requiem...

[patfanken]

...on a season.

I am very ashamed to admit that once I turned off the TV after the AFC Championship game, I didn't look at a ESPN or local sports telecast or looked at a sports page or internet site. Until today, I haven't even wanted to deal with anything about football that would remind me of the the most painful loss I've even experienced as a Patriot fan (and that goes back to 1960 ). The closest thing I can think of was how I felt after game 6 of the 86 World series)

Actually I don't know why I took it so badly, It wasn't like it was a sure thing going into Indy after a tough win in SD. So it wasn't any high expectations that were crushed, Perhaps it just the way the game played out and how it ended that made me not want to read or hear post game commentary that would just be reminders of what I already knew.

One good thing, though, I found out that I had a lot more time in my life when I'm not investing it in my following of the local eleven. You know they these things called "books" at a place called the "library", and if you have the time to "read" one of them...it can be damned enjoyable.

Any ways I think I'm over "it" now, and I thought the best way to start the "new season" would be to exorsize any observations that I have about the LAST game of the 2006 season. That being said, I'm sure some of what I will say was thoroughly discussed LAST week, so thank you in advance for putting up with this attempt to get my OWN Patriot hangover issues resolved.

1. Count me in amoung ALL of you who were pissed about the NON-CALL of the PI in the 4th quarter that would have given the Pats a SEVEN point lead. ESPECIALLY since the Pats had one go the OTHER WAY that wasn't nearly so OBVIOUS. Clearly it was a game changing play. I would appreciate it if someone can post what explaintion by the NFL on the play. Was there one.

2. Some one told me the Globe did a piece that broke down the call on Hobbs' PI that led to a Colt TD. I have long held the belief that "face guarding" when you don't make contact with the receiver SHOULDN'T be a penalty. NOW I hear, it never was. At the time I thought it was the right call, at least as its been called for the last few years. In fact I was taling to the TV wondering WHY THE HELL, he just didn't turn around. If he HAD, he would have mad the PICK,

MY beef at the time WASN't that call, but the one they DIDN'T call later on in the game, where the defender put BOTH hands on the Caldwell's chest LONG BEFORE the ball arrived, AND never turned around.

3. All that being said, IMHO the best team THAT DAY won the game. Or to put it another way, the QB who had the best day won the game. I think Manning was magnificent. The thing that impressed me the most was the fact that he CONTINUALLY threw strikes to his receivers DESPITE being under constant pressure ALL GAME. I can remember off hand six or eight times Manning was crushed as he threw the ball and EVERY single FREAKING time the ball was right on target. I mean it wasn't once or twice, it was A LOT. Especially in the second half.

4. In other words, the Colts were the team that made the key play at the key time. IMHO the key play of the game was the 3rd and 4 with about 2:40 to play. THAT'S the play a CHAMPIONSHIP team makes, and the team that MADE that play was the Colts. IF they hadn't had to make 15 yds that series because of a stupid, unPatriot like penalty, they wouldn't have HAD a third and 4 in the first place. I said that before the play to a friend, fully expecting us to make that 4 yds, because that is what CHAMPIONSHIP teams do....and we didn't

5. Bottom line, IMHO the defense just ran out of gas at the end, at least that is what it looked like to me. The tough game in SD, the 2 long flights, the flu, the hot stadium, whatever. Would would have thought that THAT defense would give up 31 points in just 2 quarters, and almost EVERY ONE of them a 70+ drive.

5. Nitpicking b*tches and moans - not many, but it will be good to get them off my chest.

a. I wonder why we didn't SEEM to play that tighter coverage that was evident in the first half much in the second. It seemed to me at least that somewhere in the second half we start to play a softer zone. AND well you saw the results as well as I.

b. When the offense puts up 27 points in an away game, there shouldn't be much to complain about, but some of the Play calling in that game kind of stunned me. We didn't ONCE throw the ball deep down the field. WE rare used play action passes in the second half, even on shorter yardage plays, and finally we didn't execute those runs in the last drive like we should have. Just compare. The Colts in Baltimore made THREE first downs to kill the clock and win the game. WE only needed to make ONE. Who is the Championship team????

c. It didn't mean much IMHO, but what about that "hitting the QB in the helmet" call on the last drive. In the replay it looked like his hand, which was on Manning's shoulder pad, moved up and touched his helmet. It was more of a "slide" than contact. It was a terrible call, especially given all the REAL contact that went on with the QB's ALL DAY. (Like I said, I'm nitpicking)

d. Again, NEXT, TIME ELLIS - JUST turn the F**K around!!!!!

e. I always want the ball for the second half kick off. I would have deferred. That way regardless of what happened in the first half you get the ball in the second. This is ESPECIALLY TRUE ON THE ROAD. After the opening KO the home crowd is at its NOISIEST and most disruptive. Also I hate those situations when the home team get the ball for the last drive of the first half, and gets it again for the first one of the second. Just compare what happend in SD to what happened in INDY

