O yee of Little Faith (or Analysis)

[Deus Irae]

The LBs of the two Teds and Willie and Roman were good, but It think Mayo, Hightower, Spikes, Collins and Fletcher are comparable. Don''t forget Roman was nearing the end, and Tedy was still converting from a D lineman back then.

Stop. For crying out loud, stop. Hightower has spent most of the season being a huge disappointment. Collins has struggled mightily with the exception of one game, and hasn't seen much of the field. 2013 Fletcher can't hold 2001 Phifer's jock. Spikes and Mayo are on IR.


First rule of holes, for the love of God.

 

[ATippett56]

Absolutely...

As miserable as I feel they were playing defensively about 6 weeks ago, I am VERY impressed with how they improved starting around the MIA game. The last 3-4 games were much improved, although Sunday will be a much different kind of test for obvious reasons.

I'm much more confident after the Miami game since we don't have to witness Marquice Cole trying to cover Mike Wallace or any opposing wide receiver for that matter.

 

[Sicilian]

Why is it we feel the need to fight overt pessimism with equally absurd optimism? Can't we just be content letting the panicked and the morose wallow in their own depression? All you're doing is making those of us with reasonable optimism have to side with the Others.

 

[everlong]

When we lost Gronk with the information at hand I wouldn't have had us going to or winning the SB but they certainly have a shot. Talib and Dennard getting healthy coupled with the continued growth of Ryan, Hightower rounding into form, the sudden emergence of Collins make this defense much more formidable than they were. On offense the emergence and willingness to stick with the running game make the lack of receiving options not as glaring of a weakness.

Unless Dobson comes back I really don't want to fall too far behind in a game though given we're playing all slot receivers.

My biggest fear is Talib comes up lame with the hip just like last year's AFCCG. Bolden for all his credit didn't take off until after that and coupled with the Ridley fumble it completely changed the complexion of the game.

 

[Mike the Brit]

I couldn't care less how much faith Mr Yee has -- he's only an agent.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I will be shocked if Denver doesn't win.All the stars have aligned just for them, they're just healthier. The better team will win and Denver has the better team, in fact we're the worst team left standing in the postseason. The only bright side is we won't be losing another Super Bowl . I remember when we lost in 2010, the jets said they knew they were better because all they had to do is compare rosters .

 

[Sicilian]

I will be shocked if Denver doesn't win.All the stars have aligned just for them, they're just healthier. The better team will win and Denver has the better team,

If the better team on paper always won, the Pats wouldn't have won in 01 or lost in 07.

in fact we're the worst team left standing in the postseason. The only bright side is we won't be losing another Super Bowl . I remember when we lost in 2010, the jets said they knew they were better because all they had to do is compare rosters .

The Jets ALWAYS think they have the better roster. It's kind of their thing.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

We have certainly been playing well enough to reasonably expect to win this next game.

I don't think there's any question, though, that after all of these injuries the actual athletic talent level is somewhat low on this team right now, relative to all Patriots teams in the Belichick-Brady era, at least to my eyes.

But you know what, the 2001 team was also relatively low in sheer talent-- less talented than 2003, 2004, and 2007 for sure, probably even less talented than 2011 (though the current D is an upgrade).

Do you think we have as much talent in our starting 22 as the Detroit Lions had this year? I think not. The Lions were terrible though. We have an advantage over most teams in having a genius coach who builds depth by paying attention to players 35-53, the practice squad, and the rolodex squad more than most do. That certainly helps, especially late in the season.

You can win with lesser talent, because intelligence, an ability to not make mistakes, good coaching, good play-calling, and an ability to execute in key situations are more important than sheer athletic ability. If the other team has way more big playmakers and does all of those things above too, your margin for error is going to be very small.

Our margin for error is pretty small, and that is obvious, so that is the reason for a diminished fan confidence level relative to times in the past where we could more easily envision and easy win. It's no accident that we win a lot of games, but it is also no accident that the vast majority of those games are really close.

So I'm neither a naysaying nervous Nellie or a bragging headbutting super-confident fan. We are not "destined" to do anything, we have to take what we will get. I am confident that we will play well and I expect to win. I can imagine a lot of scenarios where we don't win, even if we play well, though.

