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....and other random thoughts
I haven't been on line since Monday. I got hit with some kind of virus that appeared for no apparent reason and then, for no apparent reason, simply disappeared. Very frustrating. Almost as frustrating as listening to all the knee jerk reactions to the loss in Buffalo. This is a post that I had wanted to write very badly on Tuesday. Its been in my head all week. I know its late for some of it, but I just need to get it off my chest before I can move on. Thanks in advance.
What bothered me the most has been the rampant scapegoating. The angry pointing of fingers at individuals in the most team oriented sport being played. I feel the need to point out 2 specific plays that really have pissed me off all week.
1. Ocho's "supposed" error in not rounding off a route on the Pick thrown by Brady. I knew it was going to happen as soon as Gannon protected Brady by saying Ocho hadn't run the correct route. First neither Gannon or any other analyst, observer, or pontificator had any way to actually KNOW what the route was supposed to be run. Secondly the defender HAD taken the inside position on the play well before the ball was thrown. It was Brady's mistake. That ball had to be thrown deep and to the sideline.
If you want to kill him for the drop of the TD pass later, that's fine. It was a horrendous drop. But on THIS particular play Ocho is getting the same "he doesn't know his playbook" crap JUST because its so easy to pile on. Which leads me to the 2nd play.
2. McCourty was killed by many for a couple of plays, but the one I found so unjust was the long pass he gave up in the first play of the final drive. I defy anyone to explain to me what exactly McCourty could have done to prevent that completion. When the ball arrived he was in text book position. What is ironic is that he was in the exact same position as he was when he made the pick on Johnson in last year's Detroit game. He was in the exact same position as the Buffalo defender was when he picked off Brady. What's the difference. The Pass was perfectly thrown. NO ONE aside from Kevin Garnet assuming he could get into the position McCourty was in when the ball arrived. could have defended that pass. Yet it was used by far too many as an example of McCourty's "sophomore slump". I just don't get it.
Again if you want to complain about his coverage on the first TD, where he was beaten cleanly feel free, but this need to continually find blame so vehemently is kind of pathetic and sad. I shouldn't be surprised because it seems to mirror a flaw in our national character which has evolved over the past few decades. which is that it seems that it is much more important and satisfying to a fix BLAME for any perceived mishap than it is to find the SOLUTION to fix the problem. Its like we no long care if the problem is solved as long as someone is blamed for it.....and its not us
Well thanks for the forum to vent. I really do feel better now. And here a few more general thoughts
1. We all knew in our hearts that Brady couldn't match what he accomplished last season. He now has 5 picks and 3 have been random deflections that found their way into enemy hands. Last year they fell harmlessly to the ground. This year...... Well, I just hope its not a trend.
2. There were a lot of reasons that led to the loss last Sunday besides the missed opportunities, bad luck, and occasional poor execution. The officiating for one. I still don't know what Sergio Brown could have done in the endzone on the PI that was called. I thought the defender had a right to his position. He happened to be standing in the endzone when the receiver attempted to come back to the ball and contact was made.
What was he supposed to do, say "excuse me" and stand aside? If THAT was PI, then is it any wonder that 300 yd passing games have become the norm. Personally I have no idea what a defender is now allowed to do or not do. The inconsistent calling of roughing, illegal contact, and PI is the worst I've ever seen. The league HAS to do something this off season to put some balance back into the game, or welcome to the age of arena league foootball.
3. In typical Pats fashion the Pats have been very low key when it comes to injuries...and the Pat have had a bunch of them...and it showed
4. Another great job by Solder, including the holding call, which he got by merely touching the defender's back with an open hand. The call was not only late, but his actions never impeded the defender. I have no idea what they call and don't call. It really seems so very arbitrary
5. I wish the Pats would run the ball more consistently. They seem to do it well. It was another game where they averaged over 4 ypc. Does anyone still remember when getting 4 ypc seemed like an unachievable goal for Pats RBs and the rare games where ASmith reached that number were games to remember
6. I know its only 8 carries, but Steven Ridley seems to have a burst that BJGE doesn't.
7. Hard to believe that Branch didn't have a catch in a game where Brady goes for nearly 400 yds again
8. It would be nice to see some pressure on Campbell this week....and about time.
9. You know its not the Pats day when making a TD saving tackle is the reason they didn't have time to tie the game. Hard to blame McCourty on the play. I don't think this was a situation BB gave them. But it will be one he gives them now.