6. Overall Seasonal observations

a. When you think about it, given all the off season losses, given all the injuries during the season, given all the travel and away games they had to play in the playoffs....we were only ONE defensive stop away from going to the supperbowl...this was a very productive, if disappointing at the end, season

b. Given our cap situation, and the draft pick we have, and people coming back from the IR, we SHOULD be a more athletic, and deeper team NEXT season than this one. THAT's a pretty amazing thought given the last 6 year run, and pretty horrifying for the rest of the league

c. BTW - I'm a Colts fan this week. I wasn't sure I was going to be, but Manning's effort in the Championship game won be over. He deserves it this season, AND the bonus of a Colt win will be, we won't have to hear all the "it's his year" crap all next year. NOW we will get to see how the Colts fare, when THEY are the team with a target on their chest EVERY WEEK.

Well thanks for the vine as they say. I know I feel a lot better. I look forward to all the off season talk after the Superbowl

 

[lutontown_fc]

...on a season.

I am very ashamed to admit that once I turned off the TV after the AFC Championship game, I didn't look at a ESPN or local sports telecast or looked at a sports page or internet site. Until today, I haven't even wanted to deal with anything about football that would remind me of the the most painful loss I've even experienced as a Patriot fan (and that goes back to 1960 ). The closest thing I can think of was how I felt after game 6 of the 86 World series)

Actually I don't know why I took it so badly, It wasn't like it was a sure thing going into Indy after a tough win in SD. So it wasn't any high expectations that were crushed, Perhaps it just the way the game played out and how it ended that made me not want to read or hear post game commentary that would just be reminders of what I already knew.

I can tell you why you were so upset - the Patriots had a chance to put to rest 'forever' the doubts over whether they are a genuine dynasty.

Losing the AFCCG in recent times has become the equivalent of losing the SB.

One good thing, though, I found out that I had a lot more time in my life when I'm not investing it in my following of the local eleven. You know they these things called "books" at a place called the "library", and if you have the time to "read" one of them...it can be damned enjoyable.

Any ways I think I'm over "it" now, and I thought the best way to start the "new season" would be to exorsize any observations that I have about the LAST game of the 2006 season. That being said, I'm sure some of what I will say was thoroughly discussed LAST week, so thank you in advance for putting up with this attempt to get my OWN Patriot hangover issues resolved.

Yes, books are good. The football season is relatively short lived, though - the real big games compacted into 1/10th of the year.

1. Count me in amoung ALL of you who were pissed about the NON-CALL of the PI in the 4th quarter that would have given the Pats a SEVEN point lead. ESPECIALLY since the Pats had one go the OTHER WAY that wasn't nearly so OBVIOUS. Clearly it was a game changing play. I would appreciate it if someone can post what explaintion by the NFL on the play. Was there one.

Very bad call - agreed. What annoys me is the commentators insistence on looking at a terrible call and then trying to find a way to agree with it - thats not commentary. Hayden clearly engaged with Caldwells arms prior to the ball arriving, and while it was in the air.

2. Some one told me the Globe did a piece that broke down the call on Hobbs' PI that led to a Colt TD. I have long held the belief that "face guarding" when you don't make contact with the receiver SHOULDN'T be a penalty. NOW I hear, it never was. At the time I thought it was the right call, at least as its been called for the last few years. In fact I was taling to the TV wondering WHY THE HELL, he just didn't turn around. If he HAD, he would have mad the PICK,

MY beef at the time WASN't that call, but the one they DIDN'T call later on in the game, where the defender put BOTH hands on the Caldwell's chest LONG BEFORE the ball arrived, AND never turned around.

Inconsistency, for sure. Hobbs transgression 'looked' like a penalty - sometimes thats all it takes.

I thought the refs did a good job in general - especially when contrasted to the Denver game last year.

3. All that being said, IMHO the best team THAT DAY won the game. Or to put it another way, the QB who had the best day won the game. I think Manning was magnificent. The thing that impressed me the most was the fact that he CONTINUALLY threw strikes to his receivers DESPITE being under constant pressure ALL GAME. I can remember off hand six or eight times Manning was crushed as he threw the ball and EVERY single FREAKING time the ball was right on target. I mean it wasn't once or twice, it was A LOT. Especially in the second half.

He made it look easy, alot of throws under pressure and off the back foot.
Looking back, it could have all been so different if Troy hadn't been flagged for offensive pass interference of all things on a 1st down catch by Watson when we were leading 21-3. I think the gamne would have been icd if we had scored a TD right there (which appeared likely).

