National Media Already Making Excuses

[Iverson]

Its official, the Patriots are totally outmatched in terms of talent and can only win if BB comes up with a great scheme and Marty chokes again. Or so the national media would have you believe. I have heard from numerous sources that the only way the Chargers can lose is through coaching, as if their overall talent is that vastly superior to New England. I just don't buy it... they have 2 more wins, thats all. You can't argue that San Diego is a very good team - they are 14-2 and have won 10 games in a row. Certainly, they seem to have a lot of very good players. To me, it seems like if the Patriots win this game, rather than give credit to the Patriots, most are going to blame Marty for blowing it, again.

My question is this... what is the most impressive win SD has had all season long? They seem to have gotten very lucky in that any good team they faced were playing poorly at the time. Cincy had lost 4 of 5 heading into their game with the Chargers. Both Seattle and KC were coming off 2 losses heading into the Chargers' game. Denver was imploding, replacing their QB and lost both games in between their 2 losses to SD. You can only beat who they put in front of you, I agree and there is no arguing with 14-2. However, they have not seen anyone like the Pats all season long. Certainly they haven't beat anyone playing at the level the Patriots are right now. The Patriots went on the road to beat a Tennessee team that had won 6 games in a row and was playing to continue their season then they beat the Jets who had won 5 of 6.

My point is this: the national media is making it out like SD is this unstoppable team who has beaten all of these great teams. But to me, they haven't proven they can beat anyone like the Patriots yet. This weekend they have a chance to prove how great they are and, win or lose, there should be no excuses from either side. This game should be great and if the Patriots win, the players should get the credit they deserve.

 

[Iverson]

By the way, yes I realize this a "no respect" rant. I guess its just that time of year...

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

I hope the media is making us out to be the lesser team. That has always been the mantra during our superbowl runs.

And who have we beat this year? The Bears, with Evil Grossman. 5 turnovers to 4? Cincy, with no defense to speak of? The Jets?

Honestly, this will be the hardest game in a long time for the Pats. I will be very grateful if they win.

If Brady's WRs and TEs don't get open, and catch the ball instead of fumble or drop it, we won't win.

All other things are somewhat of a wash at this point between the two teams.

 

[SVN]

Its official, the Patriots are totally outmatched in terms of talent and can only win if BB comes up with a great scheme and Marty chokes again. Or so the national media would have you believe. I have heard from numerous sources that the only way the Chargers can lose is through coaching, as if their overall talent is that vastly superior to New England. I just don't buy it... they have 2 more wins, thats all. You can't argue that San Diego is a very good team - they are 14-2 and have won 10 games in a row. Certainly, they seem to have a lot of very good players. To me, it seems like if the Patriots win this game, rather than give credit to the Patriots, most are going to blame Marty for blowing it, again.

My question is this... what is the most impressive win SD has had all season long? They seem to have gotten very lucky in that any good team they faced were playing poorly at the time. Cincy had lost 4 of 5 heading into their game with the Chargers. Both Seattle and KC were coming off 2 losses heading into the Chargers' game. Denver was imploding, replacing their QB and lost both games in between their 2 losses to SD. You can only beat who they put in front of you, I agree and there is no arguing with 14-2. However, they have not seen anyone like the Pats all season long. Certainly they haven't beat anyone playing at the level the Patriots are right now. The Patriots went on the road to beat a Tennessee team that had won 6 games in a row and was playing to continue their season then they beat the Jets who had won 5 of 6.

My point is this: the national media is making it out like SD is this unstoppable team who has beaten all of these great teams. But to me, they haven't proven they can beat anyone like the Patriots yet. This weekend they have a chance to prove how great they are and, win or lose, there should be no excuses from either side. This game should be great and if the Patriots win, the players should get the credit they deserve.

well...all these things can be applied to the pats as well..and even in yrs when we won the SB...everytime we won it wasnt pretty but still won...and people said the same thing you are saying about SD until they win it all...
in my opinion the chargers deserve the attn they are getting ..iam not saying they are unstoppable but if they havent played a team like us then we havent played a 14-2 team with such players this yr also so it goes both ways...

