We need more leaders on this team

[mcgraw_wv]

Brady is the leader, he's really the only one on this team right now. He can't be the emotional leader the whole season... that turns to bitterness ala Marino.

We need another Harrison, Bruschi type so when Brady is down... others lift up the team.

When the steelers talked trash in 03, Rodney responded... now we bench people for responding in a cute way. I want some one to respond with "Bring it, this is our house, and we will make you respect that..."

 

[eagle eye]

We have them in place, its just that they are rookies this year. I'm talking McCourty, Spikes, Cunningham just to name a few. Gronk too.

 

[BradyBranch39]

I want some one to respond with "Bring it, this is our house, and we will make you respect that..."

damn that would have been nice.

 

[JustEndTheSeason]

We do have Wilfork, Mayo, Mankins, but that is really it. Wilfork is pretty much the Brady of the D, but we could do with some more veteran leaders

 

[BaltimorePatsFan]

I agree.

That's what Bart Scott is for the Jets and Antonio Pierce was for the Giants in SB42. The Pats need more vocal guys that can also back it up with their performance on the field.

 

[ausbacker]

No.. we need guys who can make a critical play and spark the team when it needs to be. Last night the Steelers got that from one James Harrison effort in the third quarter and they went mental from there.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Brady is the leader, he's really the only one on this team right now. He can't be the emotional leader the whole season... that turns to bitterness ala Marino.

We need another Harrison, Bruschi type so when Brady is down... others lift up the team.

When the steelers talked trash in 03, Rodney responded... now we bench people for responding in a cute way. I want some one to respond with "Bring it, this is our house, and we will make you respect that..."

We've got them but they're young.
Mayo, Chung and McCourty are the leaders/foundation of the defense and all are babies who are only going to get better.

 

[AJY the Jets troll]

Our defense was 25th in the league and they played like it.

 

[fair catch fryar]

You can't really get down on them for this. There are a lot of young, talented players on this team and hopefully they learn from this year in order to become those guys we so desperately need.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

This team needs a lot of things. Big changes ahead for the OL with Mankins possibly gone and Light leaking oil and Neal likely done.

OLB and DL help are also musts. We could use a WR and maybe some more DBs as well.

When you look at it there are very few areas on this team that don't need improvement on some level.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Our defense was 25th in the league and they played like it.

Our defense is the YOUNGEST in the NFL and yet they were NOT the reason this team lost today.
That belongs squarely on the O and on some poor coaching.

 

[mcgraw_wv]

I know they are young, but someone needs to tell them, this is your defense, you need to speak up and get the team to raise their game when it counts. I think Mayo is the leader in play, but he never speaks up, he doesn't seem to want that role. I don't see any one on defense want that role, and a Wilfork, being continually double teamed, playing the unsung role of the cog in the line won't be that guy. Spikes and Cunningham need to be groomed and given the keys this off season. Someone needs to step up.

Again, you only get so many chances, and they your nothing. See the 49ers. One day, BB and TB will leave, I want to see them achieve one more before that happens, and it feels like were letting opportunities slip away, like 07, 06, and this year.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

I know they are young, but someone needs to tell them, this is your defense, you need to speak up and get the team to raise their game when it counts. I think Mayo is the leader in play, but he never speaks up, he doesn't seem to want that role. I don't see any one on defense want that role, and a Wilfork, being continually double teamed, playing the unsung role of the cog in the line won't be that guy. Spikes and Cunningham need to be groomed and given the keys this off season. Someone needs to step up.

Again, you only get so many chances, and they your nothing. See the 49ers. One day, BB and TB will leave, I want to see them achieve one more before that happens, and it feels like were letting opportunities slip away, like 07, 06, and this year.

It's obvious by the way they played tonight that the Patriots are not "there" yet. They simply are not tough enough right now to be championship worthy ....key phrase being right now.

 

[mcgraw_wv]

It simply kills me when we watch these games and brady looks the way he does. He Doesn't pout, but the whole "not in the game" act stinks. I hate seeing it, I want to know why, I want to know how that happens in such big games.

What happens to create that atmosphere when your in such a big stage game, at home, and it's 7-3... or even 14-11.

No one was there to pick him up...

 

[mcgraw_wv]

And based on the way they came out and played, and the benching of welker, I would say the tone of the pregame talk and speech, was that of dread, gloom and doom.

 

[fair catch fryar]

Our defense is the YOUNGEST in the NFL and yet they were NOT the reason this team lost today.
That belongs squarely on the O and on some poor coaching.

If anything the defense kept the game closer than it should've been in my opinion. It seemed like the jets were continually starting out past their 30 yard line every time and our D was always playing with less room behind them.

 

[AJY the Jets troll]

Our defense is the YOUNGEST in the NFL and yet they were NOT the reason this team lost today.
That belongs squarely on the O and on some poor coaching.

I disagree. Our defense is way overrated on this board. Bottom 3rd defense. Every team has some pieces but the Pats are thin on all 3 levels.

Mccourty and Wilfork are by far our best two players. Behind that there aren't any guys near elite players. Mayo has peaked and doesn't make impact plays. We have no legitimate pass rushers. We have some solid young pieces but I don't see this group being world beaters in 3-4 years.

They are what they are. 25th.

 

[DefenseRules]

If anything the defense kept the game closer than it should've been in my opinion. It seemed like the jets were continually starting out past their 30 yard line every time and our D was always playing with less room behind them.

I will be happy to see the end of Graham as our kicker. He was serviceable, but we missed the Gost. Hope he comes back healthy or you can add kicker to our list of needs.

 

[pwes]

I disagree. Our defense is way overrated on this board. Bottom 3rd defense. Every team has some pieces but the Pats are thin on all 3 levels.

Mccourty and Wilfork are by far our best two players. Behind that there aren't any guys near elite players. Mayo has peaked and doesn't make impact plays. We have no legitimate pass rushers. We have some solid young pieces but I don't see this group being world beaters in 3-4 years.

They are what they are. 25th.

Maybe so but this loss was on the OFFENSE first and foremost. They didnt execute at all.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

We're building leaders. Bruschi, McGinnest, Harrison, Wilfork, etc did not become leaders overnight.

What did we say before the year? Have patience with this team. The fact that we are so distraught over a 2nd round playoff exit from a team who's majority of the roster are 1st and 2nd year players speaks volumes about the team's progression. We're going to get back on top.