3 ways to stop Tom Brady

by carlosatthetoe on Sep 15, 2011 12:42 PM PDT

In case you didn't know, Tom Brady is an animal.

It's hard to argue that Brady isn't the best player -- or at the very least, the best quarterback -- in football right now. After throwing for over 500 yards and for four touchdowns, it's tough to not have respect for his beastly play.

But just because the Bolts know he's incredible, the team's not about to go all Chad Ochocinco and just sit there and watch Brady go to work while they do nothing about it.

Because that's not how this team rolls. At least, not anymore. Let's break down how the Chargers can stop Tom Brady, even when Brady's running on full cylinders.

Throw pressure at him ... a lot of pressure. Tom Brady doesn't get rattled when there are 300-pound linemen in his face. (I do, but I'm not Tom Brady.)

That said, there's not a QB in this league that is more comfortable when throwing under pressure. And there are no QBs that perform better after getting knocked down pretty hard over and over again. The key to dealing with Brady in this game will be to stay physical and attempt to intimidate him, even if he isn't intimidated.

Shaun Philips is going to need a huge game; as is Antonio Garay, Corey Liuget and the rest of the defensive line. Stopping the run will still be their priority, but now it's almost certain that putting pressure on Brady is going to be the game-breaker.

Hit the running backs during the passing game and keep them in the back-field. Tom Brady knows how to dump-off to his running backs really well and it is a surefire way for the Pats to gain positive yardage. Those little passes have been known to kill teams in the past, because the secondary is so occupied with preventing the 15-yard pass and letting Welker sneak by them for a huge gain.

Danny Woodhead is the obvious beneficiary to the dump-off game because he's scary if he's in a face-up situation looking towards his endzone. Of course, don't discount the idea that BenJarvus Green-Ellis will work in the dump-off, either.

Force Eric Weddle to keep a particular eye on Wes Welker. It isn't any wonder that the Patriots' offense has revolved around Tom Brady since Welker became a Patriot in 2007.

That's because Welker and Brady are the perfect QB-WR tandem, if only because they know how to play off of one another so damn well. Welker needs to only catch a five-yard pass from Brady and he'll normally convert it into a first-down (as long as Brady throws the ball in the right position for Welker to accelerate, which he normally does).

Eric Weddle matches up pretty well with Welker, too. Both are short, quick guys who can move on a dime. Welker can't duck under Weddle like he normally does to gain extra yardage, and Weddle is a great tackler who can wrap up Welker fairly quickly.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.

Tweet Comment 50 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

That’s because Welker and Brady are the perfect QB-WR tandem, if only because they know how to play off of one another so damn well. Welker needs to only catch a five-yard pass from Brady and he’ll normally convert it into a first-down (as long as Brady throws the ball in the right position for Welker to accelerate, which he normally does).

Branch may be Brady’s favorite target now. Although both welker and Branch have tremendous chemistry with brady, but I may give it to Branch now.

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 15, 2011 12:54 PM PDT reply actions

We got a lot riding on our CBs.

So far, they’ve tended to be pretty effective route-busters: big, athletic, aggressive yet smart.

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Sep 15, 2011 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Thats good

just want to say right off the bat. I don’t fully know how good your CBs are. When we faced Miami, they said their LBs are great in coverage, and they just have to put their MLB Burnett and/or Dansby on a TE to get rid of them. Our TEs ran all over their secondary that game.

Lets not get ahead of ourselves here. We don’t fully know how our WRs will do against your CBs and vice versa. We can only say what their skill sets tend to be, but that does not mean that skill set will translate to a certain player, or team. The same goes for our guys. So until we meet in the game, because we both know what our guys are capable of, but we do not know how they will do against each other.

I’ll just say that its extremely tough to cover welker, branch, and hernandez. I can say that we don’t have to throw to your #1 and 2 CB, and just throw towards your slot guy who may be on Hernandez. BUT we don’t fully know what will happen. Just trying to be fair here. :)

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 15, 2011 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Burnett is overrated in coverage, but he blitzes well from his ILB spot.

by BORTZ on Sep 16, 2011 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah but I'm just saying.

