The system the Patriots run is "The Air West Spread". This is a hybrid of three systems. One the West Coast Offense perfected by legandary head coach Bill Walsh. Combined with Jack Neumeier's spread, and LaVell Edwards's Air Raid. It's a combination of three of the easiest offenses to run.
Belichick has adapted his system to allow for two to four tight ends but it's still the " Air West Spread" and is ever adapting it with help from his offensive coordinators, to keep ahead of NFL defenses.
Belichick's offense is one that relies heavily on a method, ball-control passing game that utilized the backs, slots, and tight ends as primary receivers. Utilizing three receivers or pass catchers with the goal to stretch the defense out vertically and horizontally.
Brady's lack of mobility was the only thing to hurt Belichick's offense. Bill has tried to adopt more of the air raid, so he can go empty formations and have a running game where his QB is a threat to run the ball. However, Brady was slower than Heinz ketchup. He may have juked Urlacher but 20 years to get 1000 yards? Come on.
With Brady gone, we will see the Patriots utilize more mobile quarterback schemes. Yes, the Patriots have Hoyer but Newton and Stidham aren't stuck in the pocket. Cam Newton said it right, the Patriots "are going to be able to do things they couldn't do with Brady". Things they could do With Jimmy G and Jacoby Brissett.
To help Stidham, he needs people with NFL experience who understand that offense and lucky for Stidham, his main receiver is also a former quarterback. Who's seen the ins and outs of the offense. Stidham admits he's already relying on Edelman.
“It’s been really good (working with Edelman this summer). Jules is a great guy, a great player obviously. He has a lot of experience. Being able to talk to him about things that maybe he’s seen throughout the years with quarterbacks or just his position. It’s been really great. Just really trying to continue to build that relationship and also build relationships with all the other teammates that are in the locker room and continue to build those as much as we can.”
It appeared early in the offseason that Stidham was the likely guy and Edelman did his part to make sure he was up to the task. Hoyer was also there as a mentor and competitor. Thus Jarrett was both learning and competing for his job. I still believe Stidham has the leg up on Hoyer after beating him out last season.
So now that leaves Newton and Stidham. Sure Edelman went and worked out with Cam. However, he had all summer with Stidham. Stidham has chemistry with Sanu, Edelman, Harry, Meyers, Hastings, Izzo, and Slater. Not to mention the backs. Newton might have some with Byrd but he's still learning everything else.
Stidham had a year in the playbook. He knows what RPOs and mobile quarterback plays are in the McDaniels book. But he also knows Brady's pocket plays. He knows the trick plays and the audibles.
So when Stidham says he's ready to compete and start, we should believe him. Having both Hoyer and Edelman mentoring him this year, plus whatever he learned last year from Brady means he should look improved from his 2019 preseason.
Now Newton may beat out Stidham but come 2021, Stidham might be the last man standing. Belichick wanted to give Stidham at least another year to sit and develop behind Tom. Tom jumped ship. Keep in mind, the only duel threat mobile quarterback coming out of high school in 2015 that was better than Stidham, was Kyler Murray.
Look at the other quarterbacks that came out of high school that year that are NFL starters and know that Stidham has better abilities than them. Look at Stidham's first two seasons as a college starter and look who drafted him. He should be ready to go. He's had the best teachers since entering the league.
Now even if he sits a year behind Supercam, he's only going to improve provided Newton doesn't implode. Newton is considered one of the best mobile quarterbacks in the game. Imagine being able to take aspects of both Brady's and Newton's game. Not be able to do either as good but combining their two games. That's what Stidham has the potential to do, something like a 40% Cam , 60% Brady. That in itself would be dangerous.
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