idle thoughts ......ridin' the rollercoaster.

[supafly]

That Buffalo Bills touchdown should have never occurred.

Agreed. On another note, I hope that you have changed your mind as the board's biggest Donald Thomas hater.

I too was apprehensive of Thomas, but I think he played tremendously.

Absolutely tremendous today. Great effort by the offensive line all around, but Thomas took over Mankins' role on every level, and may have even somehow added to it as crazy as it sounds.

Hopefully he can show some consistency there, and allow us all to feel much better about the state of the O-line and it's first/second backups.

 

[Patriot Missile]

As supfly mentioned. The safety play leaves a lot to be desired thus far. If Chung cant improve back there and at least stay healthy for the rest of the season they will need to look elsewhere. I cant see the value in resigning him to more money if this is the best we can expect.

I'm just glad its early. We've seen dramatic improvement in front 7, some improvement from the cbs and now I'm hoping to have the safeties follow suit.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Well guesss what? It isn't going to be easy rooting for this team. They don't seem to do anything easily, or at least make it easy for their fans.

1. Mayoiclinic made a great point in a thread that this was a statement game by the Pats. I'm not sure if we are at the point where we are at a "statement game" stage, but I do think it DOES say a lot about the team's character.

After 2 VERY tough losses. Not having your best offensive lineman and one of your WRs. THEN droping behind by 2 TDs AND losing one of your top ILBs and the crowd-is-going-wild That is hardly ideal.

Then you have have the Gronk drop 2 TD passes AND fumble. And then have another of your go to guys, Welker, fumble and BOTH turned into 2 TDs..... If there was a time for this team to just let it get to them and figure that it just wasn't their day. This was it AND they didn't. The defnese makes plays and the offense just isn't stopped...or even close to stopped and what might have been a rout against them, turns into a blowout for them..

Make no mitake. This team had its meddle tested today.....and they passed with flying colors. That is what I think is the single most important thing to take from this game

2. ThaT, and that the offensse is good. Lets break it down.

OL - Its getting better all the time, Even when Brady started to get pressured he had time. I don't think that there was a single pass play where he didn't have at least enough time to get the ball off in rythm. That's outstanding

And the running game was even better. If you consider how often Boldin and Ridliey got into the 2ndary untouched, they both better have gotten 100 yds rushing. That being said, both ran hard and smart

TE- Gronk had his worst game as a Patriot and I still wouldn't trade him for any TE in the league. He blocked very well and caught enough balls to make him a threat. I don't have any idea why Fell catches an easy 20 yd pass and is never used again , but more on that later. Dr Hooo was also underutilized

WR - Quinitcential Brandon LLoyd. He isn't big, fast or quick enough to get off of good press coverage, But he can run a great pattern and beat you for a TD if you don't watch itl. He's also willing to run the inside routes that will shack him free.

Aside from the fumble Welker was outstanding again and made one HUGE 3rd down catch that was outstanding

RB's anything I'd say would be redundant. but don't forget that the the Woodhead catch was a key adjustment at a very KEY moment of the game

QB - Brady got better as the game went on. However I really wish he'd sometimes take the easy play over the hard one.

What I mean they had no problem hittinng any TE on short routes, or even Weller on the short outs, yet at a key time in the game when they really need a first down, on a 3rd and 2 they go and try a back shoulder fade on a closely guarded LLoyd.

Hey Josh, it's 3rd and 2. If you don't want to run it, a play action pass was open EVERY time. Why on earth do you throw a pass like th back shouloder fade, where so much has to go so perfectly , when you can accomplish the same thing so easily several other ways.

I also have to ask why they stayed away from the TE's for such a long stretch of the game and that includes Gronk. Now granted its hard to complain when your offense just put up 50 points and close to 600 yds of offense (in fact ludicrous), but we ran the same play in the last drive of the Raven game, and I didn't understand it then.

I love the back shoulder fade, but there is just too many things that have to go right vs what you need to happen. The back shoulder fade is a high risk play....there should be a high reward.e Its just not the pass I'd pick, especially when there are so many other options

So I guess when it comes down to it, in that horrid 2nd quarter, the Bills didn't really do anything to stop the Pats offesne. For the most part, they stopped themselves. We needed to go back to things that worked at the start of the game and keep doing it untill until the defense proves they can stop it. I don't think we do that enough. It seems we always seem to be in such a hurry to get to the next great offensive concept that we forget what already has worked.

Just a thought.

