JoeSixPat

It's early in the season, but with 4 games under our belt, we're actually 1/4th of the way through the regular season.

Although some players are still adjusting to a new team or just coming back from injury, I thought it would be interesting for Patsfan members to offer their thoughts at the 1/4th mark.

My take is that offensively and defensively, the improvements on this team are obvious from week to week.

In terms of stats, it's worth noting that Maroney's on pace for a 1200 yard season... and that collectively the team rushing is on pace for a 2400 yard season.

In terms of the passing game, the fact that Gabriel already has 10 passes - is amazing to me given the fact that he missed the first game and seemed to play sparingly in the next. ... given what I've seen it wouldn't surprise me the least to see him average 4-5 catches a game from hereon out, projecting out to 60+ catches this season.

Likewise, Jackson's 4 catches seems to me like a rookie getting his feet wet. If he's averaging 3-4 catches a game by the last quarter of the season that's consistent with my expectations for him - namely that by that point in the season he'd be playing like a #2 WR - i.e., like a guy who would catch 50-60 passes in a season.

I'm a bit surprised that Watson doesn't have more catches than 12 to this point, but it seems to me he's been pretty well covered as our clear #1 receiver... having Gabriel and Jackson step up may free him up more.

Other receivers... Caldwell, Brown, Graham, Faulk - are all meeting my expectations... Caldwell's on track for 36 catches, Graham for 32, Troy and Faulk for 40.... those expecting Reche to be a #2 guy with 50-60 catches are probably disappointed but since I never expected that, I have to say I'm pretty pleased.

Of course, the hope is that everyone stays healthy and gets in a better groove and timing with Brady (who projects out at 3500 yards passing - which is just about perfect for a ballanced offense)

OL - doesn't get enough praise - last week against Denver embarrassed them and the way they bounced back was tremendos this week.

Defense - will continue to gel I think - but I very much like the "bend but don't break" trends I've already seen... somewhat conservative to start the season but I have a feeling they'll be given a bit more freedom as everyone gets used to playing with each other.

... and who'da thunk that Seau would be leading the teams in tackles? Surely not those who called his sigining a "desparate" move.

Special teams I'm feeling a bit shaky about - especially with another Gostowski miss yesterday... but I'll continue to hope that he'll shake off the first year jitters and calm down. Also on ST - I think we're giving up far too many return yards and need to address that better.

So everyone chime in with your takes as we pass the 25% mark of the regular season.

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All_Around_Brown

At this point, my grades:

OL B+
RB A-
QB B
WR C
TE B+

DL B+
LB B
DB C

ST B

From this, while theres room for improvement, we are well on our way to having one of the most rounded teams in our history. The lines are stout. QB play will again be at the leagues top. Rbs are getting the holes now and will soon make huge hay (moreson than already seen). WRs are coming around. Jackson needs to see the field more more more. Tes are solid and will improve when our WRs start garnering attn.

Defensively....what can you say. Yesterdays game sealed confidence all around. We need to get healthy, and with a few more weeks of this scheme, we will see wrecking balls on Defense.

This is shaping up to be a very good team, barring setbacks. By the halfweay point, I'll expect to be dishing out more As than Bs. I like where we're heading.

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RayClay

My thoughts. It seemed like it all came together yesterday.

It didn't. We caught an immature team and held them to six points by letting them have the small stuff and preventing big plays.

Once it became power against power, we rolled.

It's unlikely our TEs, WRs and running game will all come together at once, but they could at any time and that's awesome.

On D, I think it's more bend don't break. The difference is we have some closers with our 5 man DLine rotation.

I think we've seen what we're capable of and we could see a totally different game if we allow teams to get off early against us.

In other words, if we stay disciplined and keep it close, I think 4th quarter knockouts will be the result.

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mgcolby

Brady and the offense started off shakey for obvious reasons. Gabriel is the real deal. Jackson will hopefully pick up as the season goes on and thus far Caldwell and Brown are filling in pretty well.

Watson's production has been disapointing so far but I don't blame him for that. He is doubled team a lot and Brady has missed him several times. Graham is where I expect him to be a solid blocker that a grabs a ball or two every now and then.

The O-line has shown flashes of brilliance but up until yesterday hadn't put in 4 solid quarters of football (much like the entire team). Great depth which is great of an in itself but what makes the depth even better is the age of the group.

Running backs honestly does anything need to be said?

