What a difference a week can make... - New England Patriots Forums

***fgssand*** · 10-13-2008, 08:16 AM

NO...not SF>SD, I am talking about SD>Denver.

Of course nobody is happy about what we saw last night, but, knowing this team, they wont be throwing in the towel and will certainly play better football, on both sides of the ball.

Fast forward to next Monday night, let's just say the Patriots solve a few problems. Like rediscovering a pass rush, which improves the overall D/back play and they stay in the game long enough so that Cassel can show that he is learning on the go, while leading the team to a victory over the Broncos.

Couple a win at home, VS, Denver with SD beating Buffalo and suddenly we will be 4-2, tied for first and right in the thick of things.

What will the haters say then or will they jump right back on the bandwagon, as a typical little fair weather fan does?

NJPatsfan26 · 10-13-2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fgssand

NO...not SF>SD, I am talking about SD>Denver.

Of course nobody is happy about what we saw last night, but, knowing this team, they wont be throwing in the towel and will certainly play better football, on both sides of the ball.

Fast forward to next Monday night, let's just say the Patriots solve a few problems. Like rediscovering a pass rush, which improves the overall D/back play and they stay in the game long enough so that Cassel can show that he is learning on the go, while leading the team to a victory over the Broncos.

Couple a win at home, VS, Denver with SD beating Buffalo and suddenly we will be 4-2, tied for first and right in the thick of things.

What will the haters say then or will they jump right back on the bandwagon, as a typical little fair weather fan does?

The haters will say they saw it coming from a mile away and that they called it.

It will be something that we, fans on this website, will be pissed at.

They will come in forces here and say how they are true Patriots fans and will support the team till the end.

Then as soon as we loose to another team this year, POOF....they are gone and off the bandwagon again.

stinkypete · 10-13-2008, 09:17 AM

Fans, whether true fans, homers, bandwagoners, whatever you want to call them, should get used to this. This team is not going get on any kind of extended roll, at least not in the near future. I expected something similar to the 2005 season, where they play just about .500 ball, win some close games, and get whipped occasionally on the road against better teams. That is just where this team is now.

I think 10 wins will seal a playoff berth. In order to make a playoff run, the following needs to happen: they need to win the games they are supposed to win. Right now, that means beating the Broncos, Rams, Raiders and Seahawks. Yes, I consider a home game against a Broncos team with no D to be a "supposed to win" game. They must win their home games against the Jets and Bills. A 2 game head to head advantage against the Jets should be enough to keep them at bay, while the Bills host the Pats week 17, not a situation you want to find yourself playing a must win game in.

That ugly Miami loss could prove to be killer. The Pats might have to beat them on the road in order to stay alive, as the remaining games on the shcedule (@Indy, Pitt, Ari) will all be tough games for this team.

***fgssand*** · 10-14-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stinkypete

Fans, whether true fans, homers, bandwagoners, whatever you want to call them, should get used to this. This team is not going get on any kind of extended roll, at least not in the near future. I expected something similar to the 2005 season, where they play just about .500 ball, win some close games, and get whipped occasionally on the road against better teams. That is just where this team is now.

I think 10 wins will seal a playoff berth. In order to make a playoff run, the following needs to happen: they need to win the games they are supposed to win. Right now, that means beating the Broncos, Rams, Raiders and Seahawks. Yes, I consider a home game against a Broncos team with no D to be a "supposed to win" game. They must win their home games against the Jets and Bills. A 2 game head to head advantage against the Jets should be enough to keep them at bay, while the Bills host the Pats week 17, not a situation you want to find yourself playing a must win game in.

That ugly Miami loss could prove to be killer. The Pats might have to beat them on the road in order to stay alive, as the remaining games on the schedule (@Indy, Pitt, Ari) will all be tough games for this team.

Accurate assessment and about what I expected when a certain great QB went down.

Getting into the playoffs would be a great accomplishment and once in - who knows. Does any team really scare you in the NFL right now??

***Deus Irae*** · 10-14-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fgssand

Accurate assessment and about what I expected when a certain great QB went down.

Getting into the playoffs would be a great accomplishment and once in - who knows. Does any team really scare you in the NFL right now??

Right now, physical teams 'scare' me, especially when it comes to physical defenses. The Patriots are doing fine against the teams that aren't among the more physical squads in the league, but the Dolphins and Chargers were both able to impose their will.

Pats726 · 10-14-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fgssand

Accurate assessment and about what I expected when a certain great QB went down.

Getting into the playoffs would be a great accomplishment and once in - who knows. Does any team really scare you in the NFL right now??

What you bring is perspective...and knowledge..and THAT has been lacking teh last 24 houyrs in many many posts...(Thank you J, Box, Mo and others who understand what is happening...) The hatersgo from game to game and have little understanding of the larger picture and how upsets can happen and how being blown out one day does not mean that same team will do the same thing later in the season. 3-2 is not at all bad..

***maverick4*** · 10-14-2008, 09:21 AM

I don't think it's crazy to say this team will be 4-4 or 5-5 after 8 or 10 weeks.
If this team finishes 10-6 I would be ecstatic.

The biggest problems that I hope BB can fix are:
- Aging defensive favorites
- Non existent pass rush
- Predictable and unimaginative OC
- Inexperienced QB with minimal pocket presence

A.C Vegas · 10-14-2008, 10:09 AM

Now these are the threads that brought me to patsfans in the first place I hope the Doom Squad doesn't come on here and destrory it.

***MoLewisrocks*** · 10-14-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.C Vegas

Now these are the threads that brought me to patsfans in the first place I hope the Doom Squad doesn't come on here and destrory it.

Look around, I believe the doom squad is finally being dealt with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maverick4

I don't think it's crazy to say this team will be 4-4 or 5-5 after 8 or 10 weeks.
If this team finishes 10-6 I would be ecstatic.

The biggest problems that I hope BB can fix are:
- Aging defensive favorites
- Non existent pass rush
- Predictable and unimaginative OC
- Inexperienced QB with minimal pocket presence

All but 3 could/should/will take time and scheme adjustments and a little luck and a lot of individual gut checking effort, but 3 remains more a figment NEM implanted in your imagination.

There are some long term fixes needed on both sides of the ball, but those won't materialize until next season, and will start with the return of a HOF QB.

***maryjane*** · 10-14-2008, 12:27 PM

Last week people were talking about whether or not to sign Cassel to a 4M per year contract...whether he'd take it and maybe we should act now.

Some we're saying we could tag and trade him. Which would mean he'd be guaranteed 10M+ if he couldn't be traded.

Now some people are saying he's a high school QB who has no place in the league.

Which is it?

My, what a difference a week can make.