Pats Not All That

[broadwayjoe]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6919700

Good to see articles like this it motivates me as a Pats fan.

Sure, the Pats won two Super Bowls with the likes of J.R. Redmond, Kevin Faulk and Antowain Smith carrying the load. And yes, they brought in Sammy Morris — a reliable veteran back — over the off-season. But I think the loss of Corey Dillon hurts a lot more than anyone's really discussing. More importantly, however, is Laurence Maroney's health. While other outlets are reporting on the second-year man's new-found "acting bug", I'm a bit skeptical about his body. His right shoulder was clearly banged up towards the end of last season. Don't believe it? Go watch game film from the Pats' three postseason contests.

 

[unoriginal]

His two strongest points are RB and CB. The rest of that crap... bah, who needs it.

 

[Seymour93]

But I think the loss of Corey Dillon hurts a lot more than anyone's really discussing.

Why is it going to hurt more than anyone's really discussing? I love it how he just throws that sentence in without backing it up. Has he watched Dillon the last two years? We won't even miss him on the goalline, because of Evans, and well, we have a lot more guys to throw to. Dillon just isn't quick enough for a zone blocking scheme. It's unfortunate that Dillon hasn't found work elsewhere, but if nobody else wants him, what does that tell you?

Yes, the Pats won a Super Bowl in 2005 with receiver Troy Brown playing significant time at defensive back. But that was out of desperation, after injuries riddled the depth chart. The Patriots cornerback situation is looking pretty bleak heading into camp this year.

It's good to have Wilson and Gay back and also Meriweather into the mix.

Michael Felger, a highly respected voice and sports personality

LOL

 

[BB_dynasty]

What league is this guy talking about? I have to disagree with pretty much everything. Not because I am a patriots fan, but because i am a football fan. He says the Patriots walked in and "danced over the chargers at home in the post-season" or something like that.

 

[Va_Pats_Fan]

The pats are the flavour of the month, we'll see as much positive articles as negative ones. He just wants to be "different"

 

[Fixit]

"What's left? A hodgepodge of above average youngsters and a few 'I've seen better days' vets."

I think most teams would kill for this.

 

[Stop Being A Jerk]

Some of these reasons are accurate concerns, and of course no team is a guarantee for anything in the NFL, but most of these articles (see also: that site's power rankings for another example) seem to be written by people no better than your average jealous fan of any team. Was journalism ever responsible? Accountable?

 

[MetalBleachers]

"On balance, the most talented receiver of this generation was just another guy. You'd have thought Moss would have taken the opportunity to make an early statement, maybe run from drill to drill across the field, lead the sprints at the end of practice, blow by the slower and smaller players trying to cover him, whatever. Show a little hustle. Little things. But it pretty much was the opposite." :bricks:

Okay, Randy Moss doesn't hustle on every play. We'll never confuse him with Wes Welker. I'm not excusing him, but does this really surprise anyone? The guy has been "gliding" for the past 18 years of his life. He's the tallest, fastest target Tom Brady has ever had. No, he wouldn't change the Pats' receiving corps all by himself, but with Stallworth on the opposite side and Welker underneath, isn't this the best compilation of talent at WR Belichick has ever had here?

Hustle is great: no region appreciates hustle more than New England. Hard work is also great. But I'll quote Kevin McHale when he heard Rick Pitino say he wanted to fill the Celtics' roster with hard workers: "If all I needed was hard workers, I'd hire twelve plumbers. Somewhere along the way, you need talent."

Can't we all agree Moss an upgrade for short money and wait until August to see if he rips the locker room apart?

 

[Fixit]

Can't we all agree Moss an upgrade for short money and wait until August to see if he rips the locker room apart?

This is what bugs me. Randy Moss has done a lot of dumb stuff, but no one who's ever coached him or played with him has ever implied that he's a cancer in the locker room. Writers are just pulling that "concern" out of this air.

 

[MetalBleachers]

This is what bugs me. Randy Moss has done a lot of dumb stuff, but no one who's ever coached him or played with him has ever implied that he's a cancer in the locker room. Writers are just pulling that "concern" out of this air.

