“Hopefully right now we have a basic installation of things that would give us the flexibility to . . . gain advantages on matchups. That’s the idea, anyway.’’
That’s fine, but the truth is that an offense’s foundation can’t be set based on another team’s personnel. It must be set with an eye to its own players, and their strengths and weaknesses. And how the Patriots’ talent will come together is one of the remaining pieces of the puzzle the team has to put in place by the end of the preseason.
The Patriots’ offenses in 2004 and 2007, the last two times the team reached the Super Bowl, each were versatile, but they had major differences. The ’04 offense was built around a powerful running game, with the straight-ahead style of Corey Dillon providing the punch, and play-action passing was an offshoot of that. In ’07, the Patriots ran a shotgun-heavy, pass-first spread offense that overwhelmed opponents on the perimeter.
Each unit could adjust its game as needed, but each had its way of imposing its will on opponents.
The first two preseason games, against New Orleans and Atlanta, provide evidence that the Patriots have options on offense, more than they had last season.
Both rookie tight ends have excelled in spots, with Aaron Hernandez flashing his open-field and red-zone ability, and Rob Gronkowski showing an understanding of how to use his massive frame in the passing game.
Graybeard tailback Fred Taylor’s burst seemed to be back Thursday night, after he missed most of 2009 because of ankle surgery. The running game has been more productive in short-yardage situations and has created more explosive plays than in much of 2009.
Receiver Julian Edelman showed an ability to wiggle free from coverage while running patterns and in the return game on numerous occasions against the Saints, and Brandon Tate’s explosiveness was clear on a 15-yard catch-and-run through the teeth of the Falcons defense to convert a third-and-15.