Defense

3. I was looking for Hightower and Jones to rebound after what I thought were sub par games vs the Ravens (especially Hightower). Jones didn't disappoint. (does he ever? ) And neither did Hightower.......until he got hurt. That was a shame.

4. We aren't nearly as good a defense when all 3 LBs aren't in there. I'm sorry but Tracy White is NOT an adequate replacement for Hightower Spikes or Mayo. I miss Dane Fletcher. I wouldn't be surprised to see another LB brought up from the PS if Hightower is going to be out more than a game.

5. I hopw people didn't miss that great play Ninko made on CJ Spiller in the open field on a short catch. Just a super play and sure to be dismissed by his haters. The strip sack wasn't bad either. We should always be so lucky when we go looking to pick up FA long snappers.

6. McCourty continues to improve his game. But the fact that someone caught a pass somewhere near him and the fact he plays on the the QB' right side and right handed QB tend to throw the ball more to the right, so it proves that he sucks. If hi ball skills were better he'd have at least 4 picks in 4 games. But then again, if his ball skills were better, he'd be a WR.

7. For the record it looked to me that Arrington was man to man on Jones on that long pass for the TD It looked like man across the board which accounted for no one being in the middle and caused the TD. Either that or a blown coverage assignment by one of the S's

8.Overall I think the defense did make some progress in their 4th week. 3 of the 4 TDs were the result of turnovers, and 2 were simply great passes. Not a lot the defense (Chung) could do. More importantly, the Defense held the #1 rushing team to less than 100 yds, and some of that in garbage time. Plu they didn't it without a key feature in Higfhtower.

Lets not forget that this is perhaps BB's youngest football team, so ups and downs are bound to occur.

9. Sorry long suffering Bills fans, the Bills have about one chance in 10 of beating the Pats, and they let that chance slip away today. I still think they are getting better, but they are't ready to take on the Pats just yet. OTOH, I will be very disappointed if they don't crush the Jets down the road. No excuses there.

10- Speical teamss did a great job today.....except for Gonzo. Still 49 yd FG's in outdoor stadiums like Buffalo are NOT gimmes. No excuse for the 40 yd one though

I'll be looking forward to Bedards all 22 break down next Thursday to see how all my 'impressions" track with reality.

BOTTOM LINE: This offense could be pretty much unstoppable by the end of the season between all the receiving and rushing targets. Meanwhile if you can't see the improvement inn the overall defense, to go along with the problems, then you just not a happy unless you are unhappy.

The defense already is better than last season and hopefully will continue to improve as the season goes along. Still hoping to see a game when we will really attack the passer, biut I'm not holdikng my breath on that one. :O

ken

The defense forced 6 turnovers.

The Bills were pretty effective with the screens.

Why would you want to "attack" a turnover machine like Fitz?

This is the exact same dilemma that patsfans.com needs to reconcile because patsfans.com didn't seem to understand this last year after the San Diego and Oakland games.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

You are right tip. IIRC one drive started aroundthe 20 (the Gronk Fumble) Another drive started on around the 35 after the Welker fumble. The 3rd TD came on the 71 yd short pass and run, which occurred on the most eggregious play the defense made. That was the 3rd and 15 slow developing screen pass the Bill converted just before they hit that big play. There is no way a team should be able to run a screen pass and get 15 yds in that situation. There was no blitz. There wasn't even a hard rush. It was the one play where I was really ticked at the defense. It was the first play were I really felt the loss of Hightgtower

The last TD was a garbage time drive if there ever was one.

"One play or drive is not a gameplan"- Troy Aikman

A very perculiar trait of patsfans.com is to pick a play and let it feed on it's bias.

The real stat of the day.

The Bills had the ball 15 times and produced 2 sustained scoring drives.

...while turning the ball over 6 times.

 

[Bella*chick]

After that one great catch Fells was targeted once more that I recall and he barely missed the catch. Hope to see more from him.

 

[Sicilian]

I am interested to see what others have seen so far, and whether or not they see the position of safety as our biggest weakness on the team right now?

I think it's definitely the weak point of the defense for sure. But assuming health, I think we can expect improvement over the course of the year. For one, I think Gregory has the skills to be a decent player, he/BB just need to figure out his best role. Wilson should hopefully improve with experience, and if nothing else he seems to have a nose for the ball and good tackling technique.

Chung I don't think has been that bad. He's never been a great cover safety, but he doesn't seem to be losing ball carrier's or missing a lot of tackles. He's sort of under the radar so far this year. If one of the other guys can step up and be solid, I don't mind having Chung be "invisible" as the other safety.

