.... and other thoughts on today and next week.
1. WOW!!!! That is about the most perceptive initial observation I can make. I mean, we have seen THREE superbowl championships in the last few years, but we never saw an offense like that....ever, and I go back ALL the way to 1960. Just plain WOW!
2. What is scary is the fact that this passing attack can only get better. I thought Randy Moss was effective, but not explosive. Now that could be because he still isn't full strength with his hamstring, or it could be because he just doesn't have that explosive speed anymore. If it's the latter then I'll take what he can bring even though he isn't the Randy Moss of the past. If its the former, then boy do we have some exciting times ahead of us.
3. Moss is just so smooth runing his patterns that even if he has lost that explosive burst he will effective for the Pats all year. Brady has NEVER had a target like him. Hell no other Patriot QB has ever had a target like that.
4. I bet Wes Welker feels worse about that drop than any of us. IIRC that led to the only punt of the first half, if not the game. But it is clear that he will be a much bigger threat in the Pats offense than he was in Miami
5. For though those who might be a bit disappointed in A Thomas's debut....DON'T BE. While I don't think that Thomas will have the personal stats that will make people stand up and notice, his impact to the Pats overall defense is worth EVERY penny we spent. He's the kind of guy that makes OTHER players better. He's the guy that allows the Pats to do things that they couldn't do last year.
With him, Bruschi and Seau can split the other LB position and it will end up being MORE productive than it would if only one had to play it full time.
With him Vrabel can concentrate on being on the outside, which will give both he and Colvin the chance to make big plays.
With him the Pats are a better underneath coverage team.
With him they can threaten the middle rush much more effectively than they did when Tedy was doing the rushing.
The list could be longer. I just want to say to AD, that there are a lot of fans who will not judge you on your INDIVIDUAL STATS, but on your total impact to the entire defense. We are all glad you are here.
6. Many among us either were critical of the Sammy Morris signing, or at best, kind of blase about it. I want to now publically say now that I was (and others) were WRONG. Morris was the best RB on the field today, and showed us that he can be the solid, if unspectacular RB that will not only help save Moroney from having to carry the ball more than 300 times, but could actually be an effective #1 for a few games if necessary. He also showed he can get the tough yardage on 3rd and short and the GL. All in all it looks like it will turn out to be a better signing than a lot of us expected.
7. That was a horrid reaction to Pennington's injury by Jet fans. Alot has been discussed in other threads, but I'll take THIS opportunity to be the first to opine, that in a year or 2 when the Jets dump Pennington, I'd love to see him end his career backing up Brady. He's the smart, tough, accurate QB who could take a team far into the playoffs with a good team like the Pats, should the unthinkable ever happen. 2 times he moved the Jets to TDs, despite the fact he had NO running game, a poor OL, a bad ankle, and a Defense who know his every limitation. In other words the kind of guy you'd like to have covering your back in a war.
8. I can't say enough about the OL and the protection Brady got, even when the Jets blitzed. THere were a couple of times early in the game, when Brady's internal alarm went off and he started scrambling even when there was no one around him. It was kind of funny to watch. It almost looked like he was embarassed when he realized he was scrambling around the backfield even though there was no one around him.
9. You know when Bill says in his post game press conference that there are things that the Pats need to improve on for next week? Well here is my list.
a. To Lawrence Moroney. Hey buddy, with the new zone blocking schemes, its ONE cut and go. There was too much dancing even BEFORE you got to the LOS. Watch how Sammy Morris ran, and try and duplicate it. With this kind of offense it will be more important to get the sure 3-5 yards, than it will be to try and break the long ones.
We have other guys to make the big plays, you don't have to be one of them. If you hit the hole hard, believe me you will get more than your share of those big plays.
b. KO Coverage team - The Pats kicked off 7 times and 4 of those times Miller or Washington was able to get the ball past the 30 yard line. That's not good enough. On one of those the KO was only to the 10 so you get a pass on that one, but the other 3 weren't acceptable. I know the talent is there to do better because there were 3 times where you didn't allow the Jets to get to the 25. Lets be more consistent THIS week.
c. Asante Samuel - feeling the rust on those GL coverages, Zant? I guess so. The actual coverage wasn't that bad, but your timing when the ball was coming to Coles was off by just a hair and that cost you....and the Pats. Well they'll give you the check anyway, but you know in your heart, you didn't earn all of it. Just be better THIS week.
d. ZERO turnovers by the defense. Now IIRC the Pats are notoriously slow, for some reason, in getting TO's early in the year. I have no idea why? They will need 2 TO's next week IMHO, I hope they work on it.
e. Dante Stallworth - Learn the damned offense Dante, and maybe next week you'll be the guy with the 180 yd day. You can't get on the field without knowing where to go. Just asked Chad Jackson how that all worked out.
f. Sorry, but the run blocking will have to improve. The Pats will face a lot better DL's than the Jets in the future, and while today the running game was pretty effective, they won't get that kind of yardage against better DL's if they run block like that.
10. Best job in the NFL for 2007...being the Punter for the NE Patriots.
An old man's observation's...
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