These are fun times so I'm going to enjoy it. I love this team and I am proud of what they have accomplished so far. Win or lose I think I will be proud of what we have done this year, though it may take awhile to shake off a loss, particularly to the five-head.

 

[PatsFan2]

We have certainly been playing well enough to reasonably expect to win this next game.

I don't think there's any question, though, that after all of these injuries the actual athletic talent level is somewhat low on this team right now, relative to all Patriots teams in the Belichick-Brady era, at least to my eyes.

But you know what, the 2001 team was also relatively low in sheer talent-- less talented than 2003, 2004, and 2007 for sure, probably even less talented than 2011 (though the current D is an upgrade).

Do you think we have as much talent in our starting 22 as the Detroit Lions had this year? I think not. The Lions were terrible though. We have an advantage over most teams in having a genius coach who builds depth by paying attention to players 35-53, the practice squad, and the rolodex squad more than most do. That certainly helps, especially late in the season.

You can win with lesser talent, because intelligence, an ability to not make mistakes, good coaching, good play-calling, and an ability to execute in key situations are more important than sheer athletic ability. If the other team has way more big playmakers and does all of those things above too, your margin for error is going to be very small.

Our margin for error is pretty small, and that is obvious, so that is the reason for a diminished fan confidence level relative to times in the past where we could more easily envision and easy win. It's no accident that we win a lot of games, but it is also no accident that the vast majority of those games are really close.

So I'm neither a naysaying nervous Nellie or a bragging headbutting super-confident fan. We are not "destined" to do anything, we have to take what we will get. I am confident that we will play well and I expect to win. I can imagine a lot of scenarios where we don't win, even if we play well, though.

These are fun times so I'm going to enjoy it. I love this team and I am proud of what they have accomplished so far. Win or lose I think I will be proud of what we have done this year, though it may take awhile to shake off a loss, particularly to the five-head.

Excellent points in a nut shell We Execute we have a chance to win we don't we lose its that simple.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

If the better team on paper always won, the Pats wouldn't have won in 01 or lost in 07.



The Jets ALWAYS think they have the better roster. It's kind of their thing.

We were better in 01 than we are now, and the Giants were better than you think (they won a bunch of games on the road and had a great defensive line). This feels like 2006, if Peyton doesn't win he'll be a choker forever,i believe he'll deliver this time at home again. The only team equipped to beat the broncos are either the 49ers or the seahawks.

 

[50-yard-line]

Love the optimism and will never understand the pessimism...over sports?!?!?!?!?!?

A few weeks ago, after losing to Miami, the Pats were heading to Baltimore to face a Ravens team that was getting hot and looking more than solid. They were fighting for a playoff berth and many of the talking heads were predicting they'd get the #6 seed and that no one would want to play them in the playoffs. I admit it, I didn't give the Pats much of a shot with Gronk gone and just so many walking wounded.

They not only won that game, they beat up the Ravens.

I have no idea how they're doing it. Duct tape? Bubble gum?

Their defensive line has two undrafted free agent rookies, a 2nd year end, and Siliga, who was undrafted and had played what, one game?, before coming here.

Their linebackers inslude a 2nd year guy, a rookie, and an undrafted 2010 pickup who missed all of last year on IR and was never a starter before that.

They have two rookies and a couple of second year guys among their 6 top DBs...

They have no actual outside receiver...three small slot guys.

Their tight ends are...well...

And here they are, and they earned it by beating up the Ravens and pounding the crap out of the Colts.

They also beat Denver after a freakishly bad first half, had Carolina beaten in Carolina, beat New Orleans, and slaughtered Pittsburgh. They lost a game to the Jets on an awful call, and one to the Panthers on an awful non-call - either of those would have had the AFCCG coming through New England.

I don't know how they're doing it, but they are, and convincingly. Just looking at the last 3 weeks, is there anyone playing better football? And they have like $27,000,000 on IR, including both defensive captains.

I don't care what happens Sunday (well, of course I do, but you know what I mean), but this team owes me nothing...they've got more heart than anything I've seen since maybe 2001.

And how BB isn't Coach of the Year is beyond me.

