OT: For the future, we should worry about the Jets, not the Colts...

[Sean Pa Patriot]

As we build for the 2010 season, we should start building our team to compete with the jets and not the colts.. With the exception of QB, and maybee WR the jets have more talent then we do as we talk on jan 25th...

O line- the jets are just a hair better, but they are better run blocking line
Tight end- Dont know why we never use them
Lb's - Not even close
D line- id say push, both are even
CB- Not even close
Rb- they have 2 solid runners, we still just trying to find one.

So as the Pats build for the 2010 season and beyond, its time to stop trying to be like the Colts, and more like the jets.. Yes we have the coach / Qb edge, espcially if there is a race between Ryan and Belichick.. But this a huge offseason for the Pats and the future of the franchise.. The draft and FA will be very important..

 

[Triumph]

Re: For the future, we should worry about the jets not the colts..

Thomas Jones faded big time down the stretch and Leon Washington is coming back from a broken leg if the Jets keep him.

When Greene went down their run game went kaput.

 

[Sivy]

Re: For the future, we should worry about the jets not the colts..

I think the patritos worry about making the best team they can, with the players they have and obtain in the offseason, I dont think they "worry" about one team over another.

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: For the future, we should worry about the jets not the colts..

We'll see how Sanchez comes back. If he takes a big jump I may be concerned. Sanchez as is ? Nothing much to worry about.

 

[Tunescribe]

Re: For the future, we should worry about the jets not the colts..

What seems weird to me is why BB couldn't get players like Burgess and Adalius Thomas to perform up to their potential. Pierre Woods is another big mystery. If those three played with fire in the belly we'd be just fine at linebacker.

We need greater COMMITMENT to the run, plus a power back.

We STILL don't have a No. 1 cornerback.

Tight end is yet another mystery. With Baker and Watson, you'd think the talent is there.

A lot of cogs in the Patriots "wheel" seem to either be underperforming or aren't being used properly. But with extra picks in the early rounds this upcoming draft plus free agency, there should be opportunity for an injection of fresh talent.

 

[Jimke]

Re: For the future, we should worry about the jets not the colts..

As we build for the 2010 season, we should start building our team to compete with the jets and not the colts.. With the exception of QB, and maybee WR the jets have more talent then we do as we talk on jan 25th...

O line- the jets are just a hair better, but they are better run blocking line
Tight end- Dont know why we never use them
Lb's - Not even close
D line- id say push, both are even
CB- Not even close
Rb- they have 2 solid runners, we still just trying to find one.

So as the Pats build for the 2010 season and beyond, its time to stop trying to be like the Colts, and more like the jets.. Yes we have the coach / Qb edge, espcially if there is a race between Ryan and Belichick.. But this a huge offseason for the Pats and the future of the franchise.. The draft and FA will be very important..

Your last sentence is 100% correct. I hope the ownership is focused
on the 2010 season and not on the lockout that may occur in 2011.

 

[Bella*chick]

Re: For the future, we should worry about the jets not the colts..

I think the patritos worry about making the best team they can, with the players they have and obtain in the offseason, I dont think they "worry" about one team over another.

You're right. The fans worry though, and we'll be worrying bout the Jets plenty in the years to come.

 

[mgteich]

Yes, the colts line may be a hair better. They have 3 probowlers on the left side and their #1 running game tends to run over the right side. Perhaps it is the again Jones and Green that are so, so good. Or, just perhaps, their OL is more than a hair better than that of the patriots.

As we build for the 2010 season, we should start building our team to compete with the jets and not the colts.. With the exception of QB, and maybee WR the jets have more talent then we do as we talk on jan 25th...

O line- the jets are just a hair better, but they are better run blocking line
Tight end- Dont know why we never use them
Lb's - Not even close
D line- id say push, both are even
CB- Not even close
Rb- they have 2 solid runners, we still just trying to find one.

