FOXBOROUGH – David Andrews knows the score. And so does every Patriots offensive lineman bound to see action Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
The New York Jets provided the blueprint Thursday night, and forged a path to unhinging the Patriots offense. Unlike Cincinnati and Seattle, who didn’t send in an extra rusher very often, the Jets decided to blitz the Patriots almost at every turn.
They came at quarterback Jacoby Brissett from so many different places. Whether it was safeties or cornerbacks, they took turns coming in only nearly a dozen blitzes. More times than not, they flew in untouched, taking aim at Brissett.
That kind of pressure, that kind of blitzkrieg is sure to be replicated.
At least, until the Patriots figure out a way to stop it.
“Whether San Fran decides to do it or not, that’s an area we’ve got to clean up,” Patriots center Andrews said Wednesday during his media availability. “It’s a copy cat league. Teams are looking at what hurt (their opponent), what they had success on. Certain things like that.
“We always talk about mistakes that you put on tape that you don’t clean up, they’re probably going to show up again at some point. Teams are going to see that … The Jets had a good game plan against us. Now, you just try to learn from it, apply it to this week.”
Against the Jets, the Patriots started two rookies. Caiden Wallace was at left tackle, while Layden Robinson started his third game at right guard. Both first-year players are basically learning on the fly. Wallace was especially confused by the blitzes, and who was supposed to pick up the oncoming attacker.
This week, the Patriots have worked on diagnosing blitzes and getting a better handle on who’s supposed to cover up.
It behooves offensive line coach Scott Peters to correct the problem sooner rather than later.
Robinson knows the 49ers are probably “licking their chops” after watching film of the Jets game especially considering the 49ers run a similar scheme to Robert Saleh’s system in New York.
“It’s something we’re going to have to fix. Once a problem is exposed, other teams are going to view that, and they’re going to want to do it as well, or even more,” Robinson said Wednesday. “The problems we experienced with the blitz are very simple simple that we can fix, looking at the film. It’s preventable … we looked over that.
“We know San Francisco runs the same kind of defense. So we know they’re watching that film, and licking their chops, saying ‘OK, the blitz the Jets were successful on, let’s try ‘em again and see if they learn from their mistakes.’ So It’s our job to fix it, because we know they’re going to bring it.”
The Patriots have gone through three left tackles. Demontrey Jacobs took some reps there Wednesday along with Wallace. Left guard Sidy Sow, meanwhile, is getting closer to a return.
Collectively, everyone has to be on the same page. That’s a tough assignment given all the turnover, particularly on the left side.
“Communication is always going to be key, but it also comes from knowing where defenders are,” Robinson said. “And when you look at tape over and over, learning how (the opponents) play certain downs and distances, and then you’ll be able to pick it up more, because you start to expect it.”
Added right tackle Mike Onwenu: “It’s having more awareness and communication. It’s a little bit of both. You have to see what’s going on around you to react the right way.”
The numbers speak for themselves. Through three weeks, Brissett has been sacked nine times, five of those coming against the Jets. Many of those came courtesy of free rushers coming in off the blitz.
Only eight quarterbacks have been sacked more than the Patriots starter. Thanks to the opposing rush, Brissett was also pressured on 52.2% of his drop backs against Gang Green.
Bottom line, the Patriots have to prove they can stop the insanity. They have to show opposing teams, starting with the 49ers, they can handle the rush, the blitz in particular.
Or else, it’s not going away any time soon.
