There's reasons to be concerned - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

***Clonamery*** · 10-09-2006, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger44

Why did Cory need to play more yesterday? Why did we need more than 11 points? Why do we need to run up the score like Indi? Didn't we win? I thinks there is this obsession with blowouts over wins.

Yeah, I thought winning was winning but I guess some people think it's about the way you win (like there was some poll that needed influencing).

They seem to ignore history.....

Digger44 · 10-09-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clonamery

Yeah, I thought winning was winning but I guess some people think it's about the way you win (like there was some poll that needed influencing).

They seem to ignore history.....

Well there are polls. To some the power rankings are more important than gameplans and the Wins.

***MoLewisrocks*** · 10-09-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40yrpatsfan

I'm usually not very negative, and the last to say the sky is falling. But at this point in the season I'm seeing the half-empty, and it stems from the lack of reliable offense against good defenses.

Everyone knows we're gonna win the AFC East, especially with the schedule we have. And 4-1 is a great place to be. But there's a lot of good teams in the AFC this year, and there will be no gimme's in the playoffs. We'll be facing a San Diego or a Baltimore or a Denver or an Indy or a Pittsburgh. Right now our offense would be shut down against any of those teams.

I'd like to think our talent level is sufficient, and that we'll improve into the team we need to be. But yesterday did nothing to encourage that feeling, for the second time in 3 weeks. Nothing out of the running game. Nothing out of Gabriel, Jackson, Caldwell, or the TE's. Brady not impressive. It seems to be even more than just the absense of Branch and Givens.

Luckily it's early. But for us to get the SB this year, our offense has to get a LOT better somehow.

San Diego and Denver have to battle each other twice yet, and San Diego has yet to face a tough defense and win themselves. Oakland, Tennessee and a reeling Pittsburgh they handled with ease. Their lone loss was to Baltimore and there was talk of Marty losing his job all last week. But thankfully he didn't which makes them a longshot to even make the playoffs.

Baltimore remains undefeated as does Denver, but that will change after tonight. Baltimore barely mustered the offense to beat the Browns and Chargers. Denver, who faces Baltimore tonight, lost their opener to the Rams and barely got by KC in a single digit scoring game.

Denver, San Diego and Baltimore are all in tough divisions where they will have to battle just to make the playoffs. Indy is in tatters offensively and cannot run the ball on decent D or stop the run against anyone. Luckily they will probably win a weak division. Pittsburgh is floundering with the bionic man at the helm and we can only hope they even make the playoffs.

Our toughest opponent remaining on the schedule is Chicago. They are a young team who still struggle on the road, have not faced tough opponents yet and may be peaking waaaaay early.

We are a team who always finish strong due to exceptional coaching. This year we are featuring an offense in transition that got a late start on that transition and is still waiting for a rookie WR to earn consistent playing time and three new receivers to get comfortable in a sight adjusted offense. We have not nearly hit our stride and we are 4-1 at the bye with two of the toughest opponents on our schedule in the rear ciew mirror.

We need some perspective as a fan base. Seriously. This is a team that has never won pretty, but the Lombardi isn't awarded for style points or Indy and those other teams you are so concerned about in week 5 would have multiple Lombardi's in their trophy cases. But they don't. We are 10-1 when we even get to the playoffs in the last 6 seasons and you'd never have guessed it in week 5 of any of those seasons either. We've become a knee jerk fan base who expects this team to go undefeated or crush the opposition on the road to Miami when that has never been the case. Spoiled, demanding and insufferable. A dynasty deserves better from it's fortunate fans.

AzPatsFan · 10-09-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40yrpatsfan

You're right about Indy's D, but any of the others I mentioned would give us fits.

Yes, most teams struggle against good defenses, but Denver and Miami each moved the ball pretty well against the Pats D, and I think we have a great defense.

There's something about the way our O has struggled against Denver and Miami that's very troubling. No rythm, no bread and butter they can depend on.

Yeah. Miami an Denver moved at will; one scored 17 and the other 10...

