AndyJohnson

I thought that the challenges that we lost on got this team pi$$ed off, and the Bills paid for it. I do not believe Brady fumbled, but do understand there was no way the camera could show it conclusively. I am 100% certain Edwards stepped on the line, and we had a safety, and I have no clue how they didnt overturn that. I could see then the team was getting pi$$ed, and it was basically over then.

Maroney's quick moves and vision for an opening fits in well with the explosive passing game we have.
I dont think the D is getting enough credit. The O is putting up so many points the D goes unnoticed. Other than 1 drive the Bills were totally shut down. (Ironically there are posts crying about the defense not getting off the field on 3rd down, because of one drive. I now of 31 other defenses that would be perfectly happy with failing to get off the field on 3rd down in one drive over a whole game)

Isnt it time to start considering whether we have the best OL in the NFL?

I've never been a 'root for stats' guy, but I admit since we havent had to worry about outcome in the second half yet, I keep an eye on Bradys stats, and root for the 80% completion mark. Simply because it is something no one has ever come close to. I like the idea of Brady adding the best statistical year ever by a QB to his resume (if he keeps this up, he will have that) AS LONG AS IT DOESNT GET IN THE WAY OF WINNING. In other words, once the game is in hand, the stats are fun.

Moss' long TD looked like a fantastic catch to me, reaching far to his right. After the replay though, I think he could have been right under it, and his position was to keep the DB away, changing it in my mind from great catch, to great play making a reasonably easy catch possible.

Gostkowski may be the best KO man in the NFL.

I remember games in the SB years where we would punt 10 times and win. We aren't going to punt 10 times THIS MONTH. (4 so far)

Our total offense is more than double the total defense we are allowing. Has that ever been done for a season? I can't imagine it has.

We are scoring over 3 times more than we allow. I'd bet that hasnt been done over a season before either.

My thinking during the Bills one drive of the day:
We actually have 'relief pitchers' on defense, especially when Rodney and Sey are back. If we are allowing a drive, we can bring in a replacement to shut it down. Now we have Seau, and we could use him to sub any of the 4 LBs, switching the others around. We will have Green and Sanders on the bench as well down the road. We also have Meriwhether and Gay. Mike Wright hasn't played yet, but in past seasons has subbed in, including during key parts of a game. I don't remember having such depth that we could send in 4-5 subs to our base D and not notice hardly a difference.

3 weeks can be 'hot' and not sustained. 3 weeks could be showing the gap between talent, and be sustained. Too early to tell which it is, but if, in fact, this team is as good over a season as they have been in 3 weeks, the talk will turn to best ever. No way that conversation is near ready to have, but for 3 weeks they absolutely have played at that level. Sustaining it for 16 more of course, is another story.

5 Rings for Brady!!

No, it is not time to even consider whether we have the best OL in football unless you mean best front 7. But the problem there is that most teams only use 5 up front. Our basic 5 seem much improved as a unit.

Maroney has a LONG way to go. Nice to see him have a good game, something to build on. He did well against the Bengals last year, so maybe he can gain some more momentum next week.

Overall, the team looks great through three games and should have a good season.

aluminum seats

The O-line has really come together beyond what I expected, at least so early in the season. It certainly sets the table for all those weapons.

Damn, this season is shaping up to be FUN.

Nordy

Man some of you people are a f'n joke. Maroney is averaging 4.7 yards a carry yet all you're doing is knocking the guy. It's ridiculous. A long way to go? Give me a break.

njpatsfan

Great post as always Andy.

Defense is absolutely not getting enough credit. Offense can't score if they are not on the field. Check out the stats that I posted on that other thread:

We are absolutely physically punishing teams on both sides of the ball. Both SD and Bills D lines were done by midway through the 3Q.

Anyone see Mel Mitchell's crushing hit on the kick returner ? I'm watching for his number on all ST plays from now on.

R

PatsFan37

He clearly has the talent as a pure RB, so I'm happy to see him develop that. I'm confident he'll get better there, and he is already quite good.

In other areas of his game, blitz pickup and adjusting to screen passes, he needs a lot of work and it's obvious that Faulk is far far better in that regard. Faulk, though, is pretty much the gold standard, so it's not a fair comparison, but Maroney is a bit dangerous in pass protection.

patsox23

I honestly don't know what you people want. The guys is averaging 80 yards per game while splitting carries and 4.7 yards per carry. What do you want, you want him to average 6 yards per carry? He won't have "made it" until he puts up Jim Brown-level numbers? This is INSANE. This is the height of reaching for something to complain about - or for reading far too much into his occasional negative runs.

If you want to be negative, look at defense in the red zone. Criticizing Maroney's play to this degree is ridiculous and unfounded.

AndyJohnson

Why wouldn't our OL be considered among the best in the NFL? You didnt give a reason.
Which OLs do you think are better, and have played better? You must have a long list if you don't even consider the possibility.

patsox23

AJ, they can't possibly be among the best, what with Laurence Maroney flailing away behind the LOS, trying to get on track for that "long way to go" he has.

5 Rings for Brady!!

Well you better not breath any of this to that F'N joke called Nordy, or to Patsox.

I am not going to annoint Maroney until he plays a healthy season and looks like a top draft pick in most areas of his game. Period.

Until then, he has a long way to go. Simple.

I am not looking to criticise anyone, I am simply looking at Maroney like BB would or any level headed person would. Talented, and needs to work on his game in several areas. He is not putting up much resistance in pass protection, for starters. Yeah, that counts.

Did I mention the OL is much improved before people start having a fit about that as well? Best in the league? No.

Maroney has not arrived all in one week. It is a process.