Patriotic Fervor

[QUOTE=borg;3282445]Just rewatched that Welker PI call....Welker is running his line and the 2nd defender comes across, tries to undercut and knocks him off his line. Last time I read the rules, body checking into the boards isn't allowed 20 yards down field.

He's got this right!

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Metaphors

Excellent observations as usual...

It really wasn't a good call but not the worst I've seen. The DB jumped into Welker's path before looking for the ball, so technically the call had merit. However, Welker seemed to throttle back at the end so the PI contact was minimal. If Welker accelerated to the ball and crashed into the DB, the PI would have been deserved. Just on the eye test, I would haven't have cried at all if the flag wasn't thrown.

The Arrington OPI call was much different. Arrington had position the entire time and didn't obstruct the receiver's path to the ball. The contact was initiated by the receiver. The ref in the booth was some combination of drunk and blind (drind? blunk?)

There is no explanation for that call. Worst part is that the Pats offense went from a first down to a quarter-long funk after that call. Holding and PI calls are absolute groin kicks, which is why I don't want the Pats to have any part of a playoff game in Denver (they got enough home cooking from the refs even before Goober arrived).

The Tate 23 yard run in the 3rd was the first opposing run of longer than 20 yards. Compare that to the Falcons who have yielded 7 runs of more than 40 yds.

I think Chung's story isn't complete yet. His role will certainly be different going forward. Probably more of a small linebacker role against teams with multiple TE packages.

As for Wilson, it is clear that the intent was not to have him starting this year or being the key nickel guy. That is why the Talib acquisition has a multiplicative effect. Arrington is much better in limited nickel/slot snaps (and his ST play improves as well). McCourty's range gives opposing QBs something to think about before going deep. Gregory doesn't have to always be protecting deep and has freedom to use his instincts to make plays.

In addition to getting his sea legs back, he seemed to be more interested in collapsing the pocket than getting around the outside. I'll have to rewatch the game to be sure, but maybe the plan was to keep Schaub in the pocket and let the rush come against the weak offensive right.

Yep and they are just now looking to him in the passing game (not enough for my liking though). If Brady had enough time to step into his throw, Vereen may have had another big gainer last night.

My additions...

1) Yes Mr. Gruden...the defense stipulates that Tennessee, Florida and Alabama are all in the SEC. Please move on.

2) This game was WAAAAAAAY too big for Schaub and the Texans coaches. Schaub had checkdowns, screens and slants available all night but just couldn't bring himself to take small profits and control the field. The game plan was disjointed. Man coverage with simple pressure packages? No play action passing? When they had success for 2-3 plays in a row, they never built off it. Very strange for such an important game.

3) While Brady didn't take quite a few hits, the OL did an outstanding job. I'll have to check the game again to get details, but they almost always did enough to make the play successful.

4) It is clear that LB blitzes are now a key part of the pass defense. All 3 of them have burst and arrive with malice. Even without sacks, that affects the comfort level of any QB and challenges protection to devote focus on pressure that may or may not come.

ctpatsfan77

I don't remember exactly how that one landed, but it struck me that Welker might have been able to catch it had he not been interfered with.

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SeymourTrophies

The Welker PI was contact with the ball in the air. How one argues a ball is uncatchable when it is within 5 yards of the receiver is beyond me. Would he have caught it? Probably not, but you can't hit a receiver a solid second prior to the pass coming in. The Hernandez OPI was bad and did allow the Texans to build a little bit of momentum on the defensive side. I would've been fine with a no call on the OPI against the Texans. Arrington wasn't going to pick that, but it certainly wasn't DPI. Who the heck was that maroon they called in for that one?

The overpursuit by the Texans was absolutely ridiculous. On the Lloyd TD catch, the LB chased our RB to the outside and everyone in the secondary bit. Has no one run a play fake on the Texans all season?

What I've been impressed with the last two games is the way the defense has gone toe to toe with the other team's O. We forced one turnover and gave up 14 points. That is the difference between this game and the 45-3 where Sanchize threw 3 or 4 picks deep in our territory. Though I do wonder about some of Kubiak's decisions. What do you risk by going for it on 4th and 1 down by 21?

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borg

The ref is watching the players not the ball. Is it really that ref's call to determine both contact and ball trajectory.Since it seems the "uncatchable" call has become so rare these days, it's possible the refs are instructed to be judge and jury on contact only. And remember, these WRs/DBs, at full speed are covering 9-10 yds/second. If the ball is in the vicinity, they have to call contact that shoves a WR off line.

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shmessy

De nada.

Now, if anyone can find me video (with sound) of Brady's 1st down scramble and war whoop, I'd be very appreciative!

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PatsWickedPissah

that's a vicious slam at Ken

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Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded — here and there, now and then — are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.
This is known as "bad luck." RAH

PatsWickedPissah

Or do you mean Jake Bequette?

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Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded — here and there, now and then — are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.
This is known as "bad luck." RAH

Clonamery

Exactly, we don't even know what the hell Ken thinks of Lincoln or what he's drinking at Starbucks.

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