Same team as last year - Just different QB?

[tombonneau]

So I can’t help but feel that through three months of football, this year’s Patriots teams is bearing a striking resemblance to last years – beats (sometimes blows out) the teams it should, but loses to elite/playoff-caliber teams.

Sure the QB is different and the offensive stats were better to start the season than in Cassel’s early games, but overall, it really feels eerily similar.

The one positive to this, however, is that last year I felt the team (esp. the defense) was playing it’s best football in December and could have made some real noise in the playoffs had they qualified. So hopefully this year the team once again picks it up down the stretch and starts playing their best ball at the end of the month.

Anyone else feel the same?

 

[PatsSox363804]

meh, to a degree? Last year we got blown out a few times (Chargers, Dolphins, Steelers.) This year we should have beaten the Colts and Broncos, and have been blown out one time. Also, last year our schedule was really, really weak, I mean we had St Louis, Oakland, KC, Seattle, etc. This year we still had to beat Baltimore and Atlanta who are better than any of the teams I just mentioned from last season.

 

[patsfan-1982]

last year's team was better they had more of a pass rush with vrabel and seymour

and they where geting 150 yerd's a game from the RB's

and that team was starting to get realy good on both side's of the ball at this point in the season

this team look's like it's geting worst

 

[tombonneau]

last year's team was better they had more of a pass rush with vrabel and seymour

and they where geting 150 yerd's a game from the RB's

and that team was starting to get realy good on both side's of the ball at this point in the season

this team look's like it's geting worst

Actually that's not true. In the same week last year, the team played arguably their worst game of the year at home when they got abused and dominated by the Steelers (once again getting humiliated by the "best team in the league", same as Saints this year.)

They then went on to win a shaky game on the road in Seattle (almost letting the immortal Seneca Wallace lead a comeback victory), then they dominated the Cards & Raiders, before winning the Wind Bowl in Orchard Park.

 

[wilfork is beastin']

The 3rd down defense and play of the secondary has been much improved. We're no longer letting garbage teams get into shootouts with us and the defense has held its own against some good offensive teams like ATL and Baltimore

 

[Kontradiction]

To the first two paragraphs, nope. The the last two paragraphs, yep. I've always felt this team plays it's best ball in December and January. We've gotten unlucky that other teams have played better ball in those months in recent years. I feel that there is room for this team to improve, but I have faith in BB to get them playing well when the playoffs roll around.

 

[alvinnf]

So I can’t help but feel that through three months of football, this year’s Patriots teams is bearing a striking resemblance to last years – beats (sometimes blows out) the teams it should, but loses to elite/playoff-caliber teams.

Sure the QB is different and the offensive stats were better to start the season than in Cassel’s early games, but overall, it really feels eerily similar.

The one positive to this, however, is that last year I felt the team (esp. the defense) was playing it’s best football in December and could have made some real noise in the playoffs had they qualified. So hopefully this year the team once again picks it up down the stretch and starts playing their best ball at the end of the month.

Anyone else feel the same?

Different schedule, better team.... They will finish with the same record.

 

[maverick4]

I think there are statistical sites that said that Brady vs. Cassel produces 2 more wins over a season.

Obviously the personnel is different, but in terms of style/identity, this offense has become even more predictable and shotgun/pass-happy, and the D continues to be easy for QB's to know if we are in man/zone, and who is blitzing.

 

[SidelineSid]

I think there are statistical sites that said that Brady vs. Cassel produces 2 more wins over a season.

Obviously the personnel is different, but in terms of style/identity, this offense has become even more predictable and shotgun/pass-happy, and the D continues to be easy for QB's to know if we are in man/zone, and who is blitzing.

Well put. Last year we had a much more balanced offense. We actually had a credible running game last year. This year, we shut down our running game at the slightest hint of adversity.

Can anyone tell me what happened to Maroney? He was doing fine in the first quarter. Then they pull him and we only see him sporadically after that.

 

[muzz]

If you mean we were Mediocre both years I would say you are right.

 

[Nikolai]

Well, I'm sure people will disagree with me, because most people right now think that the NO game is the end-all be-all of the season, but there have actually been 10 games played prior to that. Key differences from what I see:

1. Getting off the field on 3rd down. Last year was a joke.

2. Defense is faster side-to-side, but seemingly vulnerable up the middle.

3. More explosive on offense for obvious reasons.

4. Physicality in the secondary is better this year.

5. Fewer zone and safety blitzes.

The Patriots are still susceptible to a good scheme and big-play offenses, but I think the root causes are different. The secondary this year is definitely more talented and physical, but the experience is lacking. That's only going to get better week-to-week. The NO game seemed like a step backward, but I think that's the product of Brees' spreading-the-wealth passing than anything, and it forced the young CBs into some tough situations. Give it time. The lack of a pass rush was a problem last year too, so there's no real difference unfortunately.