Guys, can we really do it? What needs to change?

[QB12]

Just saw a tremendous tribute to Drew Brees on the NFL Network halftime show. What needs to happen for us to meet them again in the Super Bowl? What needs to change on our end.

Here - I'll start:

1) Our third-down efficiency on offense needs to improve to about 80%.

2) We need to avg about 4.9 yds. per rushing attempt, and have around 30 attempts per game.

3) Our third-down efficiency on defense needs to be what it was against the Panthers.

4) We need at least 1 sack per quarter.

5) Randy Moss needs to return to first half of 2007 form.

How about you?

QB12

 

[RhodyPatriot]

This team simply isn't good enough.
Far too inconsistent in all phases of the game and too many key guys are banged up, Brady, Wilfork, Fred Taylor. etc.

 

[GostkowSKI]

That's asking for quite a bit. If the Pats offense converted 60% of their 3rd downs I'd be doing cartwheels. Currently the Colts lead the NFL, converting 51% of their 3rd downs.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

No, they can't do it. Sorry. This team is not a super bowl worthy team. Their pass rush is non existent, can't stop the run and their offense looks horrible.

Sorry to be so negative, but it is what it is.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

2 simple points:

Get healthy on both lines, run the ball more and avoid the 5 wide as much as possible.

Better red zone defense. One red zone stop and we beat the Colts easy, 4th and 2 is never an issue.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Yes.

On Offense:
A #3 WR needs to emerge - probably Edelman (which means he and Brady should be spending extra time together).
Watson and Brady need to get back into 2006 mode.
Neal needs to get healthy.
The run game needs to continue forcing teams to honor play action.

On Defense:
The Safety play needs to settle down and be more disciplined.
Mayo needs to stop overplaying and be more disciplined.

On Special Teams:
The coverage units need to start stuffing the top KR men and making plays when they've got a chance to pin a punt inside the 10.

 

[IcyPatriot]

>>> Brady needs to be healthy and protected.

>>> Vollmer needs to be as good at RT as he was at LT.

>>> Wilfork and Warren need to double tape their ankles.

>>> Aiken needs to get open deep to get the safety to shade a bit.

>>> The Maroney/Faulk show needs to continue and will as long they stay healthy.

 

[Brady to Brown]

Just saw a tremendous tribute to Drew Brees on the NFL Network halftime show. What needs to happen for us to meet them again in the Super Bowl? What needs to change on our end.

Here - I'll start:

1) Our third-down efficiency on offense needs to improve to about 80%.

2) We need to avg about 4.9 yds. per rushing attempt, and have around 30 attempts per game.

3) Our third-down efficiency on defense needs to be what it was against the Panthers.

4) We need at least 1 sack per quarter.

5) Randy Moss needs to return to first half of 2007 form.

How about you?

QB12

A healthy Fred Taylor will help a lot in the red zone.

If they call his number.

 

[IcyPatriot]

A healthy Fred Taylor will help a lot in the red zone.

If they call his number.

I've given up hope for Fred ...

 

[pats1]

I've given up hope for Fred ...

Him missing practice today was not a good sign, after he had returned to practice last Friday. I would guess that he doesn't make the trip to Buffalo this week, and that he'll try to give it a go against the Jags at home after Christmas. He'll be needed for the playoffs though - all hands on deck.

 

[Brady to Brown]

Locking up the AFCE in the next 2 weeks would be huge.

Rest the injured for the final game.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I've given up hope for Fred ...

I'm hoping they're just saving him for the playoffs... with maybe a warmup game against Houston. HOPING.........

 

[alvinnf]

I think if you rolled the ball out there and just let the D play, they would more than adequately get the job done. This offense just does'nt click when I watch them. Now if you say TB and the playoffs ussually I'll take my chances. This year I don't feel that way. They just don't flow that well. They don't have a 3rd reciever and without it they will just stay in their rut. Unless they lean on the TE and the running game down the stretch. In short they need to focus on moving the chains and going down the field only to keep the D honest.