 

[patfanken]

I think that many of the problems that we have seen in the secondary so far through 4 games show a lack of adequate safety plan altogether.

I am admittedly not claiming to be an expert, but it is my opinion from the casual fan's standpoint that the CB's have improved significantly at times, while the play of the safeties is something much worse.

I think that Chung is extremely overrated as a whole, although I do respect his ability to play physical and he adds strength up the middle. I just think that he is downright awful in coverage though, just borderline horrible.

Gregory has not really impressed in coverage either, although it is still too early for an kind of justification on that opinion.

T.Wilson had looked promising in some phases, but the reality is that he is a very green rookie who cannot be relied on in coverage at the current moment. That is not a knock on him, just pointing out that we don't seem to have anyone who can offer much at the position in terms of coverage right now and it really hurts the backend in my opinion.

Then again, maybe I am being too hard on them. I am interested to see what others have seen so far, and whether or not they see the position of safety as our biggest weakness on the team right now?

I think you are being harsh on the safeties, epecially Chung. I hope you weren't counting the the first TD pas against him vs Chandler. I would challange you to find something different he might have done on that play. It was simply a match up of a 6'7 TE over the top of a 5'10 S. plus a perfect pass and a great catch.

Sure I would have loved to see the S's react quicker to the other TD passes, but you still have to remember that this is a VERY VERY young secondary (relatively) and most of it is playing together for the first time. Lots of movin parts that need to get in sync. Its going to take time.

But even with the flaws it should be easy to see the improvement in the secondary. Its improved the big play frequency. Its improved the 3rd down numbers, and it even passes the all important eyeball test.

For certain its not a finished product by any means, but that's part of plan here. To be better late in the year. Given some relative health I think we can be.

BTW- the think I think this team does much better than last year's team right from the start, is tackle. A big improvement there, with very few exceptions.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

That's my main issue as well right now. Josh seems to outsmart himself sometimes IMO. This offense is too good to have to get cute.

tweakingpresent participle of tweak (Verb)

Verb:

1.Twist or pull (something) sharply: "he tweaked the boy's ear".
2.Improve (a mechanism or system) by making fine adjustments to it.

Bedard picked up on the same thing. And it's been fairly obvious since pre season. Josh was tasked with tweaking this offense so it can't be derailed deep in the playoffs by just taking one weapon away via scheme or injury. Instead he attempted to reinvent it as something all too dependent on something other than what got it there and he pulled too sharply in the process. Yesterday afternoon he backed off and went back to the teams roots, power football and Brady targeting receivers he's naturally grown to trust in situations with just some fine adjustments. He cut down on myriad personnel packages and went with bpa. And they established a rhythm and then rolled with it. Sometimes it's better to take a step back rather than constantly commit to the possibility of taking a step forward.

Enough with too cute. It's a long season and matchups and rapore will develop or evolve as the process unfolds and you adapt to that of necessity. You can't force it because even though the season is long the # of games played is limited and leaves little margin for error. There are enough variables to deal with without creating more. Find something that works and then work it until they prove they can stop you.

Fine tuning, sweet music - Patriots - Boston.com

 

[UK_Pat37]

I think you are being harsh on the safeties, epecially Chung. I hope you weren't counting the the first TD pas against him vs Chandler. I would challange you to find something different he might have done on that play. It was simply a match up of a 6'7 TE over the top of a 5'10 S. plus a perfect pass and a great catch.

Sure I would have loved to see the S's react quicker to the other TD passes, but you still have to remember that this is a VERY VERY young secondary (relatively) and most of it is playing together for the first time. Lots of movin parts that need to get in sync. Its going to take time.

But even with the flaws it should be easy to see the improvement in the secondary. Its improved the big play frequency. Its improved the 3rd down numbers, and it even passes the all important eyeball test.

For certain its not a finished product by any means, but that's part of plan here. To be better late in the year. Given some relative health I think we can be.

BTW- the think I think this team does much better than last year's team right from the start, is tackle. A big improvement there, with very few exceptions.

Turned his head? He isn't exactly a consistent cover safety. One of the better 'in the box' guys around the league but he bites too hard on play action and has flaws to his mechanics. He made some nice plays but sometimes you sit there and slap your forehead with this guy. If he turns around that could be a tipped pass or an INT...he tried to gamble on when the ball got there and he failed. In college you could be flagged for face guarding if that falls incomplete...that isn't a penalty in the NFL but you'd think the fact they can't get away with not turning your head for the ball in college would teach you up to do so in the much more skilled NFL.