We won’t fully know what will happen on sunday.

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 16, 2011 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Way too simplified opinion on the pressure

The vikings game plan on the chargers could be a copy-paste on what the chargers should do:

First off, you must get pressure with 4 people, any more, Brady torches you, you must play conservative in your coverage schemes. The Colts have had success with Brady forcing him to be patient against 2 deep coverage. You want to force as many 3rd downs as possible, once there you have multiple chances to get their offense of the field.

Your linebackers and slot corner must be able to match up with Welker and TE’s, if not your chances are slim and none. The starting outside WR are good to mediocre, so your starting corners must be able to match up with little or no help. And they must be physical with press coverage, as the patriots WR’s struggle with it, watch Jets in AFC playoffs.

You must contact Brady, if you have to take a couple of late hit penalties to get into his head they are well worth the gamble, and if you can have Garay fall on top and knock him out of the game, its well worth the penalty. The Raider attitude of being a bully is well worth the effort, this is a finesse team, that locked somewhat overwhelmed when matching up against the Jets intensity.

Key matchups:

Barnes vs. Light: he dominated Light last year, and is a better player now, might be in for more than 50% snaps this game. Chargers will probably play 70% nickel.

Garay vs. Connelly: Most elite QB’s struggle with pressure in their face, Garay must eat up the backup center, to get pressure that will actually force missfire throws.

Hughes vs. Welker: Hughes has looked very comfortable and productive against every slot receiver he has faced, but Welker is the highest level competition will he hold up?

by TJBOLT on Sep 15, 2011 1:06 PM PDT reply actions

I wouldn't call our WRs mediocre.....

Just because they aren’t household names, doesn’t mean they are not good. Branch and Welker, our two starting WRs (ocho is not ready yet), both know how to get open and both have tremendous chemistry with Brady. I know Jammer is a great CB, so whoever he is on, it will be tough for the guy to get open. So branch vs. Welker? Im sure you want Jammer to cover Welker. That leaves Branch and Slater/Hernandez/Gronk in the slot (one of our TEs playing in the TE spot). It will mostly be either Herndo or gronk there.

Our WRs are all about getting open, not going downfield and getting the big catch. But anyways, that;s how our lineups would be like.

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 15, 2011 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions

I call Welker a slot receiver and he will matchup vs Hughes

The patriots play roles Welker lines up inside 85% of the time, and he will get Hughes, my point is Cason & Jammer will play vs Branch, Slater & Ocho, you must win those matchups to have any chance.

The ultra agressive blitz doesn’t work against this guy, ask the steelers, your coverage must force him to hold the ball, and yes you must contact him, and yes the pressure must mostly come from the inside.

by TJBOLT on Sep 15, 2011 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Not being mean but,

I didn’t call our WR mediocre, I called their outside WR’s (Ocho, Branch & Slater) mediocre

by TJBOLT on Sep 15, 2011 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Sorry getting a little confused here, welcome Patriot fan

Lost the fact you are Patriot fan, so the fact you were miffed at the mediocre WR comment I now understand why, welcome to our board. I’m not impressed by the WR’s that play Flanker and split end, the outside positions.

First off the patriots play mostly 3 WR’s, love Welker inside, Branch is an okay player, Ocho looks lost at other WR spot.

The chargers don’t move their corners inside ever, they trust their nickel corner to do slot receiver coverage. My point is Welker will not see much Cason/Jammer its versus Hughes all game long. If he dominate the chains keep moving, and the patriots offense hums along.

by TJBOLT on Sep 15, 2011 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions

nope. Pats play mostly 2 TE sets, with either 2 RBs in the backfield, or 1 RB and 3 WRs (like you said)

but the 3rd WR is most like hernandez, with welker outside as well as branch.

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 15, 2011 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Interesting change in strategy of Welker as an outside WR

Then he will see plenty of Cason/Jammer, they both allow plenty of receptions under 10 yards, in the case of Jammer he’s basically nails in terms of not allowing catches longer than that. Cason takes a little more risks of looking into the pocket, will give up a little more longer passes, but makes more big plays as well. But in general both are conservative, will give up short passes and protect against long passes.

by TJBOLT on Sep 15, 2011 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Im a pats fan. lol so yes, "Our's" as in the Pats Wrs are not mediocre. just average-above average guys.

