Mike Reiss: Patriots Still An Elite Team

[Ian]

Good read:

How the New England Patriots stack up in the AFC - ESPN Boston

 

[JSn]

Thanks for posting, Ian. Good stuff!

 

[SyN65]

No. They're not. Not until the offense starts clicking. This team would get smoked by the REAL elite teams of the NFL right now if they were play each other. (Colts, Giants, Saints, Eagles)

 

[HarkDawg]

not this year sadly :deadhorse:

 

[slash83]

Not right now they arent. Hopefully after 3 or 4 weeks of solid wins they can become one.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Right now, no.

NO, NYG, Indy, Denver, Cincinnatti, Philly, and NYJ all deserve to be listed ahead of us right now. Unless you think there can be at least 8 elite teams.

That said, I think by December we'll be elite, at least top 3.

 

[Jimke]

The saner members of this forum have made themselves heard.

No, the Patriots are not an elite team at this point in the season.

Tom Brady might catch fire on Sunday and things would change in

a hurry. Of course, the Patriots might also lose to Miami in a month

and to the Jets again and not even make the playoffs.

 

[JSn]

I think we're missing the point of this article by getting caught up in words like "elite." He's stating that we rank well with many other highly touted teams.

I would be surprised if the Donkeys and Bagels don't fall back to earth shortly, but we'll see.

The talent level on this team is legendary, but we're basically working in a QB who hadn't played in a long while and a very young defense.

If we had to sign a QB who'd been retired for a year we'd be patient. Same goes here.

Based on where we rank against the opposition and the team's history, we know we have a great chance of doing well as things progress.

So pretend Reiss said "still a VERY GOOD team" and keep in mind the obstacles this team is overcoming on the fly. Good things ahead, folks.

 

[QB12]

I see our next 3 games against weak pass defenses (Ten, Tampa, Miami) as opportunities for Tom and the offense to get its mojo back for the war in Indy. If we're 6-2 going to Indy, and beat them, we'll be on our way to the AFC Championship game.

QB12

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I'll leave the exact definition of "Elite" to others, but the read that the Pats should win their division and have a chance to make noise in the Playoffs is pretty much exactly where I am.

While I'm mostly just worried about the Titans at the Blade this Sunday and then Tampa Bay in London, at the risk of looking too far ahead, we'll know a lot more about "how much" Playoff noise and "how" elite after that stretch of four games after the bye in November: Fins, @Indy, Jets and @Saints.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

BTW and a little OT, am I the only one who is spending a whole lot LESS time on the Globe's Web Page now that Reiss is gone?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

No. They're not. Not until the offense starts clicking. This team would get smoked by the REAL elite teams of the NFL right now if they were play each other. (Colts, Giants, Saints, Eagles)

Try reading the article, you might gather some insight. 3 of the 4 teams you mention are in the NFC and only one of them has managed to hold together for a championship season this decade, and that was via wild card after everyone wrote them off as a dysfunctional mess early in their championship season. Teams that peak early seldom are able to maintain that level when it matters.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The saner members of this forum have made themselves heard.

No, the Patriots are not an elite team at this point in the season.

Tom Brady might catch fire on Sunday and things would change in

a hurry. Of course, the Patriots might also lose to Miami in a month

and to the Jets again and not even make the playoffs.

LOL The I clearly envision doom although that could change and I'll have predicted it could act is getting old in a hurry.

 

[borg]

Reiss uses the term "heaveyweight" , not elite. That being said, what does this team do real well?

Passing game...6 ypc, 0 receptions over 40 yds, 6th in ypg
Running game...solid but unspectacular, injured Taylor, benched LoMo, 20th in ypg
Overall offense...redzone difficulties, 0 points in 2nd halves of both losses

Pass coverage...spotty at best, 13th in passing yds allowed, excellent at preventing the big play
Run Defense...11th against the rush (yds), 21st in yp
Total Defense...11th in ypg, 24th in 3rd down conversion %...unable to make defense stops in 4th qtr losses

The stats say the Patriots are far from exceptional on O or D.

 

[goz421]

Were we elite the first year we won the superbowl?

 

[borg]

Were we elite the first year we won the superbowl?

Marshall Faulk says "NO" along with the Raiders and Spygate devotees.

 

[mgteich]

I didn't see where Mike said that we were an "elite" team. From the article

"Where does all the movement leave the Patriots?

They're in the middle of the AFC deck, one of four teams at 3-2 looking up at Denver, Indianapolis and Cincinnati. While it hasn't been an overly smooth start and the running game has been inconsistent, what impresses Gannon is how they're still in the mix while significantly turning over their roster and undergoing a significant change at offensive coordinator."

"They're going through a transitional period, but the Patriots are going to be just fine," he said. "I still think they are one of the best teams; a team that will, and should, win their division."

 

[Jimke]

LOL The I clearly envision doom although that could change and I'll have predicted it could act is getting old in a hurry.

Nobody in this forum knows what is going to happen this season.
I don't think Tom Brady is ready for the scrap heap but whether
he returns to form this Sunday or next year is unknown.

 

[mgteich]

No one had us as one of the elite teams in the 2001 season. Arguably, we had the worst overall talent in the history fo the Super Bowl. But we won! We were the best and the most elite on the day of the game; but then, that is why they play the game.

Were we elite the first year we won the superbowl?

 

[Jimke]

No one had us as one of the elite teams in the 2001 season. Arguably, we had the worst overall talent in the history fo the Super Bowl. But we won! We were the best and the most elite on the day of the game; but then, that is why they play the game.

Even Bill Belichick was surprised when the Patriots were in the Superbowl. He figured they would be able to be a contender a year later.