billdog3484

A few things I am looking for

(1) How will the secondary hold up? I think McCourty and Butler will be tested early and often tomorrow. It should be a good barometer of how our pass defense is going to fare the rest of the season. Its unfortunate we still dont have a top tier pass rusher to help the cornerbacks.

(2) Can we stop the run? Missing Warren will hurt. But, we still have wilfork up the middle, so at least to a certain extent we dont have to worry about runs up the middle. Can our DEs do enough to help our LBs take down the ball carrier. Im assuming Spikes will be an upgrade to the rush defense, and Mayo will be a little better than last year.

(3) Can we run? This is important because it will go a long way to protecting Brady when he drops back to pass. If we cant run, the pressure will be coming from everywhere at Brady. I cant imagine us giving the ball to Taylor 20 times a game for 16 games and him not getting injured. We need Morris, Maroney or BJGE to step up to take some of the load off of Taylor. I think our OL will be ok versus the run, and if thats the case, it will help the OL versus the pass, because instead of 3rd and long, we can have 3rd and short, and not worry about the all out blitzes all the time

Richard Camembert

Not much to add here, like everyone else I want a win, no injuries, and the rooks showing something, but I do want to see: No drives longer than 9 plays by CIN, kkthxbai.

Adding Graham and Owens gives Palmer some weapons so I'm guessing we are in trouble.

SuperPatsFan

1. Mayo (12) -- and Chung with 16 -- hit double digits in tackles.
2. Excluding the hail mary to Shipley, the D gave up 0 completions over 30 yards, and only one completion over 20 yards -- a 28-yard TD to Ochocinco in the 3rd.
3. One sack, 6 qb hits. The pressure was there.
4. Gary Guyton's INT return for a touchdown comes to mind.
5. Welker was the Pats' number one receiver in this game, with 8 catches and 2 TD's, and Tate and Gronkowski combined for 5 catches and a TD. Noobie TE Aaron Hernandez also had a big play with a 45 yard reception in the first, but went without a catch for the remainder of the game.

__________________

reflexblue

__________________
S.H.E.S.
I Likes Spikes.