 

[LasVegasPatsFan]

Im trying to be very optomistic here and believe me its been very hard. The only thing that keeps my hopes up is the fact that all of our loses, except for the Saints game, were all winable. This team can be a SB team if the offense plays all 4 QUARTERS!. Ill explain the loses as I see it

Jets game. This one was on Brady being rusty. He had an open Edleman for a sure score but over threw him. We were in this game. Lost by 7

Broncos game. Again, Brady missed an open Welker which would have sealed this game. Lost by 3

Colts game. We clearly dominated this game for all 3 qtrs. 4 &2 could have gone either way. Not here to bring back the past. Lost by 1

Saints game. No explanation. Just wasnt prepared. Ill give them a mulligan.

Dolphins game. We let the phins hang with us too long. Could have ended this game in the 2nd qtr. Lost by 1

Colts and the Chargers are the best teams in the AFC. I know we can beat the Colts, especially how we played them earlier. The Chargers...well we all know what happened in 2006. I think this team is better than the 2006 team. Not saying the same will happen, but I still have some faith in this team and know that when the playoffs arrive, Brady is a different person. It seems to me that his level of play is taking to a higher level. After all this ranting, I sure hope I am right

 

[supafly]

I really don't think we can do anything close to what the OP suggests, then again he may be sarcastically exaggerating a bit too.

80% on 3rd down?? That's crazy, I'd be really happy with a consistent 50-55%. Like another poster said, INDY leads the league converting about half the time.

A sack every quarter? I guess that's not too unreasonable, but it may be for this specific team. Are we averaging more than a sack every half?

Moss returning to his 23 TD, 2007 form? I'd be happy just to have a #1 WR again. In the past month, the most catches he's had was the Darrell Revis shutdown part 2 vs. the Jets. That was 5 catches for 34 yds.

Considering we don't have a #3, (which we'd need either Edelman or Aiken to step up to have any kind of legitimate shot, IMO) we at the very least need to have a good, solid #1. I don't want to be overly critical of Moss because I realize what he does for the offense even when he's not catching passes, but right now it's simply the Wes Welker show. It's like a game of backyard football where Brady just tries to buy enough time for Welker to get open. In the past month we've failed to have a good #1, and a good #3. I believe as of Sunday we'll see Moss getting more chances again, and I believe he'll bounce back pretty well.--But bottom line, we need better production from our #3 AND our #1 if we're to have a legitimate shot at winning anything.

If we get better production from a couple/few of these, and some much needed luck, I believe we can still make a run.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

1. Improved O-line play

2. I feel a dinged up Brady is a blessing in disguise. They were wearing him out and relying on him way too much. Hopefully we'll see more of a rushing attack to balance out the passing game.

3. It would be helpful if AD came back and helped provide a consistent pass rush.

 

[celticboy04]

Greetings,

We can sit here and talk about what this team lacks all night long, but bottom line is there is nothing that can be done about it now. We are 15 weeks into the season with the trading deadline already gone and there is nobody who is sitting at home who can miraculously make us better. The biggest problem with this team is the mental lapses, not playing smart football for 60 minutes. It seems as if the last 10 or 15 minutes of the game they look like a completely different football team. Playing smart football and overcoming whatever holes this team had was the staples of Patriot football in the past. This team not so much. They have to learn to overachieve again!!

Shalom,
Celticboy04

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Greetings,

We can sit here and talk about what this team lacks all night long, but bottom line is there is nothing that can be done about it now. We are 15 weeks into the season with the trading deadline already gone and there is nobody who is sitting at home who can miraculously make us better. The biggest problem with this team is the mental lapses, not playing smart football for 60 minutes. It seems as if the last 10 or 15 minutes of the game they look like a completely different football team. Playing smart football and overcoming whatever holes this team had was the staples of Patriot football in the past. This team not so much. They have to learn to overachieve again!!

Shalom,
Celticboy04

who is more at fault? coaching or the players?

 

[WhiZa]

We would be 12-1 with just a few minor fixes or upgrades. To me if this team can get it's act together at all, they can go a long way in the playoffs.

 

[fgssand]

This team simply isn't good enough.
Far too inconsistent in all phases of the game and too many key guys are banged up, Brady, Wilfork, Fred Taylor. etc.

wonder what you were saying in 2001??