4. In other words, the Colts were the team that made the key play at the key time. IMHO the key play of the game was the 3rd and 4 with about 2:40 to play. THAT'S the play a CHAMPIONSHIP team makes, and the team that MADE that play was the Colts. IF they hadn't had to make 15 yds that series because of a stupid, unPatriot like penalty, they wouldn't have HAD a third and 4 in the first place. I said that before the play to a friend, fully expecting us to make that 4 yds, because that is what CHAMPIONSHIP teams do....and we didn't

The pss to Troy Brown broken up my Sanders? That was my 'gamebreaking' play too.

5. Bottom line, IMHO the defense just ran out of gas at the end, at least that is what it looked like to me. The tough game in SD, the 2 long flights, the flu, the hot stadium, whatever. Would would have thought that THAT defense would give up 31 points in just 2 quarters, and almost EVERY ONE of them a 70+ drive.

True. Lack of energy did us in the end - the Colts showed alot more savvy than usual by continuing to run the ball despite being 2/3 scores down.

5. Nitpicking b*tches and moans - not many, but it will be good to get them off my chest.

a. I wonder why we didn't SEEM to play that tighter coverage that was evident in the first half much in the second. It seemed to me at least that somewhere in the second half we start to play a softer zone. AND well you saw the results as well as I.

I think the Colts TE vs our inexperienced LBers was the key match up.

b. When the offense puts up 27 points in an away game, there shouldn't be much to complain about, but some of the Play calling in that game kind of stunned me. We didn't ONCE throw the ball deep down the field. WE rare used play action passes in the second half, even on shorter yardage plays, and finally we didn't execute those runs in the last drive like we should have. Just compare. The Colts in Baltimore made THREE first downs to kill the clock and win the game. WE only needed to make ONE. Who is the Championship team????

I bemoaned this at the time too. There were a couple of times where a shot into the endzone would have been preferable to the short stuff.

Maybe Brady was burned by the memory of the bomb that was picked off in the regular season game?

c. It didn't mean much IMHO, but what about that "hitting the QB in the helmet" call on the last drive. In the replay it looked like his hand, which was on Manning's shoulder pad, moved up and touched his helmet. It was more of a "slide" than contact. It was a terrible call, especially given all the REAL contact that went on with the QB's ALL DAY. (Like I said, I'm nitpicking)

Bad call.

e. I always want the ball for the second half kick off. I would have deferred. That way regardless of what happened in the first half you get the ball in the second. This is ESPECIALLY TRUE ON THE ROAD. After the opening KO the home crowd is at its NOISIEST and most disruptive. Also I hate those situations when the home team get the ball for the last drive of the first half, and gets it again for the first one of the second. Just compare what happend in SD to what happened in INDY

The fans were noisy the whole qhile - nothing was going to quiet them - even when they trailed 21-3 after the Manning pick.

6. Overall Seasonal observations

a. When you think about it, given all the off season losses, given all the injuries during the season, given all the travel and away games they had to play in the playoffs....we were only ONE defensive stop away from going to the supperbowl...this was a very productive, if disappointing at the end, season

Agreed. Re-load and come back stronger next year.

b. Given our cap situation, and the draft pick we have, and people coming back from the IR, we SHOULD be a more athletic, and deeper team NEXT season than this one. THAT's a pretty amazing thought given the last 6 year run, and pretty horrifying for the rest of the league

c. BTW - I'm a Colts fan this week. I wasn't sure I was going to be, but Manning's effort in the Championship game won be over. He deserves it this season, AND the bonus of a Colt win will be, we won't have to hear all the "it's his year" crap all next year. NOW we will get to see how the Colts fare, when THEY are the team with a target on their chest EVERY WEEK.

Well thanks for the vine as they say. I know I feel a lot better. I look forward to all the off season talk after the Superbowl

Im a Bears fan this week - I cannot root for any franchise that has NaPolian as GM.

All the 'this year' talk will be replaced by him being one of the true greats - maybe even the best QB ever - now that he ha finally got 'his' ring.

No thanks

NM

 

[ajmitch81]

The day Bill Polian is no longer affiliated with the Colts - I'll pull for them in a Super Bowl. It's a shame because I do respect Manning, and Bob Sanders, and Harrison, and Wayne, etc... But not Polian, he's a Snake Oil Salesman and he's manipulated the NFL to the point where I question the integrity of the league.

 

[cstjohn17]

b. When the offense puts up 27 points in an away game, there shouldn't be much to complain about, but some of the Play calling in that game kind of stunned me. We didn't ONCE throw the ball deep down the field. WE rare used play action passes in the second half, even on shorter yardage plays, and finally we didn't execute those runs in the last drive like we should have. Just compare. The Colts in Baltimore made THREE first downs to kill the clock and win the game. WE only needed to make ONE. Who is the Championship team????

I agree with everything you said, I was going to type a similar diatribe but feel emotionally spent and without any motivation.. but you have a hit a nerve, I will recap by feelings without and try not to be redundant.

