' formerly high-octane attack. Yet, it sounded all too familiar. Since UM had similar half time adjustment problems, it might be useful to consider what the announcers said was a cause of the failure of the Pats offense to adapt. They didn’t trust their O-line. So, they kept everybody (including the tight end) in to “max protect.” That limited their playbook, leading to the use of many of the same rushing and passing plays. I wondered if this analysis might also be pertinent to UM, given the near invisibility of UM’s tight end and the O-line problems after Molk went out (not to mention the limited confidence in freshmen QBs in newly learned plays). Another reason to “max protect” would be Tate’s injury problems. I realize that our offense was a far cry from that of the Pats, yet our offense too seemed incapable of change and our problems were legion after the first half, especially during the latter part of the season. I apologize if this discussion is repetitive given much earlier discussions. But I wondered if this link might provide some new information. Since I haven’t had the time or skills to analyze the UM offense, and since Brian posted quite a lot of analysis on this site, I wondered what other peoples’ thoughts were on our mal-adjusted half-time. Is the analysis of the Pats' problems pertinent? (PS the video linked below is pretty brief, if you want to listen to it) http://www.boston.com/sports/video/globe10/?bctid=56003963001

jsquigg

December 11th, 2009 at 2:37 PM ^

I guess it's a little interesting although the comparison is definitely ridiculous. Arguably the best NFL coach ever in Belichick up against a coach who hasn't managed a winning record at UM yet. I'm not saying RR won't take us to great heights, but I thing Michigan's problems are a tad different.

michelin

December 11th, 2009 at 3:24 PM ^

"I realize that our offense was a far cry from that of the Pats," but if the Pats do indeed have this problem given all of the coaching and playing weapons, possibly it shows more clearly the root of the problem. Even if UM has and corrects this problem then a lot of other issues will remain that do not affect the Pats. Yet, if they can do nothing about the root of the problem, which comes from personnel concerns, then that would suggest that the issue is not as much the creativity or half time adjustments by the coaches. One question in my mind is whether this structural problem, keeping extra blockers in due to OL deficiencies, applies to UM, given the differences in the basic style of our offense and that of that of the Pats.

Speed Kills

December 11th, 2009 at 3:28 PM ^

I see what you're saying...and I don't *think* you were trying to tie the Pats or the NE coaches to anything at UM. I guess if you're a high octane offense (we could certainly become that very soon) you should probably keep the pedal to the metal and make some minor adjustments. I agree that some of the play calling was conservative all too often.