A Few Thoughts on Yesterday

[aluminum seats]

--Weird game—how often do you get 2 turnovers where the ball is sitting on the field ignored by the other team? So don’t know that the D played as well as it seemed, but overall they looked good. The offensive line got manhandled, wonder if that shifts the thinking on Mankins at all.

--It’s sometimes hard to analyze specific players when watching on TV, but one play in the first half really stood out for me in how bad Sanders looked. The Chargers completed a pass in the middle of the field where Sanders was just standing there, the receiver ran in front of him, stopped, and then caught the pass before Sanders moved. What’s the opposite of instinctive?

--Officials weren’t really an issue, but on one play Cunningham was chasing Rivers around midfield for a sack and he was blatantly held from behind, which let Rivers escape. Hard to see how they missed that.

--Speaking of officials, off-topic, shouldn’t the refs in the Miami game have figured out who had possession in that situation, anticipating that there might be a challenge? Lame lame lame.

--Some questionable playcalling yesterday, even before the 4th down at the end. On one early series the Pats had a 2nd and one after a 9–yard run, and passed unsuccessfully, then passed again on 3rd down out of the shotgun. Passing might be defensible, but the shotgun seemed misguided there.

--Couple of sacks Light really looked awful on, like he didn’t even move.

--Fletcher seemed to show some burst, there was one play that looked like a long-gainer where he made the stop after just a couple of yards.

--Pats D played pretty well. Thought they looked flat during the Chargers first drive in the second half (Pats had the ball end of first half, then half time, then the Pats had a 9-minute drive in the second half, so no surprise.) But the sack by Deaderick seemed to give them their mojo back.

--Should have punted there at the end.

 

[borg]

--Weird game—how often do you get 2 turnovers where the ball is sitting on the field ignored by the other team? So don’t know that the D played as well as it seemed, but overall they looked good. The offensive line got manhandled, wonder if that shifts the thinking on Mankins at all.

--It’s sometimes hard to analyze specific players when watching on TV, but one play in the first half really stood out for me in how bad Sanders looked. The Chargers completed a pass in the middle of the field where Sanders was just standing there, the receiver ran in front of him, stopped, and then caught the pass before Sanders moved. What’s the opposite of instinctive?

--Officials weren’t really an issue, but on one play Cunningham was chasing Rivers around midfield for a sack and he was blatantly held from behind, which let Rivers escape. Hard to see how they missed that.

--Speaking of officials, off-topic, shouldn’t the refs in the Miami game have figured out who had possession in that situation, anticipating that there might be a challenge? Lame lame lame.

--Some questionable playcalling yesterday, even before the 4th down at the end. On one early series the Pats had a 2nd and one after a 9–yard run, and passed unsuccessfully, then passed again on 3rd down out of the shotgun. Passing might be defensible, but the shotgun seemed misguided there.

--Couple of sacks Light really looked awful on, like he didn’t even move.

--Fletcher seemed to show some burst, there was one play that looked like a long-gainer where he made the stop after just a couple of yards.

--Pats D played pretty well. Thought they looked flat during the Chargers first drive in the second half (Pats had the ball end of first half, then half time, then the Pats had a 9-minute drive in the second half, so no surprise.) But the sack by Deaderick seemed to give them their mojo back.

--Should have punted there at the end.

The prevent zone they play is infuriating, the center of the field is wide open. Guess BB wanted to help the corners on the edges, where QBs have burned our CBs at will in earlier games. The only positive is that the clock keeps ticking. Missing Chung had to be a factor.

Cunningham was definitely held...right in front of an official

My Mea Culpa...As I watch these games, I tend to make a 2011 draft wish list. In the first quarter I wanted a power RB, a new left tackle, and San Diego's pass rushers and CBs. At one point I was hoping for a deep threat WR ...pointless I guess because Brady would be dead waiting for the WR to make it down field...and a RB that could pick up the blitz and also be able to release for the swing pass like teams do against the Pats LBs.
San Diego's D was awesome but the stars were aligned for our boys who played smart football unlike SD....a depleted SD offense committing mind numbing errors. Hats off to our D...they too were depleted but forced a long kick at the end. In comes another desperate physical team. I guess we already know the score ...23-20

 

[patchick]

--Fletcher seemed to show some burst, there was one play that looked like a long-gainer where he made the stop after just a couple of yards.

I believe he also forced the fumble (some writers attributed the FF to Arrington, but I saw Fletcher), covered up a tricky kickoff on special teams, and seemed to be threatening Guyton's role as a coverage ILB.