First of all, I do think the Colts made more plays. Say want you want about Manning but both the game against us in November and the AFC Championship he made big time plays under constant pressure. In my book he deserves all the props, he was a warrior.

Things I will think about all off-season

1) No PI call in the end zone against Caldwell, especially after the Hobbs call (which in real time speed looked bad, really bad, hard not to make that call). But the one on Caldwell was just as bad or worse, should have evened out...
2) The first offensive play of the 2nd half... I deleted my DVR recording, never, ever want to see the game again. For you brave souls who still have the game, please explain to me what happened there. We get the ball back, Indy is starting to roll. They just completed a 6:42 drive, 14 plays, 76 yards to make it 21-13 (Not to mentioned the 12 play 80 yard drive before the half). Obvious to everyone they are heating up.

If you combine their drive before the half, with half time and their first drive of the second half it must have added up to 60 minutes of straight time. Lots and lots of time to think of an offensive strategy. Generally the play-offs is not where you get really creative, you go with what got you there. For the Pats their best offensive set was a 3 wide, 1 RB, 1 TE set. They used it very effectively against SD.

Instead we come out with some bizarre formation with 2 WRs split right, no WRs left and 3 TEs (I think Evans was lined up as a TE on the left hand side). The whole thing looked shaky to start with, then the ball is snapped and Brady wings a pass 20 rows into the stands... What the F is that?

They go on to produce a 3 and out and place their tired defense back on the field for the tying TD. It set the tone for how the offense would play the entire 2nd half.

They should have ran the ball! Generally teams run until the opponent proves they can stop it. It also wakes up the O Line and TEs, gets hem make into the game. More importantly it keeps the clock moving.. (remember this it comes up later)

3) 3rd and 4 - I think we should have ran the ball, tried to get 2-3 yards and then possibly have gone for it on 4th down. The main reason for running it to force the Colt's hand. They would have to use their final TO or allow the clock to hit the 2:00 minute warning.

2 & 3) Combined - Even if everything played out exactly the same, the combination of these 2 plays would have left a lot less time on the clock for the Colts final possession. I know it is a reach of all reaches but it still bothers me.

4) Polian won. I don't mean the game, I mean his antics were validated, much like an NBA coach who complains to a ref, he put a seed in the refs mind and it played out exactly how he wanted.

5) The whole Bizzaro world... the past 2 years the Pats are 26-11
- out of those losses, 8 have come from the same group of teams ( 3 - Colts and 3 - Broncos and 2 against the Phins).
- we used to be the team that never lost twice to the same opponent
- we also never lost 2 in a row

6) This time the whole world was against us, in the past some of the "He hate me" noise was just made up, but this year no one wanted the Pats in the Superbowl. Nothing would have been better than ruining their day.

7) A chance at 4 in 6 years, so so close. Even the Patriot haters would have to seriously add them into the mix of best teams ever.

8) It would have been the best NFL Films ever. The season starts with a fumble recovered for a TD against Buffalo "but the team lead by #12 would not lose focus, showing the grit of a true champion" I can hear the narrator's voice...

9) We would have won the Superbowl. I am holding hope against hope the Bears win but realistically I see a blowout, like the old NFC versus AFC days.

10) Our QB didn't make the big plays when required... our coach did not make the necessary adjustments... more bizzaro world.

11) Bad feeling - The play in November when Manning rolled out of the pocket, avoided Seymour and then hit Marvin for a 44 yard gain, during the play Rodney gets hurt. That was a 3rd and 15, I had a bad feeling about that play. It seemed like an Omen that this was the year Manning would find a way to tough it out. I so very much wish I was wrong.

12) Was it my fault? Did I not flip my hat backwards soon enough? Should I have taken off the hat completely? Did I have my lucky shirt? What could I have done differently.

Thank goodness we have 3 Trophies in the mantle, otherwise this would have been a crusher. The team is in good position for 07, Go Pats, thank you for a great season.

13) It may be petty and small, but I really do hope the Bears win.... and writing this made me feel better.

 

[sarge]

I agree with everything you said, I was going to type a similar diatribe but feel emotionally spent and without any motivation.. but you have a hit a nerve, I will recap by feelings without and try not to be redundant.

First of all, I do think the Colts made more plays. Say want you want about Manning but both the game against us in November and the AFC Championship he made big time plays under constant pressure. In my book he deserves all the props, he was a warrior.

Things I will think about all off-season

1) No PI call in the end zone against Caldwell, especially after the Hobbs call (which in real time speed looked bad, really bad, hard not to make that call). But the one on Caldwell was just as bad or worse, should have evened out...
2) The first offensive play of the 2nd half... I deleted my DVR recording, never, ever want to see the game again. For you brave souls who still have the game, please explain to me what happened there. We get the ball back, Indy is starting to roll. They just completed a 6:42 drive, 14 plays, 76 yards to make it 21-13 (Not to mentioned the 12 play 80 yard drive before the half). Obvious to everyone they are heating up.