It was stll a great throw , but you just wish he'd turned his head to see if the outcome could have been an even better pass break up.

Arrington looked like he was in man coverage on Donald Jones but ew, did Chung take a horrible angle on him. Could have saved a TD with a better tackling angle.

As for the secondary as a whole though, whenever there's a big completion they automaticaly get the blame...which is pretty narrow minded. As you said, it's easy to see vast improvements in this secondary...at times they have been left for dry by the D Line.

 

[supafly]

I think you are being harsh on the safeties, epecially Chung. I hope you weren't counting the the first TD pas against him vs Chandler. I would challange you to find something different he might have done on that play. It was simply a match up of a 6'7 TE over the top of a 5'10 S. plus a perfect pass and a great catch.

Sure I would have loved to see the S's react quicker to the other TD passes, but you still have to remember that this is a VERY VERY young secondary (relatively) and most of it is playing together for the first time. Lots of movin parts that need to get in sync. Its going to take time.

But even with the flaws it should be easy to see the improvement in the secondary. Its improved the big play frequency. Its improved the 3rd down numbers, and it even passes the all important eyeball test.

For certain its not a finished product by any means, but that's part of plan here. To be better late in the year. Given some relative health I think we can be.

BTW- the think I think this team does much better than last year's team right from the start, is tackle. A big improvement there, with very few exceptions.

I think that you make some good points as a whole, however I am going to stick to my assessment that the safety play is still what is bothering the defense. Yes the CB play has improved tremendously, but the help of the safeties (which unfortunately includes poor tackling, which I agree is one of the bigger improvements from the defense as a whole) is just pathetic at times.

Granted you make a good point in stating that they are young etc, but that's no excuse--especially if you take rookie Wilson out of the fold.

It's no coincidence that both Chung and Gregory were 2 out of the 3 'down' players.


"Steve Gregory- Horrible coverage down the middle for the vast majority of the game, allowing Buffalo easy catches with the TEs and RBs. Late in adjusting, terrible angles in covering, none so evident on the 6 yard slant to Donald Jones that resulted in a 68 yard touchdown in the 3rd quarter.

Pat Chung- See above. Awful game."

I agree with you that they should be able to make some improvements as the year progresses, and I also think that Wilson has done okay in some aspects, even good at times for being so young, green, and inexperienced.

Hopefully they can improve, because I really think that our success in the passing game depends on them.

 

[supafly]

Turned his head? He isn't exactly a consistent cover safety. One of the better 'in the box' guys around the league but he bites too hard on play action and has flaws to his mechanics. He made some nice plays but sometimes you sit there and slap your forehead with this guy. If he turns around that could be a tipped pass or an INT...he tried to gamble on when the ball got there and he failed. In college you could be flagged for face guarding if that falls incomplete...that isn't a penalty in the NFL but you'd think the fact they can't get away with not turning your head for the ball in college would teach you up to do so in the much more skilled NFL.

It was stll a great throw , but you just wish he'd turned his head to see if the outcome could have been an even better pass break up.

Arrington looked like he was in man coverage on Donald Jones but ew, did Chung take a horrible angle on him. Could have saved a TD with a better tackling angle.

As for the secondary as a whole though, whenever there's a big completion they automaticaly get the blame...which is pretty narrow minded. As you said, it's easy to see vast improvements in this secondary...at times they have been left for dry by the D Line.

Arrington is what he is, which is nothing more than a mediocre CB in this league in my opinion. However, he does overachieve nonetheless, and is probably still a fine #2 or #3 option on this team. He does some things nicely, and others poorly--like many others.

I don't think the plan was to play him as the #2 outside CB this year, nor do I think the plan was that last year either. Unfortunately, the regression or inability of Dowling to see much of the field has forced Arrington back into that role.

I think that the plan was for Arrington to be our star position/slot CB. Dowling + the lack of a better #2 has once again forced him into that role. He's hard to watch at times, and the position needs upgraded. Since the majority feel that he will not be retained next season, we are likely seeing the last year of Arrington anyways.

As far as Chung goes, I have never been fully sold on his hype, unfortunately. I think that his inability to cover my grandma is one of the bigger flaws in the secondary.

I do appreciate his ability to hit hard, and he does improve the core middle of the safety in run support, but again..I think that position can be improved upon too. It's hard for me to place that high of a value on a safety (obvious important secondary position) who simply cannot cover.

Hopefully he improves as the year goes on, along with Gregory, but they are still a much better option than anyone we had last year.