Jimke · 10-09-2006, 09:49 AM

Is it time yet to concede that we still need some help at

wide receiver?

ironwasp · 10-09-2006, 09:49 AM

There's quite a bit to be concerned about. No doubt about it. All of it detailed here, and I won't repeat it.

But it's week five. We're four and one, and I believe we're headed to the playsoff. That gives at least 12 weeks before we need to be ready to play those games. 12 weeks buys a lot of time for Gabriel, Jackson Caldwell etc to tune in to Brady and vice versa. 12 weeks for the secondaary to bed further in. Ellis Hobbs, for example, will have almost doubled his NFL experience. 12 weeks for the owner of Wendys and Garrett Mills to emerge as weapons. etc etc

RayClay · 10-09-2006, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40yrpatsfan

I'm usually not very negative, and the last to say the sky is falling. But at this point in the season I'm seeing the half-empty, and it stems from the lack of reliable offense against good defenses.

Everyone knows we're gonna win the AFC East, especially with the schedule we have. And 4-1 is a great place to be. But there's a lot of good teams in the AFC this year, and there will be no gimme's in the playoffs. We'll be facing a San Diego or a Baltimore or a Denver or an Indy or a Pittsburgh. Right now our offense would be shut down against any of those teams.

I'd like to think our talent level is sufficient, and that we'll improve into the team we need to be. But yesterday did nothing to encourage that feeling, for the second time in 3 weeks. Nothing out of the running game. Nothing out of Gabriel, Jackson, Caldwell, or the TE's. Brady not impressive. It seems to be even more than just the absense of Branch and Givens.

Luckily it's early. But for us to get the SB this year, our offense has to get a LOT better somehow.

I wouldn't bother answering, but your post seems sincere and not panicky so I'll give you an honest answer.

I disagree with you completely, not that our offense looks great now, but that we won't improve because I think we will.

Let's compare to last year. We had three running backs, all injured. We were starting to lean on Patrick Pass more when he got hurt.

He'll be back soon. He probably won't make the team.

Corey Dillon is back. He is the active rushing leader in the NFL and is running tough. Maroney is new. The Pats are still figuring out how to use both these guys effectively. Good problem. Evans and Mills are good receivers. Again, they have to be worked in. Better than lacking talent, though.

We have three good to excellent TEs. Too many weapons for Brady to bein sync with? I trust Tom.

We lost two receivers that had 4 years to work with Brady. I'm sorry, were you looking for a can of 4 year rapport? Look at Brown yesterday. you can't bottle that, you need repitition and practice, (bye week?).

Did we pick up some over the hill no talent hacks in our desperation to replace whasisname? Look with your own eyes, not what the panickers write. Gabriel and Jackson have looked pretty good to me. The only way they'll get better is by repitition. There's no shortcut for the difference between them and Troy Brown, sorry.

I see three young strong fast tough, (Reche!) receivers.
They could have brought in a name has been to satisfy the critics. I'm glad theydon't care about the critics, myself.

Evaluate some of the teams that look great early. How many have overworked starter and no depth? How many look great because they hag on to players too long and don't replace them until injuries?

Offense is about rhythm. We have lot's of new talent and it will take a while.

Don't you think judging guys with a few practices under their belts against 4 year starters is unfair?

mosi · 10-09-2006, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger44

Why did Cory need to play more yesterday? Why did we need more than 11 points? Why do we need to run up the score like Indi? Didn't we win? I thinks there is this obsession with blowouts over wins.

Well, we were only up by 3 and Cory's style of running is more suited to a team like Miami than is LM. That is why. Who the hell is talking about running up the score. Why the hell is everybody so defensive on these boards? No pun intended! (:

RayClay · 10-09-2006, 10:14 AM

I don't think the thread starter said anything about the O.C. We do have about 15 of those threads.

I believe the topic is reasons to be concerned, that is lack of talent, on the team.

Could we stay on topic on one decent thread today?

Return of the Nizz · 10-09-2006, 10:18 AM

This team is third in the conference in scoring. would have been second if the Jets hadn't completely rolled over yesterday. I don't see a single 'great' team in the AFC. Everyone has their problems.