Idle thoughts......let the hand wringing begin

[patfanken]

..... and god knows its begun.

1. Borges couldn't have been more thrilled. In fact the only thing that would have made him feel better was if the Pats had lost.

2. I think the poor run defense was more a product of the 3 DLmen (Wright, Brace, Pryor) that were missing and the 2 that were playing hurt (Warren & Deadrick) Most of the time we were playing with the same 3 or 4 defensive linemen for the entire game

3. I think that the one of the reasons the defense was showing such improvement was that we'd been substituting so freely along the DL. Our injury situation made that impossible tonight.

4. TWarren
LBoddin
Kevin Faulk
Wilhite
SNeal
NKazcur
BMcGowan
Gotkowski

These are all players the Pats have gone on IR who started or played key roles on offense defense. That's about a 3rd of the 25 odd players who get extensive snaps
Plus
RMoss
FTaylor
MWright
MPryor
Ingram
These are ANOTHER 5 players who are all starters who the Pats either had to replace or have been injured for the bulk of the season but haven't been put on IR.

I only point this out to complain about how it seems EVERYONE in the league has massive injuries....but the Pats. Other teams rate commentary, graphics, and constant reminders. While on the other hand the Pats rate a comment like "BTW the Pats are missing 3 key DLmen and their starting ILB, but boy can GB run the ball tonight"

I know its not fashionable to complain about injuries and I'm not. I'm complaining about these mediots constantly going on about every other freakin team's injuries like its this great obstacle they have to overcome, while at the same time ignoring the Pats have played through similar situations all year without comment or complaint. I guess when you get down to it, I demand equal opportunity whining.

5. A lot of the Pats failures tonight were self inflicted. There were a couple of occassions were bad tackling led to Packer TDs. A couple of occasions where 15 yd penalties greatly aided Packer drives. A couple of penalties that kept Packer drives alive.

6. All that being said, this wasn't the offense's best moment. I particularly didn't like our last drive. Too often this season, the so called "strength" of our team, the offense, has failed to close out games. This can be added to the rest.

And since I'm b!tching a bit about the offense, I was thrilled when they threw to the Gronk down field so early in the game. I was pissed that they never gave him another look. I'd like to know why.

7. The Pats are one of the best teams in the NFL and I don't think anyone is playing BETTER...but I feel there are those who are playing as well. I never really thought they had evolved into a dominant team. Among the fans and the media, the hype was way overboard. Maybe this close call will help bridge the reality gap.

8. 12-2 and BB gets to hammer a few nails and serve up some humble pie, so I guess its not all bad. I think with just one more win, regardless of what anyone does, the Pats will lock up home field and a bye. Who would have thought that was a possibility 4 months ago.
Try to ignore the doom sayers this week and enjoy the win. They are all difficult to come by and precious to attain. We have one of the best teams in the NFL, and the only team I don't want to see in the playoffs is SD....and it doesn't look like they are gong to get there.

Bring on Manning in January - Lets see the Ravens try and stop this offense with THAT defense. - We OWN Pittsburgh - The Jets are more bark than bite.

 

[patsox23]

Great stuff, as always, Ken. An ugly win, to be sure, but good experience for all, especially the young pups. I agree about the injury situation, but the good news is that, come playoff time, we'll have half our defense back, EVERYONE rested from the BYE week, and the experience of having played WITHOUT the flexibility that we will then have.

Getting back Wright, Pryor, Brace, Spikes -- and having McCourty, Butler and others healthier and re-charged -- will certainly be something to watch. Now let's make sure the next two games are as injury-free as possible, and that Dan Connolly gets his concusion sorted out.

Helluva win -- the kind BB will make all KINDS of hay about, he can really "sincerely" play the "we've got a ton of work to do" card and it will truly hit home. AND we still get the W! Perfect. (Sorta.)

 

[Kasmir]

Given how many guys are out, I was actually pleased that the defense played as well as they did in the 4th quarter. The goal line stand was great, and they gave up no long stuff when the game was on the line. Getting Spkies back for the playoffs will be huge. Guyton for Spikes is a huge downgrade in the rush defense.

I agree that the offense was the real problem tonight, but give credit to the Packers defense. That may have been the best pass defense we'll see all year. They basically held us to 17 points, if you exclude the Connolly set up TD and the Arrington return. We actually ran on them quite effectively (7.1 ypc), and should have run more.

I was worried about this being a trap game what with Rogers being out and all the hype. Good wake up call.

 

[Fencer]

7 is more like 1/4 of the important players on the team being hurt. You presumably want to count 22 starters, K (also P and LS?), Faulk, #3 CB, #2 TE/#3 WR, #3 OLB, #3 CB ... you see where I'm going with this.

I'm prepared to wring my hands about DL health and depth until the guys prove they can come back.

And I think young Mr. Edelman should be quite concerned about his job next season.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

And I think young Mr. Edelman should be quite concerned about his job next season.

I'm not happy with how he's playing this season, although at least part of it is just schematic: with GRONK and Hernandez, it simply doesn't make sense for this team to run many three- or four-WR fronts, and Welker and Branch are going to eat up most of the reps available to begin with.

