(11-13-2015, 02:21 PM)CoreyK Wrote: I do NOT think you can play Base Defense (Rush 4 and play man-to-man with 2 safety help) and beat the Patriots.  Edelman; Gronkowski; Amendola and James White win too many man-man battles and Brady is too accurate and putting the ball where it needs to be.  We saw this in last years Super Bowl vs Seattle and nothing has changed since then. 

If I were calling the defense I would spend the entire game playing exotic looking 3rd down defenses even on 1st and 2nd downs.  What I mean by this is...I would take Peko out of the game entirely.  I would have Geno MJ and Dunlap rushing as DL.  Then with the back 8 I would call all sorts of various blitzes and different rotational zone schemes with the DBs to try and confuse Brady. 

Now I know the Patriots will simply try and pound the ball with double TEs all day running Blount against such a defense but my question to you is....wouldn't you rather have the Patriots running game and Blount try and beat you than Tom Brady?   If you force them to run you have more chances for fumbles; more chances to hit a gap and stop run in the backfield or holding call that would be a drive killer.  Also the confusion would most likely lead to 1-2 int or an extra couple sacks to stop drives. 

I know such a strategy goes against conventional football but if the other team is better than your players man-to-man don't you have to at least try something different strategy wise to give your team a chance?  I have a hard time believing Brady would accept running Blount 30-35 times and NOt audible into pass plays out of frustration. 

Just my two cents.  What does everyone else think?  If we meet the PAtriots in the Playoffs should we play Base Defense or try something completely exotic like I have suggested.  

(11-13-2015, 02:41 PM)CoreyK Wrote: I think it is good to look ahead.  We are not just trying to win for playoffs anymore.  We need to be thinking of strategy now for the teams we expect to face in the playoffs. Of course, players should NOT be practicing these exotic looks during the week but our coach's should be thinking and hashing out strategy/schemes to beat Patriots now rather than later.  To me, that is the difference between making the playoffs and winning in the playoffs.  You have to think about the future before it arrives to prepare yourself.  I am sure most of you have savings/investment/401k for retirement, same concept here.  I hope coach's are getting prepared now and not hoping to come up with something later.

(11-13-2015, 02:41 PM)CoreyK Wrote: I think it is good to look ahead.  We are not just trying to win for playoffs anymore.  We need to be thinking of strategy now for the teams we expect to face in the playoffs. Of course, players should NOT be practicing these exotic looks during the week but our coach's should be thinking and hashing out strategy/schemes to beat Patriots now rather than later.  To me, that is the difference between making the playoffs and winning in the playoffs.  You have to think about the future before it arrives to prepare yourself.  I am sure most of you have savings/investment/401k for retirement, same concept here.  I hope coach's are getting prepared now and not hoping to come up with something later.

(11-13-2015, 02:49 PM)XenoMorph Wrote: I understand but its entirely possible the pats and bengals never play this season...

(11-13-2015, 02:21 PM)CoreyK Wrote: I know such a strategy goes against conventional football but if the other team is better than your players man-to-man don't you have to at least try something different strategy wise to give your team a chance? 

(11-13-2015, 02:31 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: you  have to get pressure with your front 4. Don't blitz much, if your front four can get there and you have there  guys covered you can beat Brady. We have done it before and the Giants have done it.

(11-13-2015, 02:55 PM)fredtoast Wrote: What good is being 8-0 if you aren't allowed to dream a little bit?

It won't hurt anything for fans to have a little fantasy time together.



So what are you guys wearing right now?

(11-13-2015, 02:32 PM)djs7685 Wrote: There are more threads related to the Bengals vs Patriots than there are Bengals vs Texans on the first page right now.

Just a fun fact for the day.

(11-13-2015, 03:01 PM)CoreyK Wrote: I agree that was the "old way" to beat the Patriots.  However, Pats changed their offense in response to those 2 super bowl losses.  Look at Seattle Super Bowl last year.  They tried the same strategy as the Giants and failed.  The main reason for their failure is that Brady gets the ball out of his hands much more quickly now.  Edelman; Amendola; J.White are all there to beat man-man or sit in zones and catch short passes.  This is not a team who likes to throw deep unless they have favorable man-man matchup with Gronkowski.  Its far too difficult to get pressure on these quick timing throws they use IMO.

(11-13-2015, 03:01 PM)CoreyK Wrote: I agree that was the "old way" to beat the Patriots.  However, Pats changed their offense in response to those 2 super bowl losses.  Look at Seattle Super Bowl last year.  They tried the same strategy as the Giants and failed.  The main reason for their failure is that Brady gets the ball out of his hands much more quickly now.  Edelman; Amendola; J.White are all there to beat man-man or sit in zones and catch short passes.  This is not a team who likes to throw deep unless they have favorable man-man matchup with Gronkowski.  Its far too difficult to get pressure on these quick timing throws they use IMO.

(11-13-2015, 03:04 PM)yellowxdiscipline Wrote: Belphegor…. Sweet. 

Fellow BM enthusiast? 

(11-13-2015, 03:03 PM)djs7685 Wrote: No issue with dreaming a bit, but why so many threads about the Patriots, a team that we may not even see this season? I could understand a thread popping up here and there to discuss the matchup, but it's getting to the point where you'd think we were playing them this weekend.




A sweater and jeans, by the way. You?

(11-13-2015, 03:10 PM)fredtoast Wrote: In order to be the best you have to beat the best........First rule of fantasy land.  You don't dream about how to come in 2nd place.

I guess technically we should be dreaming about the Super Bowl, but right now the Patriots are considered better than any of the NFC teams.  So that is that is why they, and their hawt QB, get the most attention.   

(11-13-2015, 03:16 PM)Earendil Wrote: Blitzing Brady = Bad

Just like blitzing Andy = Bad

Both have such quick releases that they can easily pick apart a blitz.