In Game Focus: Wes Welker
Patriots WR Wes Welker is off to a great start this year and has been a security blanket for Matt Cassell as he learned this offense. So far, Welker has some interesting statistics that note his role as a key receiver for Cassell. So far, Welker has 66 catches (2nd in the league) for 610 yards (16th) and is averaging 9.2 YPR (40th+).
Cassell has been a key part of moving the chains, accounting for exactly 1/3 of all first downs made in the air (31/93). Looking at the splits, the Pats seem to throw to him most on first and second down to gain distance for successive downs and they do this out of non-motion formations with generally three receivers.
So how do the Jets stop him? I’d expect that they’ll try to move players around on him, but they’d be smart in trying to synch up Darrelle Revis to play man with Welker in certain high percentage siuations that they’ll throw to him and move around some other coverages … let Rhodes and/or Law work with Moss.
The biggest thing for the Jets will be sure tackling once Welker does have the ball in his hands. Welker is likely going to see a lot of passes, but they can’t let him turn them into long gains.
18 Responses to In Game Focus: Wes Welker
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Brad says:
I think it might be interesting to put Revis on Welker for a good part of the game and have Law and Lowery rotate on Moss with Rhodes shadowing Moss too. So single coverage on Welker with Revis, and then Double converage Moss with a CB- Law, Lowery and our safety in Rhodes.
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Also got to remember Moss is 31, so he has to be a little slower now too, just like Law, Lowery who isnt known for his speed.
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hank/naplesh says:
Bassett:
The best way to slow Welker down is to pressure Cassell. WE WILL BRING PRESSURE and he will be running for his life. We arenot the same team he playe Set. 14.
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DannyMazz says:
I don’t fear their run game so that should allow us to use an extra man for pass. The jets should get pressure rushing 3 or 4 on 60-70% of the plays. I would probably make cassel throw long because to me it’s harder to complete a long pass than a short pass. Force Cassel to beat us by throwing to Moss. I personally think with our pressure he wont have time to hit the deep man. Covering Wes is more important to me as he can keep drives moving. If Cessel is unable to Dink/Dunk ala Chad Pennington than it’s going to be a long day for the Pats.
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jim says:
ty law was brought here to knock wes welker on his behind and not let him get off the line of scrimmage – if he does that consistently it will totally disrupt ne’s bread and butter…the short passing game…benjigreen ellis will not have a big day running on us…if we can stop welker and faulk…we will win, rather handily
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Agree with Jim
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BubbyBrister/shovelpass says:
I think Faulk is a guy we need to key on. He is gonna be the 1st down guy with underneath routes when Welker is covered. usually TEs are important in NEs offense, but it appears that the TE has been used mostly to Max-protect for Cassel.
I hope the Jets bring their ‘A’ game….
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SackDance99 says:
I mentioned in a previous post that I noticed Revis playing the slot WR against the Rams. I wonder if this was some “in game” prep for the Pats game? I agree with the philosophy of taking away Welker and forcing Cassell to wait in the pocket to pick out the open WR. If he does that, the Jets pass rush will hurry and/or sack him. Cassell isn’t sacked because he primarily throws short passes. Let’s get him uncomfortable and force him to go up top. Of course, the Jets must stop the rush because BB will want to have the clock run to shorten the game and keep it close so his superior special teams can win the game.
Also, I saw Jamal Williams of the Chargers single-handedly blow up the Pats’ OL. This is another statement game for Big Jenks. If he can do the same thing, the Pats will be in big trouble on offense.
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Bent says: Yes, Koppen has struggled against some big nose tackles. Jenkins impact was perhaps limited in the last meeting because, as you will recall, he was struggling more with the back issues at that time (it was only one week from the SD game that he missed virtually all of).
Revis has held down Moss (and guys like him) in the past, but with Brady not in there to throw deep, perhaps Welker is the bigger threat overall.
(Of course, maybe the Pats have been saving all their deep balls for this game, but in any case the Jets can switch it around).
The linebackers have to make tackles. That could be more important than preventing the catch. I’d rather see Welker be 10-80 than 5-150…
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Another thing that I am afraid of is that Cassell is a running QB, which means our guys will have to go full speed after him. So, I see another cheap and crucial “roughing the QB” call.
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Joe B. says:
SackDance99 -
I agree with your last point. If the Jets rush Cassel, do it cleanly and flags are still thrown, I’m going to be severely disappointed and disillusioned by the NFL. I really hope that the referees will not be a topic of any conversation after the game, by either side. Swallow the whistles unless there’s something egregious and let these two teams settle it fair and square.
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Andrew Weiss says:
The first NE game was KJ’s second game in the 3-4 scheme. He was tentative as you might expect, about his two-gap responsibility. He was also not really in football shape. Last week he played a lot of third downs which he hadn’t been playing earlier in the season. He’s shown much more aggressiveness in the last three games.
There’s also Sean Ellis who has become a different player in recent weeks without the burden of double teams.
I believe that if we lose, it will not be because of scheme. We will shoot ourselves in the foot (INTs, fumbles, penalties). If we win, it will be because a) we now have skilled palyers at many positions and b) we are finally executing. The one thing the Patriots can not stop is a team with better personnel that is executing. With due respect, we have better personnel. Now, let’s execute.
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fire schottenheimer says:
im a little worried about bowens out there trying to cover a guy like kevin faulk and possibly getting stuck in a zone with welker slanting through the middle….gunnu be at the game Jets fans should try and meet up for a beer
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Eddie DiGio says:
Joe B,
Im 100% with you on the referees, they can’t be the reason in a game like this. As you said unless it;s blantant swallow the whistle. Can’t wait for tommorow,
the only game in town Thurs, we have to show the nation that this is OUR time… -
Potential pitfalls for the Jets:
Favorable calls for NE
Wilfolk cheap shots
Kevin Faulk in the flat on third downs
Sloppy field with rainy / windy conditions
Cassel’s scrambling
Ben Watson suddenly becoming a pass catcher again
Field position battlePotential pitfalls for the Pats:
Thomas Jones and Kris Jenkins !‘Nuff said: Jets win….27 – 16
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Frank says:
Actually, I’m happy that the game will be in the rain — will make passing more difficult, and since no one can run on us, that should make life harder overall on the Pats. Cassel hasn’t really shown any ability (yet) to play in bad weather, whereas Favre is one of the great bad-weather QBs of all time.
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Frank -
Maybe, but it also makes passing more difficult for us, and the Patriots, who have excelled against the run, are terrible against the pass.
With that said, I still say we’re the better team and if the Jets play mistake-free football, it doesn’t matter if the game is in a monsoon, we should still win.
Do not put Eric Barton on him