Brady, Jets to battle for middle of field
Tom Brady #12 and Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots look on during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. (Jan. 16, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
FLORHAM PARK, N.J.
Join us at the chalkboard, if you will, and follow along as Jim Leonhard demonstrates the herculean challenge that lies ahead as the Jets prepare for a Tom Brady-led offense that has been nearly unstoppable this season.
As the Jets' veteran safety explains it, opponents have been particularly intent on attacking the middle of the field against the Jets' defense, as evidenced by the fact that Leonhard and fellow safety Eric Smith are among the team's top nine tacklers. In fact, Smith is second, behind only linebacker Bart Scott.
"What you're seeing is that teams have basically decided to avoid going on the outside and they're going more toward the middle [on pass plays]," Leonhard said. "When you've got cornerbacks like Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, what are you going to do? You're going to attack the safeties."
So with all the questions about whether the Jets will assign Revis to cover Wes Welker one-on-one, the bigger issue just might be how well the Jets' safeties can hold up against Brady, who loves to attack the middle of the field on intermediate-range passes. Whether it's Welker, who has an NFL-best 40 catches in only four games, or tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has five touchdown receptions, or wide receiver Deion Branch, a former Super Bowl MVP, Brady has any number of options over the middle.
Which means that Leonhard, Smith and safety Brodney Pool have any number of potential headaches to deal with Sunday in Foxboro.
Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said teams indeed have been attacking the middle of the field this season, although it's not necessarily a new phenomenon. "Teams were doing that last year," he said, "but yes, they've been doing it this year."
Pettine will surely use a mix of defensive coverages to try to contain Brady, but there's a good chance the future Hall of Fame quarterback once again will look to attack over the middle, as he has done so often before.
"Teams are trying to throw to the middle of the field on us more so this year, I think, because they're pretty much saying that they'll leave Revis and Cromartie alone," Pool said. "They're not completely ignoring the outside, but I think you've seen teams try and hit more passes over the middle. New England likes to do that a lot."
What happened over the middle was critical to the Jets' success in their 28-21 playoff win last season in Foxboro in the divisional playoffs. The Jets tried to crowd the middle of the field with several defensive backs and linebackers, and Brady found that the passing lanes that had been open to him were shut off. He was fooled on a number of coverages and finished 29-for-45 for 299 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
The Jets know they can't simply use that same game plan Sunday because Brady has had the benefit of time to figure out what he did wrong and how to properly adjust. But rest assured that the team that wins the battle for the middle of the field will have a distinct advantage.
It's one reason you might see more of Pool this week, possibly at the expense of Smith, who has been beaten numerous times in coverage. But regardless of which safety is deployed, there's no question that Brady will look their way, especially if he concedes the outside receivers, or at least stays away from whichever receiver Revis is covering.
"We know our role is going to be important," Pool said.
Maybe even game-deciding important.
