What I've noticed

[JoeShmoe]

Offense
-------------
It seems to me that every game we come out in Q1 running a great offense, balanced, varied, multiple recivers etc. Then by Q2 its back to 75% shotgun, Moss on a deep go, Welker over the middle. Also by Q2 Brady has less and less time in the pocket esp as Koppen and the right side break down. Teams cam then rush 3 or 4, drop 7 back in coverage, Brady is freaking out and we arent moving the ball. NO showed how to stuff this offense, double welker and only ever send 4 guys. Indy did too, its all you need

Bottom line. The OL is really struggling and Brady has no faith in them hence lining up in the gun all the time

Defense
---------
BB doesnt trust the pass defense at all (and why should he) meaning we keep going for these 4ths even when we could take the FG's and get points on the board. I think this is getting to these young guys now as players likle Butler and Wilhite are getting owned due to the lack of pass rush. Henne regularly had 5-8 seconds to throw the ball, on every single play

My own view is were done this year because we juist dont have the personnnel to overturn these defecits unless someone plays badly against us or the offense hasa field day

 

[PatsFan24]

I understand going for it on 4th down in some situations such as the Saints game, but there was no question in my mind they should have kicked the FG to make it a 17-7 game. I think sometimes BB is too willing to go for it on 4th down.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

My own view is were done this year because we juist dont have the personnnel to overturn these defecits unless someone plays badly against us or the offense hasa field day

I remember one season where the run defense was atrocious. They just didn't have the personnel to have a good rushing defense. By the end of the season our D was as solid as any team out there. We won the super bowl that year. What makes this comparison dubious, though, is that team was trending upward by this point in the season. The current team is not trending upward. Is it too late? I don't think it is impossible to start getting it together/getting hot. Unlikely but definitely not impossible.

I agree that the secondary personnel is not there (more experience may eventually solve some of this). I do think they are serviceable IF we discover a decent pass rush. I think a better pass rush is the one thing that, if somehow discovered, could give the Patriots a tangible shot at the SB. Otherwise the good teams will score too often through the air. Brady will have to be at the very top of his game too. He isn't and hasn't been there often enough.

 

[ALP]

Offense
-------------
It seems to me that every game we come out in Q1 running a great offense, balanced, varied, multiple recivers etc. Then by Q2 its back to 75% shotgun, Moss on a deep go, Welker over the middle. Also by Q2 Brady has less and less time in the pocket esp as Koppen and the right side break down. Teams cam then rush 3 or 4, drop 7 back in coverage, Brady is freaking out and we arent moving the ball. NO showed how to stuff this offense, double welker and only ever send 4 guys. Indy did too, its all you need

Bottom line. The OL is really struggling and Brady has no faith in them hence lining up in the gun all the time

Defense
---------
BB doesnt trust the pass defense at all (and why should he) meaning we keep going for these 4ths even when we could take the FG's and get points on the board. I think this is getting to these young guys now as players likle Butler and Wilhite are getting owned due to the lack of pass rush. Henne regularly had 5-8 seconds to throw the ball, on every single play

My own view is were done this year because we juist dont have the personnnel to overturn these defecits unless someone plays badly against us or the offense hasa field day

my issues with going for it on fourth down are these:

we didnt go for it earlier on 4th and like an inch....while OUT of FG range

then we for it on 4th and at least a yard IN FG range

but what pissed me off the most was.....this season every time we needed short yardage, we would run that FB run play, to the left side.....and yes it was successful, but do th pats think other teams dont watch tape? CHANGE THE PLAY

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Another game lost because BB went for it on 4th and whatever instead of kicking a FG

SuperBowl Loss to Giants is another example.


I thought he wouldve learnt by now.

 

[BelichickFan]

my issues with going for it on fourth down are these:

we didnt go for it earlier on 4th and like an inch....while OUT of FG range

then we for it on 4th and at least a yard IN FG range

I know, I agree with you, BEFORE the decision I wanted them to do the opposite of what they did.

This team is soft. We haven't won a real road game yet and we've had hallftime leads in 4 of the 5 losses. S O F T.