And welker lines up outside a lot more now, and he did that last year too. Sometimes welker lines up in the slot, but now he mostly lines up outside. And Ocho is not ready yet, but he can be a bigger version of Branch, which is great in our style of offense.

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 15, 2011 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions

The other way around to defeat the chargers here goes:

First off, in about 9-11 games per season the chargers come out flat as a pancake, they are like the boxer that is willing to lose round 1-2 to get a feeling their opponent, so you must maximize the first quarter to play with a lead. If you get a lead early, they will scrap their balanced running game, and they will throw a lot, exposing them to turnovers. Plus if they fall behind, they tend to a panic play, turnover, punt returner, that will really get them in a hole.

The one thing you must do against the chargers, you must stop the pro formation running game, which based on dives and power O’s. If not they will eat up clock, and they make nightmares with play action passing.

Don’t fall behind against the chargers, they have given up no lead larger than 9, in the last 2 seasons and 9 points was the largest and that was once. Once they start to play well, they will continue to play. And for all the flack Norv Turner gets, dude is magnificent at halftime adjustments, so you must have the lead at halftme.

Attacking the chargers D, power running back have more success than speed back, and if you establish the inside run, the play action will be open, in particular to the TE’s.

The chargers have 2 of the best unknown players in the league, Garay & Barnes. Garay is one top 3 NT in the game, plus he’s a surprisingly good pass rusher. Barners is pass rushing specialist with 4.4 speed, he’s bad at run defense, but rushing the passer look out.

by TJBOLT on Sep 15, 2011 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Nate Solder man handled Cameron Wake last game, save just one sack.

I don’t know what will truly happen. It will be a tough matchup indeed.

I think we should get rid of Gates, who if I’m not mistaken is River’s favorite target. It will be very tough to do that, because he is still talented.

We have to get pressure from our front 4 as well, and a blitz here and there, but covering will be tough against Rivers. Our run defense is good. But we also run a bend but dont break defense in a way still. We’ll give up yards, I’ll tell you that right now, but in the redzone, we immediately stiffen up.

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 15, 2011 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Turner trains his QB's (Rivers & Brees)...

To spread the ball, the Vikings took away the deep throws by way of a conservative 2 Deep Zone, you play more aggressive, and Rivers will start throwing to his WRs. Last year the patriots strategy was to take away Gates, but the WRs were Crayton and Ajirotutu, that strategy is not as easy to execute. The last time the patriots faced the chargers with Floyd and Jackson, the pair of them combined for over yards in 2008.

The chargers offense has 2 personalities, in pro formation they are power running, vertical passing team, mostly off play action. Off Shotgun, they are similar to the Patriots in which they mostly dink & dunk, and run the occasional draw. As I said before the recipe for disaster if you face the chargers is if they can run of pro formation.

Early prediction 27-24 Patriots, very good game

by TJBOLT on Sep 15, 2011 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Jackson & floyd combine for over 200 yards

by TJBOLT on Sep 15, 2011 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions

They can double Gates, but if it's Guyton covering him that's a concern for NE.

I think they’ll take their chances with McCourty on Jackson, maybe shade a safety over the top on a lot of snaps. Shutting down Gates (relatively speaking) is the key to the win.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Sep 16, 2011 3:39 AM PDT up reply actions

No one man can cover Gates.

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Sep 16, 2011 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Tyvon Branch did a pretty good job of it if memory serves.

Bolts from the Blue // "I eat cereal out of a giant novelty wine glass because it makes me feel fancy." - Britney Wade
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan

by Richard Wade on Sep 16, 2011 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Honestly

we both may give up yards on defense, but its the redzone where things will be tightened up. So even if Gates gets his yards, the redzone is where it will all end. Same with us on offense and you guys on defense. We both know our teams can get the yards, but the question will be, who will be better in red zone defense come sunday?

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 16, 2011 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions

That's why I said double him.

With Guyton and Chung, probably.

And shutting him down would mean, what? 5 catches?

