What's botherin' me ...

[mikey]

I thought this season represents our best opportunity to pick up the 4th Lombardi.

At 29, Brady is at the peak of his career.

We have the easiest schedule ever to pick the home-field advantage.

The competition is "ripe for the pickin'". Rivers and Cutler are still in their formative stage. Palmer is returning from a severe injury. Steelers are a downward spiral. And Colts are adjusting without James.

Instead of taking advantage of the situation, however, I thought we squandered away this opportunity.

We have our generation's "Joe Montana" and we took away his "John Taylor" and "Jerry Rice". We then promptly surrounded him with rejects from other teams.

What's bothering me is that we just wasted another year of Brady, and the competition is not getting easier.

In the future, I'm afraid we will look back to this season and regret the loss of an incredible opportunity to win our 4th Super Bowl.


.

 

[Clonamery]

I thought this season represents our best opportunity to pick up the 4th Lombardi.

At 29, Brady is at the peak of his career.

We have the easiest schedule ever to pick the home-field advantage.

The competition is "ripe for the pickin'". Rivers and Cutler are still in their formative stage. Palmer is returning from a severe injury. Steelers are a downward spiral. And Colts are adjusting without James.

Instead of taking advantage of the situation, however, I thought we squandered away this opportunity.

We have our generation's "Joe Montana" and we took away his "John Taylor" and "Jerry Rice". We then promptly surrounded him with rejects from other teams.

What's bothering me is that we just wasted another year of Brady, and the competition is not getting easier.

In the future, I'm afraid we will look back to this season and regret the loss of an incredible opportunity to win our 4th Super Bowl.


.

I'm sorry, did you say something? You were mumbling. Speak clearly and slowly when talking in public.

Thanks.

 

[BelichickFan]

We have our generation's "Joe Montana" and we took away his "John Taylor" and "Jerry Rice". We then promptly surrounded him with rejects from other teams.

Actually, Manning has this generations's Taylor and Rice. Brady never did. But, regardless, this is the FA era. The Colts kept "Taylor and Rice" but gave up 370 yards rushing (I love saying that). It's the NFL today. It sucks but it is what it is. Maybe we should have given The Twig a couple million to play this year then moved on, who knows.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I thought this season represents our best opportunity to pick up the 4th Lombardi.

At 29, Brady is at the peak of his career.

We have the easiest schedule ever to pick the home-field advantage.

The competition is "ripe for the pickin'". Rivers and Cutler are still in their formative stage. Palmer is returning from a severe injury. Steelers are a downward spiral. And Colts are adjusting without James.

Instead of taking advantage of the situation, however, I thought we squandered away this opportunity.

We have our generation's "Joe Montana" and we took away his "John Taylor" and "Jerry Rice". We then promptly surrounded him with rejects from other teams.

What's bothering me is that we just wasted another year of Brady, and the competition is not getting easier.

In the future, I'm afraid we will look back to this season and regret the loss of an incredible opportunity to win our 4th Super Bowl.


.

I'm not quite sure who we or the team "took away" mikey - Branch took himself away - he was under contract as many seem to forget.

Not giving into his demands for a new contract is a "pick your poison" situation for the front office and is difficult to criticize - as giving into that tactic has a major downside as well. And regardless of what one thinks about Givens talent, no one here is going to suggest that we should have matched the Titans salary offer, no matter how depleted our WR corps is.

It's also worth noting that Montana and Rice are both from a very different era of free agency. That's no secret but it's not worth bemoaning that fact.

If this were the offseason I might be inclined to agree with you about the need to give Brady better weapons, but what good does it do to bemoan decisions made months ago right now?

The front office gave Derrick Mason the highest salary offer 2 years ago and he declined to accept it - I can't blame them for that - they definately recognize the value of giving Brady good weapons but aren't going to waste money either.

So, while I understand your frustration, now really isn't the time for it. No whining on our part is going to bring a #1 caliber WR to this team between now and the Super Bowl - the best we can do is get behind the guys we have and urge them to play beyond their capabilities like so many players in past Super Bowl seasons have as well.

The team we have is the team we have.

 

[jimmyjames]

The Niners are also only just now crawling back to mediocrity as a result of overpaying to keep guys around longer than they maybe should have.

They play in the worst stadium in the league. They led the NFL in dead money hits against the cap for years. As a result of so many consecutive losing seasons thay have a totally disproportionate ammount of their annual cap going to only a few guys becuse they keep having to pay low first round picks.

I love the Lombardi trpohies, but what I love most is knowing we have a chance to win one every year for the foreseeable future. I'll take that over one more guaranteed anyday.