 

[ATippett56]

..... and god knows its begun.

1. Borges couldn't have been more thrilled. In fact the only thing that would have made him feel better was if the Pats had lost..

I could care less what Borges has to say!

2. I think the poor run defense was more a product of the 3 DLmen (Wright, Brace, Pryor) that were missing and the 2 that were playing hurt (Warren & Deadrick) Most of the time we were playing with the same 3 or 4 defensive linemen for the entire game

The lack of defensive intensity from the New England Patriots showed tonight.

3. I think that the one of the reasons the defense was showing such improvement was that we'd been substituting so freely along the DL. Our injury situation made that impossible tonight.

That does not excuse the poor tackling angles taken tonight by New England Patriots defenders.

4. TWarren
LBoddin
Kevin Faulk
Wilhite
SNeal
NKazcur
BMcGowan
Gotkowski

Only one key defensive lineman has been placed on Injured Reserve. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots won a Super Bowl during the 2004 NFL Season with both starting cornerbacks placed on Injured Reserve. Bill Belichick does not use injuries as excuses, neither should anyone on this message board. With regards to injuries, it is what it is!

 

[Nikolai]

I think we missed Spikes in the run defense tonight.

Also, I'm surprised no one is talking about that great tackle made by Chung on third down just before Flynn's mental meltdown. Without that tackle, there's no fourth down, and there might have even been a touchdown. It was a clutch play.

 

[Kasmir]

I think we missed Spikes in the run defense tonight.

Guyton for Spikes is a real problem in run defense. Didn't matter as much vs Chicago because we got the big lead. Thankfully he'll be back for the playoffs.

 

[ausbacker]

As displeasing as the game was as a Patriots spectacle I can't hope but believe that this was the grounding sort of game that BB would have hoped for at some point. The Patriots played a fairly poor game where the defense really stood up where it needed to for a few plays. The locker room material BB will be able to slam down the throats of his players will be long and plentiful.

Let's hope for a sharper and improved effort to close out the first seed and division.

 

[NewFeep]

I've seen the word "ugly" used many times tonight. I didn't see it that way at all.

We were very short staffed on the D-Line and gutted out a tough win. I see it as a confidence builder for less than front line troops. Nothing but good can come out of that.

Green Bay is a very good, well coached team and we gutted out a tough win.

One more win seals the HF advantage through the playoffs. If we can't beat Buffalo in their place or the Dolphins at home with nothing but game pride to play for, then that is the time to start squirming. I expect to seal HF next Sunday.

 

[SEA_Pat]

As displeasing as the game was as a Patriots spectacle I can't hope but believe that this was the grounding sort of game that BB would have hoped for at some point. The Patriots played a fairly poor game where the defense really stood up where it needed to for a few plays.

I thought it was quite an enjoyable and entertaining spectacle - in fact it is a game that you know you will always remember because of the Connolly play.

I think we're getting very spoiled as a fanbase, which is natural when they've been playing so well that they're blowing away good football teams. To me, this game showed exactly what we are - a team good enough to beat good teams even on a bad day when breaks are going against them. A team that makes plays, conjuring up points unexpectedly and making big stops when they're needed. Plays that are the critical difference between winning and losing. That's toughness and the mark of a championship team, it's what we had in 2001-2004.

 

[DarrylS]

Find Collinsworth the worst announcer in the game, wonder if he was briefed by Borges and Felger before the game... Matt Flynn had the cleanest testicles of all time post game....

Our season ending injuries are significant, coupled with a very thin D line rotation effected us last night.. but Collinsworth failed to comment on that.

But good teams know how to win, even if it was "ugly".....

 

[37Harrison]

..... and god knows its begun.
[4]
I know its not fashionable to complain about injuries and I'm not. I'm complaining about these mediots constantly going on about every other freakin team's injuries like its this great obstacle they have to overcome, while at the same time ignoring the Pats have played through similar situations all year without comment or complaint. I guess when you get down to it, I demand equal opportunity whining.

5. A lot of the Pats failures tonight were self inflicted. There were a couple of occassions were bad tackling led to Packer TDs. A couple of occasions where 15 yd penalties greatly aided Packer drives. A couple of penalties that kept Packer drives alive.

6. All that being said, this wasn't the offense's best moment. I particularly didn't like our last drive. Too often this season, the so called "strength" of our team, the offense, has failed to close out games. This can be added to the rest.

And since I'm b!tching a bit about the offense, I was thrilled when they threw to the Gronk down field so early in the game. I was pissed that they never gave him another look. I'd like to know why.

I think the reason why the Pats injuries are overlooked is partly because they've consistently won over the years while breaking records for the number of different players started due to injures. Also because GB's injuries are more noticeable (i.e. skill positions QB, RB, TE, etc.)

Gotta agree about the Pats problems being mostly self inflicted but give GB credit for getting creative and executing well. The Pats are going to have to start being more aware of the fact that teams are going to get "tricky" with them and the team needs to be ready for everything and anything. Meriweather also had a pretty rough night.