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Sep 16, 2011 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions

If you take away the underneath and dare Brady to go deep you got a chance

A good pass rush is needed to supplement this strategy. You want Brady to hold the ball longer so your rushers have time to get to him. The KEY is pressure up the middle.

by BIG OH!!!!! on Sep 15, 2011 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Absolutely.

These three must happen simultaneously. Cannot pick and choose. Should’ve stated that.

I like our chances. Garay is a beast on the line and our linebackers can pass rush if necessary. Brady doesn’t have any legit deep threats (that includes you, Ochocinco). They kill teams with throwing those check-down passes in open space. I even think if you consistently allow no YAC (while being OK with completions), the Pats’ offense gets stifled.

Man, I am TOO pumped for this game now!

http://blog.thepigeontoe.com/ because I'm never shameless

by carlosatthetoe on Sep 15, 2011 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yeah. The Pats WRs are a very bad matchup for the Chargers.

This game is going to be about two things: can the Patriots interior pass rush break through Dielman/Hardwick/Vasquez? Can the Chargers open any holes in the run game? Those are the keys. The Pats probably can’t pass their way out: TJBOLT is right that comebacks against San Diego are a forlorn hope.

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Sep 15, 2011 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions

holes in the run game? against wilfork and haynesworth? please. Chargers couldn’t run against the Viking’s no-names. The Chargers line is terrible at run-blocking.

by BORTZ on Sep 16, 2011 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree with you. But you never know.

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Sep 16, 2011 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow, you'd think the Jets have beaten the NE horizontal spread a million times in dominating fashion.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Sep 16, 2011 3:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Best way to stop Tom Brady

Score a ton points. Best believe the Chargers will. This squad isnt going to get exposed defensively, but the Pats might

Winning

by Foilhat on Sep 15, 2011 9:25 PM PDT reply actions

We shall see. ;)

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 15, 2011 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Last time I checked

Patriots’ fans take after their coach. WHO DOES. NOT. WINK.

http://blog.thepigeontoe.com/ because I'm never shameless

by carlosatthetoe on Sep 15, 2011 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm a half pats fan, half Raiders fan.

so this game is special to me. XD

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 16, 2011 6:11 AM PDT up reply actions

therfore, I wink. XD

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 16, 2011 6:11 AM PDT up reply actions

and stink

I am told half fans dont use toilet paper.

Winning

by Foilhat on Sep 16, 2011 7:57 AM PDT up reply actions

I wouldn't know their bathroom habits.

but beating you guys twice last year sure was grand…. (ah… good ole’ fashion division rivalry).

Let’s stick with Pats-Chargers before you’ll see me at Raider-Chargers. :)

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 16, 2011 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions

How about you figure out what team colors to wear

and then comeback. Seriously man what kind of tool has two NFL teams. Did you have two dads or something. Or are you just twice the troll with two closets to hide in. Come out first. And then burn either the black or the blue jerseys. Then hope back on this blog and maybe people will take you seriously

Winning

by Foilhat on Sep 16, 2011 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

I think it's okay to have a #2 team... in the other conference.

But yeah, if you’ve got a team, that’s your team, and that’s that. I guess if you move from one market to another, and you really like your new town, you could have a “transition year” or something. But two AFC teams… really. Make up your mind.

I think there are some acceptable gradations of support/rivalry. For instance:
1) Now that Cutler’s gone, I don’t hate Denver as much as I hate KC and Oakland. That may be temporary….
2) As a Chargers fan, I really feel the rivalry in Pats, Colts, Steelers, Jets, and Titans games, more than in, say, Browns, Texans, Jaguars, Dolphins, or Ravens games. In fact, I wish the Texans a good season: it would be great to see them in the playoffs, and even better to catch them in San Diego in the divisional round.
3) I have a friend who’s a Titans fan, and I always make sure at least to catch the highlights of Titans games. I’d happily watch them play against the Pats, Colts, Steelers, Jets, Broncos, Raiders, or Chiefs, if there was nothing better on TV.

