Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply, others: come in off the ledge

[fumbrunner]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

--on the offense. I think we need to see what Taylor Price brings to the offense. If he could be a solid contributor, I think they need to consider cutting ties with with Ocho Cinco. There is no point stunting Price's growth to keep a guy who clearly is struggling with our offense.

They need to Run the ball more. There are plent of opportunities to give both BJGE and Ridley the rock, especially up by 21. There needs to be more commitment to that side of the offense.

on D - They have to consider bringing in Sharper. He might not have alot left in the tank, but a veteran presence is needed back there. It was a big mistake not retaining Sanders.

 

[Ian]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

Ian - My concern with O'Brien is a point you brought up. Why have Edelman out there at RB when you have Ridley, Woodhead, and BJGE? Also, where were the screens and the deeper routes? Get Slater out there for something other than blocking duty on run plays.

The decisions by him, Brady and BB to not run the ball until the 2nd half should be questioned despite how well they moved the ball. The lack of running the ball cost them. Particularly at the end of the 1st half.

I guess, but they were on their way to potentially punching another one in on that last drive. That ball he threw to Woodhead was a little off the mark, but had he reeled that in he could have potentially taken it in or at least picked up 5 or 6 yards. That was just one of those plays that didn't go their way.

But I obviously agree with you on the Edelman runs. That was just bizarre.

 

[borg]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

What I don't understand is why they wouldn't use a heavy dose of Ridley when they were up by three scores. Instead they waited until they were tied/playing catch up. And then the ill-fated INT on a pass to Gronkowski in the red zone... where they should have been pounding the rock.

They wanted 400 yds for Brady...3 games in a row. BB is very conscious of records. When they are close to a record, they go for it...this is undeniable Cue the "Pats Good" apologists

1. Perfect Season
2. Moss TD record
3. Brady TD record
4. I know there's more....just too lazy to research it

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

I hear you, but as I posted Gronk would have scored if Brady hadn't underthrew it. It was the only real bad play he made out of the three picks.

You think that pick he threw at the end of the first half was a good play and throw by Brady?

 

[Ian]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

McCourty has been bad since exhibition season. He's getting targeted deliberately, and he's getting beaten so badly that red-headed stepchildren probably feel sorry for him. He's had enough time to study film and see what he's doing wrong, and he's not learning a new system, so I'm not buying that type of argument. We need to hope that he gets himself right, because he's killing the defense right now.

Learning what you're doing wrong and being able to spend time with the coaching staff individually on and off the field are two different things. The worst part about McCourty is the fact that for as many plays that he's been beat, there have been plenty of others where guys have just made some great catches against him. I agree he's hurting the defense with his struggles to this point, but I disagree with those who don't think he's going to figure it out at some point.

 

[Spiral]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

Belichick always says before the season starts that it takes three or four games to know what kind of team you have.

After three games, I think Belichick knows this is a team with a really bad defense.

 

[Ian]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

You think that pick he threw at the end of the first half was a good play and throw by Brady?

That was a diving pick he barely pulled off the turf that went off Woodhead's hand - it wasn't exactly an easy one. After watching it again this morning, I think had Woodhead caught it (and had Brady thrown him a better ball) he could have potentially eluded the tackle, and they were inside the 13 at that point - I think they eventually would have scored. As I said, it was just a fluke play that they made a great play on the ball. Not much else you can say on that one.

 

[QB12]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

Well said, Ian, and good perspective.

Do you think we'll come out and play inspired, winning football at Oakland, and win the game?

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

Learning what you're doing wrong and being able to spend time with the coaching staff individually on and off the field are two different things. The worst part about McCourty is the fact that for as many plays that he's been beat, there have been plenty of others where guys have just made some great catches against him. I agree he's hurting the defense with his struggles to this point, but I disagree with those who don't think he's going to figure it out at some point.

We don't know if he's going to figure it out. That's the problem. And he's getting beaten clean. It's not about great catches being made against him. He's getting beat off the line. He's getting beat on cuts. He's getting beat with handfighting. He's getting beat in mid air.

He's just flat out getting abused in pretty much every way.

 

[DonBlackmon55]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

They wanted 400 yds for Brady...3 games in a row. BB is very conscious of records. When they are close to a record, they go for it...this is undeniable Cue the "Pats Good" apologists

1. Perfect Season
2. Moss TD record
3. Brady TD record
4. I know there's more....just too lazy to research it

Agree. And at this rate they are on pace for 709 Attempts by Brady. He will either get planted/injured or come late in the season his arm will be hanging like a wet noodle.

Statistically he averages 533 attempts/season (33.3/game), and 11.44 INt's..2011 he's on pace at 709 attempts (44.3/game)

So, 10+ more pass attempts a game. its obvious they have no desire to run the ball. Other defenses will just tee off and that's exactly what Buffalo did. I expect to see more INT's

 

[Ian]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

Well said, Ian, and good perspective.