 

[Sicilian]

We were better in 01 than we are now, and the Giants were better than you think (they won a bunch of games on the road and had a great defensive line). This feels like 2006, if Peyton doesn't win he'll be a choker forever,i believe he'll deliver this time at home again. The only team equipped to beat the broncos are either the 49ers or the seahawks.

But we weren't better in 01 than the Rams were in 01, and the 13 Broncos are NOT as good as those Rams were. On offense, sure, but that Rams team was 7th in scoring defense and 3rd in yards allowed. They were more than just a powerhouse offense, they had a complete team.

The Broncos are better than us on paper and healthier. But the disparity between the two teams on Sunday is nothing compared to the disparity in SB36.

As for the Giants, they were a good team, but that Patriots team was historic good, and again, a better team on defense than people give credit for. Paper doesn't win games.

 

[PatsFan2]

But we weren't better in 01 than the Rams were in 01, and the 13 Broncos are NOT as good as those Rams were. On offense, sure, but that Rams team was 7th in scoring defense and 3rd in yards allowed. They were more than just a powerhouse offense, they had a complete team.

The Broncos are better than us on paper and healthier. But the disparity between the two teams on Sunday is nothing compared to the disparity in SB36.

As for the Giants, they were a good team, but that Patriots team was historic good, and again, a better team on defense than people give credit for. Paper doesn't win games.

Which proves the point a Good Defense can get the better of a Elite Offense I think our Defense is peaking at the right time.

 

[SebertJr]

I'm new here...but aren't we all on the same team ??? I guess after some time here I'll figure out the antagonizers are.
Comparing today to last year ....or 12 years ago is irrelevant, it's this weeks team against their team......and I for one like our chances.!!!

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

But we weren't better in 01 than the Rams were in 01, and the 13 Broncos are NOT as good as those Rams were. On offense, sure, but that Rams team was 7th in scoring defense and 3rd in yards allowed. They were more than just a powerhouse offense, they had a complete team.

The Broncos are better than us on paper and healthier. But the disparity between the two teams on Sunday is nothing compared to the disparity in SB36.

As for the Giants, they were a good team, but that Patriots team was historic good, and again, a better team on defense than people give credit for. Paper doesn't win games.

"the 13 Broncos are NOT as good as those Rams were." hahahah those rams are weaker than the 07 patriots who in turn are slightly weaker than the current Broncos.Since that time, the rules have also change so that we can no longer do those things on defense anyway.

 

[Ring 6]

"the 13 Broncos are NOT as good as those Rams were." hahahah those rams are weaker than the 07 patriots who in turn are slightly weaker than the current Broncos.Since that time, the rules have change so that we can no longer do those things on defense anyway.

How are the 2007 Patriots weaker than the 2013 Broncos??????????

 

[Sicilian]

"the 13 Broncos are NOT as good as those Rams were." hahahah those rams are weaker than the 07 patriots who in turn are slightly weaker than the current Broncos.Since that time, the rules have also change so that we can no longer do those things on defense anyway.

Yeah, I just don't think we're on the same planet. Good day to you, sir.

 

[Ring 6]

I will be shocked if Denver doesn't win.All the stars have aligned just for them, they're just healthier.

Really?
Offensively we are missing RT Vollmer, they are missing LT Clady.
We are missing Gronk, they have a damaged Welker.

Defensively we are missing 2 starting DL (arguably we have upgraded at one of the spots) they are missing 1 and another is listed as questionable.
We are missing our best LB, they are missing their best LB. (Spikes isnt really relevant because he wouldnt see much field in this one)
We are 100% in the secondary, they are missing a starting corner and starting S.

Health is very similar on both teams, but I'm sure you will come up with another reason to shovel dirt on the Patriot grave.

The better team will win and Denver has the better team, in fact we're the worst team left standing in the postseason. The only bright side is we won't be losing another Super Bowl . I remember when we lost in 2010, the jets said they knew they were better because all they had to do is compare rosters .[/QUOTE]

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

How are the 2007 Patriots weaker than the 2013 Broncos??????????

Because the stats sheet says so, the broncos can run it better and manning stats sheet is bigger than Brady in 07.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Yeah, I just don't think we're on the same planet. Good day to you, sir.

Ok then please explain to me why the 01 rams are better than the current Broncos.