If you combine their drive before the half, with half time and their first drive of the second half it must have added up to 60 minutes of straight time. Lots and lots of time to think of an offensive strategy. Generally the play-offs is not where you get really creative, you go with what got you there. For the Pats their best offensive set was a 3 wide, 1 RB, 1 TE set. They used it very effectively against SD.

Instead we come out with some bizarre formation with 2 WRs split right, no WRs left and 3 TEs (I think Evans was lined up as a TE on the left hand side). The whole thing looked shaky to start with, then the ball is snapped and Brady wings a pass 20 rows into the stands... What the F is that?

They go on to produce a 3 and out and place their tired defense back on the field for the tying TD. It set the tone for how the offense would play the entire 2nd half.

They should have ran the ball! Generally teams run until the opponent proves they can stop it. It also wakes up the O Line and TEs, gets hem make into the game. More importantly it keeps the clock moving.. (remember this it comes up later)

3) 3rd and 4 - I think we should have ran the ball, tried to get 2-3 yards and then possibly have gone for it on 4th down. The main reason for running it to force the Colt's hand. They would have to use their final TO or allow the clock to hit the 2:00 minute warning.

2 & 3) Combined - Even if everything played out exactly the same, the combination of these 2 plays would have left a lot less time on the clock for the Colts final possession. I know it is a reach of all reaches but it still bothers me.

4) Polian won. I don't mean the game, I mean his antics were validated, much like an NBA coach who complains to a ref, he put a seed in the refs mind and it played out exactly how he wanted.

5) The whole Bizzaro world... the past 2 years the Pats are 26-11
- out of those losses, 8 have come from the same group of teams ( 3 - Colts and 3 - Broncos and 2 against the Phins).
- we used to be the team that never lost twice to the same opponent
- we also never lost 2 in a row

6) This time the whole world was against us, in the past some of the "He hate me" noise was just made up, but this year no one wanted the Pats in the Superbowl. Nothing would have been better than ruining their day.

7) A chance at 4 in 6 years, so so close. Even the Patriot haters would have to seriously add them into the mix of best teams ever.

8) It would have been the best NFL Films ever. The season starts with a fumble recovered for a TD against Buffalo "but the team lead by #12 would not lose focus, showing the grit of a true champion" I can hear the narrator's voice...

9) We would have won the Superbowl. I am holding hope against hope the Bears win but realistically I see a blowout, like the old NFC versus AFC days.

10) Our QB didn't make the big plays when required... our coach did not make the necessary adjustments... more bizzaro world.

11) Bad feeling - The play in November when Manning rolled out of the pocket, avoided Seymour and then hit Marvin for a 44 yard gain, during the play Rodney gets hurt. That was a 3rd and 15, I had a bad feeling about that play. It seemed like an Omen that this was the year Manning would find a way to tough it out. I so very much wish I was wrong.

12) Was it my fault? Did I not flip my hat backwards soon enough? Should I have taken off the hat completely? Did I have my lucky shirt? What could I have done differently.

Thank goodness we have 3 Trophies in the mantle, otherwise this would have been a crusher. The team is in good position for 07, Go Pats, thank you for a great season.

13) It may be petty and small, but I really do hope the Bears win.... and writing this made me feel better.

Great analisys.

The PI against Hobbs bugged me because there was not contact.

Simms kept saying it was face guarding and an easy call.

Well, now we find out there is no such thing as face guarding! So now that everyone knows the rule, what do you think now Phil???

And the most obvious PI call should have been with Caldwell in the endzone.

The defender goes for the tackle with the ball in the air, long before it got to the receiver.

I mean, atleast in the 2003 Championship, no one was flagged for PI. Both teams were held to the same standard.

In this game, the Pats were flagged for standing to close to the Colt receivers, and the Colt defensive backs were allowed to tackle Patriot receivers with the ball in the air.

And no, I am not exagerating http://www.sharebigfile.com/file/71993/VTS-01-1-VOB.html

That said, the Pats had the ball with around three minutes left.

Honestly, I would have went for it on fourth, and was screaming for them to, and here is why.

Was there really any doubt in anyone's mind at that point that the Pats defense was to exausted to stop the Colts? We all knew it, everyone knew it.

Worse case going for it on fourth down...

If they don't make it the Colts get the ball back in great field position and score that much earlier and leave more time.

If the Pats make it, well I don't think I need t explain that.

Against any other team with a fresh defense, I punt.

But we all knew what was going to happen when they punted.

 

[lutontown_fc]

I want to multi quote this post but dont know how. Can anyone explain how it works. Gracias.

