Patriots All-22: How Did Brady Miss Edelman/Thompkins Deep?

During last Sunday's Buccaneers vs Patriots tilt, there was one truly baffling play. We saw replays, but the announcers didn't really explain what happened.

In the second quarter, Tom Brady seemed to miss two wide open receivers (Julian Edelman & Kenbrell Thompkins) running deep. Using NFL Game Rewind (which I can't endorse enough), I decided to look at the All-22 game film and figure out what happened:

Pre-play formation: 1RB-2TE-2WR

The Patriots lined up with:

• Stevan Ridley as lone RB
• Michael Hoomanawanui (L side) and Zach Sudfeld (R side) at TE
• Thompkins and Edelman at WR

The play was designed for Brady to sell the stretch play fake to Ridley (like something straight out of the Peyton Manning-Colts playbook) then spin around to look down field for open receiver.

Thompkins and Edelman would go deep, while Sudfeld and Hoomanawanui would run crossing patterns underneath.

Tom Brady sells play-fake, looks down field

Brady sells the play fake and his first look is to Edelman in the deep middle of field. Edelman, running a deep skinny post, is just getting picked up by the deep safety at just this moment.

Meanwhile Thompkins, running a straight jet, has already gotten past his man.

Hoomanawanui runs a crossing drag to right sideline as a safety valve for Brady.

Brady goes to second look

Because Edelman was covered and Brady senses pressure from the blind side, he looks to a secondary target Sudfeld. He sees that Sudfeld, running a crossing pattern, gets a step on his man toward the sideline.

What Brady doesn't have time to see - nor act upon - is both Thompkins and Edelman getting wide open deep. (The safety covering Edelman falls down trying to turn.)

Brady overthrows Sudfeld, and the play ends up an incompletion.

Thompkins and Edelman wide open

CONCLUSION: There were two wide open guys down the field, but, with the way the play developed, there was little chance to get them the ball. 

EDIT: Brady confirmed after the game that the play was intended to get Sudfeld open. The two deep receivers were supposed to stretch the field and leave underneath open. 

What Brady didn't anticipate was that one or both deep guys would get so open. 

No worries though, the Patriots scored not long after this.

5 Crucial Tactics For Grounding the NY Jets

The Buttfumble, Thanksgiving 2012

The New England Patriots and New York Jets face off on Thursday Night Football this week.

New England has won each of the last 5 regular season match-ups by an average of 21 points. However, the New York Jets shocked the Patriots in the 2011 AFC Divisional round. This playoff win came just a month after losing (45-3) to New England.

On Thursday Night, they play in front of a national audience on NFL Network. 

Here are my 5 crucial tactics for the Patriots to use against this inferior Jets team:

Patriots Roster Battles: 5 Up, 5 Down

Kenbrell Thompkins

1. Cornerback

UP: Logan Ryan - The Rutgers rookie looks like a pro out there and will be needed with uncertainty around Dennard's injury and off-the-field problems.

DOWN: Ras-I Dowling - You can't make the club from the tub. Depth issues at CB may be his saving grace.

2. Running Back

UP: LeGarrette Blount - Big dude has run with a purpose all preseason. That 51 yard, rumlin' & stumblin' TD run was a thing of beauty.

DOWN: Brandon Bolden -There are no roster spots for fumbling 3rd stringers; versatility on special teams could work in his favor.

Patriots Preseason: 12 Players to Watch Tonight

The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles face off tonight in Preseason Game #1. With close to 90 players on the roster (and only 53 who will make the team), there is an abundance of players and competitions worth watching.

Here are 12 guys competing for spots who might see a far bit of action tonight: