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I had originally thought that a playoff win on Saturday would go a long way to erase the playoff malaise that has stalked this team's regular season accomplishments.....but I was wrong. The local mediots, all the while proclaiming the Pats should win this game handily, have fully embraced the opinion that the Pats are a product of their schedule, and nothing they have done thus far in the season has any real meaning, and winning this game is not going to change that, rather it will actually reinforce it.
Somehow the Patriots have a different standard that applies to them. A win just doesn't do it anymore, it has to be a stylish win....and against a team with a winning record Plus anything positive that an opponent does against the Pats. is a sure sign of a fatal flaw in the very fabric of the team itself. As if a really good team would never have allowed that. Bad games by other teams are readily excused as just one of those things, yet a bad QUARTER by the Pats are symptoms of inevitable failure
Bottom Line – if the Pats manage to win the game Saturday, nothing will change. The mediots will yawn, and then gleefully tell us all the reasons why the Ravens will tear us a new rectum because they will be able to exploit all the flaws they have been pointing out to us all year. Don't forget the most important aspectof any of those parasite's job is being able to tell us “I told you so.”
…. And since I'm in a bit of a rant mode here are a few additional pet peeves that are pissing me off.
1. No one has over used the “I'm a tough guy because I play hurt card” more than Ben Rothlessberger. Not since Steve McNair have we seen it used so often. Its their convenient excuse blanket. There were times in that game where Ben was running fairly effortlessly, but if he threw a bad pass on third down, he was sure to limp off the field, making sure everyone knew he was playing in pain. I don't remember him limping in the no huddle running down after a completed pass, or when he threw a TD.
Maybe its all part of his attempt to rebuild his despicable reputation, but while I DO admire his toughness, (its not like its fake) there are a lot of other guys who are just as tough that don't feel the need to announce it to the world
2. I'm also tired of hearing about the Steelers' offensive line injuries used as a constant excuse, while all the Pats injuries on the OL have gone relatively unnoticed. Are you aware that Brian Waters was the ONLY offensive lineman who started all 16 games, Nate Solder was the only other Olman who was healthy for all 16 games.
3. Now the new cool thing the media is hyping is NOT deferring if we win the toss. The thought being its about time we got off to a fast start. That's absolutely the wrong thing to do. Its one thing for Tebow to start a playoff game at home. Its another to start the game on the road with a “juiced up” crowd trying to figure out all the defensive twists the Pats have planned. AND far better for the Pats to have the extra offensive series to start the 2nd half, after they have seen most of what Denver has to show. There are just too many advantages to deferring
4. Now some Denver thoughts
a. If Denver wins this game it WILL be an act of divine intervention. If they couldn't stop the Pats offense when they had a significant home field advantage and a 10 point lead. Its not going to happen on a short week in Foxboro
b. There are too many bad matchups. Here's one you won't see mentioned. Russ Hockstein was a hero to us in 2003, but when Steve Neal went down in the first series of the 2007 superbowl, he was the weak link that the Giants attacked to harass Brady. The Pats have a chance to return the favor. In passing situations look for the Pats to focus on him.when they attack up the middle
c.. Common wisdom says the biggest defensive threat the Broncos have are their 2 speed rushers. However the Pats have been successful all season against equally good outside rushers.. Teams that are successful in harassing Brady are the ones who can attack him up the middle, so while Dummerville and Miller will get the attention of the media, I believe it will be Ayers and Williams who will get most the attention from Dante.
Its also important to note that since he has had his hand in a cast, Miller has been a lot less effective.
d. Despite throwing for 316 yds last week, Tebow STILL only completed 50% of his passes. So in the BEST game of his career, he still proved to be largely an inaccurate passer by today's standards The key for the the Pats will be to make him throw more completions for fewer yards.
The other thing for the defense to take advantage of is not letting Tebow throw to his first read or throw in rhythm They should have an idea by now what his favorite patterns are and work to shut them down.. For example, like Sanchez, he is much more accurate and comfortable throwing slants, incuts, and play action throws down the middle. He won't be able to consistently hit open men throwing long out cuts.