HMM I couldn't work it out how to do it using the 'button' for it.

All I normally do is break the post up by copy pasting [QU0TE=NEM;324859] at the beginning of each paragraph I want to address and [/QU0TE] at the end of it.

These appear at the beginning and end of every post when you quote it (oviously the posters name will change depending on who you are quoting).

NM

 

[daddieslilbolt]

...on a season.

I am very ashamed to admit that once I turned off the TV after the AFC Championship game, I didn't look at a ESPN or local sports telecast or looked at a sports page or internet site. Until today, I haven't even wanted to deal with anything about football that would remind me of the the most painful loss I've even experienced as a Patriot fan (and that goes back to 1960 ). The closest thing I can think of was how I felt after game 6 of the 86 World series)

Well, it's over now. I'm sure that Pats will be back, and just as determined. Don't worry, San Diego's still a bit pissed off about our loss. But I know they'll do their best next year, and that all that matters. Same for the Pats. As long both put in 100% into it and did the best they could, they came home winners, even after a loss.

You might go to the superbowl next year. At least you get to watch the superbowl commercials.

 

[Hok]

I always want the ball for the second half kick off. I would have deferred.

That's not how it works in the NFL. If you win the toss, the other team gets to pick at the start of the 2nd half no matter what. So if you choose to kick after winning the toss, the other team can still choose to receive after halftime.

 

[richpats]

I feel for those that are baring their soul, but the time for mourning is over, and actually it should have never began. Take away the Patriot "mystique" and this is a team that made INCREDIBLE strides this year. We may have been one play away from the SB this year, but think back to a few games over the course of the season and ask yourself if you really felt the Pats were going all the way:

Week 1 - Buffalo up 17-7 IN FOXBORO, trying to convert a game-sealing 4th down

Week 3 - Denver, OMG what a nightmare. Jake Plummer converts another 3rd down. And another. And hits Walker for another demoralizing TD. Considering Brady's body language was a big controversy, I'm glad I was at the game and not watching on TV.

Week 9 - Rodney goes down, Brady throws 4 picks (including the last drive), Manning couldn't be stopped - some bad omens, but I was more concerned that the Pats couldn't beat an "elite" team in the AFC

Week 10 - student beats the master, AFC East supremacy is even in question

Week 13 - Detroit comes in and holds an 8-point lead in the 4th. WTF?

Week 14- Last place Fins skunk the Pats in a VERY embarrassing game

AFC Divisional - Down 14-3 with 2:00 left in the 2nd, Brady picked off late by McCree, LT unstoppable all day .... but the Pats come out on top and BEAT THE BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE ON THE ROAD. 2006 season officially a success - the Pats overachieved.

Like you Ken, I had modest expectations for the Indy game, I knew Manning had a good shot to win, but just no idea it could turn out like that.

It's all over and done with now, but the Pats will likely show up in Indy again in 7 months and 2007 will be a brand new season

 

[mgteich]

I agree with all you posted, especially with regard to the relative performance of the QB's. As always, I nitpick.

1) Our defense was on the field for 80 plays. The offense needed to stay on the field longer.

2) My turning point was the 3rd and 11 or 12 with more than three minutes left. The clutch QB of all time and the OC with whom he worked out plays and game plan decided to run to set up the field goal. This succeeded in allowing Manning back on the field. The defense was on IV's and getting massages for cramps at the time. They were woozy and looked lost when they came out on the field. I had absolutely no question in my mind that the colts would score. The only issue was whether the patriots would have another possession. They did with over a minute left.

Tom Terrific should have been given two chances to pass for the first down. How many times has Brady been put in that situations? How many times has he failed? Why was this not the strategy this time? Unanswered questions all.

...on a season.

I am very ashamed to admit that once I turned off the TV after the AFC Championship game, I didn't look at a ESPN or local sports telecast or looked at a sports page or internet site. Until today, I haven't even wanted to deal with anything about football that would remind me of the the most painful loss I've even experienced as a Patriot fan (and that goes back to 1960 ). The closest thing I can think of was how I felt after game 6 of the 86 World series)

Actually I don't know why I took it so badly, It wasn't like it was a sure thing going into Indy after a tough win in SD. So it wasn't any high expectations that were crushed, Perhaps it just the way the game played out and how it ended that made me not want to read or hear post game commentary that would just be reminders of what I already knew.

One good thing, though, I found out that I had a lot more time in my life when I'm not investing it in my following of the local eleven. You know they these things called "books" at a place called the "library", and if you have the time to "read" one of them...it can be damned enjoyable.

Any ways I think I'm over "it" now, and I thought the best way to start the "new season" would be to exorsize any observations that I have about the LAST game of the 2006 season. That being said, I'm sure some of what I will say was thoroughly discussed LAST week, so thank you in advance for putting up with this attempt to get my OWN Patriot hangover issues resolved.

1. Count me in amoung ALL of you who were pissed about the NON-CALL of the PI in the 4th quarter that would have given the Pats a SEVEN point lead. ESPECIALLY since the Pats had one go the OTHER WAY that wasn't nearly so OBVIOUS. Clearly it was a game changing play. I would appreciate it if someone can post what explaintion by the NFL on the play. Was there one.

2. Some one told me the Globe did a piece that broke down the call on Hobbs' PI that led to a Colt TD. I have long held the belief that "face guarding" when you don't make contact with the receiver SHOULDN'T be a penalty. NOW I hear, it never was. At the time I thought it was the right call, at least as its been called for the last few years. In fact I was taling to the TV wondering WHY THE HELL, he just didn't turn around. If he HAD, he would have mad the PICK,

MY beef at the time WASN't that call, but the one they DIDN'T call later on in the game, where the defender put BOTH hands on the Caldwell's chest LONG BEFORE the ball arrived, AND never turned around.

3. All that being said, IMHO the best team THAT DAY won the game. Or to put it another way, the QB who had the best day won the game. I think Manning was magnificent. The thing that impressed me the most was the fact that he CONTINUALLY threw strikes to his receivers DESPITE being under constant pressure ALL GAME. I can remember off hand six or eight times Manning was crushed as he threw the ball and EVERY single FREAKING time the ball was right on target. I mean it wasn't once or twice, it was A LOT. Especially in the second half.

4. In other words, the Colts were the team that made the key play at the key time. IMHO the key play of the game was the 3rd and 4 with about 2:40 to play. THAT'S the play a CHAMPIONSHIP team makes, and the team that MADE that play was the Colts. IF they hadn't had to make 15 yds that series because of a stupid, unPatriot like penalty, they wouldn't have HAD a third and 4 in the first place. I said that before the play to a friend, fully expecting us to make that 4 yds, because that is what CHAMPIONSHIP teams do....and we didn't

5. Bottom line, IMHO the defense just ran out of gas at the end, at least that is what it looked like to me. The tough game in SD, the 2 long flights, the flu, the hot stadium, whatever. Would would have thought that THAT defense would give up 31 points in just 2 quarters, and almost EVERY ONE of them a 70+ drive.

5. Nitpicking b*tches and moans - not many, but it will be good to get them off my chest.

a. I wonder why we didn't SEEM to play that tighter coverage that was evident in the first half much in the second. It seemed to me at least that somewhere in the second half we start to play a softer zone. AND well you saw the results as well as I.

b. When the offense puts up 27 points in an away game, there shouldn't be much to complain about, but some of the Play calling in that game kind of stunned me. We didn't ONCE throw the ball deep down the field. WE rare used play action passes in the second half, even on shorter yardage plays, and finally we didn't execute those runs in the last drive like we should have. Just compare. The Colts in Baltimore made THREE first downs to kill the clock and win the game. WE only needed to make ONE. Who is the Championship team????

c. It didn't mean much IMHO, but what about that "hitting the QB in the helmet" call on the last drive. In the replay it looked like his hand, which was on Manning's shoulder pad, moved up and touched his helmet. It was more of a "slide" than contact. It was a terrible call, especially given all the REAL contact that went on with the QB's ALL DAY. (Like I said, I'm nitpicking)

d. Again, NEXT, TIME ELLIS - JUST turn the F**K around!!!!!

e. I always want the ball for the second half kick off. I would have deferred. That way regardless of what happened in the first half you get the ball in the second. This is ESPECIALLY TRUE ON THE ROAD. After the opening KO the home crowd is at its NOISIEST and most disruptive. Also I hate those situations when the home team get the ball for the last drive of the first half, and gets it again for the first one of the second. Just compare what happend in SD to what happened in INDY

6. Overall Seasonal observations

a. When you think about it, given all the off season losses, given all the injuries during the season, given all the travel and away games they had to play in the playoffs....we were only ONE defensive stop away from going to the supperbowl...this was a very productive, if disappointing at the end, season

b. Given our cap situation, and the draft pick we have, and people coming back from the IR, we SHOULD be a more athletic, and deeper team NEXT season than this one. THAT's a pretty amazing thought given the last 6 year run, and pretty horrifying for the rest of the league

c. BTW - I'm a Colts fan this week. I wasn't sure I was going to be, but Manning's effort in the Championship game won be over. He deserves it this season, AND the bonus of a Colt win will be, we won't have to hear all the "it's his year" crap all next year. NOW we will get to see how the Colts fare, when THEY are the team with a target on their chest EVERY WEEK.

Well thanks for the vine as they say. I know I feel a lot better. I look forward to all the off season talk after the Superbowl

 

[pepper03]

That's not how it works in the NFL. If you win the toss, the other team gets to pick at the start of the 2nd half no matter what. So if you choose to kick after winning the toss, the other team can still choose to receive after halftime.

