Game thoughts

[Rob0729]

1.) First and foremost, a win is a win. It wasn't pretty and at times I didn't think they deserved it, but the Pats got the job done on both sides of the ball when they had to. That said, they gotta play a whole heck of a lot better to get into the playoffs and do anything once they get in.
2.) I love the promise Gary Guyton shows inside, but he is clearly an inside LB at this level. He got torched vs. the run and couldn't set edge at all. Maybe he will get better at it (hey Colvin wasn't anything special against the run when he first got here either, although not as bad), but right now keep him inside at least on pure running downs.
3.) I gotta give it to the defensive players who stepped up after losing three starters in game. LeKevin Smith showed that his lack of playing time may not be because of his talent, but the talent of the guys in front of him. Mike Wright improved greatly when they moved him from DE to NT. Seau and Colvin at times acted like they have been here all along. Still a lot issues, but they did step up in the second half.
4.) Cannot overstate the importance of Welker on this team. I used to think that he got a lot of balls last year because Moss opened up so much over the middle. Now I think it is because he is a damn good player who is fearless. BTW, I think his short size actually is a benefit for him because other than last week, defenders rarely hit the guy cleanly.
5.) Still concerned about the red zone. Still need to do better on both sides of the ball. Still don't know why though.
6.) Meriweather is a tough nut to crack. The guy can play like an All Pro at times and still get burnt like a rookie playing his first game at others. He was getting burnt very regularly early in the game and made some of the biggest plays at the end of the game.
7.) Even after the poor play today, I still like the Pats' chances to win the division. I think Miami is the bigger competition than the Jets right now. Favre and their defense are coming down to earth pretty quickly. I think the Pats and the Dolphins will be playing for the division on December 28th. Just not each other.

 

[Joker]

I almost stroked out watching Meriweather weeble,wobble,woodle and twist like a pretzel on that first TD to Branch...but the real point is if Mr. Stone/cementhands makes that INT earlier, there IS no opening TD drive by the Hawks and MAYBE, just maybe, a little mo shift in the Patriots direction making this game a little less frightful. Now I've heard every dyam pro and con argument about this kid since we got him, but there is no arguing the fact that he has the worst hands of anybody in THIS secondary. I'd sure like to see him improve that facet of his play because he DOES reach a lot of balls in good position.

 

[rsd]

I almost stroked out watching Meriweather weeble,wobble,woodle and twist like a pretzel on that first TD to Branch...but the real point is if Mr. Stone/cementhands makes that INT earlier, there IS no opening TD drive by the Hawks and MAYBE, just maybe, a little mo shift in the Patriots direction making this game a little less frightful. Now I've heard every dyam pro and con argument about this kid since we got him, but there is no arguing the fact that he has the worst hands of anybody in THIS secondary. I'd sure like to see him improve that facet of his play because he DOES reach a lot of balls in good position.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Merrweather LEAD the team in INTs? He has improved significantly from last year, but he can get better. I don't know why you're killing him when he's by far our best player in the secondary. How about one of the corners making an int instead of giving up every pass play.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I almost stroked out watching Meriweather weeble,wobble,woodle and twist like a pretzel on that first TD to Branch...but the real point is if Mr. Stone/cementhands makes that INT earlier, there IS no opening TD drive by the Hawks and MAYBE, just maybe, a little mo shift in the Patriots direction making this game a little less frightful. Now I've heard every dyam pro and con argument about this kid since we got him, but there is no arguing the fact that he has the worst hands of anybody in THIS secondary. I'd sure like to see him improve that facet of his play because he DOES reach a lot of balls in good position.

Who the hell are you talking about? Merriweather leads the team in INT's. He has 4 more than he had all of last year. I'd say he's the most improved player on that defense.

 

[wdkantro2]

Who the hell are you talking about? Merriweather leads the team in INT's. He has 4 more than he had all of last year. I'd say he's the most improved player on that defense.

Exactly. The stone hands thing is just a leftover myth from last year. If he had dove and made that play, that would have been an incredible play. Not catching that ball is not considered a "drop", IMO.

 

[Joker]

I've seen every game the Patriots have played this season. His hands aren't a myth...and Snarkives, you'd argue ANYTHING I post because YOU are one of the two BIGGEST negative Nancys on this board, and I cut you up every time you whine after a loss. He cut in front of the receiver, had the ball hit BOTH HANDS, in position, and flubbed it. That's a play that shows he needs to improve his ball skills. I'm not killing him, I KNOW he's made great strides since last year and I really like his attitude and intensity. However, a play like THAT , on the road,against a hyped up opponent...THAT PLAY has to be made every time. I'm not "killing!!!!!!" him...jeezus, what's he, your kid or something?

Listen...you choose to goo gee gaa gaa all you want about your "untouchable, immune to criticism" binky. If you think players that flub plays that are there to be made lead to a winning attitude and a winning team,good for you. I'm not buying any of it.

 

[Rob0729]

Meriweather has been decent catching the ball this year. The guy has 8 pass defenses for the year. So how many of those were dropped sure INTs? One? Two?

 

[BradyManny]

I almost stroked out watching Meriweather weeble,wobble,woodle and twist like a pretzel on that first TD to Branch...but the real point is if Mr. Stone/cementhands makes that INT earlier, there IS no opening TD drive by the Hawks and MAYBE, just maybe, a little mo shift in the Patriots direction making this game a little less frightful. Now I've heard every dyam pro and con argument about this kid since we got him, but there is no arguing the fact that he has the worst hands of anybody in THIS secondary. I'd sure like to see him improve that facet of his play because he DOES reach a lot of balls in good position.

Branch made a good play on that TD pass. Just as was pointed out when Hobbs was "burnt" by Plax in the SB, the DB has to protect the inside route there, the harder play is to the outside and Branch happened to make a great play. Branch used his hands well to get Meriweather off of him, I can't fault Meriweather for that play, or expect him to make that catch earlier in the game. He has 4 picks this year, he leads the team in INT, and he hasn't dropped an interception all year.

 

[BelichickFan]

Meriweather has been decent catching the ball this year. The guy has 8 pass defenses for the year. So how many of those were dropped sure INTs? One? Two?

I haven't seen any "should have been" INTs dropped by Meriweather this year. A few "could have been". Most DBs don't have great hands, Meriweather's hands are looking fine. As for the TD, he's a Safety, I wouldn't expect him to look great covering Branch. Some corners don't.

 

[DarrylS]

Meriweather has done ok considering how piss poor his supporting cast has been.. he has made some mistakes, but overall as a safety has made very nice gains.

 

[WhiZa]

Meriweather has done ok considering how piss poor his supporting cast has been.. he has made some mistakes, but overall as a safety has made very nice gains.

That's right. You can't blame Meriweather for letting up a TD when in most cases the receiver blew by a CB to get to him.