 

[DarrylS]

The Niners are also only just now crawling back to mediocrity as a result of overpaying to keep guys around longer than they maybe should have.

They play in the worst stadium in the league. They led the NFL in dead money hits against the cap for years. As a result of so many consecutive losing seasons thay have a totally disproportionate ammount of their annual cap going to only a few guys becuse they keep having to pay low first round picks.

I love the Lombardi trpohies, but what I love most is knowing we have a chance to win one every year for the foreseeable future. I'll take that over one more guaranteed anyday.

Well said, amongst all of the hysteria and knee jerk reactions lately. I will take a competitive team for a long time, at the risk of overspending on quick fixes. Had too many lean years, enjoy this ride as long as we can.

 

[mgcolby]

I think some people are making a little to much of this loss. Its Miami in Miami, I expect that to be a loss every season. As Soloman put in his Blog, Brady has been held to under 100 yards passing 4 times in his career. All four of them were against the Dolphins. If we had lost to a 5-7 non-division team I would be worried. Pony put it best in his post about our offensive performances, we lost to the Jets who had two weeks to prepare, are coached by a guy who just left our team and they were gaining a lot of confidence. We also lost to the Dolphins a team we lose to a lot and coached by another BB decipel. We flat out got beat by the Broncos in week 3 and we beat ourselves against the Colts.

Maybe its just me but the only thing that concerns me is the Fumbles. I don't remember hearing anyone ***** about WR seperation against the Bears. This team will be fine in the Playoffs as long as they get the fumbling under control.

 

[Oswlek]

I think some people are making a little to much of this loss. Its Miami in Miami, I expect that to be a loss every season. As Soloman put in his Blog, Brady has been held to under 100 yards passing 4 times in his career. All four of them were against the Dolphins. If we had lost to a 5-7 non-division team I would be worried. Pony put it best in his post about our offensive performances, we lost to the Jets who had two weeks to prepare, are coached by a guy who just left our team and they were gaining a lot of confidence. We also lost to the Dolphins a team we lose to a lot and coached by another BB decipel. We flat out got beat by the Broncos in week 3 and we beat ourselves against the Colts.

Maybe its just me but the only thing that concerns me is the Fumbles. I don't remember hearing anyone ***** about WR seperation against the Bears. This team will be fine in the Playoffs as long as they get the fumbling under control.

This might be heresy, but I don't consider the Bears to be a tremendously coached defense, they just have a ton of good players. I can point to two examples for this, the Carolina game last year and this year's Pats game. In the Carolina game, the Cats came in with two offensive weapons, Steve Smith and DeShaun Foster, and Foster was lost for the game early on (edited to say that now that I think about it, I think Foster was injured in the Giants game, but this only *strengthens* my point). Despite this, Chicago played their basic coverages and left Smith single covered for much of the game, and he proceeded to torch the bejeezus out of them. The next game, a good but not great Seattle D completely shut down Carolina by essetially using a "box and 1" type D, at times using 4 men to cover just Smith.

In NE this year, the Bears used their basic cover 2, with corners 5 yards off most of the game, even though everyone with eyes can see that NE's offense is flumaxed by press coverage. Not only that, but I don't recall a single blitz when it is clear as day how much trouble the OL has had with them this year.

I guess what I am saying is that "we do what we do" teams don't impress me all that much. And Chicago's defense is just that.

 

[mgcolby]

This might be heresy, but I don't consider the Bears to be a tremendously coached defense, they just have a ton of good players. I can point to two examples for this, the Carolina game last year and this year's Pats game. In the Carolina game, the Cats came in with two offensive weapons, Steve Smith and DeShaun Foster, and Foster was lost for the game early on (edited to say that now that I think about it, I think Foster was injured in the Giants game, but this only *strengthens* my point). Despite this, Chicago played their basic coverages and left Smith single covered for much of the game, and he proceeded to torch the bejeezus out of them. The next game, a good but not great Seattle D completely shut down Carolina by essetially using a "box and 1" type D, at times using 4 men to cover just Smith.

In NE this year, the Bears used their basic cover 2, with corners 5 yards off most of the game, even though everyone with eyes can see that NE's offense is flumaxed by press coverage. Not only that, but I don't recall a single blitz when it is clear as day how much trouble the OL has had with them this year.

I guess what I am saying is that "we do what we do" teams don't impress me all that much. And Chicago's defense is just that.

Maybe so but either way not to many teams have moved the football like that against them. I could have picked another game to make my point but figured Chicago represented the best defensive team on the list. What Smith did to them last season was pathetic it was as if they didn't realize he could actually make plays.