So as the Pats build for the 2010 season and beyond, its time to stop trying to be like the Colts, and more like the jets.. Yes we have the coach / Qb edge, espcially if there is a race between Ryan and Belichick.. But this a huge offseason for the Pats and the future of the franchise.. The draft and FA will be very important..

 

[JR4]

As we build for the 2010 season, we should start building our team to compete with the jets and not the colts.. With the exception of QB, and maybee WR the jets have more talent then we do as we talk on jan 25th...

O line- the jets are just a hair better, but they are better run blocking line
Tight end- Dont know why we never use them
Lb's - Not even close
D line- id say push, both are even
CB- Not even close
Rb- they have 2 solid runners, we still just trying to find one.

So as the Pats build for the 2010 season and beyond, its time to stop trying to be like the Colts, and more like the jets.. Yes we have the coach / Qb edge, espcially if there is a race between Ryan and Belichick.. But this a huge offseason for the Pats and the future of the franchise.. The draft and FA will be very important..

You are right, JETs are the team to beat in this division.
I am sure BB is considering that in his off season decisions. He
has said it starts with wining your division.

CB is the biggest need if Bodden goes elsewhere.

Oline - Neal said he may retire. If there is one and only one thing that
can be done this off season with respect to the Oline, upgrade the RG position.

OLB - is another need ( good by AD - hello new OLB regime)

WR - yes, a few really good WRs would be nice. But if Brady is not going
to spread the ball around, like he use to do, why bother.
(IMO: Moss needs to be cut)

 

[R_T26]

People people always falling for the hype of the newest thing.

The Jets were 9-7 and 2 wins were against other teams scrubs. Sanchez numbers were nearly identical to Jamarcus Russell Rookie year. Also Faneca and Woody are not exactly going to be around long. Plus they have lots of FA's coming up Like D'Brick and Mangold in 2 years and Revis has basically 1 year left since an option in his contract makes him an FA after his 4th year.

But also momentum does not flow from season to season in the nfl. Thats why teams who win the super bowl some times miss the playoffs the next year. When Saban took over the Dolphins and went 9-7, i read articles how BB now has equal competition in the division and the dolphins are here to stay. Then 2 years later they were 1-15. Then last year the dolphins win the division and are a threat for the Pats, and they go 7-9. Matt Ryan and the falcons were suppose to only get better this year...they added tony gonzales and some more talent on their defense...and they got worse. They got into the playoffs as a gift and beat 2 teams who are not exactly playoff monsters.
Plus last time I saw the Pats play the Jets, LeVoir was knocking out strictland, and maroney and welker were running over Rhodes in an easy win. They are the flavor of the moment right now. But dont kid yourself it will mean nothing next year.

 

[Jimke]

You are right, JETs are the team to beat in this division.
I am sure BB is considering that in his off season decisions. He
has said it starts with wining your division.

CB is the biggest need if Bodden goes elsewhere.

Oline - Neal said he may retire. If there is one and only one thing that
can be done this off season with respect to the Oline, upgrade the RG position.

OLB - is another need ( good by AD - hello new OLB regime)

WR - yes, a few really good WRs would be nice. But if Brady is not going
to spread the ball around, like he use to do, why bother.
(IMO: Moss needs to be cut)

For Brady to spread the ball around, he needs a couple more
receivers who can get open and catch the ball. Aiken and
Stanbeck are not those receivers.

Stallworth and Branch (if cut) should be considered.

 

[Sivy]

Re: For the future, we should worry about the jets not the colts..

You're right. The fans worry though, and we'll be worrying bout the Jets plenty in the years to come.

Why? Because they got a free ride to the playoffs and happen to beat two ok teams in the playoffs?

 

[mgteich]

Agreed.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

For Brady to spread the ball around, he needs a couple more
receivers who can get open and catch the ball. Aiken and
Stanbeck are not those receivers.

 

[Sivy]

The only shot the Pats have to be a contender in the short term is...

