Greg Bedard: The Patriots offense is in flux

On Wednesday. Rest of the football season means we're going to hook up with the ever talented beat writer covering the patriots the Boston Globe. Greg Bedard Greg joins us on the AT&T hotline -- recent. And take the AT&T pledge to never ever text and drive check out the website it can't wait dot com good morning Greg how -- Good morning. Very wanna sit in your piece this morning and and as an overview Greg. Lester we're watching here you talk about third down failures are we. Discussing perhaps a philosophical difference of opinion. With Tom Brady and Josh as the gap between Welker and element really narrowed jump -- anywhere you want. Well well John I think overall. You know this little say about where I think the patriots are right now there's an -- complete defense alluded to on line. I'm not ready Q. Anoint them. The greatest defense and state by Chicago Bears doctor Klein Jake Locker Kevin caught. Lauder who just missed the tunnel passes in the game that could approach the game wide open. But it's more often with the way -- act the way I view it is. Today are. There aren't -- I don't think that they that there is a there's a difference of opinion at this time about where this topic is going I think that bill bell checked in judgment. -- have a vision of where they want this. Could be. By the end of the season or we know I don't -- amid midpoint of the season but boy what. I think they -- do to win playoff game can be better in December January of -- worry. -- and right now their point they're trying to get the point be like if these things don't happen overnight in the -- you factory and the offensive line has been -- the part about you know unit that has not. Never practiced together during the train during training camp guys going and now make it on -- Ballmer -- -- Water does shall now I -- just there. And then your time I'll look -- out -- during a game with Brandon Boyd. -- -- economy were operated did miss some time in training camp that missed one of the preceding games. And Julian adult men. Really looked up I mean he was on the field but as far as reps would -- With the -- he often I didn't really see it so. Going to -- you'll turn it on top of that who is the guy we've been talking about it for awhile -- he was going to be the -- drug bought in the top. Through all the sudden. Those things happen against the cardinals. You know what you see. You got which saw which is basically just have a budget system population. Nobody's comfortable. Guys are seeing one thing where other guys seen another when you have that it's just it's not harmonious. That's not the civic leaders won't get there we that we can stretches of this before last year you remember in the back to back losses to steel giant. The opposite continued to struggle for the next couple games and then all of -- sudden it -- fire so right now I just think there's. There's a lot of things going on and I just think the patriot should mean more -- some war game action in and they'll start. That you wrote this morning Greg Brady just seems uncomfortable with the entire offense right now calls personnel everything. My question is. What I have to change. -- know -- got a new offensive coordinator but the office was pretty damn good last year the last few years a minute with a best offense in the AFC last year. The quarterback threw for 5200 yards -- the need to have more balance one of the need to change anything. Well I mean they definitely needed Q. They needed while the plan to their strengths and you know look they would they went -- and it Brandon Lloyd. Which a president says essential piece because you talk to anybody around the league and you know they -- with the patriots. If you have. The two -- and -- walker but these are middle of the field players. So teams the smarter team. More capable -- -- -- -- start clamp down on the patriots in the middle field physical with them there was an option to scare them. You know -- how much -- and boy does that yet you can tell they're trying to force beat it. Maybe a little bit too much in the early going. Another case of I think they need to take their medicine with lord of -- these deep shots right now even if it means. You know they're not totally clicking in maybe they'll lose a game like Sunday Times that needs to happen. But you know avoid is a piece on the outside that they needed to. Spread defense. You look at you know all of us and they -- Ridley. It was a good running back Matt now we saw signs of the entire offense even under Billy O'Brien the second half a lot season especially down the stretch where you had a power running game they were successful. Until Ridley -- -- -- ball and I got in taken now. They never had a Lloyd but. You know that they're just playing to their personnel strengths right now and now the personnel need to catch up. But the -- need to kept up the personnel and that it's gonna take time it just isn't what people ought to keep in mind is that. This is a very very long season and you know look at where the defense was last year it was Vienna last year. But his problem -- Greg is the problem is last year they play the FC championship game at home right they beat Baltimore they got lucky that games in Baltimore they don't go to the super ball these games matter it's a long season. But there's only sixteen of them they lost to Arizona. I think partly because they tried to use force to run if they came out five wives and no huddle in the first half. I think that when the game if they if they throw the ball the Welker in the first half. I think they win the game and their two and they're there to know him in the Baltimore. Well it still should won the game and no matter I mean you know special teams bad. You know in the play -- To meet mrs. Obama put Bundy is on the players because they just failed to act. You know from