PonyExpress

1. This was a monumental victory. Don't let any sourpuss newshound try to convince anyone otherwise. The Jaguars, when they play for keeps, are as brutal, relentless and savage a bunch of football bullies as exists on the planet. They were playing for their lives today like wounded lions in their own den, where they had ripped apart every other quality club that had ventured in limb from limb. The Patriots, our glorious team, went into the monster's den and dominated them physically and mentally. But for a few Jericho Cotchery style hail mary fluke plays, the final tally would have more properly reflected the @$$-whooping that actually took place between the white lines.

2. Brady was magnificent. Considering the stakes, the opponent, the circumstances surrounding the team, this was Tom's best performance since his flu-ridden masterpiece against Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship Game in '04. He rose to the occasion like a true champion against the #5 pass defense and #2 rush defense in the NFL with the playoffs on the line. The Soul-less Grinch of Football Christmas, Borges, would have us believe Brady was "careful" and "managed" this game to mediocrity, besting his inept opponent Garrard in a quarterback pillow fight. That perspective is a steaming pile of crap flowing from Borges' toothless mouth.

3. Dave "Casper" Thomas should never leave the starting lineup again. Period. His best play of the game may have been the block which sprung Maroney on that 27 yard TD, demonstrating that in time "Casper" can become, if he isn't already, the most complete TE on this team.

4. Jack Del Rio's sob story post-game should surprise nobody. He's just another punk bully in a long tradition of bullies spun off from the biggest bully organization in football, the Steelers. When his Jaguar team, which he had molded in the image of his Steel-town idols, got their faces kicked in by a squad man enough to stand up to them, Del Rio cried like the wee byatch he is. He must have been channeling Joey Porter and Kordell Stewart.

5. The LB situation. This defense is #2 in points allowed in the NFL. Whatever their limitations, the LB corps has played heroically and to the best of their ability, for years full tilt full time and earning the lifelong admiration and gratitude of Patriot fans. That being said, this fan has an eye on the future out of habit and some upgrades may help this team become even more dominating in years to come, no disrespect meant to the warriors who dominated the field of battle today.
Future options:
a) Lance Briggs. This has zero chance of happening. BB is very close with Jerry Angelo and wouldn't steal a player from him. There are some gentleman's agreements around the league, like the one that existed between Parcells and BB over Vinatieri, and Briggs, no doubt, will be one of them. Combined with lucrative price, and the fact Angelo wants to keep Briggs, Pats fans should forget about Briggs- not gonna happen.
b) London Fletcher. WILL HAPPEN. He is the ideal candidate. He is on the wrong side of 30, making him less attractive on the open market, but ideal for the Pats, who covet experience at the position. He went to the same college as Josh McDaniels, with whom he remains close. BB has openly expressed admiration for London in the media. The fact Fletcher is only 5'10'' is unimportant. Bruschi, though listed at 6'1'', is barely 6'0'', if that. Fletcher has 12 passes defensed this season, indicating his strength in coverage, and he is solid enough at 250 lbs to play LB in the 3-4. His height, age, his under the radar talent, his closeness to members of the organization, his desire to play for a winner where the grass is greener in the division, all suggest the Pats could hook him for decent but not spectacular money. This has the Patriots' fingerprints all over it.
c) The draft. It's too early to draw conclusions about the draft with spring workouts etc. to come. But if the Pats are looking for a player with character who can lead with a mean streak from the ILB position, P. Willis seems like an ideal candidate who could be groomed and bulked up to start in 2008.

Merry Christmas All.

Rob0729

I think Adelius Thomas is a much more likely LB free agent for us than Lance Briggs. Thomas is the right size, is versatile enough to play inside or outside, and has 3-4 experience. His only knock is his age, but I think he is a far better fit in our system than Lance Briggs.

jczxohn1

Excellent post. as usual, Pony. Some tough choices ahead at the LB and TE positions.

__________________
Felger started his question, "Correct me if I'm wrong," BB quickly interjected, "I can't wait--"


``The officials now are evaluating the players and their performance, I mean, that's great,'' Belichick deadpanned. ``I can't say how much that means to me, really.''

Harrison37

Excellent analysis.

The Pats could do far worse than London Fletcher, that's for sure!

__________________
"Book the flights...we're comin' to Jacksonville! Whuuut?" - Rosevelt Colvin, AFC Championship Game

BelichickFan

He did a great job hanging in there the whole game when the whole offense was on him but he wasn't magnificent. The WR actually bailed him out numerous times on poor throws. I wouldn't trade Tommy for any QB in the league but, perhaps due to the slick conditions, today was not his sharpest game.

PonyExpress

The Pats need speed and coverage ability at ILB. The trio of Banta-Cain, Vrabel and Colvin are good enough at OLB. Thomas is an OLB type in his first year of "dominant" play. Also, The Baltimore Lbers were nothing special last year. This year, suddenly, they are world beaters. Why the change? Because of the most underrated rookie in this year's class, DT Haloti Ngata. Thomas, Bart Scott, and a Ray Lewis in decline are benefiting from superior 4-3 line play vs. the run. Their sacks are mostly scheme based because the opponents are always in passing downs. Thomas is set to earn a wind-fall, but he is being overrated IMO.

PonyExpress

BF,
There were several drops out there that could have changed the complexion of this game from the get-go. A lesser leader than Brady, after all the problems this season in the receiving corps, would have thought, "here we go again," given in to frustration, and the team would have sensed it and deflated. Brady has a will of iron. He refused to let the drops affect him or the team, and the receiving corps followed his emotional cue, kept the morale high, and marched to victory. This win was a testament to Brady's character more than anything else. Sure, a few throws may not have been perfect, but these receivers are professionals and need to pick their QB up from time to time.

BelichickFan

I agree with all that - but it still wasn't magnificent Iron willed, ball gripping, vice clenching refusing to lose - OK

Rob0729

The Pats hasn't had speed at the ILB position for years. Bruschi, Ted Johnson, Vrabel, Roman Phifer, and Junior Seau are not speedy players. They are/were just smart players who have a nose for the ball. Thomas has shown the last few years that he is too.

Thomas had a great year in 2005. This wasn't his first year of dominant play. He had 9 sacks, 2 INTs (one for a TD), and 86 tackles in 2005. There was no Bart Scott or Haloti Ngata on that team and Ray Lewis missed 10 games that year. He has been a solid player for a few years.

Lance Briggs is also a two year wonder. He was not a great player prior to the 2005 season. Like Thomas he has two solid years. Also, I have concerns that he can play ILB at 6-1 and 240lbs. That is a bit light to play our type of 3-4. He may have troubles shedding blocks from guards.

BelichickFan

I hope you're right, I didn't know about the McDaniels connection - maybe that's why Belichick keeps Josh around Anyway, Fletcher and Bruschi inside with Vrabel and Colvin outside sounds pretty good to me.