Do you think we'll come out and play inspired, winning football at Oakland, and win the game?

I think this is definitely a wake up call. But honestly I don't think Oakland's going to be easy either. They've played well so far this season and their fans are nuts - it's going to be a tough road test for a lot of the new guys, but it's tough to predict anything until we get more of a feel for who can go this weekend injury-wise.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

That was a diving pick he barely pulled off the turf that went off Woodhead's hand - it wasn't exactly an easy one. After watching it again this morning, I think had Woodhead caught it (and had Brady thrown him a better ball) he could have potentially eluded the tackle, and they were inside the 13 at that point - I think they eventually would have scored. As I said, it was just a fluke play that they made a great play on the ball. Not much else you can say on that one.

The throw/catch was still the problem, and, unless it comes out that Woodhead ran a bad route, it's still a pick that's on Brady.

 

[Ian]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

We don't know if he's going to figure it out. That's the problem. And he's getting beaten clean. It's not about great catches being made against him. He's getting beat off the line. He's getting beat on cuts. He's getting beat with handfighting. He's getting beat in mid air.

He's just flat out getting abused in pretty much every way.

I know the play you're talking about where his guy cut and he didn't react - that was even quick on the slow motion replay so I don't know what to say about that one. He really had no shot.

Watching another deep play, you could see him slow up a bit just before his guy accelerated behind him, and then he had to try and close. I think honestly he's playing tight right now and he's thinking too much. I think if he has a decent game he'll hopefully start breaking sooner and having more confidence in his instincts, because that's what he looks like he's missing right now.

 

[sbpatfan]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

I would like to hear Belichick's rational thoughts on why Torchio Brown and Josh Burned-ett are better safeties than Meriweather and Sanders.

 

[DonBlackmon55]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

We don't know if he's going to figure it out. That's the problem. And he's getting beaten clean. It's not about great catches being made against him. He's getting beat off the line. He's getting beat on cuts. He's getting beat with handfighting. He's getting beat in mid air.

He's just flat out getting abused in pretty much every way.

Either he's tipping off the offenses, or he simply is not as good as everyone who bought into his coolaid last year. Could very well be latter and he had a fluke year as a rookie since he was an unknown and any flaws were masked by 3-4 and secondary help (ie Butler, Eugene Wilson etc)

Now opposing QB's have figured out his weakness and exposed him. He will get picked on every game unless he can show he can keep up. If not, then just like Darius Butler on whose bandwagon everyone jumped in rookie year when he had 4 ints and played well, MCCourty will be McToasty by year 3.

 

[Ian]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

The throw/catch was still the problem, and, unless it comes out that Woodhead ran a bad route, it's still a pick that's on Brady.

I hear you, and that's obviously a subjective thing, but we were on the point of the play calling - and I don't think that was a terrible call at that spot on the field.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

I hear you, and that's obviously a subjective thing, but we were on the point of the play calling - and I don't think that was a terrible call at that spot on the field.

The call was lousy because of the time left in the half. That just doesn't excuse Brady's throw.

 

[Ian]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

I would like to hear Belichick's rational thoughts on why Torchio Brown and Josh Burned-ett are better safeties than Meriweather and Sanders.

I understand the Meriweather release, the Sanders one - aside from the obvious money reason - is the one that still surprised me. Although to be fair, Belichick thought he'd have Chung and didn't expect him to break his finger - which is obviously why he didn't play yesterday.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

Either he's tipping off the offenses, or he simply is not as good as everyone who bought into his coolaid last year. Could very well be latter and he had a fluke year as a rookie since he was an unknown and any flaws were masked by 3-4 and secondary help (ie Butler, Eugene Wilson etc)

Now opposing QB's have figured out his weakness and exposed him. He will get picked on every game unless he can show he can keep up. If not, then just like Darius Butler on whose bandwagon everyone jumped in rookie year when he had 4 ints and played well, MCCourty will be McToasty by year 3.

I think it's mostly a mental issue. He's getting abused on things he used to stop consistently. That's not getting exposed, in my book. Again, if it was just one thing he was getting schooled on, I'd be more inclined to take your position seriously. It's pretty much everything, though. Talented players don't get exposed for "everything" like that.

 

[Ian]

Re: Rational Thoughts - Only like minded people need apply

The call was lousy because of the time left in the half. That just doesn't excuse Brady's throw.

I didn't say it excused the throw, but in terms of the play call it's a high percentage play that obviously they've had plenty of success with, especially considering the fact Woodhead's usually a pretty sure handed guy in the red zone and he's also good at making guys miss. So I agree with the call, it just wasn't a great throw and the guy made a great play to dive and snatch it up before it hit the turf.