DENVER – In the box score, the play simply reads like this: “5:55 -- T. Brady pass incomplete short middle to M. Bennett.”
But a closer look at the play, which came in the first quarter of the New England Patriots’ 16-3 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday, shows how offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was experimenting with outside-the-box tactics that spark memories of the eligible/ineligible tactic from two seasons ago against the Baltimore Ravens.
Specifically, the Patriots had linebacker Shea McClellin replace left guard Joe Thuney for the play, splitting McClellin to the right side of the line of scrimmage similar to the way they employed running back Shane Vereen against the Ravens when they declared him ineligible.