The defenses we will face in the Playoffs will not be able to do that to us. SD can't use press coverage because their corners aren't very good. Baltimore will give us some trouble but you can move the ball against them. No other team truly has a great defense, Cincy has played well as of late, Jax is beat up and Houston put up points against them and we all know about Indy. I would be more concerned if we were playing the Dolphins or the Jets to some degree in the playoffs but that is doubtful. Again this team will be fine as long as it stops fumbling.

 

[italia44]

This might be heresy, but I don't consider the Bears to be a tremendously coached defense, they just have a ton of good players. I can point to two examples for this, the Carolina game last year and this year's Pats game. In the Carolina game, the Cats came in with two offensive weapons, Steve Smith and DeShaun Foster, and Foster was lost for the game early on (edited to say that now that I think about it, I think Foster was injured in the Giants game, but this only *strengthens* my point). Despite this, Chicago played their basic coverages and left Smith single covered for much of the game, and he proceeded to torch the bejeezus out of them. The next game, a good but not great Seattle D completely shut down Carolina by essetially using a "box and 1" type D, at times using 4 men to cover just Smith.

In NE this year, the Bears used their basic cover 2, with corners 5 yards off most of the game, even though everyone with eyes can see that NE's offense is flumaxed by press coverage. Not only that, but I don't recall a single blitz when it is clear as day how much trouble the OL has had with them this year.

I guess what I am saying is that "we do what we do" teams don't impress me all that much. And Chicago's defense is just that.

Kudos!.........This is an absolute GEM of analysis by Oswlek.

Lovie Smith and 'da bears,did exactly this against
Carolina and the Pats.

I've also noticed this about the teams that: " do what we do" Also,most of them seem to be in the NFC.

The common denominator,IMO,is EGO,as in BIG.

Mike Martz in the 2001 SB


Joe Gibbs and Coughlin-all the time

Lovie Smith in the Carolina playoff game last year

Bill Cowher-off and on in Home playoff games

('sometimes the best team doesn't win".)

Brian Billick-in previous years-offense?....who needs an offense?....I'm a defensive genius.

Dennis Green,wherever he coaches

Can you think of any more?

 

[Oswlek]

Maybe so but either way not to many teams have moved the football like that against them. I could have picked another game to make my point but figured Chicago represented the best defensive team on the list. What Smith did to them last season was pathetic it was as if they didn't realize he could actually make plays.

The defenses we will face in the Playoffs will not be able to do that to us. SD can't use press coverage because their corners aren't very good. Baltimore will give us some trouble but you can move the ball against them. No other team truly has a great defense, Cincy has played well as of late, Jax is beat up and Houston put up points against them and we all know about Indy. I would be more concerned if we were playing the Dolphins or the Jets to some degree in the playoffs but that is doubtful. Again this team will be fine as long as it stops fumbling.

What allowed Miami's corners to look good what a pash rush possessed. They really aren't that much better than San Diego's. I have no doubt that if the blocking doesn't improve, SD;s corners will all look like all-pros in a playoff matchup.

As far as Cincy, I will believe in their D when they face a real offense. The only team in their little run that was good on offense was NO, and they put up a ridiculous amount of yardage. If they can hold Indy to below 21 then I will start to be concerned. I will admit that their O has improved greatly since the last game, so that does worry me a little, particularly because they are a likely possibility to come to NE. I still think NE would put up at least 24 on them, though.

The Jags are paper tigers away from Jacksonville. Even if they crush NE in two weeks, I still wouldn't fear a matchup here.

 

[Oswlek]

Kudos!.........This is an absolute GEM of analysis by Oswlek.

Lovie Smith and 'da bears,did exactly this against
Carolina and the Pats.

I've also noticed this about the teams that: " do what we do" Also,most of them seem to be in the NFC.

The common denominator,IMO,is EGO,as in BIG.

Mike Martz in the 2001 SB


Joe Gibbs and Coughlin-all the time

Lovie Smith in the Carolina playoff game last year

Bill Cowher-off and on in Home playoff games

('sometimes the best team doesn't win".)

Brian Billick-in previous years-offense?....who needs an offense?....I'm a defensive genius.

Dennis Green,wherever he coaches

Can you think of any more?

I don't know if I would put Gibbs up there. In his hey-day, he was certainly able to make shifts in game planning due to personnel. Hell, the guy is the only of the 3-time SB winning coaches that did so with 3 different QBs.

Otherwise, you did a good job. I might add Marty-ball to the list, and Dungy seems to never make any adjustments either.

 

[mcbee]

You're on to something Mikey.

