Greetings from Pats Pulpit

Good question.

Technically speaking, 3-4’s are supposedly harder for offenses to read when pass rushing happens because you have four linebackers, all with the potential to rush. With a 4-3, it’s relatively clear who the main rusher is. Of course, defenses can do a lot to disguise that.

Typically, the front 3 of our 3-4 are DE Ty Warren, NT Vince Wilfork, and DE Jarvis Green. In the 4-3 alignment, you might see Jarvis Green slide over to tackle and DE/OLB’s Derrick Burgess or Tully Banta-Cain occupy the pass rushing DE spot. The OLB’s Pierre Woods and Adalius Thomas will remain the same for the most part and we’ll drop an ILB (obviously). DB’s will stay the same.

I’m not sure how to take the thinly veiled compliment after so much venomous invective. I guess you don’t like Brady, huh?

I’m worried about the left side of the OL, particularly Matt Light. He’s been having a tough time with strong pass rushers and given his job is to protect Brady’s blindside, I’m concerned. We no longer have a fullback (FB Heath Evans traded to NO), so I think you’ll see our TE’s taking on more blocking duties than anything else. I’m pretty confident NYJ will try to bring the house early and often as well as pass rush Brady like crazy. I’m also waiting for Laurence Maroney to emerge; I thought he would’ve done better against the Bills. In addition, I’m concerned Wes Welker was on the injury report for the Bills game; it hasn’t come out yet for our matchup, but I’d like to know if it’s long term or not.

On defense, the “thin-ness” at linebacker scares me. Gary Guyton is ok to jump in every now and again so the starters can get fresh legs, but I’m worried if he has to hang in for every snap as the mike in a 4-3 situation. As one of two ILB’s in a 3-4, I’m less worried. Other than that, the defensive backfield is shaping up. S Brandon Meriweather is someone to watch and CB Leigh Bodden is hitting hard.

Galloway has yet to prove himself, but that’s not his fault; he simply wasn’t Brady’s first look against the Bills. He was open a lot, just not thrown to. As far as Revis, I think he’s most dangerous in his QB reads. He seems to really lock onto where the quarterback is going to throw the ball and be there. I almost think he’s better as a ball hawk than a cover corner, but he’s not too shabby at the cover game either. The trick will be for Brady to disguise where he’s throwing the ball. And, when he throws it to Moss, put it where only Randy can get it. That is, “past” him. Matt Cassel never did that last year, but that’s what made Brady/Moss so successful in 2007.

My score prediction will be a little closer: Pats 21, Jets 17. Look for the Pats to try and rattle the rookie QB. Just as NYJ will bring the house, I think the Pats will, too.

I’m not qualified to compare and contrast Jets receivers of 1998 and today; John B would be better for that. I can, however, compare Jets and Patriots receivers of today.

I’ve always liked Jerricho Cotchery. Much like our Wes Welker, he doesn’t light up the field with TD’s, but he certainly helps move his team forward.

Chansi Stuckey is much like our Sam Aiken; he’ll never be the second coming, but he’s a good performer when called on.

What I think the Jets lack, however, is a solid long ball threat, a Randy Moss if you will. Granted, this could also be due to a rookie quarterback needing more reps, but I think a Moss-type receiver would really make for a dangerous receiver corp.