Mountain_Commando

I just spent the last 2 hours watching the highlights of all 19 games from last season, as well as the highlights of our 3 SB wins (for feel good measure). What I took away from it it has prompted me to make this thread.

First, lets get my rant out of the way. Like you all, I am pumped for the season to begin. As the Gods of football would have it, the Pats have had their last 6 seasons end with vicious d**k punches. 6. FRICKIN. YEARS. Yeah 31 teams end each season with heartache, but no one other team has had to suffer the kind of brutal endings that we've had, and that for 6 damn seasons in a row. Maybe it was karma for our early success and the arrogance that it fertilized, maybe it was the fate. All the same, redemption is the word. I don't need to preach to the choir that the 4th ring is New England's holy grail, and it's not a pipe dream but an objectively tangible, reachable, realistic goal while we have the one in a lifetime combo of Brady and Belichick.

Now, eeping things simple, I don't think even the most pessimistic members of this board would argue against the fact the putrid defense of last season has seen a marked upgrade via the draft. On the other side of the ball the acquisitions of B Lloyd, J Gaffney, Stallworth, and the draft pick WR's is a significant upgrade what was already an elite offense. Now with the departure of Matt Light, I think we have some concerns about the O-line. I hope that will be addressed via FA to at least increase our OL depth. But overall, we're in great shape on the O.

But, one aspect that seems lacking to me...what about our RB situation? We just lost BJGE, who, despite his many critics, was a tried and tested work horse who gave us a 1k yard season and was fumble proof. Who does that leave us with? I love Woodhead and he's a scurrying little hamster, but he's definitely not an every down running back. Ridley showed flashes of promise last season, but he is after all just a second year kid with just a few games of (non-starter) experience and an acute case of fumblitis. Vereen, lets face it has been a disappointment and we can only hope he keeps healthy next season. Even so, he doesn't hardly have the experience to be the no 1 RB. And Addai? I could probably run faster than him.

So? Now I know that the Pats will continue with the tried and tested formula of a pass favored game, which makes perfect sense when you have a GOAT level QB. But of course that needs to be balanced with a strong running game, in fact may would argue that the lack of an elite RB has held this offense back from being truly unstoppable. So do you guys thinks the Pats are thinking about adding a veteran, stud RB via FA (considering one is available and our cap status)? Or are we just planning on relying on the personnel mentioned in the previous paragraph? Is that good enough? Thoughts?

livinginthe past

I do happen to agree that its the performance of the offense in the post-season losses that has hurt this team the most.

The standard they set in the regular season has gone missing at crucial points.

Teams like the Giants with their NASCAR formations are dangerous to a team that is so reliant upon the pass - to have a consistent threat to run the ball out of running formations (not just shotgun draw plays) would help negate some of that threat.

I think Ridley and Vareen are the potential answers at RB - I don't think we need to go the veteran start route.

They could be a very nice lightening and thunder package that could finally get Brady making that PA pass working again.

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"I gave George Allen an unlimited budget", Edward Bennett, the principal owner of the Redskins, said a few weeks after hiring Allen, "and he's already exceeded it."

Mountain_Commando

Again, keep in mind those are two second year kids with less barely 4 games of total NFL game experience, and 0 games starting experience. Do you really think that's sufficient to carry the whole team at RB?

livinginthe past

Young guys come into the NFL and succeed at RB all the time - I don't see why these two should be any different.

They will need to get the blocking schemes in pas protection down, but I don't doubt their ability to run the ball at this level.

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"I gave George Allen an unlimited budget", Edward Bennett, the principal owner of the Redskins, said a few weeks after hiring Allen, "and he's already exceeded it."

DarrylS

In the past 6 years this team has gone 76 and 20, and as much as we have not won a Superbowl in that time.. there are 31 other teams who have not enjoyed the success we have seen during this period.

The reality is that we have not won a superbowl since 2005, but consider the 27 other teams who have not won in the same period...

My guess is that you have not been a fan for a long time, perhaps a trip in the way back machine would help your perspective..

I revel in the success of the Patriots..

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"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

randomk1

I don't see that as a problem. I liked BJGE but i'm indifferent to him leaving. Let's see what the young guys have - they will certainly provide more big play ability and more of a pass catching threat.

Interestingly enough i looked over some stats and BJGE was averaging 4.5 per carry during our losses but only received 19 carries over those two losses and i can't even recall what the reason for that was. I ain't watching those games again.

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Mountain_Commando

[QUOTE=DarrylS;3080521]I think I already made it clear that the paragraph you're responding to was a rant. I just did take a trip back in the time machine when I watched the highlights of the last three SB wins. I've definitely made mention to the fact that our success has been blessed, and that "31 teams suffer heartache" every single year. So not sure what makes you think I don't revel in the success of the Pats, or what makes you think I haven't been a long standing fan? Did my post come across as spoilt?

By the way, what do you think about our RB situation?

robertweathers

[QUOTE=Mountain_Commando;3080526]Our RBs are fine. BJGE is very replaceable. There is enough talent back there to get the job done. As long as they pick up the blitz, dont turn the ball over, make some 1st downs and show enough playmaking/gamebreaking ability to keep defenses from crunching Brady they are more than adequete. For all the bashing he received, what Weis did well was use the running game to keep defenses off balance. In 2001 and 2003, the Pats running game was very pedestrian, but they ran the ball sucessfully when the absolutely had to. Maybe it was an attitude. Maybe it was playcalling. Who knows. Clearly 2004 with CD, it was a top running offense.

If you want to look at the differences between then and now, focus on the defense and it's abliity to make plays and hold teams down.

PPG/PPG Allowed 2001-2004: 24.2/17.2
PPG/PPG Allowed 2005-2011: 24.7/20.4

A field goal. The same margin of vicory in 5 of the 9 playoff wins during the SB run.

Certainly there have been some games in both eras where the O has raised it's game and others fallen flat on its face. In others it's been the oppposite.

My point: The defense needs to be more stout and use the run a little more to keep defenses off balance so that TB isn't the single point of failure. The Catch-22 is that in the post dynasty period, as a whole, the defense has not been stout enough to let the running game make a play, thus forcing TB to make every play. I don't see the offense taking the ball out of Brady's hand anytime soon so the D needs to continue to make strides in being stout in the playoffs.

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"If a player has talent and doesn't succeed, that means that they either don't want to be successful or I have failed as a coach." - Bill Belichick

borg

I gotta ask....What are NASCAR formations?

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DarrylS

Our RB situation is fine, we are a pass heavy offense.. and with our improvements in the defense this team will be good for 13-14 wins this year..

With terms like vicious d..ck punches, one might think that you are some type of victim of football..

__________________
"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.