aluminum seats

I don't think I've ever watched the Pats through rose-colored glasses--I just go by what I see. And going by that, I think this team could still go far in the playoffs this year. Look at the problems so far, and question whether they can be fixed:

1) The offensive line. If the line, including Vollmer and Neal, is healthy for the playoffs, it will make a tremendous difference for this offense. Watching Kaczur getting steamrolled is painful.

Q: Can the line get healthy?

A: Of course. And play at a high level.

2) Brady. Just about every game this year except the Saints could have been won if Brady played like pre-injury Brady. The numbers aren't bad, but he's obviously not himself. The guy's human, and he missed a year.

Q: Can Brady be himself by playoff time?

A: Of course. Would you bet against him?

3) Coaching. Belichick has set such a high standard, it's jarring to see the Pats make the kind of mistakes we're used to other teams making. The coordinators aren't impressing anyone, particularly the offensive playcalling. The Pats lost yet another second half yesterday, and another 4th quarter lead. The feeling at the end of the game isn't what it used to be.

Q: Is there another coaching staff (HC and staff) that you'd rather have coaching the team come playoff time?

A: Nope.

4) The pass rush sucks. Actually it's more like a pass stroll, or pass crawl. Be it personnel, or schemes, any QB will look good if they have all day to throw, and good QBs will destroy you.

Q: Can the Pats pass rush, through more innovative schemes and/or certain players (Thomas) finally stepping up, perform at a championship level come playoff time?

A: Um....well....gee....this post is getting kind of long.....

OK, I'm stuck. See, no rose-colored glasses. Far as I can see, the Pats are out of luck here this year. Maybe somebody else can supply a better answer to this one.

__________________
"So I'm going to throw myself against the wall...
'Cause I'd rather feel bad than not feel anything at all."

Mogamedogz

1 and done if they can even make it in.

stephens44

I agree w/what you said and I'm hopeful too. They can only tweak a few things this year and any dynamic change will have to wait until the offseason.

DefenseRules

You know, I have to agree with you. This Patriots team is not a playoff team.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
AKA "Ladypatsfan"

stephens44

I do have to say though..... I DO NOT like the way the 2009 Pats play at all.
As a Pats fan tough defense, physical play and a tough running game are the things that I find most endearing. This pass happy offense is great for stats and even scoring in bunches, but I am more entertained by a punishing running game (2004 anyone?). Quite simply...I don't like this offense.
The defense speaks for itself, it can't play worth sh.....t. Even if this team makes the playoffs or even SB it doesn't much matter to me, I don't like the way they play the game anymore (not physical, no heart, no fire) and I am quite simply as a fan....not entertained. Isn't that the point? Put an entertaining product out there for the fans to buy? If you follow a team because they win, well then good luck with that piece of psychology.

Mack Herron

http://www.evancarmichael.com/Busine...-accident.html

The mission statement of the New England Patriots states, "We are building a big, strong, fast, smart, tough and disciplined football team that consistently competes for championships."

Maybe the plaque fell down.

condon84

Look at the playoff teams:

Indy
SD
Cincy
Denver (WC)
Baltimore (WC)

The top three teams have QBs that can light up our weak pass defense. Even Orton can light us up and Flacco has the ability.

I just don't see it with the current scheme and play of our guys.

If there's another section of the playbook that Bill's been holding out on and he suddenly unleashes it and it solves most of our pass rush/coverage deficiencies, then yeah, we can make a run. But our current play is not encouraging.

robertweathers

LOL

10 chars

__________________
“I'm not really concerned about the other 31 teams,” - Bill Belichick

"If a player has talent and doesn't succeed, that means that they either don't want to be successful or I have failed as a coach." - Bill Belichick

102 Pat

It's a cliche, but once you get to the playoffs, it's a whole new season. You would think the loss yesterday ended the season.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


This offseason, it's almost like Belichick is saying, "I'm never going to let that happen again."

Mike Reiss 7/19/12

Rob0729

They said that about the Steelers in 2005, the Colts in 2006, and the Giants in 2007 too. And the Cards last year. After the last four years, I am convinced that if you get into the big game, anything can happen.

As long as the Pats lose only one more and it is the Panthers, they win the division. They would win the tiebreaker with either the Jets or Dolphins. If the Dolphins lose one more, the Pats can lose any one game and win the tiebreaker with the Jets if both are 10-6.

Miami has a fairly tough schedule left: at Jacksonville, at Tennessee, Houston, and Pittsburgh. All are currently playing for their playoff lives.

The Jets have at Tampa, Atlanta, at Indy, and Cincy. Tampa should be a win and the Colts may be resting players. Atlanta is holding onto the last wild card spot. Cincy could be playing for the #2 seed in that last game.

It is unlikely either of those teams will win out. It is conceivable both will lose 2 or more. That means the Pats still have a bit of a cushion to win the division.