This season, with three new tight ends and therefore more reliable options for Brady, in theory defenses won’t be able to key on just two players, opening things up for the running backs.
Veteran back Fred Taylor certainly sees the advantages of being able to rely on the run or pass equally.
“It puts the play-caller at ease when we can have that balance and not be as one-dimensional and allow the defense an opportunity to tee off on that dimension,’’ he said. “So it’s something to grow on; this is game No. 2, or practice No. 2, we want to get better as we go and be able to carry that over in the regular season.’’
Earlier this week, Brady said the offense can “control the whole game’’ if the Patriots are able to run the ball.
Brady, who played three series, was an efficient 10 of 12 for 85 yards and a touchdown, though he did underthrow Moss on a deep ball into the end zone.
Two of Brady’s completions went to Welker, who made his return to game action after tearing his ACL and MCL in early January, and also having surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.
While Welker’s night was short — limited to New England’s first drive — it was an important step in his return. Brady’s first two passes were to No. 83, the first a 6-yarder over the middle, the other a 14-yard gain. Brady went to Welker a third time, on a screen that Welker has made his forté, but the play was broken up when the receiver was drilled by Falcons cornerback Christopher Owens.
“It’s a step forward . . . We got some plays out there and got some contact, which I hadn’t had this whole time, so it was good to have out there,’’ Welker said, adding that there had been discussion on Wednesday about him playing, though nothing was set in stone.
“I really wanted to play, really wanted to get out there and get the ball in my hands and get everything out of the way of getting hit and things like that,’’ he said.
Last week BenJarvus Green-Ellis got the majority of the first-team snaps at running back. Last night it was Taylor, with some Sammy Morris carries mixed in. Morris played into the second half before Green-Ellis and Thomas Clayton got some late work. Laurence Maroney did not register a carry.
