New England Formation Fluctuations: Pats' Alter Looks in '09

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

We may finally see Belichick revert to the two running back formations that have been so effective for many teams in past years. Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis constitute a group of ball handlers that have plenty of pop, ample experience, and a good amount of diversity in terms of running style.

In years past, the Patriots have been hampered by injuries and inconsistency in the backfield.

I know this sounds ridiculous considering the team has posted a 29-6 record over the last two years. Logic would posit those teams had solid running games.

While the averages and numbers may speak to that, any true Patriot fan knows that the offense has been too “pass happy” in recent years.

Morris and Maroney were banged up, and there’s only so much we can ask of Kevin Faulk, whose most redeeming qualities are maximized through shotgun hand-offs and flanker screens.

We’ve seen the Patriots get very creative and efficient with the talent and health they’ve been dealt. But, I think back to the days of Antoine Smith and Corey Dillon and remember a Patriots team that used to pound the ball at will, even when good defenses defended against it.

That is what the playbook could reveal this season. If Maroney is healthy and Fred Taylor can plug away like he did in Jacksonville, the Patriots will have healthy, fresh legs throughout the depth of their backfield, with Morris and Green-Ellis serving as experienced complimentary short yardage backs.

This will not only allow Belichick to rotate his ball handlers more efficiently, it will maximize blitz protection for Brady and add improved potency in the receiving game out of the backfield.

Simply put, if the Patriots running backs can stay healthy, the formation diversity with which Brady uses could be at an all time high.

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