Things I Learned From This Game (Jetsicles) - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

PATSYLICIOUS · 11-14-2008, 06:58 PM

Great post JSN. I only wish Cassel were under contract ONE more year than he was, we could have really used an extra day 1 pick next year or some other value in return.

I'm a little worried about our pass D, but if we play agressive like in the 3rd quarter maybe we're not so far off from a solution. Plus, if I had to choose between not being able to stop the run, or not being able to stop the pass, I'd easily choose the latter as a problem to work on. Red zone performance needs to improve on both ends, but more importantly on defense. Let's face it with all these injuries, this defense isn't going to dominate. But we have to contain. That was our specialty in 2001, another year where we didn't have the defensive talent of 03/04. We point to alot of breaks/mistakes that came in the last 2 losses, you can also say just one more red zone stop would make a world of a difference in the outcomes. The bogus penalty on Vrabel really hurt us, but thats just the way the cookie crumbles.

Like your comment on the offense being a 'whisker away' from being dominant, I feel this team is a whisker away from being capable of a title run.

***gomezcat*** · 11-14-2008, 07:23 PM

Great OP. The team deserves a lot of praise for coming down from 24-6, as I have already said elsewhere. The D is necessarily a work in progress- think of all the players who will be gone in two years' time. The younger ones look better each game; guys like Mayo, Guyton, Hobbs and Meriweather. If we can develop a good edge rusher, this D could be great for years to come.

Let's not forget, as well, how much better the O line looks than it did against, say, San Diego. I can't pretend I am 100% happy with the line because they had some very bad moments, but still....

There are, of course, plenty of things to address but I'm pretty optimistic about the long term future of the Pats. I can't see them winning the SB this year, though.

***Box_O_Rocks*** · 11-14-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomezcat

I can't see them winning the SB this year, though.

SVN · 11-15-2008, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_in_sunnyvale

The good:

- Granted the score dictated it, but they finally took the leash off Cassel. And he produced. That game-tying drive at the end of regulation was superbly executed.

- Jerod Mayo. 20 tackles, 16 solo?!? Good Lord!

- Fumble aside, Ben Watson finally took an active role in the offense.

The bad:

- Pats still can't defend the middle of the field to save their lives.

- Koppen and Mankins continue to get abused in 1-on-1 blocking of DTs.

- Conservative red zone coaching has played a role in the last two losses. The Faulk 3rd-down draw was a horrible call as the Jets were already showing signs of being tough to stop early on, showing that FGs weren't going to cut it.

Going forward:

Obviously things like Watson's fumble, Gaffney's drop on 3rd down and the horrific kick coverage in the 1st half are correctable. What the Pats do about their pass coverage over the middle, an issue that has plagued them all season, is another matter. Ditto their pass protection when the D lines up beefy guys right on Mankins' and Koppen's noses and they get eaten up. The best thing to come out of last night was that Cassel proved himself when they cut him loose. I hope now the Pats start playing more aggressively in the red zone and avoid settling-for-FG situations like they did vs. Indy and early last night. They'll need it against a D like Pittsburgh and a scoring machine like Arizona.

Regards,
Chris

i think we run this stuff more often , mcd is just trying to surprise but it isnt working.i would rather call a cassel run instead.

SVN · 11-15-2008, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelizePats

There is no doubt that Watson has a great deal of talent. What's been missing from his game is any level of consistency. Up/down, up/down, injured, up/down up/injured. Up/down. This has been going on for 3+ years so I don't think its going to change much. I like the kid but he has been an average pro at best.
We've all been waiting for him to break out and play on a consistent level! It just hasn't happened yet!

i always dread when he catches the ball and moves.he has the least confidence inspiring hands with the football in the hand.

***gomezcat*** · 11-15-2008, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks

Right, that's it! You're banned from the Religious forum!

It's worth making the point that I am a pessimist. I never thought we would beat the Rams in 2002 and didn't think we would go 14-2 back in 2004 (or whenever it was) after going 2-2.

***gomezcat*** · 11-15-2008, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVN

i always dread when he catches the ball and moves.he has the least confidence inspiring hands with the football in the hand.

I agree re Watson. It would be interesting to know whether he has a higher-than-average fumble or drop percentage.

***nashvillepatsfan*** · 11-15-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomezcat

It's worth making the point that I am a pessimist. I never thought we would beat the Rams in 2002

Hell, did anybody? Even the homers (like me) didnt like our chances then.

***PatsFan37*** · 11-15-2008, 08:29 AM

Thanks, JSN, nice uplifting post. I'll admit right here than I'm a bandwagoner, watching the team only since the beginning of the '01 season. But I'm enjoying this season in some ways more than any other. I love seeing Cassel develop. The really tough players who pushed through their injuries, like Seymour and Hobbs, are inspiring. The young LBs are playing great.

On the one hand, the Jets game was a heartbreaker. OTOH, that comeback was absolutely terrific and it said a lot about the makeup of this year's team.

HEY BRO! WHAT UP? · 11-15-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSn

[*]Belichick is a genius. It simply can't be argued anymore. He hates losing, probably more-so to the Jets, but the half-time adjustments were awesome. If we see the Jets in the playoffs, they will get destroyed. Bill is coaching a team in flux and they are handling adversity in a way I bet no team ever has. The '03 and '04 Patriots had big losses, but they had a constant at QB. They've been forced to find their way here on both sides of the ball with constant hits that must be absolutely demoralizing and Bill and co. are keeping them centred. Coach of the year? Pretty darn close.[/list]

The loss hurts but the Jets have to be worried. I was thinking the same thing about the Jets getting destroyed if they met again. However, the Pats need to play better defense. They are a 3rd and 15 away from having a chance to win that game. Even though it's a moot point, if the Pats had their team fully healthy, they would kicked the crap out of the Jets.