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I was internetless most of this past week so, I was unable to unburden on the Jets game, and would like to make a few comments on Buffalo.
1. I think the thing that was most disturbing to me about the Jet game was the fact that the Pats protected Brady so well for the entire game. He was hit rarely and had few "hurries", so the issue had to be more about Brady's decision making than the Jets D.
The sad truth of the matter was that in the second half of that game, the Jets had the better QB on the field. The 2 worst examples was him overthrowing an open Moss (not the one he caught out of bounds), and the one he under threw to Gronk.
Our offensive ineptitude in the 2nd half of that game was as surprising as it was unnecessary. I cannot believe that with all the targets we now have available beyond Moss and Welker, the Pats couldn't find openings to throw the ball. If it wasn't bad QB playing, it had to be bad play calling. Most likely it was probably a little bit about both.
2. As far as the defense goes in the Jet game, I'm probably not as upset as some of you. By and large we had players in the right position at the right time. A couple of times the Jets got perfect throws, a couple of times they got tremendous catches. And then there were those couple of time where the defender was in the right position and just didn't make the play. Butler's whiff on the extra point is the best example of it.
I thought the DL was decent, and got more pressure on Sanchez, than the Jets got on Brady. The LB didn't play poorly, nor did they stand out. At the end of the game we saw a couple of hopeful flashes from both Brace and Cunningham. We saw that by and large McCourty is the best CB prospect we've had since Ty Law. The thought of he and Boddin on the outside, with Butler better suited as the slot CB brings a tear to my eye as what might have been.
Right now Butler is being "out physicaled" by bigger WRs. I'm encouraged by his ability to stay with receivers. Hopefully with experience he will begin to start making better plays on the ball.
3. As to the Buffalo game. The offense was outstanding. The only time they were stopped was when they stopped themselves. Seeing all the balls that Hernandez and Gronk got were particularly satisfying. It was also nice to see Tate beat his man deep, even though Brady overthrew him. We clearly hit the mark on those 2.
4. I can now say that we should trade Mankins right now. I'd take a 2nd in 2012 right now, Can anyone honestly say that the offense would be $8MM better if Mankins was playing LG instead of Dan Connelly, that Brady's protection would be that much better, or we'd be running for THAT many more yds. The issue isn't about whether we'd be better with him, but more would we be THAT much better.
I think we'd be better off getting something for him now before the trade deadline, rather than having him come in for the last 6 games and be game ready for about 2.
5. The good news about the D. Brace is improving to the point where he is a decent contributor in the regular DL rotation (can Crable be far behind
) And Devin McCourty continues to show that he is the real deal at CB (his small problem on the last Bill TD not withstanding)
6 The bad news with the D this week was that open receivers were a bit MORE open than last week. Now than might have been part of the game plan to protect against the big play, and play more zone, but it was disturbing nonetheless. Most disturbing to me was that fact that our softest spot for the second consecutive week was down the middle of the field. Our Safeties are good enough to start making some plays on those 'skinny post' routes that besetting us.
The Tackling wasn't as sharp this week either. It really pissed me off when they allowed the Bills to convert 3rd and 18 by having 3 guys miss a tackle and allow a 14 yd gain turn into 20.
7. I'm getting tired of hearing about how great those defenses we had earlier in the decade were. I wonder how good they would have been if they would have had to play under the current passing rules. Face it folks, its a different game now than it was just 5 years ago, and I think BB is trying to build a defense that fits that challenge.
Right now we just have to hope that offense can carry this team to enough wins now, so that when it hopefully starts to become of age in December, there will be meaningful game to be played. Don't think we are going to see improvements by leaps and bound. No we will see improvements in small increments week to week, Again hopefully that will be enough to get us to 6-7 wins by the time we get to December
8. General observations
a. Watching the Vikings-Dolphins game last week, was a great example of how a the better team can give away a football game in the NFL if they aren't careful. The Dolphins never should have won that game
b. Some of the GL play calling by Miami on 2 occasions tonight left me scratching my head, and probably cost the Phins the game
c. I couldn't quite figure out who to root for in that game. I can't help but want to see those distasteful riff raff from the swamps of NJ lose, but the fact is that we are probably better off having three 2-1 teams in the division, than having the Phins start the season 3-0
d. Would you agree that the refs are allowing a little more contact by the DBs this year. I think that its a good thing.
e. Talk about blowing scoring opportunities. Orton threw for over 440 yds.....and Denver scored only 13 points. How does that happen.
f. Has anyone sent Mike Tannenbaum a thank you note for cutting "the wood" Nice debut.
OK that's it for now. This is the week where we will see if we are truly going to be a superbowl contender by winning a tough game on the road.....in that stinking heat of Miami.