 

[ironwasp]

Broadly speaking, I think the media's interpretation of this game has been right.

As the conniption fits on this board that followed our games against Miami (both games) Jets (first two games) Detroit, Indy, Denver and others have shown, the Pats have been very spotty in parts this year. At various points in the season we have not convinced in a number of area, and even the better games have been accompanied by drives or moments where you wonder how good this team is. But it is to the immense credit of the team and its coaches that they have come through a lot of difficult moments to get to 13-4, and be in with a real shot of winning the whole show.

The Chargers by contrast, have not lost since October. They have looked strong in all aspects of the game and have standouts in a number of positions. Furhtermore, my reading of the game tells me that the Pats don't match up well against this team. We have struggled against speed rushers, and the Chargers biggest area of vulnerability - the secondary - does not look like an area we are well equipped to exploit.

Yes some of the media coverage is simplistic. The Chargers have their stand-outs sure, but we have our all-galaxy QB, the best 1-2-3 shot at RB in the NFL, the world's most destructive defensive line and an outstanding TE corps - among other things. Furthermore we appear to be on an upward path with many areas of the game coming together at the right moment in the season.

But, as the media points out, any objective reading of this game (which is difficult from where I sit) points to a Chargers victory. But very few of them are ruling out the Patriots pulling something out of the bag, and sure most of them point to Brady and Belichick as being two determining factors. Who wouldn't?? I don't see it as excuse-making.

To borrow a line, it is what it is.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

well...all these things can be applied to the pats as well..and even in yrs when we won the SB...everytime we won it wasnt pretty but still won...and people said the same thing you are saying about SD until they win it all...
in my opinion the chargers deserve the attn they are getting ..iam not saying they are unstoppable but if they havent played a team like us then we havent played a 14-2 team with such players this yr also so it goes both ways...

First of all, you're correct that SD deserves the props they are getting. But, we beat the Vikings and Cincy earlier in the Season when they were going strong. We also beat Jacksonville and Tennessee teams who had a lot of stake, at HOME, at the end of the season. So, you can't say that the same holds true of SD and the Pats this year. Doesn't mean we're going to win on Sunday, just means you can't say the same holds true of both teams.

 

[Iverson]

Broadly speaking, I think the media's interpretation of this game has been right.

As the conniption fits on this board that followed our games against Miami (both games) Jets (first two games) Detroit, Indy, Denver and others have shown, the Pats have been very spotty in parts this year. At various points in the season we have not convinced in a number of area, and even the better games have been accompanied by drives or moments where you wonder how good this team is. But it is to the immense credit of the team and its coaches that they have come through a lot of difficult moments to get to 13-4, and be in with a real shot of winning the whole show.

The Chargers by contrast, have not lost since October. They have looked strong in all aspects of the game and have standouts in a number of positions. Furhtermore, my reading of the game tells me that the Pats don't match up well against this team. We have struggled against speed rushers, and the Chargers biggest area of vulnerability - the secondary - does not look like an area we are well equipped to exploit.

Yes some of the media coverage is simplistic. The Chargers have their stand-outs sure, but we have our all-galaxy QB, the best 1-2-3 shot at RB in the NFL, the world's most destructive defensive line and an outstanding TE corps - among other things. Furthermore we appear to be on an upward path with many areas of the game coming together at the right moment in the season.

But, as the media points out, any objective reading of this game (which is difficult from where I sit) points to a Chargers victory. But very few of them are ruling out the Patriots pulling something out of the bag, and sure most of them point to Brady and Belichick as being two determining factors. Who wouldn't?? I don't see it as excuse-making.

To borrow a line, it is what it is.

I heard Dan Patrick say that the Patriots can't win this game, only the Chargers could lose it. I think that the Patriots are good enough that they could just outplay the Chargers and win. Maybe thats where my opinion differs from yours. If you think the only way the Patritos can win is if the Chargers blow it, thats fine with me. I just disagree.

 

[SVN]

First of all, you're correct that SD deserves the props they are getting. But, we beat the Vikings and Cincy earlier in the Season when they were going strong. We also beat Jacksonville and Tennessee teams who had a lot of stake, at HOME, at the end of the season. So, you can't say that the same holds true of SD and the Pats this year. Doesn't mean we're going to win on Sunday, just means you can't say the same holds true of both teams.

sure SD beat cincy coming back in the 2nd quarter..beat denver twice once on the road down by 10+ pts ...sure they ran away with the division and didnt play must win games but even the pats during the championship yrs didnt play lights out games all season but found ways to win and thats what SD has done...iam not saying they are going to win SB this yr but they have done their share of playing and winning good games ..pats arent unique ...we also lost to jets and fins and denver at home and got outplayed in the first 2. SD hasnt had that kinda game for whatever reason...
regardless it doesnt matter ...as the old cliche..whoever plays better this week will win..just dont think its fair to say the pats wins this yr have been much better than what SD has gone through

 

[Brownfan80]

I agree about SD's schedule. They played alot of bad teams and alot of good teams while they were playing poorly. The Patriots should be a big test for them. I hope they fail, but they are 14-2 so they're doing alot right.

 

[BelichickFan]

I heard Dan Patrick say that the Patriots can't win this game, only the Chargers could lose it. I think that the Patriots are good enough that they could just outplay the Chargers and win. Maybe thats where my opinion differs from yours. If you think the only way the Patritos can win is if the Chargers blow it, thats fine with me. I just disagree.

That's what everyone thinks. That's why Marty's job is done if they lose this game - the Chargers are SO good, there is no way they can reasonably lose to the Patriots . . . I say "BULLSH!T".

Or as Dennis Green said "You want to anoint them, then anoint their ass" :singing:

 

[SVN]

I heard Dan Patrick say that the Patriots can't win this game, only the Chargers could lose it. I think that the Patriots are good enough that they could just outplay the Chargers and win. Maybe thats where my opinion differs from yours. If you think the only way the Patritos can win is if the Chargers blow it, thats fine with me. I just disagree.

IMO ..every team in this league which wins does so because the other team makes more mistakes...there is no such thing as "they dont make mistakes" because thats what a "mistake" is...no one makes it...they just happen

 

[ironwasp]

I heard Dan Patrick say that the Patriots can't win this game, only the Chargers could lose it. I think that the Patriots are good enough that they could just outplay the Chargers and win. Maybe thats where my opinion differs from yours. If you think the only way the Patritos can win is if the Chargers blow it, thats fine with me. I just disagree.

That's a complete misinterpretation of what I wrote. I also think they could play to their ability and win the game. But looking at all that has passed before this season, it doesn't look like the best match up for us. But if we get the A game from Brady, the best of Maroney and Dillon, a monster performance from the DL and a step up in speed and performance from the LBs, sure we can put the Chargers away. And actually, that's exactly what I think we're going to see.

But if I was sitting in Vegas setting the odds, I'd be giving the Chargers exactly the sort of favoured odds they're getting.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I heard Dan Patrick say that the Patriots can't win this game, only the Chargers could lose it. I think that the Patriots are good enough that they could just outplay the Chargers and win. Maybe thats where my opinion differs from yours. If you think the only way the Patritos can win is if the Chargers blow it, thats fine with me. I just disagree.

I concur. The Patriot theories for winning are meant to minimize individual performances for Team success.

Belichick would rather have a troika of good RBs, that excel in their specialties, power, speed, and pass catching shiftiness, than one guy who is great but impossible to replace in case of injury or FA walk.

Belichick would rather have a troika of Good TEs, that excel in their specialties, blocking, speed and hands, than one guy who is great but impossible to replace in case of injury or FA walk.