What the Pats should do is go on a FA spree and get good FAs. They have cap room and they should backload the contracts too. Yes, I know they'll be in cap hell if the cap doesn't go up, but it always seems to.

You have to strike while the iron is hot. Make a run for it. Instead Brady will slowly get older (maybe quickly if he keeps taking a pounding like he's been doing).

If going into a tough salary cap situation would win them 2 out of the next 4 and then result in some cuttings, rebuilding, would you be for it? Or would you rather muddle through.

 

[mgcolby]

What allowed Miami's corners to look good what a pash rush possessed. They really aren't that much better than San Diego's. I have no doubt that if the blocking doesn't improve, SD;s corners will all look like all-pros in a playoff matchup.

As far as Cincy, I will believe in their D when they face a real offense. The only team in their little run that was good on offense was NO, and they put up a ridiculous amount of yardage. If they can hold Indy to below 21 then I will start to be concerned. I will admit that their O has improved greatly since the last game, so that does worry me a little, particularly because they are a likely possibility to come to NE. I still think NE would put up at least 24 on them, though.

The Jags are paper tigers away from Jacksonville. Even if they crush NE in two weeks, I still wouldn't fear a matchup here.

I don't buy into Cincy either. SD's defense is overated as well. The Jags won't be able to put up many points on us, same with the Ravens. The only team I fear in the Playoffs is US, if we don't turn the ball over 3 times we will be in the SuperBowl if the fumbling appears in a playoff game we are done.

 

[mgcolby]

You're on to something Mikey.

Wow, couldn't see this one coming. Mcbee and dip**** agreeing! What a shocker.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

This might be heresy, but I don't consider the Bears to be a tremendously coached defense, they just have a ton of good players. I can point to two examples for this, the Carolina game last year and this year's Pats game. In the Carolina game, the Cats came in with two offensive weapons, Steve Smith and DeShaun Foster, and Foster was lost for the game early on (edited to say that now that I think about it, I think Foster was injured in the Giants game, but this only *strengthens* my point). Despite this, Chicago played their basic coverages and left Smith single covered for much of the game, and he proceeded to torch the bejeezus out of them. The next game, a good but not great Seattle D completely shut down Carolina by essetially using a "box and 1" type D, at times using 4 men to cover just Smith.

In NE this year, the Bears used their basic cover 2, with corners 5 yards off most of the game, even though everyone with eyes can see that NE's offense is flumaxed by press coverage. Not only that, but I don't recall a single blitz when it is clear as day how much trouble the OL has had with them this year.

I guess what I am saying is that "we do what we do" teams don't impress me all that much. And Chicago's defense is just that.

A box and 1 gets'em every time.

 

[mcbee]

Wow, couldn't see this one coming. Mcbee and dip**** agreeing! What a shocker.

OK, you're right. The pats should keep 6-10M under the cap, not sign any FAs. Their 30+ year old RB, and washout WR corps are really doing well. The OL is looking steller.

The important thing isn't to win a SB. It's to keep the salary well under the cap. Bravo.

 

[jimmyjames]

You're on to something Mikey.

What the Pats should do is go on a FA spree and get good FAs. They have cap room and they should backload the contracts too. Yes, I know they'll be in cap hell if the cap doesn't go up, but it always seems to.

You have to strike while the iron is hot. Make a run for it. Instead Brady will slowly get older (maybe quickly if he keeps taking a pounding like he's been doing).

If going into a tough salary cap situation would win them 2 out of the next 4 and then result in some cuttings, rebuilding, would you be for it? Or would you rather muddle through.

Can you show me who these mythical All Pro Free Agents are that will be available this off season for us to sign? Which HOF Receivers did they pass on this year: Jurevicious, Az Hakim? Please. You don't have a clue.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

You're on something Mikey.

There, I fixed your typo for you

 

[mgcolby]

OK, you're right. The pats should keep 6-10M under the cap, not sign any FAs. Their 30+ year old RB, and washout WR corps are really doing well. The OL is looking steller.

The important thing isn't to win a SB. It's to keep the salary well under the cap. Bravo.

How many times do you and numbnuts have to ask the same questions only to have the answers explained to you...again?

Ask the Ravens, Bucs, Titans fans if they enjoyed those years of cap hell?

Your solution is to sell your soul to the cap devil to win one superbowl and spend multiple years of having no chance of winning 6 games let a lone a chance at the playoffs. As opposed to not giving out bad contracts to players who are marginally better than what you have, making offers to players who could help your team but chose less money to play else where or who chose a couple of bucks more to play else where, all the while fielding a 10+ win team even in a "down year" or "rebuilding year" (pick your term).


You and Mikey will be good for each other.