1. I think the thing that was most disturbing to me about the Jet game was the fact that the Pats protected Brady so well for the entire game. He was hit rarely and had few "hurries", so the issue had to be more about Brady's decision making than the Jets D.
The sad truth of the matter was that in the second half of that game, the Jets had the better QB on the field. The 2 worst examples was him overthrowing an open Moss (not the one he caught out of bounds), and the one he under threw to Gronk.
Our offensive ineptitude in the 2nd half of that game was as surprising as it was unnecessary. I cannot believe that with all the targets we now have available beyond Moss and Welker, the Pats couldn't find openings to throw the ball. If it wasn't bad QB playing, it had to be bad play calling. Most likely it was probably a little bit about both.
2. As far as the defense goes in the Jet game, I'm probably not as upset as some of you. By and large we had players in the right position at the right time. A couple of times the Jets got perfect throws, a couple of times they got tremendous catches. And then there were those couple of time where the defender was in the right position and just didn't make the play. Butler's whiff on the extra point is the best example of it.
I thought the DL was decent, and got more pressure on Sanchez, than the Jets got on Brady. The LB didn't play poorly, nor did they stand out. At the end of the game we saw a couple of hopeful flashes from both Brace and Cunningham. We saw that by and large McCourty is the best CB prospect we've had since Ty Law. The thought of he and Boddin on the outside, with Butler better suited as the slot CB brings a tear to my eye as what might have been.
Right now Butler is being "out physicaled" by bigger WRs. I'm encouraged by his ability to stay with receivers. Hopefully with experience he will begin to start making better plays on the ball.
3. As to the Buffalo game. The offense was outstanding. The only time they were stopped was when they stopped themselves. Seeing all the balls that Hernandez and Gronk got were particularly satisfying. It was also nice to see Tate beat his man deep, even though Brady overthrew him. We clearly hit the mark on those 2.
4. I can now say that we should trade Mankins right now. I'd take a 2nd in 2012 right now, Can anyone honestly say that the offense would be $8MM better if Mankins was playing LG instead of Dan Connelly, that Brady's protection would be that much better, or we'd be running for THAT many more yds. The issue isn't about whether we'd be better with him, but more would we be THAT much better.
I think we'd be better off getting something for him now before the trade deadline, rather than having him come in for the last 6 games and be game ready for about 2.
5. The good news about the D. Brace is improving to the point where he is a decent contributor in the regular DL rotation (can Crable be far behind
) And Devin McCourty continues to show that he is the real deal at CB (his small problem on the last Bill TD not withstanding)6 The bad news with the D this week was that open receivers were a bit MORE open than last week. Now than might have been part of the game plan to protect against the big play, and play more zone, but it was disturbing nonetheless. Most disturbing to me was that fact that our softest spot for the second consecutive week was down the middle of the field. Our Safeties are good enough to start making some plays on those 'skinny post' routes that besetting us.
The Tackling wasn't as sharp this week either. It really pissed me off when they allowed the Bills to convert 3rd and 18 by having 3 guys miss a tackle and allow a 14 yd gain turn into 20.
7. I'm getting tired of hearing about how great those defenses we had earlier in the decade were. I wonder how good they would have been if they would have had to play under the current passing rules. Face it folks, its a different game now than it was just 5 years ago, and I think BB is trying to build a defense that fits that challenge.
Right now we just have to hope that offense can carry this team to enough wins now, so that when it hopefully starts to become of age in December, there will be meaningful game to be played. Don't think we are going to see improvements by leaps and bound. No we will see improvements in small increments week to week, Again hopefully that will be enough to get us to 6-7 wins by the time we get to December
8. General observations
a. Watching the Vikings-Dolphins game last week, was a great example of how a the better team can give away a football game in the NFL if they aren't careful. The Dolphins never should have won that game
b. Some of the GL play calling by Miami on 2 occasions tonight left me scratching my head, and probably cost the Phins the game
c. I couldn't quite figure out who to root for in that game. I can't help but want to see those distasteful riff raff from the swamps of NJ lose, but the fact is that we are probably better off having three 2-1 teams in the division, than having the Phins start the season 3-0
d. Would you agree that the refs are allowing a little more contact by the DBs this year. I think that its a good thing.
e. Talk about blowing scoring opportunities. Orton threw for over 440 yds.....and Denver scored only 13 points. How does that happen.
f. Has anyone sent Mike Tannenbaum a thank you note for cutting "the wood" Nice debut.
OK that's it for now. This is the week where we will see if we are truly going to be a superbowl contender by winning a tough game on the road.....in that stinking heat of Miami.
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