Bill teaches read-and-react. No fancy sack stats from all out pass rushes like Greene, Porter or this weeks loudmouth Merriman and the "other guy" Phillips are allowed to do. Instead read, react, stop the run, and only then rush the passer.

Its MUCH harder to accumulate 6 sacks that way than a dozen, with all out pass rushes, run be damned, screen be damned, et cetera.

Get a sack or like a charging Bull, the matador gives you the cape, lets you run by him, and then easily uses your over pursuit to beat you. Lots of Teams did; but not a lot of teams had the wherewithal to exploit the charging bull consistently. I believe the Pats do.

Look at the Bolts pass & run stats. Get a sack or get beat!

When you get past the great one man band of LT and the complimentary Merriman and Gates there is really not all that much there. Where is the Marvin Harrison? Where is the Urlacher? Where is the Champ Bailey ? They don't exist.

Where is the Jonathan Ogden? (someday McNeil... in 3 years, if his back holds up). Where is the Tom Brady? (someday Rivers,... in three years if he develops).

Today? N-O-P-E !!

The Pats talent is underrated, by the way they are taught to play.

The Bolts are not more talented. They just have gaudier statistics, by the fundamentaly unsound way they are allowed to play.

Stats don't mean Victories; ask Pay-me-a-ton. :bricks:

 

[Iverson]

That's a complete misinterpretation of what I wrote. I also think they could play to their ability and win the game. But looking at all that has passed before this season, it doesn't look like the best match up for us. But if we get the A game from Brady, the best of Maroney and Dillon, a monster performance from the DL and a step up in speed and performance from the LBs, sure we can put the Chargers away. And actually, that's exactly what I think we're going to see.

But if I was sitting in Vegas setting the odds, I'd be giving the Chargers exactly the sort of favoured odds they're getting.

Who ever said that the Pats should be favored or that I think that the experts should pick them to win? My point is that SD is not that much more talented then the Pats so that if they play well, the Patriots have no chance. Both teams can come out and give great performances and the Patriots can still win. I think you're the one who misinterpreted my original post.

 

[Iverson]

I concur. The Patriot theories for winning are meant to minimize individual performances for Team success.

Belichick would rather have a troika of good RBs, that excel in their specialties, power, speed, and pass catching shiftiness, than one guy who is great but impossible to replace in case of injury or FA walk.

Belichick would rather have a troika of Good TEs, that excel in their specialties, blocking, speed and hands, than one guy who is great but impossible to replace in case of injury or FA walk.

Bill teaches read-and-react. No fancy sack stats from all out pass rushes like Greene, Porter or this weeks loudmouth Merriman and the "other guy" Phillips are allowed to do. Instead read, react, stop the run, and only then rush the passer.

Its MUCH harder to accumulate 6 sacks that way than a dozen, with all out pass rushes, run be damned, screen be damned, et cetera.

Get a sack or like a charging Bull, the matador gives you the cape, lets you run by him, and then easily uses your over pursuit to beat you. Lots of Teams did; but not a lot of teams had the wherewithal to exploit the charging bull consistently. I believe the Pats do.

Look at the Bolts pass & run stats. Get a sack or get beat!

When you get past the great one man band of LT and the complimentary Merriman and Gates there is really not all that much there. Where is the Marvin Harrison? Where is the Urlacher? Where is the Champ Bailey ? They don't exist.

Where is the Jonathan Ogden? (someday McNeil... in 3 years, if his back holds up). Where is the Tom Brady? (someday Rivers,... in three years if he develops).

Today? N-O-P-E !!

The Pats talent is underrated, by the way they are taught to play.

The Bolts are not more talented. They just have gaudier statistics, by the fundamentaly unsound way they are allowed to play.

Stats don't mean Victories; ask Pay-me-a-ton. :bricks:

I agree. Though I might not say they play "fundamentally unsound"... they just have a different approach to playing defense, which has been pretty effective so far this season.