Patriots’ Matt Patricia praises Ryan Tannehill and Miami Dolphins offense
The Patriots waited until 2012 to name Matt Patricia their defensive coordinator. Before Patricia, the Patriots went without one for 2010 and 2011. But Patricia, who started with the Patriots in 2004, finally earned Belichick’s promotion. His apt ability to break down offenses likely contribute to his hiring. And he spoke candidly about the Dolphins’ offense that his defense will face on Sunday in the Patriots’ season opener.
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“Certainly, obviously what I think they’ve done a great job of this year through the preseason is the quarterback position,” Patricia said, via ESPN.com. “With Ryan Tannehill being able to control and run the offense and do a good job with the different looks and the different problems that they set up with this type of offense and really trying to do a great job of being good decision-makers as a quarterback and get the ball distributed to a lot of their skill players, obviously with [Mike] Wallace and [Brian] Hartline and [Brandon] Gibson, [Jarvis] Landry and [Rishard] Matthews at the receiver position.
“They have excellent talent out there along with [Charles] Clay at the tight end position, who is a very good skill player for them, a very multiple type player. And then through the preseason you get to see their other tight end, [Dion] Sims, and the different positions he’s kind of been in and moved around at. I think they’ve done a good job to implement the system that Coach [Bill] Lazor has brought with him and done a good job through the preseason of efficiently running that offense.”
The first note, Matt Patricia completely omits running backs Knowshon Moreno and Lamar Miller. Neither running back has taken the starting job, and thus Patricia gives them the silent treatment.
By failing to mention the running backs, he emphasizes that the Dolphins have a lot of young, talented weapons in the passing game. While it’s not totally clear, it appears that Patricia sets Tannehill and Clay apart from the others. They will likely be the Patriots biggest worries in Sunday’s matchup.