Overall on the Offense, I expect it to only get better because Brady will become comfortable with Gabriel and hopefully Jackson. That will take some of the heat off of Watson. After the bye week this offense is going to be nearly unstoppable.

Defense I don't know how anyone can complain with 11.75 points allowed per game through 4 games. They have played very well with the exception of the 4 big plays allowed. The lack of turnovers has been a concern but that was due in large part to not getting to the QB in the first 3 games, that changed yesterday and it should only get better next week. Bottom line we don't have a Ty Law type player in the secondary that can make big plays on the ball on his own, for example the acrobatic Indy playoff pick that Law had. IMO almost every turnover this season will be caused either directly or indirectly by our front seven.

Bottom line: the Defense has the bend but don't break mentality back which is great and they will only get better as the season goes on.

Special teams are solid in most areas except for PK and KO coverage they are giving up nearly 24 yards a return, it isn't horrible but it isn't great either. Hopefully Gotskowski gets all of his misses out his system early because we will need him come January.

I still see this team as a 14-2/13-3 team. The Pats should have homefield advantage for the Playoffs.

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TheBostonStraggler

Hmmm, a B for Brady? This performance so far has been above average? I don't know about that. ST a B too? Our FG unit has produced two blocks and a bad miss in 4 games. If not for that this area would get a B easy and likely an A. But with what we have gotten so far on the FG unit, I don't see how we get an above average for ST. I might give the WR's a C- too. Other than that I would agree with your grades.

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chris_in_sunnyvale

I'm content with the 3-1 start. The team usually rounds into form in late November, early December so being 3-1 that includes two games vs. playoff teams from last year (and probably this year) is good. Some plusses and minuses:

+ The D looks ahead of where I expected it to be. They've given up 4 long TDs which made the Jets game look closer than it was and killed them vs. Denver. Otherwise they've played tough.

+ The running game...damn! After watching what Pittsburgh could do vs. Cincy last week, I felt that running on them would be their focus. But come on...that was a whippin.

+ Doug Gabriel & Chad Jackson look like game-breakers when they play.

- I'm not sold on the passing game if a team can shut down their running game like Denver did. Branch was outstanding at running route adjustments and Brady always found him. Can Brady develop a similar rapport with Jackson or Gabriel? That will be important to get by the good run defenses likely to be met in the playoffs (Pittsburgh, Denver, Baltimore, Jacksonville - yesterday's game vs. Washington was an aberation). There's plenty of season to find out, though.

Regards,
Chris

P.S. No team looks like a juggernaut. There's no Goliath (2004 Pittsburgh, 2005 Indy) just waiting for a good stoning. Right now everyone can do the stoning...and get stoned (you know what I mean).

stinkypete

My assessment: Given our early schedule, any fan has to be happy with a 3-1 start. Most were hoping for a 3-2 start to the season, with Denver, Cincy and Miami all considered very losable games. Given the status of Miami (as jason taylor said it, "if you're talking about the worst team in the NFL, that's up ,and you can quote that"), we stand to go into the bye at 4-1. After that, only Indy, Jacksonville and Miami (on the road) look like tough contests. 12-4 is likely, 13-3 possible.

We have the 2 main championship ingredients working, the run game is 3rd in the league. The defense is probably a top 5 unit. The pass game has been inconsistent, and in all honesty I think Brady has had one of the worst 4 game stretches career. Things certainly looked better Sunday, but I need to see a string of 3-4 more solid passing performances before I'm convinced that the pass offense is pack on track. If the passing game falls into place, and Dillon stays healthy, this team can dominate like in '04.

flutie2phelan

Good suggestion as to format.
In all kinds of serial situations ... like a season rolling on, game by game ...
we have to give more weight to the most recent instances
(that's why so many were glum before yesterday's game).

My grades therefore emphasize the impact of the game at Cinci
because i expect that game to better reflect momentum
and hence better forecast the future.

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onegameatatime

The Pats are one of the better teams in the NFL, but I do not feel totally confident about being one of the best in the ACF ... yet.

I'm concerned about the DBs, that Rodney has lost some physical ability, about our ILBs, unproven WRs, and ability to beat Denver, Pitts, and Indy.

On the plus side, the WR situation should improve, and BB has shown an ability to improve DBs through the season. This was the first week TB looked in sync. The Pats under BB have gotten better through each season except 2002. Including last year.

ATippett56

Circle your calendars because November 5, 2006 will be the true litmus test for the New England Patriots.

http://www.nfl.com/teams/schedule/NE