Another Vic Carucci fail column

[patriotscpfc]

This time he actually predicts us to win, but so many mistakes and stupid comments.

Home cooking should help Patriots overcome loss of Welker

Some quotes

Patriots OL
LT Matt Light is rounding back into form from a knee injury, but the middle of the line is very soft. This group faces an enormous challenge from a defensive front that has stepped up its rush lately. Solid protection is more crucial than ever with Brady no longer able to look to Welker on those quick throws

He rates the Baltimore Line better as they have been able to run-block. Has he not watched our games? The run-blocking has been much improved this year.

As for soft-middle. All-Pro Mankins, Top Center Koppen and 2nd best-rated O-Lineman in the League (from that stats website I never remember the name of) Stephen Neal, looks a pretty good middle of the Line to me.

The fact they only gave away 17 sacks means they are one of the best as well.

Patriots LBs
The biggest shortcoming of the Patriots' defense is the lack of a pass rush. OLB Tully Banta-Cain and others have simply not generated enough heat. ILB Jerod Mayo has been inconsistent since returning from a knee injury suffered in the season-opener. However, if the DL does its part, this group could hold up against the Ravens' run game.

Tully Banta-Cain, not generated enough heat... 10 sacks? He's been the one that's generated heat more than half the time he's blitzed.
Mayo has been pretty consistent the last 3 or 4 games, now he looks like he's back at full health and stuffing the run like he did last year.

Pats Secondary
Getting CB Shawn Springs and S James Sanders back from injury has given this beleaguered group a boost. But the absence of injured CB Leigh Bodden continues to be a problem. Jonathan Wilhite hasn't done much to pick up the slack. If the secondary can focus mostly on the pass, it should hold up against pedestrian receivers.

Neither Springs or Sanders were injured.
Bodden isn't hurt.
Wilhite isn't starting, he's 3rd/4th CB in rotation with Butler, though I bet that rotation slows now after Butler's impressive performance even without the reception.

There are other mistakes as well. How does this guy get a job

 

[SVN]

this is not good news. from the peppers prediction to pats being potentially blown out by the bills to miami winning the division he has been just wrong every time.

 

[Deus Irae]

He rates the Baltimore Line better as they have been able to run-block. Has he not watched our games? The run-blocking has been much improved this year.

As for soft-middle. All-Pro Mankins, Top Center Koppen and 2nd best-rated O-Lineman in the League (from that stats website I never remember the name of) Stephen Neal, looks a pretty good middle of the Line to me.

The fact they only gave away 17 sacks means they are one of the best as well.

Oher has been tremendous for a rookie. While people here have been singing the praises of Vollmer and acting as if he's already a force to be reckoned with rather than the developing player that he is, Oher has truly been outstanding for the Ravens.

Mankins and the rest of the interior line have been inconsistent this season. Part of that can be attributed to Neal's struggles with injury, but the middle of the line has been a clear problem, and a lesser QB would have taken a lot more sacks.

Tully Banta-Cain, not generated enough heat... 10 sacks? He's been the one that's generated heat more than half the time he's blitzed.
Mayo has been pretty consistent the last 3 or 4 games, now he looks like he's back at full health and stuffing the run like he did last year.

The defense has been consistently stopped when trying to get pressure without blitzing. Mayo has been inconsistent as he's tried to deal with the knee injury and the added responsibilities he's had put upon him.

I don't really see anything to beef about regarding these items you posted.

 

[BradyMossWelker]

I say it, and say it again.
Vic Carucci and Bucky Brooks, are the worst column writters in the nfl.
They know nothing about the NFL.
and Carucci just hates the patriots, I don't know how he picked brady over flacco, just a miracle.

 

[swheeler23]

The great thing about sports is you have to do it on the field, does not matter what the experts say.

 

[BritPat]

Oher has been tremendous for a rookie. While people here have been singing the praises of Vollmer and acting as if he's already a force to be reckoned with rather than the developing player that he is, Oher has truly been outstanding for the Ravens.

Vollmer has comfortably out-performed Oher. In fact that's an understatement.

He started very well, but tailed off as the season wore on. Gaither on the other hand has been magnificent.

 

[Deus Irae]

Vollmer has comfortably out-performed Oher. In fact that's an understatement.

He started very well, but tailed off as the season wore on. Gaither on the other hand has been magnificent.

Obviously, we see things differently on this issue. Also, at the end of the season, Gaither missed 3 games (5 total all year), and Oher was moved over to LT.

 

[The Dynasty]

Vollmer has comfortably out-performed Oher. In fact that's an understatement.

He started very well, but tailed off as the season wore on. Gaither on the other hand has been magnificent.

I have been the behind Vollmer all year long, but I think his play has dropped a little the past few games. Oher has been very good all year long. Oher has definitely out performed Vollmer this season.

 

[BritPat]

I have been the behind Vollmer all year long, but I think his play has dropped a little the past few games. Oher has been very good all year long. Oher has definitely out performed Vollmer this season.

I disagree. What you're saying does not add up with what I've seen with my eyes.

Also, FWIW, PFF.com agrees with me:

ProFootballFocus.com - By Position

In 565 drop backs, Vollmer has given up 1 hit and 10 pressures.

In 1009 drop backs, Oher has given up 6 sacks, 8 hits and 21 pressures.

As always, people seem to latch on to a player's early season form and assume he's carried it on through the entire year, when it's simply not true.

 

[patriotscpfc]

The hit and 3 of those pressures must have come against Tampa, he got hurt and played 3 shocking plays in a row and the D-End went straight through him.

The difference between Oher and Vollmer is the QB as well. One has a quick release and can read the blitz. The other has a slower release but a cannon-arm to get it out.

 

[The Dynasty]

I disagree. What you're saying does not add up with what I've seen with my eyes.

Also, FWIW, PFF.com agrees with me:

ProFootballFocus.com - By Position

In 565 drop backs, Vollmer has given up 1 hit and 10 pressures.

In 1009 drop backs, Oher has given up 6 sacks, 8 hits and 21 pressures.

As always, people seem to latch on to a player's early season form and assume he's carried it on through the entire year, when it's simply not true.

As the stats say Oher has played double Vollmer. If you double Vollmer's pressures total that equals Ohers so they are equal in that regard. As for the hits and pressure stats the Patriots protection schemes help Vollmer out and provide him help when necessary. Oher is one on one on pretty much every play.

What isnt included in these stats is running plays and that is what Oher is known for being, a run blocker. Look at the Ravens running game, I am not saying its all Michael Oher but he plays a role in it. Also, penalties Oher has 8 penalties while Vollmer has 4, but Vollmer has played half the time as Oher and his penalties have been false starts that he seems to have forgot the snap count. Oher is defended by his coach with his penalties,

Coach John Harbaugh defended Oher, saying: "There are times when it appears that a guy false starts, but these guys are so quick and so athletic that they know what our snap count is. We time our snap count. So you'll see Michael Oher, a lot of times it appears that he's early, but he's not. He's so athletic, he sets so deep. ... When you take that thing frame by frame, he's right with the ball. It's really tough to officiate because of the athleticism of these guys."

I am not saying by any means that Vollmer isnt a good player because in fact he is very good for a rookie and is the Pats LT of the future, but I just dont think he is nearly as good as Oher this season