As far as Gronk was concerned, I think BB mainly used him to nuetralize Matthews and did an excellent job taking him out of the game. That, I think, was a big factor in the Pats offense not "closing" the game out. There's only so much you can do when the run game wasn't all that effective, Gronk is being used as an extra blocker, Wes is letting balls bounce off his hands, Deion seemed to covered pretty well and Edleman can't catch poop.

Thank god for Hernandez, that's all I have to say. He's a friggen matchup nightmare!

 

[patsox23]

Collinsworth is, IMO, one of THE BEST announcers in the game and the idea that he is, even remotely, a Borges or Felger disciple, is a joke. The guy is extremely objective. There was much to criticize about the Patriots last night, but they did a helluva job getting the win. Collinsworth was extremely complimentary when he should be, but just b/c a commentator criticizes, which he did, doesn't mean it's not justified. He's EXCELLENT, well-prepared and astute.

 

[hyperpat]

Find Collinsworth the worst announcer in the game, wonder if he was briefed by Borges and Felger before the game... Matt Flynn had the cleanest testicles of all time post game....

Our season ending injuries are significant, coupled with a very thin D line rotation effected us last night.. but Collinsworth failed to comment on that.

But good teams know how to win, even if it was "ugly".....

Collinsworth is the worst. He absolutely sucks. Inane, clueless, ball-washing comments when a player (on either team, it doesn't matter) makes a good play. He brings absolutely nothing of substance to the analyst's job. Patfanken or a host of other posters on this board could do so much better. He makes SNF a chore to watch. I'd even rather listen to Madden than Collinsworth.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Get ready for the "patriots have been exposed" mediot spin

The same group who were annointing the Patriots after last week will now be telling you how the Packers exposed the Patriots weaknesses and last night was who the Patriots "really are". Last night was Browns Part II and we all thought this team had "grown" beyond that type of game.
The secondary is horrible, the offense can be stoppped, this is the blueprint game to stop Brady....yada....yada....yada.....

Here's what you should take from last night. The Patriots have just come off a really brutal and emotional stretch of games, they've been hearing all week just how invincible they look, Aaron Rodgers is ruled out of the game and is replaced by a backup QB with little experience, a prime time home game.....last nights flat performance was very predictable.
What should thrill every Patriot fan is how UNhappy every Patriot player and coach was in their postgame interviews after winning their TWELFTH game of the season.
The Patriots have flaws. So does everyone else in the NFL.
Last night was good for this team.
Don't take the mediots bait
This team will be fine.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Last night a good win for us, we had been pretty invincible last few weeks, I might have actually gotten a little concerned if we went into the playoffs without a struggle like that. Lots of areas BB can attack this week and good lessons for the team. And as an added bonus, we made it out of there with a win.

Like I said in the other thread, I'm GLAD we gave up an onsides kick. Good for it to happen in this game and not in the playoffs. That is something if I were playing the Patriots I would absolutely want to do, the way Brady and the offense is playing right now. Hopefully our ST's learned a good lesson and will be prepared for it next time, I'm sure if you ask the COLTS they'd have appreciated something like that in a regular season game last year.

I hope we can come out next week and crush the Bills after this performance. Of course, right now I will gladly take a 1 point win and clinch home field, but I really want to see this team bounce back from this and play a solid game. Especially the OL and the front 7 who got tossed around alot of the night. Next Sunday will tell alot, even if it is just the Bills, they are playing much better lately.

 

[102 Pat]

Find Collinsworth the worst announcer in the game, wonder if he was briefed by Borges and Felger before the game... Matt Flynn had the cleanest testicles of all time post game....

Our season ending injuries are significant, coupled with a very thin D line rotation effected us last night.. but Collinsworth failed to comment on that.

But good teams know how to win, even if it was "ugly".....

Injuries are only used as an excuse by the announcers if you have a horseshoe on your helmet...:bricks:

 

[shmessy]

Collinsworth is the worst. He absolutely sucks. Inane, clueless, ball-washing comments when a player (on either team, it doesn't matter) makes a good play. He brings absolutely nothing of substance to the analyst's job. Patfanken or a host of other posters on this board could do so much better. He makes SNF a chore to watch. I'd even rather listen to Madden than Collinsworth.

Do have a volume control on your TV apparatus?

Do you have a radio?

 

[upstater1]

Collinsworth is, IMO, one of THE BEST announcers in the game and the idea that he is, even remotely, a Borges or Felger disciple, is a joke. The guy is extremely objective. There was much to criticize about the Patriots last night, but they did a helluva job getting the win. Collinsworth was extremely complimentary when he should be, but just b/c a commentator criticizes, which he did, doesn't mean it's not justified. He's EXCELLENT, well-prepared and astute.

I think Collingsworth doesn't like the Patriots much and he's 60% against them.

It doesn't bother me.

He's a really good announcer who offers real insight into the game.

Compare him to Troy Aikman who offers little. Compare him to Simms who offers a little more analysis but is over the top arrogant. Collingsworth is smarmy and I can deal with that, but Simms is a know-it-all.