ivanvamp

As I posted elsewhere, the Pats were inside the Ravens' 35 (which, on a normal day, is well within Gostkowski's FG range) a total of EIGHT times, and FOUR times they were in the red zone.

And all they managed to score was 13 points. Twice they punted inside the Ravens' 35.

The Pats scored TDs on 67.5% of their red zone possessions this year. That comes to an average of 4.7 points per red zone possession, *not counting field goals*. So if the Pats were playing a "normal" game, on those four red zone possessions, they should have put up 19 points (4.7 * 4) on TDs, and add another FG so they should have had between 21-24 points on those red zone trips alone.

That still leaves four other trips where they were between the 21-35 yard line. Figure they try four FGs and Ghost makes 2-3 of them. That's another 6-9 points.

Bottom line, if the Patriots play a "normal" game under normal conditions, they score between 27-33 points. They just had an awful, awful, awful day converting points.

And I think missing Gronk was a HUGE part of that, frankly.

ivanvamp

And in 2005 they went 10-6, won the division, and lost in the divisional round in Denver. Not bad for being a down year.

Rob0729

Really? Branch missed 7 games in 2004 and one game in 2003. How is that more dependable than a guy who hasn't missed that many games in 6 years?

The 2003 offense was mediocre and carried by arguably the best defense in the Patriots history. That year the Pats the Pats had 4 games without a single offensive TD. They had the worst 3rd down conversion percentage of the Brady era. The 2003 offense averaged 21.8 PPG. The Pats scored 22 points or less this year twice.

You are really losing credibility with this argument with every post. You are saying an inactive Deion Branch is more valuable and dependable than a healthy Wes Welker. Yes, Branch had an awesome Super Bowl against Carolina, but that is not an entire season.

PatsFan2

We can find one in one of these three places.

1) Mike Wallace Pittsburgh.

2) Dwayne Bowe KC.

3) Greg Jennings GB.

If any of these guys are available and the Patriots dont bid for their services...Kraft - BB and Brady will never smell another SB.

patsfan-1982

the ravens stoped Brady all the deep threats in the world would not have helped and thats the way it will be every year at some point in the playoffs the pats will have to face a team that can just stop this offense thats why the defense needs to get better so they can keep the game close when the offense is not moveing the ball

Rob0729

Really?!? The Pats were one game away from the Super Bowl without them and no Gronk. I seriously doubt adding or not adding one of those receivers are the difference between going to/winning or not going to/not winning another Super Bowl.

The Pats need to improve their defense, not their offense to win a championship. Wallace, Bowe, and Jennings could have done nothing to stop Flacco from throwing all over the Pats' secondary.

This team is not a deep threat away from being a Super Bowl winner. Deep threats are Ferraris. They are flashy and everyone wants one, but they are not the car you want to be your car to get all your errands done.

Rob0729

I agree. People always run to the lack of a deep threat for the reason the Pats lose games which is ridiculous. The Pats had Moss in the Super Bowl vs. the Giants and that didn't help them all that much. The deep threat of Moss did nothing to stop the Giants from pressuring Brady on virtually every play.

I agree that the Pats need is a defense that can allow the Pats not to rely on the offense every game. One of the most underplayed thing about Sunday was that the Ravens' offense was crap in the first half, but their defense was able to overcome the problems with the offense and keep the game close. Without the Ravens' defensive performance on Sunday, the Pats would have blown out the Ravens.

Sciz

If the Pats shell out the money to any one of those guys, then that's basically all they can do in free agency. They're not playing around with an unlimited cap.

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zeroakuma

I don't think there is a problem with the offense - it's up to the wide receivers to catch the damn ball. Wes, Lloyd, and co could not catch the balls today - blame the Ravens, the wind, or Brady's inaccurate throws.

But to me, I feel that a changeup to the offense would be amazing. Why not get that deep threat that opens the field? I want to see something new! That means Wes Welker and his buttery fingers have to go.

Dear Santa, I want a better defense and a better defensive coordinator. Our defense sucks!

coolguy

You think a offense that was able to put up 30 points against a great carolina panthers defense was mediocre?
Are YOU joking? The offense while not as flashy as the current one, was INCREDIBLY EFFICIENT!!

Branch had 143 yards against the panthers and help set up the game winning field goal
Branch completely took over the 2004 playoffs and had a good 2005 playoff run

I always wondered what Branch's numbers would look like with the tom brady we have now. Wes Welker could be called the peyton manning of the wide receivers, but i won't go that far.


Also keep in mind deion branch had a higher yards per reception than welker.