This is just an incredible pace of development for an undrafted kid who was a DL in the Big Sky conference. In a normal season, he'd be a big story.

 

[abdul7]

Good points Alum. Read my mind on all but have to disagree on the last. Wrong play call and it wasn't even a long yard,,but that hold on Cunnigham was so clear that I am sure he even looked towards the ref. Left side of the 0 line were just too bad to be true. On the Miami game did anyone hear what Rothsburger say after ?!! He said that after the fumble that he had the ball underneath him and let go once the Ref tapped him on the back and told him that it was a TD,,,,,,,,bull, he never had the ball after the fumble. And to say it Live on tv,,,,can anyone see the reply for me and tell me that he lied ? Go Pats. Abdul

 

[Gwedd]

I believe he also forced the fumble (some writers attributed the FF to Arrington, but I saw Fletcher), covered up a tricky kickoff on special teams, and seemed to be threatening Guyton's role as a coverage ILB.

This is just an incredible pace of development for an undrafted kid who was a DL in the Big Sky conference. In a normal season, he'd be a big story.

He looked very good to me, and his quick reaction to that onside kick was really good. I think he'll be around for awhile.

 

[upstater1]

You're right on the 3rd down passing play with 1 yard to go, the shotgun seemed out of place there.

However, look what lead up to it. 2nd and 1 is the perfect time for a play action pass. Brady executed it perfectly but the line blew its protection and he had a man in his face as soon as he turned around, causing him to get rid of the ball.

Do you go back to play action on third down when you're not even assured that your QB can turn around and locate a receiver in those 2 seconds?

 

[Flanagan]

I thought it was just one of those games good teams win...

I read on here last week people *****ing about the Jets getting a lucky breat ect. ect. It happens..

There was nothing lucky about yesterday. It was an experienced team beating an inexperienced team... Pats got some breaks.. 'not lucky"

In regards to that Santonio Holmes pass interference play last week... Which I am sick of hearing about was NOT a lucky break either.. He would have caught the ball if not interfered with. In fact had he hung on to the ball they would have tacked on the facemask..

It's the Jets vs the Pats. period. More fun this way..

Jets are for real and at 5-1 so are the Pats... And thankfully the Dolphins are distanced somewhat..

All you can ask is for your team to win every week.. ask questions later...

 

[aluminum seats]

You're right on the 3rd down passing play with 1 yard to go, the shotgun seemed out of place there.

However, look what lead up to it. 2nd and 1 is the perfect time for a play action pass. Brady executed it perfectly but the line blew its protection and he had a man in his face as soon as he turned around, causing him to get rid of the ball.

Do you go back to play action on third down when you're not even assured that your QB can turn around and locate a receiver in those 2 seconds?

Fair enough--the pressure from the Chargers' D was such that it was hard to convert 3rd downs whatever the playcall.

 

[letekro]

Loved the fourth and one call. The only time I want to kick in that situation is if there is not enough time for the other team to move down the field. With three timeouts and Rivers en fuego, that was not the case here. If we had punted, we would have been in super prevent D mode and conceded the first 40 yards anyway, so the difference in field position was well worth it for the chance to end the game right there.

The no-call on the Cunningham hold was outrageous.

 

[shadowbozo]

I was at the game yesterday at Qualcomm. What an ugly football game. SD moved the ball up and down the field but could do much with it once they got close. The attempted onside kick in the first half had most of the fans wonder what is going on. The Pats had no sustained offence in the first half. They got lucky with the 5 yard penalty at the end to push the kick back.

I would have missed my flight home had it gone to overtime. The feeling from all fans attending was yuck. What a poorly played game. I sure hope the Pats look better next week against Minnesota.

 

[Gwedd]

As I commented elsewhere, the Chargers and Patriots games are always dog fights. Both teams have played hard and San Diego is always a tough win.

I am wicked pleased that New England got the win. Now it's time to start planning for the Vikings and old man Favre.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I went bananas when Cunningham was held and no flags were thrown!

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

Good points Alum. Read my mind on all but have to disagree on the last. Wrong play call and it wasn't even a long yard,,but that hold on Cunnigham was so clear that I am sure he even looked towards the ref. Left side of the 0 line were just too bad to be true. On the Miami game did anyone hear what Rothsburger say after ?!! He said that after the fumble that he had the ball underneath him and let go once the Ref tapped him on the back and told him that it was a TD,,,,,,,,bull, he never had the ball after the fumble. And to say it Live on tv,,,,can anyone see the reply for me and tell me that he lied ? Go Pats. Abdul

A rapist and a liar? Who wouldathunkit?