The Past should also know that a very high percentage of his completed passes are thrown to his left.and force him away from that area in a couple of ways. They can rotate to his left disguising the coverage. They could overload to his right making his hot read in that direction. There are other ways as well
e. While I don't think its wise to Blitz him much, I don't want to see us rush fewer than 4 men. Control rush is fine, but 3 man rushes only open up lanes for him to run in, and I don't think a “spy” is an effective deterrent for a strong a runner as he is.
f. Its going to be cold Saturday, I will be interested to see if the red seat crowd shows up for the 2nd half.. There is a part of me that would like to see Kraft add 10,000 more seats and enclose the stadium. It would make it a much louder place.
g. Ok you have 2nd team all pro RT who has missed the last 8 games, but is fully healthy (I assume), and you have a Rookie RT who has played above the high expectations you had on him. Who starts?
The case for Volmer is his experience, and he's the better run blocker. The case for Solder, is he's been playing well and you know what to expect. Its not like Volmer just missed 2 or 3 games. Its been a while. Its not an easy one.
5. This is truly the best week to be a football fan. There are 3 other great games this weekend. All are very interesting with a lot of story lines and intriguing sub plots. Personally I think it will come down to us versus the Ravens and I will be thrilled to see us have a shot at wiping out that stain on our resume, even if it means a week of having the mediots force feed us the concept that what happened in 2009 has anything to do with the 2 teams that will meet for the AFCCG.
6. In the NFC the options seem much less clear. However I do not want to play the Saints in a dome, and if I were the Niners, the sprinklers on my field would never be off this week and the grass never cut. Playing the Giants would seem like ideal opponent of destiny, but in the end it will probably end up being the Packers, which would right a wrong that some of us older fans remember.
7. Among the tweaks to the CBA they might put in. I'd like to see them allow the player reps to vote on a team by team basis to allow 5-10 more padded practices per season. The coaches can only request, and the team has to vote to allow it by a secret ballot so there can be no retribution. I don't think that would be overly burdensome.
Somehow the Patriots have a different standard that applies to them. A win just doesn't do it anymore, it has to be a stylish win....and against a team with a winning record Plus anything positive that an opponent does against the Pats. is a sure sign of a fatal flaw in the very fabric of the team itself. As if a really good team would never have allowed that. Bad games by other teams are readily excused as just one of those things, yet a bad QUARTER by the Pats are symptoms of inevitable failure
Bottom Line – if the Pats manage to win the game Saturday, nothing will change. The mediots will yawn, and then gleefully tell us all the reasons why the Ravens will tear us a new rectum because they will be able to exploit all the flaws they have been pointing out to us all year. Don't forget the most important aspectof any of those parasite's job is being able to tell us “I told you so.”
…. And since I'm in a bit of a rant mode here are a few additional pet peeves that are pissing me off.
1. No one has over used the “I'm a tough guy because I play hurt card” more than Ben Rothlessberger. Not since Steve McNair have we seen it used so often. Its their convenient excuse blanket. There were times in that game where Ben was running fairly effortlessly, but if he threw a bad pass on third down, he was sure to limp off the field, making sure everyone knew he was playing in pain. I don't remember him limping in the no huddle running down after a completed pass, or when he threw a TD.
Maybe its all part of his attempt to rebuild his despicable reputation, but while I DO admire his toughness, (its not like its fake) there are a lot of other guys who are just as tough that don't feel the need to announce it to the world
2. I'm also tired of hearing about the Steelers' offensive line injuries used as a constant excuse, while all the Pats injuries on the OL have gone relatively unnoticed. Are you aware that Brian Waters was the ONLY offensive lineman who started all 16 games, Nate Solder was the only other Olman who was healthy for all 16 games.