I could understand a perspective like this one: “I’m a Raiders fan, and I’ve gotten used to disappointment over the last few years. The team I admire the most is, sadly, not my home team; it’s the New England Patriots. As a Raiders fan, I love watching the San Diego Chargers lose, and if my most-admired team (don’t confuse this with my home team) is playing them, I’m excited.”

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Sep 16, 2011 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

yeah I probably shouldnt have blasted that dude like that

i can understand liking more than one team, or even watching every game. if i had time i would watch all the games, cause i just love the game like that. but two teams, is too far. unless your teams moves and your city gets a new team, then having two different colors in your closet is unacceptable to me. admiring is one thing rooting is another. rooting and or hating in my case doesnt change admiring might. and thats why darn near everyone under the sun has one squad they root for

Winning

by Foilhat on Sep 16, 2011 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

No

You should have.

It's NEVER a shrimp on the barbie. It's not even a shrimp.

by The Land Of Real Beer on Sep 16, 2011 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Imagine ...

Imagine he has two dads? Dude, you would feel so bad. You would have insulted a kid who went through a divorce.

Or was the product of two gay men. One of the two. You still would’ve felt bad.

http://blog.thepigeontoe.com/ because I'm never shameless

by carlosatthetoe on Sep 16, 2011 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions

I have a step dad

thats not what I meant by two dads

Winning

by Foilhat on Sep 16, 2011 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I do have a step dad actually.

My dad is a pats fan, and my step dad is a raiders fan. I grew up rooting for both equally. Sorry, it’s the way I am, and to tell the truth, I don’t see how anyone is offended by this. You root and die for one team. that’s fine. I don’t, so people will have to deal with that. It shouldn’t even be a subject. We are here to talk football, specifically pats-chargers. I’m here if anyone wants to do that. I am surprised people get so bothered by my fanhood. Question is, why people should even care…. Lets talk football, not fanhood. Thanks.

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 16, 2011 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions

What the hell are you talking about?

I’m sorry, is my fanhood of two teams disrupting football talk? Seriously, this does not have to do with my knowledge of both teams, and football. SO just lay off alright. I already delt with this on the Raiders blig, and I don’t need to deal with it here. I am a big fan of two team. Oh my god!… and your the one who started with the “I am told half the fans don’t use toilet paper” so I responded.

Now lets talk about football, and not get involved with who is a fan of what. That would be nice.

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 16, 2011 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Just as long as no-one here is a fan of the Raiders.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Sep 16, 2011 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

A RAIDERS FAN?

OK, forget what I said about feeling bad. HAVE AT HIM.

Just kidding … maybe.

http://blog.thepigeontoe.com/ because I'm never shameless

by carlosatthetoe on Sep 16, 2011 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions

lol c'mon

I don’t troll. :)

by Jack'sAxe on Sep 17, 2011 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Just make sure Brady sees someone running toward him.

Get in his face. He’ll either take a flop sack or throw the ball into the ground.

I only pull for the New York Jets.

by James Calvin on Sep 17, 2011 1:09 PM PDT reply actions

You just worry about your "superstar" QB and his career 71 rating.

Can’t wait to see who they draft in 2 year’s time when they realise he’s a bust.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Sep 17, 2011 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Pedochez.

by Revenge of the Fallen on Sep 17, 2011 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions

The thing about Brady...

…is that he has four receivers that he has great chemistry with, all of whom he trusts with the game on the line- Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Aaron Hernandez, and Rob Gronkowski. If you Chargers can blanket all four, then Brady’s going to have a rough day. If he can have one target, then he’ll be okay.

Last year, both sides caught the other team in a perfect storm, so neither offense was explosive. The Patriots were going on their second week without Randy Moss, so they had thew newly returned Deion Branch, a Wes Welker coming off an ACL injury, a young rookie Aaron Hernandez who was suffering mentally from a couple drops against the Ravens, and that’s it. Gronkowski wasn’t an offensive weapon at that point.

The Pats caught the Chargers with an injured Gates and Floyd, and a sitting out VJax. Neither team was on their game. This one should definitely be a lot better.

Pats Pulpit | @Follow Me On Twitter

by Richard Hill on Sep 17, 2011 1:48 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs