****** Official Unofficial Patriots/Rams Postgame Observations Thread ******

[patchick]

Quite frankly, I think it's Belichick that needs to become more focused. Focused on the fact that this team needs to take a real hard look at both the offensive and defensive play calling. It has been putrid.

Play calling? I do think you can learn a lot about a team from a preseason game, but one think you learn NOTHING about is their play calling.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Absolutely correct. Belichick should give the Bengals as much notice as possible how he plans to use his running backs for week #1.

Come on, really? Maroney hasn't been anything special since he's been here. The Bengals could care less about Maroney.

Or maybe Belichick can trade Maroney information to the Bengals for Antonio Bryant information plus the Bengals 2nd round draft board next year (can upgrade to the 1st round draft board if Maroney's information turns out to have dramatic overtones).

That would be an awful trade.

Quite frankly, I think it's Belichick that needs to become more focused. Focused on the fact that this team needs to take a real hard look at both the offensive and defensive play calling. It has been putrid.

If he is overseeing both offense and defense, then he needs to let go and let some real coordinators do the job.

It's the exact same thing that derailed the Pats season in 2005 and 2009.

 

[Keyser Söze]

One foot in front of the other

 

[Deus Irae]

Play calling? I do think you can learn a lot about a team from a preseason game, but one think you learn NOTHING about is their play calling.

Playcalling can be the difference between a win and a loss in the very important exhibition season standings. I'm sure the Colts are in a panic right now, too.

 

[Marqui]

I hate preseason so much.

 

[Patjew]

First, last, and most importantly: I hate myself for not hating Zolak on the sidelines. I thought he did a good job.

 

[Nathan]

BB is still being a dipsh*t and not answering the question. Why isn't Maroney playing? It's not a difficult question.

It's obviously some kind of internal thing. He hasn't seen the ball all preseason, pretty much. I expect he'll probably carry the rock game 4 to get him some game action. If he doesn't he's cut. But I bet he does. Pats RBs didn't get a chance to get really warm today but BJGE just doesn't have the athleticism to be a mainstay in the rotation, sorry guys. Good kid, but not enough talent.

 

[crowell33]

It's obviously some kind of internal thing. He hasn't seen the ball all preseason, pretty much. I expect he'll probably carry the rock game 4 to get him some game action. If he doesn't he's cut. But I bet he does. Pats RBs didn't get a chance to get really warm today but BJGE just doesn't have the athleticism to be a mainstay in the rotation, sorry guys. Good kid, but not enough talent.

With the injury histories and age of Morris and Fred Taylor its hard for me to see how Maroney gets cut. Then again, I've never seen a healthy player DNP two out of the first three preseason games, and be this invisible, and yet still be in the teams plans. So who knows.

 

[Sciz]

Also, the Pats go from one of the best D-lines in 2008 to one dumb trade and one serious injury to one of the worst D-lines in the league.

Seymour wouldn't be on the team either way anymore. The team had to decide between paying Wilfork or Seymour, and they picked the younger player with less of an injury history who played the more important position. The difference is that the Pats got a first round pick out of it instead of Seymour's 2009 season and a third round comp pick.

 

[Nathan]

With the injury histories and age of Morris and Fred Taylor its hard for me to see how Maroney gets cut. Then again, I've never seen a healthy player DNP two out of the first three preseason games, and be this invisible, and yet still be in the teams plans. So who knows.

I agree, I'm just saying that if Maroney doesn't see a ton of carries next week he's a goner. I mean you have to give a guy some kind of opportunity to see game speed if you intend to play him, right?

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

Seymour wouldn't be on the team either way anymore. The team had to decide between paying Wilfork or Seymour, and they picked the younger player with less of an injury history who played the more important position. The difference is that the Pats got a first round pick out of it instead of Seymour's 2009 season and a third round comp pick.

Thank you. That seems to get ignored too often. Seymour was never going to play for the 2010 Patriots unless we were all cussing on here right now about not having a decent NT.

 

[The Brandon Five]

8. Liking the way Brace looked as RDE tonight. Hopefully he can get starting reps in the next preseason game and improve on that. I thought he looked like an improvement over Warren.

Brace waved to be taken out and limped off the field. He then disappeared into the locker room. Not sure about the prognosis. Richard went in to sub and then got the Pats first sack on the next play.

 

[crowell33]

I agree, I'm just saying that if Maroney doesn't see a ton of carries next week he's a goner. I mean you have to give a guy some kind of opportunity to see game speed if you intend to play him, right?

Agree. BB, when asked about the trade with Atlanta earlier this week, said "we are working on a few things right now". One of those things could be a Maroney trade, and BB is making sure he doesn't get injured in the interim.

The other possibility is that BB wants to see who becomes available after cuts next week, before releasing Maroney.

 

[crowell33]

Brace waved to be taken out and limped off the field. He then disappeared into the locker room. Not sure about the prognosis. Richard went in to sub and then got the Pats first sack on the next play.

Brace sacked the QB earlier in the game.

 

[Deus Irae]

Thank you. That seems to get ignored too often. Seymour was never going to play for the 2010 Patriots unless we were all cussing on here right now about not having a decent NT.

This is not accurate, but it's also OT, so let's just leave it there.

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

I agree, I'm just saying that if Maroney doesn't see a ton of carries next week he's a goner. I mean you have to give a guy some kind of opportunity to see game speed if you intend to play him, right?

It would make sense to play him but consider that Moss didn't play in the 2007 preseason, to the point some reporters even suggested he might get cut, then had 183 yards and a TD in Week 1 vs. the Jets.

 

[patman12]

The defense just played a basic 3-4, there were no real stunts, no twists, no switching on the line. The OLB just blitzed off the edge time after time, no other blitzes were called. It's going to be an interesting week of practice and I will be interested to see how much more of a scheme they put together next week.

My take too but the lack of energy, especially on D was unimpressive. And the number of times they got stupid penalties called to extend drives was frustrating.

 

[Nathan]

It would make sense to play him but consider that Moss didn't play in the 2007 preseason, to the point some reporters even suggested he might get cut, then had 183 yards and a TD in Week 1 vs. the Jets.

IIRC, Moss tweaked a hammy in training camp in 2007 so it makes sense they rested him. He's not exactly a young buck and everyone says he has a high football IQ and understands the game.

 

[VectorPrime]

This forum is so funny. Less than 12 hours ago we were on the edge of having a team as dominant as the 2007 squad. Now because we lost a meaningless preseason game it's become we will be lucky to make the playoffs.

Our defense played extremely well against the Saints and Falcons starters, both top tier teams. We shouldn't forget that.

Obviously something didn't go right tonight so it is up to Bill to find the weaknesses and beat some sense into the defense.

Calm the hell down.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Brace sacked the QB earlier in the game.

Must have been in the bathroom. I see that in the game log. Good on him. Let's hope it is nothing serious.