3. Now the new cool thing the media is hyping is NOT deferring if we win the toss. The thought being its about time we got off to a fast start. That's absolutely the wrong thing to do. Its one thing for Tebow to start a playoff game at home. Its another to start the game on the road with a “juiced up” crowd trying to figure out all the defensive twists the Pats have planned. AND far better for the Pats to have the extra offensive series to start the 2nd half, after they have seen most of what Denver has to show. There are just too many advantages to deferring
4. Now some Denver thoughts
a. If Denver wins this game it WILL be an act of divine intervention. If they couldn't stop the Pats offense when they had a significant home field advantage and a 10 point lead. Its not going to happen on a short week in Foxboro
b. There are too many bad matchups. Here's one you won't see mentioned. Russ Hockstein was a hero to us in 2003, but when Steve Neal went down in the first series of the 2007 superbowl, he was the weak link that the Giants attacked to harass Brady. The Pats have a chance to return the favor. In passing situations look for the Pats to focus on him.when they attack up the middle
c.. Common wisdom says the biggest defensive threat the Broncos have are their 2 speed rushers. However the Pats have been successful all season against equally good outside rushers.. Teams that are successful in harassing Brady are the ones who can attack him up the middle, so while Dummerville and Miller will get the attention of the media, I believe it will be Ayers and Williams who will get most the attention from Dante.
Its also important to note that since he has had his hand in a cast, Miller has been a lot less effective.
d. Despite throwing for 316 yds last week, Tebow STILL only completed 50% of his passes. So in the BEST game of his career, he still proved to be largely an inaccurate passer by today's standards The key for the the Pats will be to make him throw more completions for fewer yards.
The other thing for the defense to take advantage of is not letting Tebow throw to his first read or throw in rhythm They should have an idea by now what his favorite patterns are and work to shut them down.. For example, like Sanchez, he is much more accurate and comfortable throwing slants, incuts, and play action throws down the middle. He won't be able to consistently hit open men throwing long out cuts.
The Past should also know that a very high percentage of his completed passes are thrown to his left.and force him away from that area in a couple of ways. They can rotate to his left disguising the coverage. They could overload to his right making his hot read in that direction. There are other ways as well
e. While I don't think its wise to Blitz him much, I don't want to see us rush fewer than 4 men. Control rush is fine, but 3 man rushes only open up lanes for him to run in, and I don't think a “spy” is an effective deterrent for a strong a runner as he is.
f. Its going to be cold Saturday, I will be interested to see if the red seat crowd shows up for the 2nd half.. There is a part of me that would like to see Kraft add 10,000 more seats and enclose the stadium. It would make it a much louder place.
g. Ok you have 2nd team all pro RT who has missed the last 8 games, but is fully healthy (I assume), and you have a Rookie RT who has played above the high expectations you had on him. Who starts?
The case for Volmer is his experience, and he's the better run blocker. The case for Solder, is he's been playing well and you know what to expect. Its not like Volmer just missed 2 or 3 games. Its been a while. Its not an easy one.
5. This is truly the best week to be a football fan. There are 3 other great games this weekend. All are very interesting with a lot of story lines and intriguing sub plots. Personally I think it will come down to us versus the Ravens and I will be thrilled to see us have a shot at wiping out that stain on our resume, even if it means a week of having the mediots force feed us the concept that what happened in 2009 has anything to do with the 2 teams that will meet for the AFCCG.
6. In the NFC the options seem much less clear. However I do not want to play the Saints in a dome, and if I were the Niners, the sprinklers on my field would never be off this week and the grass never cut. Playing the Giants would seem like ideal opponent of destiny, but in the end it will probably end up being the Packers, which would right a wrong that some of us older fans remember.
7. Among the tweaks to the CBA they might put in. I'd like to see them allow the player reps to vote on a team by team basis to allow 5-10 more padded practices per season. The coaches can only request, and the team has to vote to allow it by a secret ballot so there can be no retribution. I don't think that would be overly burdensome.