I haven't been on line since Monday. I got hit with some kind of virus that appeared for no apparent reason and then, for no apparent reason, simply disappeared. Very frustrating. Almost as frustrating as listening to all the knee jerk reactions to the loss in Buffalo. This is a post that I had wanted to write very badly on Tuesday. Its been in my head all week. I know its late for some of it, but I just need to get it off my chest before I can move on. Thanks in advance.
What bothered me the most has been the rampant scapegoating. The angry pointing of fingers at individuals in the most team oriented sport being played. I feel the need to point out 2 specific plays that really have pissed me off all week.
1. Ocho's "supposed" error in not rounding off a route on the Pick thrown by Brady. I knew it was going to happen as soon as Gannon protected Brady by saying Ocho hadn't run the correct route. First neither Gannon or any other analyst, observer, or pontificator had any way to actually KNOW what the route was supposed to be run. Secondly the defender HAD taken the inside position on the play well before the ball was thrown. It was Brady's mistake. That ball had to be thrown deep and to the sideline.
If you want to kill him for the drop of the TD pass later, that's fine. It was a horrendous drop. But on THIS particular play Ocho is getting the same "he doesn't know his playbook" crap JUST because its so easy to pile on. Which leads me to the 2nd play.
2. McCourty was killed by many for a couple of plays, but the one I found so unjust was the long pass he gave up in the first play of the final drive. I defy anyone to explain to me what exactly McCourty could have done to prevent that completion. When the ball arrived he was in text book position. What is ironic is that he was in the exact same position as he was when he made the pick on Johnson in last year's Detroit game. He was in the exact same position as the Buffalo defender was when he picked off Brady. What's the difference. The Pass was perfectly thrown. NO ONE aside from Kevin Garnet assuming he could get into the position McCourty was in when the ball arrived. could have defended that pass. Yet it was used by far too many as an example of McCourty's "sophomore slump". I just don't get it.
Again if you want to complain about his coverage on the first TD, where he was beaten cleanly feel free, but this need to continually find blame so vehemently is kind of pathetic and sad. I shouldn't be surprised because it seems to mirror a flaw in our national character which has evolved over the past few decades. which is that it seems that it is much more important and satisfying to a fix BLAME for any perceived mishap than it is to find the SOLUTION to fix the problem. Its like we no long care if the problem is solved as long as someone is blamed for it.....and its not us
Well thanks for the forum to vent. I really do feel better now. And here a few more general thoughts
1. We all knew in our hearts that Brady couldn't match what he accomplished last season. He now has 5 picks and 3 have been random deflections that found their way into enemy hands. Last year they fell harmlessly to the ground. This year...... Well, I just hope its not a trend.
2. There were a lot of reasons that led to the loss last Sunday besides the missed opportunities, bad luck, and occasional poor execution. The officiating for one. I still don't know what Sergio Brown could have done in the endzone on the PI that was called. I thought the defender had a right to his position. He happened to be standing in the endzone when the receiver attempted to come back to the ball and contact was made.
What was he supposed to do, say "excuse me" and stand aside? If THAT was PI, then is it any wonder that 300 yd passing games have become the norm. Personally I have no idea what a defender is now allowed to do or not do. The inconsistent calling of roughing, illegal contact, and PI is the worst I've ever seen. The league HAS to do something this off season to put some balance back into the game, or welcome to the age of arena league foootball.
3. In typical Pats fashion the Pats have been very low key when it comes to injuries...and the Pat have had a bunch of them...and it showed
4. Another great job by Solder, including the holding call, which he got by merely touching the defender's back with an open hand. The call was not only late, but his actions never impeded the defender. I have no idea what they call and don't call. It really seems so very arbitrary
5. I wish the Pats would run the ball more consistently. They seem to do it well. It was another game where they averaged over 4 ypc. Does anyone still remember when getting 4 ypc seemed like an unachievable goal for Pats RBs and the rare games where ASmith reached that number were games to remember
6. I know its only 8 carries, but Steven Ridley seems to have a burst that BJGE doesn't.
7. Hard to believe that Branch didn't have a catch in a game where Brady goes for nearly 400 yds again
8. It would be nice to see some pressure on Campbell this week....and about time.
9. You know its not the Pats day when making a TD saving tackle is the reason they didn't have time to tie the game. Hard to blame McCourty on the play. I don't think this was a situation BB gave them. But it will be one he gives them now.