our you know you can question -- on a roll back -- the Brady. Third six total loss and I'm locked the map you'll range I. Is it even though there was there was a -- -- Fusion there between Donald Thomas and likely between Sebastian -- -- blocking Darnell docket but you know time after time again it was you know. The player -- making mistakes and I don't think that just. Opening things up -- -- all night I think those guys just played bad on Sunday we -- war which sought in Cleveland we saw them buffalo last year. These things happen I don't think -- in the cases I don't think you can start to make the case that. Bill Belichick in judgment in you know are coming up and despite their base as far as the opera right. Specifically to that point Greg do you suspect it's more anything more than an evolving offense that has Wes Welker is. Role being diminished at least in the first two games. -- -- -- Much of what. -- period -- -- step beyond the fact that the offense is Charles still trying to find its own identity and all that sort of stuff whatever the trying to do in terms of balance. -- that might be more to this than that. I think I think -- -- in my opinion I think it's a little bit of everything. Of the theories that are out there from. You know contrary -- to me I think. At the -- I think it's the it is I think it's a very small part of it but I cute being there in. I think Bill Belichick sit there look to the salary cap number this year and if you weren't Welker at nine point five million. Which I think is. -- from the team. -- mistaken. And he thinks well you know -- franchise -- them -- with our belief that he is not contract extension which would have had that number had. He did not play along malware out probably about 45 million dollars on the cap this year and do I think that. That -- Bill Belichick off. Yes but I don't think that's always the reason for what's going on I think. You know you combine that we have. Edelman does deserve more time I've said that since training camp. You know Welker. Is not going to be here beyond this year so they need to find some other things out. It's find out what's -- -- other guys can do. I think that all of it has to do with this situation now -- -- thing one thing but yeah I do think the contract is a small part of it at least. Hey do you think if they were not playing the Arizona Cardinals eighteen that they were favored by fourteen over and perhaps in game two they were playing the Baltimore Ravens. We've seen so much less of Wes Welker or witty bit more involved against a team that I hate to say this bill -- respected more about the could be more easily. Well but that's a good question and I also think the other other question asked is it if Wes Welker signed a contract extension in the off season. Would you still believe the second wide receiver and the tall person I want running record -- and -- to wide receiver. I think he would be I think he would be out there if they knew he was going to be here for at least the next two years. I think that west would be out there so that kind of tells you something. As if that sounds kinda petty would you agree Greg. It. Mean it's his right he signed the franchise -- said that yesterday said that. This right up that put them and I'm somewhat of a -- You know I go back -- I think the contract is the very. Small. Part. I mean but you don't -- deal with what where he is right now and that's where they are. Wise I mean they were talking about you know it a different situation I mean that if Westwood on the Concord sentient. Bill would be looking at the differing I don't necessarily think. That scenario. It has the army you look at the appeal thinks that this team is fine without Wes Welker can go on like to do it would Randy Moss. Then. That is right and this is his right to explore it in to save money. Against the cap long term that's so that the big decision he's entitled to make and if he decides to make it. Ball beater as judge and jury wants to see -- over. Chile's -- young a meeting says the in the globe your colleague. Wrote Tuesday that the patriots offered waters a significant pay raise presumably as a last ditch effort to get him to join the team he reportedly turned it down. So that's that. Pretty much I mean it's it's pretty much the same scenario that column you've been reporting that this kind of went downhill right that. You know that. He would restrict your base at picked up a contract. Extension will not extension renegotiation of that Super Bowl. Given Hillary's. Team wants some. Protection in 46. Man game day roster bonus. Waters and have a problem and at some point in time he says you know what it. That amount of money is not enough for me to leave home go all the way back to Boston and play them. You know start -- that I told that I would but I'm sorry not in -- -- wanna give me more money. I wanna stay home but if you want to please release me sort template for the Texans and beat -- -- beat him. Of the new arrivals Deion Branch and Kellen Winslow who do you suspect we'll have more of an offensive impact on this team. The remainder of the year -- Hopefully -- but because I don't think that they're needed. And hopefully that means and that has not out for long I've a feeling it's going to be at least a month in -- tartan in a few months depending on how. You recovered his vascular last year that. I would say branch. I mean I think bridge. Comes right in here he knows the offense I think he's gonna had a lot to the red zone where it looked to me watching the coaches bill yesterday where. -- kind of struggles and -- doesn't have a whole lot of faith in him I mean branch. It was a play all the two point conversion. Where element it looked like he didn't really know what. Useful -- dealing where at least where to get open where I I would begin myself before it got time I was like. And it would have been -- step Deion Branch in that situation could be the guy who just had that knack for getting open would gradient and zone and that kind of missing right now. You saw the -- 22 or someone else open because gronkowski was not open. Welker was dominated by the don't. M -- on the franchise tag. How he dropped the -- this applicable to tell them. It -- it it was a tough road to walker today Brady -- the spot on the right hash mark. Walker went to the opposite pylon it's a very long row obviously Brady liked what he saw. With the gronkowski matchup but. You know be -- -- I don't know why it and -- to gronkowski more earlier in the game. He was single cover. Much of the game and I don't know why -- -- does Josh McDaniels in your mind now today have a different philosophy than Butler Brian did or maybe Josh did in his first incarnation here -- going -- Yeah I think so they -- -- what happens every offseason and this goes on with every NFL team is built -- before the -- chances -- right. Find a way to get better with your unit these guys go away or weakened their offices would film and stats and all the stuff time and they come back. And any improvement that they think need to be on the go and -- office and they make an argument like they're. Like an attorney and bill will cross. Cross question ma'am Leo puppet but probably top the top of defense. The tourney there is an int he world if people really go after them and pick apart the argument -- -- right. It'll back you this is how we got the tight end offense and these two -- and thereafter this season in 2009. And I'm sure there -- they had the same discussion about this is what we need to do better to be better on offense. And you know. Run the ball more -- this is actually -- -- talking about old doctor Daniel influence will look. This is actually the same conclusion breeding more under senator more tight ends so they can run more play action is the exact same conclusion that they had after the 2009 season. It just has taken them. He's -- forget what they think is the correct person now. When -- in two games Chandler Jones has forced two fumbles are we over rating or overreacting to play -- Chandler Jones. Yet he is definitely not very good start I would. What -- -- worry is that the opal yeah I mean even four games I mean that's usually the benchmark for anything amended. -- and things in and they're gonna you know the ravens are stiffer test and you know buffalo. Being good matchup going buffalo -- Heats. Just eat it -- -- just been extremely consistent from the start. In which you've seen in the pre season and in the first couple games. Is exactly what he's done throughout all training camp and -- -- that the meeting for young player you never seem to step consistency. From young player so with that is very impressive even look at Brandon Spikes brands like played terrible first week in titans and played terrific. On Sunday even though you're you can sort of predict on -- and play well if it's a big game home opener. Ravens huge stop -- game against Tennessee maybe not so much like see him be more to. You point out. That the -- -- -- -- not give up nearly as much as it appeared with a twelve QB pressures in 48 drop -- is it. A concern is -- -- but the point where their Leo look in the finding -- out of waters doesn't wanna come back -- -- it says almost the the state of emergency here with the so offensive line are we overreact to that too. I think. I think the world over reacting to it I think they're better study up their -- of course and side. The patriots -- I think that the offensive line. Had a pretty good game overall impact protection they struggled some in the run game. -- what they asked Logan Mankins and Donald Thomas do is horrors the region blocked where. You know that the defenders on their outside shoulder yet the plate going a weight. Going towards defender so often Lyman actually. Have to get out reached the guy and get equal with him. Is incredible like that play. That did he would -- nine yard loss Darnell Dockett was basically lined up on Sebastien -- outside shoulder and Donald promises will forget all the way over there. Those -- -- tough to make. Mankins and and promised we're apt to do that all game -- against two terrific guy Campbell and docket. Very high degree typical the they had they got some they've missed some. But for the most part I thought they did pretty well and you know look there's been we've talked about that before -- should be back this week. But yet you worry about it they get -- a big injury to the line. And I think you can worry -- right now I think they're growing just like the rest the opera but the growers as the season goes. But a question Greg Bedard will the ravens look offensively different on Sunday night with the no huddle hurry up with lack a leading a little bit of and speeded up offense. Yeah I think so let. What you're hearing out of Baltimore right now and from watching film yesterday is. You know bidder always complain about Cam Cameron -- or her in the you know he's too conservative. You know against the Eagles they are too much. And not and operate right in Seoul. They're trying to strike the balance on opening -- can win unless he wins. And so yeah we're gonna see more hurt -- hurry up from them but I think they wanna stay focused on Ray Rice and they're quite frankly that plays in the patriots hand because there. We saw in the future every game they're extremely good against the run -- -- they've only gotten better. And you know hi guys if are them they want Joseph Flacco trying to beat them he almost did last year. But the defense has better personal. He is Greg Bedard Boston Globe good stuff -- talked to next Wednesday thanks for the time. Greg Bedard on the AT&T hotline find your reason and take the AT&T pledged today -- never text and drive again check out the website it can't wait dot com.