Exactly right-which is why I prefer the Pats lose the toss and start the game on defense-then you get the ball in the second half. You don't have the option in the pros of winning and then opting to take receive wither half-if you decline the first half the other team still gets it too start the second half.

I just can't get over this loss-I still can't believe they lost the game, and I still can't watch any sports at all. My husband is not a Pats fan and thinks I am being a baby-he's like geez you guys have already won three-get over it-and I used to feel that way about teams that won all the time losing and their fans being upset -I used to think-get over it already, let other teams and fans have a chance-and now I find myself just doing exactly the same thing. I go way back with this team-back to the days of Plunkett and Vataha, so I know what the bad old days are like, but I agree with this poster-this is the worst I've ever felt about a Pats loss and I know I shouldn't feel like I do, but I can't help it.

 

[patfanken]

That's not how it works in the NFL. If you win the toss, the other team gets to pick at the start of the 2nd half no matter what. So if you choose to kick after winning the toss, the other team can still choose to receive after halftime.

I think you are mistaken, Hokie. It is my understanding (which is a phrase which means, I think I'm right, but I wouldn't put money on it. ), that a team that wins the opening toss has the option to defer to the second half. In other words, the Pats win the toss, they defer, then having the option to KO or receive in the 2nd half.

In an away game of this nature, the advantages of getting the ball first, IMHO are not as great as getting the KO to open the 2nd half.

 

[Brownfan80]

Great thread Ken.

The game no longer hurts as long as I don't think about it at all.

 

[pepper03]

I think you are mistaken, Hokie. It is my understanding (which is a phrase which means, I think I'm right, but I wouldn't put money on it. ), that a team that wins the opening toss has the option to defer to the second half. In other words, the Pats win the toss, they defer, then having the option to KO or receive in the 2nd half.

In an away game of this nature, the advantages of getting the ball first, IMHO are not as great as getting the KO to open the 2nd half.

No the loser of the first half coin toss (which was the Colts) gets to chose whether to kick off or receive before the start of the second half.

So it was the Pats choice first half and the Colts the second-I don't think Indy would have chosen to kick. The bottom line is each team gets to pick-it's just the winner of the toss gets the first half pick and the loser gets the second half pick.

 

[frankiesfly]

I feel for those that are baring their soul, but the time for mourning is over, and actually it should have never began. Take away the Patriot "mystique" and this is a team that made INCREDIBLE strides this year. We may have been one play away from the SB this year, but think back to a few games over the course of the season and ask yourself if you really felt the Pats were going all the way:

Week 1 - Buffalo up 17-7 IN FOXBORO, trying to convert a game-sealing 4th down

Week 3 - Denver, OMG what a nightmare. Jake Plummer converts another 3rd down. And another. And hits Walker for another demoralizing TD. Considering Brady's body language was a big controversy, I'm glad I was at the game and not watching on TV.

Week 9 - Rodney goes down, Brady throws 4 picks (including the last drive), Manning couldn't be stopped - some bad omens, but I was more concerned that the Pats couldn't beat an "elite" team in the AFC

Week 10 - student beats the master, AFC East supremacy is even in question

Week 13 - Detroit comes in and holds an 8-point lead in the 4th. WTF?

Week 14- Last place Fins skunk the Pats in a VERY embarrassing game

AFC Divisional - Down 14-3 with 2:00 left in the 2nd, Brady picked off late by McCree, LT unstoppable all day .... but the Pats come out on top and BEAT THE BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE ON THE ROAD. 2006 season officially a success - the Pats overachieved.

Like you Ken, I had modest expectations for the Indy game, I knew Manning had a good shot to win, but just no idea it could turn out like that.

It's all over and done with now, but the Pats will likely show up in Indy again in 7 months and 2007 will be a brand new season

amen. Even though i was highly dissapointed about our loss. The Pats did go further than i ever thought they were going to.

 

[Hok]

I think you are mistaken, Hokie. It is my understanding (which is a phrase which means, I think I'm right, but I wouldn't put money on it. ), that a team that wins the opening toss has the option to defer to the second half. In other words, the Pats win the toss, they defer, then having the option to KO or receive in the 2nd half.

That is how it works...in college.

In the NFL, if you win the toss, the other team gets first dibs at the start of the second half.

 

[richpats]

amen. Even though i was highly dissapointed about our loss. The Pats did go further than i ever thought they were going to.

Funny how things turned out after the SD game. If the Pats had lost that game I wouldn't have been disappointed (SD was VERY good) and the Pats would have met my expectations, though another turnover-fest in an AFC West stadium would have that "same story, different year" feel to it.

The Pats have a funny way of looking better than they have all season in a game and then falling apart in the 2nd half.