Originally Posted by grandpajim

At least once I'd like to see Big Vince lined up in the backfield at the goal line.
He has a ton more athleticism than The Fridge Perry ever did. I envision Waters & Connoley just standing up & Vince playing giant bowling ball.

Originally Posted by grandpajim

At least once I'd like to see Big Vince lined up in the backfield at the goal line.
He has a ton more athleticism than The Fridge Perry ever did. I envision Waters & Connoley just standing up & Vince playing giant bowling ball.

Originally Posted by IllegalContact

so ..... youre saying that he hasn't lost a step, but he's lost a step?

the ravens were 4-0 without him....they had their best defensive game of the year without him

if a game changer is going to appear from the ravens, I'd bet it won't be lewis. he's hit that age. he will go nuts sunday, which will likely cause him to overpursue.

Originally Posted by Patspsycho

I think I would like to see Cannon in that situation. Believe it or not, Cannon outweighs Wilfork by almost 30 pounds. He also is 3 inches taller.

Originally Posted by jays52

The more I think about this game the more I think it's key to target and exploit both Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. Welcome to bizarro world. I can't believe I'm thinking this but I see major vulnerabilities in the two best players at their respective position of their generation.

It's pretty clear to me that Ray Lewis, one of my favorite players ever (hence the 52), has not lost a step. He has lost two steps. He can't sidestep blocks like he used to, and this has greatly hurt his shed game. His anticipation is still there, his tenacity is still there, but he physically has dropped off dramatically. I see him as being easily exploited in the wham game because if Gronk can earhole Ngata I think the back can beat Lewis. I think Connoly and the guards can reach and seal him easily. I'm focusing a lot on his run fits because I think at this stage he is exclusively a run defender. I also think that the Ravens will try to force the Pats to run with lighter sets and six man boxes. I anticipate a gameplan with a lot of check with me calls. If the Pats can find a way to isolate him on a back (or, more specifically Hernandez by aligning him in the backfield) they can also exploit him readily in the passing game.

While I still think Ed Reed makes tremendous reads and baits better than anyone, it's clear to me that he can't tackle anymore. His will is there, but his body isn't capable of doing it anymore. What's the key? Get Gronk on him, and establish it early. It will be a challenge because I think Baltimore will high-low Gronk and press him with a dlineman, but with motion and spacing I think the offense will find a way to force Reed to matchup physically with Gronkowski. Not only am I certain Gronk will run him over, but Reed's ball skills will be negated by Gronk's catch radius and overall body positioning. How crazy is it so say a major focus on the gameplan should be to throw directly at Reed? It's true, though, and an advantageous matchup.

So there's my wednesday thoughts. What are yours?

Originally Posted by flynismo

I agree that Ray isn't as fast as he used to be (dude is like 76 years old, after all), and Ed has openly stated that his injury causes him to miss tackles on occasion.

But two things about that:

1) Ray doesn't need to be a speed demon, especially in this particular game. NE isn't really a threat to beat us with screens to the HB, and outrunning a guy like Gronk is the least of our worries when covering him.

2) The injuries have done nothing to diminish Ed's coverage. I suppose after leading the league in INT last year despite missing 6 games, it shouldnt be a shock that he has been absolutely avoided all year long; but it is still frustrating in a way to see Ed get so few opportunities to make plays. So it was refreshing to see a rookie test Reed's chin last week, lol...

That said, those two aren't even our best players anymore. Suggs has really come into his own, and Ngata is close to 100% after dealing with injuries the last couple months.

Originally Posted by ivanvamp

And the Pats still scored 27 against Miami and 49 against Buffalo. Ok, so the Bills may have had a good game plan but lousy personnel (they were ranked #

But the Dolphins had the #6 defense (points allowed) in the league and the Patriots rolled them in the 2nd half.

I think you guys make a lot of good points in this thread. One thing that is obvious but maybe overlooked is that the Pats are at home. With all the checks at the line, it's going to be a huge help to NE to not have to deal with crowd noise.