 

[DarrylS]

On the Miami game did anyone hear what Rothsburger say after ?!! He said that after the fumble that he had the ball underneath him and let go once the Ref tapped him on the back and told him that it was a TD,,,,,,,,bull, he never had the ball after the fumble. And to say it Live on tv,,,,can anyone see the reply for me and tell me that he lied ? Go Pats. Abdul

Personally thought he was talking about another game, certainly not the Miami game....

 

[SanAngeloState]

I don't understand how this guy eviscerated us so badly passing. He couldn't miss. We left guys in the middle and the flats open for 10 yards at a time.

Maybe drop 8 back.

I noticed Sanders was bad too. The play where the guy left the ball on the field, how is someone that wide open in the middle?

Light looked slow...not sure why they don't use 2 TEs and have them chip the blocker then go out. Maybe it's too crowded out there as it is.

BJGE looked like he was running into a brick wall at times. Where is fred taylor when you need him? Out 2 months with a toe? Hope BJGE can stay healthy.

So much for Moss the deep threat, Brady didn't get more than 3 seconds at a time.

 

[Aßßynormal]

--Weird game—how often do you get 2 turnovers where the ball is sitting on the field ignored by the other team? So don’t know that the D played as well as it seemed, but overall they looked good. The offensive line got manhandled, wonder if that shifts the thinking on Mankins at all.

<snip>

--Couple of sacks Light really looked awful on, like he didn’t even move.

<snip>

Yes, re-signing Mankins seems logical ........ he may not be all that useful coming back at this point in the season but I'd like to have him for the future. Think of him as being on the PUP. We can't wait any longer to continue the rebuilding of the OL past Vollmer. Next year we'll be a little slower or without Light entirely. Either way, having Mankins gives us a left side with Vollmer and Light and Connelly can fill the RG/RT and continue to develop (Connelly) or be great depth. Light (as a stopgap LT) is as likely gone in FA as movable to RT.

Certainly, it increases our drafting flexibility. I want a ('big game') McGinest type to augment Cunningham plus a RT. We also NEED an elite RB. Almost certainly he'd come from the draft. An elite RB would have the same effect as having Moss. None of this 6-7 in the box stuff or overloads on the wings. Another reason not to need to draft an OG high.

On different note concernining the OL, the Oakland Raiders have changed their OL assignment strategy and that has been credited with allowing McFadden to explode this season (despite his continued injury problems). Can someone explain how this could be applied to us and would this require personnel change (particularly the size of our interior line).

 

[snowplow82]

Questionable Playcalling! I was driving down the Mass Pike listening to the first half and it seemed like every play called on first down was Brady under center handing off to BJGE or Woody for a 2-yard gain. This was so predictable! This run-pass-pass strategy could not work against the Chargers, who just stopped the runs they knew were coming and got after Brady on the next two pass plays that they knew were coming.

 

[Tunescribe]

I was at the game yesterday at Qualcomm. What an ugly football game. SD moved the ball up and down the field but could do much with it once they got close. The attempted onside kick in the first half had most of the fans wonder what is going on. The Pats had no sustained offence in the first half. They got lucky with the 5 yard penalty at the end to push the kick back.

I would have missed my flight home had it gone to overtime. The feeling from all fans attending was yuck. What a poorly played game. I sure hope the Pats look better next week against Minnesota.

It sounded from the TV feed that there were lots of Pats fans there (lots of cheering for New England). Was that what you saw/heard?

 

[Mike in 333]

If you take "the stupid" out of the Chargers' play yesterday there's a pretty good team that obviously gave us all we could handle. Their pass rush is very strong while leaving good coverage of our receivers. I think our defense let Rivers look a little better than he actually is just because we do allow the short passes up with the middle but it sure didn't look like a team that was supposed to be #1 in offense. Losing Chung fairly early in the game didn't help either, the guy has been a beast and is a big part of our defense. The offense is still adjusting to loss of Moss & Faulk but ended up putting enough points on the board.

All in all, ugly as it was, frustratingly difficult to watch; it was still a win which a lesser team wouldn't have pulled out. Going back to the Superbowl years we had a lot of these types of wins which took us to the Championship. I'll take it any day even if the 4th quarter probably took 5 years off my life.

 

[kkpat]

Does any one of you think that the extra Quarter they played against Ravens has affected the PATS this week?