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

***40yrpatsfan*** · 10-09-2006, 06:08 AM

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.

***richpats*** · 10-09-2006, 06:42 AM

Considering our history against the Fins, a 10-point win and Brady throwing ZERO picks is actually encouraging.

Call me a mega-optimist but I feel a hell of a lot better about this team after 5 games this year than last. We were throwing all over the place in 2005 and we barely won games. Now we actually have some relief for Brady and the team is better off. We're not going to be the 2004 Pats but this team is resembling the 2003 edition and I don't mind a bit.

Bella*chick · 10-09-2006, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richpats

Call me a mega-optimist but I feel a hell of a lot better about this team after 5 games this year than last. We were throwing all over the place in 2005 and we barely won games. Now we actually have some relief for Brady and the team is better off. We're not going to be the 2004 Pats but this team is resembling the 2003 edition and I don't mind a bit.

Mega-optimist? No way, I'm with you. Last year we would win one, lose one, win one lose one until deep into the season. And our losses were horrible...the San Diego blowout was an early example. I feel MUCH better about the team this year than last.

Willie55 · 10-09-2006, 06:52 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.

Show me a team that doesn't struggle offensively against good defenses.

And I hope you were kidding when you referred to Indy as a good defense.

mosi · 10-09-2006, 07:21 AM

This team is getting better. Much like the 2003 team, it will win a lot of games. Indy is not the biggest worry. San Diego and Denver are. They have strong defenses and can match up well against us.

The only thing I don't understand is why we don't play Cory more. He ran really well yesterday and is much better at pounding the ball against a stingy defense. If he is not hurt, I wonder if he is really being saved for the second half of the season?

Brownfan80 · 10-09-2006, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richpats

Considering our history against the Fins, a 10-point win and Brady throwing ZERO picks is actually encouraging.

Call me a mega-optimist but I feel a hell of a lot better about this team after 5 games this year than last. We were throwing all over the place in 2005 and we barely won games. Now we actually have some relief for Brady and the team is better off. We're not going to be the 2004 Pats but this team is resembling the 2003 edition and I don't mind a bit.

People must have forgotten how we normally play against the Dolphins, this game had a GOOD outcome, not a bad one.

***40yrpatsfan*** · 10-09-2006, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willie55

Show me a team that doesn't struggle offensively against good defenses.

And I hope you were kidding when you referred to Indy as a good defense.

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.

***richpats*** · 10-09-2006, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40yrpatsfan

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.

Our D actually is improving against the Broncos. They only put up 17 on us and 7 was on a fluke play. The D is becoming more bend-don't break, lots of yards, few points. Last year it was lotsa yards, lotsa points.

Our O never does well against Denver or Miami, they have the speed to match up against us.

MrBigglesWorth · 10-09-2006, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEM

The problem with the O in both of those games was the failure of the OC to make early adjustments. It was obvious in both of those games that we were running into brick walls, and yet the play calling didnt change until way too late.

If it isnt working, stop doing it, plain and simple.

The one thing people miss is the fact you have to have faith in your game plan. In the Cincy game Maroney didn't start busting runs till the second half. And what appears to be the same play could have 12 didn't variations of runs and routes in it. They might be trying plays to see how the defense reacts and then change it up next time expecting that reaction. So if the reaction doesn't come that is expected do you throw your entire game plan away?

I don't think McDaniels is creating a game plan on his own. I'm sure Belichick tells him he wants to attack the team this way. So if you think McDaniels is doing such an awful job with a 4-1 record you might as well say Belichick is doing a terrible job.

Digger44 · 10-09-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosi

This team is getting better. Much like the 2003 team, it will win a lot of games. Indy is not the biggest worry. San Diego and Denver are. They have strong defenses and can match up well against us.

The only thing I don't understand is why we don't play Cory more. He ran really well yesterday and is much better at pounding the ball against a stingy defense. If he is not hurt, I wonder if he is really being saved for the second half of the season?

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.