A) They have to Hit and I mean hit on all 4 of their picks in the 1st two rounds.

B) Bring in about 5 key players. Similar to 2001.

C) Lock up Brady and Wilfolk and Bodden, maybe Cain.

D) Hope Butler, Chang take steps forward next season. Forget Brace he's a bust, it shows you Belichick didn't do any homework, as a BC season ticket holder I could have told you he benefited playing next to an All-American in BJ Raji and had Mark Herzlich behind him.

But the reality, they probably franchise Wilfolk, transistion Bodden. Defense will be about the same as you saw this year. The Draft, they might hit on 1 of 4, that's been their average. They will badly miss on at least one 2nd rounder.

They won't bring in anyone impactful and because they care more about the CBA than the fans. Look for Brady not to be locked up and he to walk in 2012probably to the Cowboys. Also look for 2011 to be strike shortened and the owners giving up on the franchise tag. So there won't be two #1's for Tommy.

That 2011 pick from the Raiders is going to be a QB. This dynasty is over, so get used to watching the Colts, Jets, Dolphins, Chargers, Texans, Ravens and Steelers. All teams better than the Pats right now and setup to win over the next 5 years.

And guess what folks, Peyton Manning and Colts have left Tom Brady, his super model and this team in the dust. But the CBA, that's the Kraft's focus.

wow, thats a lot of need for a team that just won they divsion. They need 1 more good WR and 1 great pass rusher and they are all set. Thats it.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: For the future, we should worry about the jets not the colts..

There is an old saying Bill is fond of, if you're not getting better you're getting worse. The JETS will have problems of their own to deal with. Rex is counting on his two injured starters, Jenkins and Washington, returning. Someone will replace them on IR next season. He's got some age on OL. The talking heads were saying last night all he needs is a big time WR and a better RCB to play opposite Revis and DE to make up for Gholston and they can pick those players up in FA. I guess no one told the NFLN crew about the FA restrictions the final 4 face in an uncapped year. The JETS don't have any marquee FA to lose/swap since they signed all of their's over the last year or two. So they have no way of adding more high impact FA. They can draft or trade, but they already did enough trading that they are short several draft choices. They will pick 29th and 61st and not again until the 150-somethings. They have 43 players signed to $104M in cap if there were one this season. They need to sign roughly 40 more bodies to their roster and retain up to 20 of them to fill out their 53 man roster and 8 man PS. Several of the 43 currently signed are of the PS/bottom of the roster variety. They are pretty well set for 25 starters absent upgrades. It is depth that will become an issue, particularly on a roster that includes several older FA signings inherited from Mangini's push to get competitive short term over the last three seasons.

The talking heads were also opining that Sanchez gained valuable playoff experience this season and should be much improved in 2010. Of course they said that about Ryan and Flacco last season and it didn't pan out as both took a step back. Shottsie Jr. opted to remain the OC. A new one would have posed problems for the development of their QB. Although seeing as he threw the kitchen sink out there to advance to 4th runner up, teams will have lots of film with which to analyze young Mr. Sanchise and the offense the JETS are finally running absent musical QB's including a guy who was prone to tossing the script in his brief tenure here... Teams will have all off season to ponder the best approach to counter or neutralizing Rex's defensive scheme as well as confound his second year QB.

For the future Bill should just worry about making his own team more competitive on both sides of the ball. And let Rex and Polian et all worry about countering that. He's got the ammo to do that both via draft and trade or even RFA (there will be hundreds of them this season including numerous otherwise marquee UFA's) where he nabbed a jewel like Welker, as well as the freedom to do so via FA. He just has to make consistently better choices.

 

[R_T26]

I agree with MoLewisRocks, Pats should do what they did before...build your best team and not worry about anyone else. This Jet drooling is getting ridiculous.

 

[mgteich]

You say that we would be fine if we added one great pass rusher and one good receiver to the team. After all, we were a #3 seed and played close to the colts. These two additions arguably might have put us over the top. And this is especially true since our ddefensive youngsters figure to be better in 2010.

The problem with this analysis is that it assumes that all that we have comes back at full strength. In order for this to work, we would need to re-sign ALL of our free agents or replace them with players would be at least equal to them from the start of the season.

We already KNOW that Welker will be out for at least half a season. One good passrusher would NOT even replace Welker, never mind give Brady the two additional targets he needs.

wow, thats a lot of need for a team that just won they divsion. They need 1 more good WR and 1 great pass rusher and they are all set. Thats it.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

People people always falling for the hype of the newest thing.

The Jets were 9-7 and 2 wins were against other teams scrubs. Sanchez numbers were nearly identical to Jamarcus Russell Rookie year. Also Faneca and Woody are not exactly going to be around long. Plus they have lots of FA's coming up Like D'Brick and Mangold in 2 years and Revis has basically 1 year left since an option in his contract makes him an FA after his 4th year.

But also momentum does not flow from season to season in the nfl. Thats why teams who win the super bowl some times miss the playoffs the next year. When Saban took over the Dolphins and went 9-7, i read articles how BB now has equal competition in the division and the dolphins are here to stay. Then 2 years later they were 1-15. Then last year the dolphins win the division and are a threat for the Pats, and they go 7-9. Matt Ryan and the falcons were suppose to only get better this year...they added tony gonzales and some more talent on their defense...and they got worse. They got into the playoffs as a gift and beat 2 teams who are not exactly playoff monsters.
Plus last time I saw the Pats play the Jets, LeVoir was knocking out strictland, and maroney and welker were running over Rhodes in an easy win. They are the flavor of the moment right now. But dont kid yourself it will mean nothing next year.

Truer words were never spoken. The proliferation of blathering national football mediots do the football fans of America a huge disservice annually (not to mention weekly in season). They alternately raise false hopes or fuel needless panic bordering dispair among the skittish herd of sheep they've created to fuel their own ratings.

 

[mgteich]

Yes, let us drink deeply. We are the best! The jets are the worst! We have nothing to fear from a team with the #1 defense in the NFL, nothing to fear from the #1 running offense in the nfl. After all, there were beaten by the team with old coordinators who will soon retire. We will just add a couple fo players and wipe out the jets in 2011. On to the 2012 Super Bowl! Surely Moore and Mudd will retire. Manning is getting old.

OR NOT!

Truer words were never spoken. The proliferation of blathering national football mediots do the football fans of America a huge disservice annually (not to mention weekly in season). They alternately raise false hopes or fuel needless panic bordering dispair among the skittish herd of sheep they've created to fuel their own ratings.

 

[Rob0729]

Still don't know what to expect about the Jets. Based on the mismatch yesterday, it seems pretty clear that they backed into the playoffs. Beating the Bengals was not that impressive of a feat considering they were limping into the playoffs as it was (Benson was injured, Palmer was playing like crap, lost several key defensive players). The Chargers although having an 11 game winning streak were winning close games and couldn't afford to make the mistakes they made against anyone. Manning and Addai (and Addai sucked all year) made that defense look like swiss cheese. They could be the real deal or just lucky to back into the playoffs and have a favorable playoff schedule.

The Jets will be restricted in what they can do in the offseason if there is no cap. They are getting old at several key positions (Faneca, Jones, Woody, Ellis, and Douglas). At Kris Jenkins age, weight, and injury history; I don't know if he will return. They still can't afford to play games where they have to put the offense on Sanchez's shoulders (as we saw late in the game yesterday).

This time last year, people were talking about the Dolphins being that team that could supplant the Pats. This year it is the Jets. In other years, it has bounced from team to team. Until I see another team take control of this division (and I don't count winning the division by tiebreaker in a season where Brady is on IR), I am doubtful of the hot new teams in this division.