 

[italian pat patriot]

true: i agree...i was HOPING in a field goal try and we would have been probably plus 10 points

 

[stcjones]

Offense
-------------
It seems to me that every game we come out in Q1 running a great offense, balanced, varied, multiple recivers etc. Then by Q2 its back to 75% shotgun, Moss on a deep go, Welker over the middle. Also by Q2 Brady has less and less time in the pocket esp as Koppen and the right side break down. Teams cam then rush 3 or 4, drop 7 back in coverage, Brady is freaking out and we arent moving the ball. NO showed how to stuff this offense, double welker and only ever send 4 guys. Indy did too, its all you need

Bottom line. The OL is really struggling and Brady has no faith in them hence lining up in the gun all the time

Defense
---------
BB doesnt trust the pass defense at all (and why should he) meaning we keep going for these 4ths even when we could take the FG's and get points on the board. I think this is getting to these young guys now as players likle Butler and Wilhite are getting owned due to the lack of pass rush. Henne regularly had 5-8 seconds to throw the ball, on every single play

My own view is were done this year because we juist dont have the personnnel to overturn these defecits unless someone plays badly against us or the offense hasa field day

great observations........welcome to your 2009 patriots........if we can see trends and weakspots.....opposing coaching staffs must be having a field day in the film room

 

[stcjones]

I understand going for it on 4th down in some situations such as the Saints game, but there was no question in my mind they should have kicked the FG to make it a 17-7 game. I think sometimes BB is too willing to go for it on 4th down.

too willing....or too arrogant? i agree.....had we kicked the FG there.....would have given us a little momentum.....and more importantly.....would have won the game........BB's coaching blunders have been hurting the team this year........coords are horrible......but it all starts with bb!

 

[condon84]

What I've noticed most this year is the arrogance of Belichick is going through the roof.

 

[upstater1]

What I've noticed most this year is the arrogance of Belichick is going through the roof.

What in the world does arrogance have to do with it?

You guys sound like Mark Schlereth.

 

[ricogatenby99]

The Patriots lately remind me of playing madden, balanced and efficient in the first half, but you kinda get bored of whats going on and try to rack up the stats in the second half. boils my blood

 

[amazinPats]

Excellent observations.

I was watching the game in a sports bar and the sound is always turned off as the Steelers always get the large screen with volume. Sometimes it is helpful to watch the game without the distraction of sound. In the second half, it was all Welker. Either Brady throws to him or he attempts another play that was created by the threat of Wes Welker. The offense is so incredibly predictable. I could do a better job of calling plays if given one day to work on it. What the Hell is with the coaching?

We've got a developing secondary but the burden on them is too great with zero pass rush. Henne had tons of time and still missed his open man (because he sucked.) What's with our defensive line and linebackers? Can't we dial up some exotic blitzes? I have to blame the coaches most of all. The play calling on the offensive and defensive side of the ball is really putrid.

In addition, Tom Brady is clearly not at his best. I'm not too concerned about it as he is a terrific competitor, and will get things straightened out. He just needs to benefit from some better-designed plays. The shotgun stuff is getting old.

Offense
-------------
It seems to me that every game we come out in Q1 running a great offense, balanced, varied, multiple recivers etc. Then by Q2 its back to 75% shotgun, Moss on a deep go, Welker over the middle. Also by Q2 Brady has less and less time in the pocket esp as Koppen and the right side break down. Teams cam then rush 3 or 4, drop 7 back in coverage, Brady is freaking out and we arent moving the ball. NO showed how to stuff this offense, double welker and only ever send 4 guys. Indy did too, its all you need

Bottom line. The OL is really struggling and Brady has no faith in them hence lining up in the gun all the time

Defense
---------
BB doesnt trust the pass defense at all (and why should he) meaning we keep going for these 4ths even when we could take the FG's and get points on the board. I think this is getting to these young guys now as players likle Butler and Wilhite are getting owned due to the lack of pass rush. Henne regularly had 5-8 seconds to throw the ball, on every single play

My own view is were done this year because we juist dont have the personnnel to overturn these defecits unless someone plays badly against us or the offense hasa field day