Something else to remember along those lines: Belichick said he got the best scout report on Moss from Doug Gabriel.
Interesting how Moss' ex-coaches in Oakland all seem to bad mouth him, but none of his ex-teammates have.

 

[Grizzafted]

Yeah but how did Doug Gabriel work out?

 

[PatsFan37]

Sorry, but this guy doesn't know anything. His only research tool was Google, and the telling comment (aside from having called Felger's mother for the glowing reference) was that reports on Maroney over minicamp were 'mixed.' They weren't mixed at all, the guy didn't practice and threw with his left hand.

Schrager had nothing to say and it showed.

 

[TealSox]

I really doubt that Moss is a locker room cancer. Maybe in the past, I would had believed an argument saying otherwise, but he is a veteran that realizes that there is life outside the NFL. He may take plays off when he gets frustrated and remove himself as a leader, but I don't see him starting divisions. And it isn't as if he could in a veteran clubhouse where he comes in with a different group of players.

Of all the teams in the NFL, the Patriots are the most improved. Colts lost a lot of talent. Chargers lost every coach possible. Jets didn't get worse, but didn't make a huge free agent splash. Denver contends with the Pats, but like the Pats, some positions could be considered weak if it weren't for factoring in the coaching. (see D-line and Running game for Denver; see corner and O-line for Pats)

 

[sieglo]

But in the past few months, I keep catching myself feeling like one when discussing a particular NFL topic. On the sports talk radio shows I've appeared on, in my columns, just chatting with other NFL writers and fans — it seems like I'm the only one bringing down the mood when a certain conversation begins.

Of course, I'm talking about everybody's unanimous Super Bowl XLII champions: The 19-0 2007 New England Patriots.

Call me crazy. Call me nuts. Call me a Debbie Downer — but as much as I want to throw caution to the wind and jump on the bandwagon, I'm having some doubts.

Maybe it's because I've suffered through watching the 1993 Mets for 162 games. Maybe it's because I've seen how the Steve Francis/Stephon Marbury experiment's worked out over the past year and a half. Maybe it's because I just like playing the devil's advocate role.

Maybe because it's because you suffered through:

2002 Colts
2003 Colts
2004 Colts
2005 Colts?

 

[Jimke]

The writer does point out a couple of areas of concern. Asante Samuel is

a good cornerback and the Pats do not have a player of equal talent to

replace him. It is my belief that Asante will be with the Pats in 2007.

It's one thing to threaten to hold out and another to actually do it and

lose 1 million dollars every other week. With regard to Laurence Maroney,

it's true we have no other outstanding running back. Don't you think

Bill Belichick would have pursued another free agent running back or

drafted one if he anticipated any long term health issues with Maroney?

 

[JoeSixPat]

[ And yes, they brought in Sammy Morris — a reliable veteran back — over the off-season. But I think the loss of Corey Dillon hurts a lot more than anyone's really discussing.

What do you mean the loss of Dillon hurts? ...he only scored 13 TDs last season and only averaged a paltry 4.1 yards per carry.

That sux!

Oh - no wait, it doesn't.

No one should write off 13 TDs with a cavalier attitude. As I've said before, and I'm probably the only one around here who thinks this - or wants him back - but I think Dillon will re-sign with us.

No offense to Sammy Morris - who I think highly of as well - but I think Dillon has enough friends on this team and will be willing to "come out of retirement" for an incentive laden contract.

The blocking scheme should still be tuned for Maroney - but having Dillon in goal line situations in a 2 back set with Morris seems like a nice option to me.

 

[WhiZa]

Does Corey Dillon really want to take a backup role? He's accomplished everything he wants in the nfl, I'm not so sure how motivated he'll be to take a smaller contract and ride the bench.

 

[patriotsdynasty12189]

He is right pretty much on everything besides saying the Cheifs got stronger. No one will really know what is going to happen this season, thats why this article is pretty much pointless.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Michael Felger, a highly respected voice and sports personality

ROFLMAO

 

[g-fresh]

see D-line and Running game for Denver; see corner and O-line for Pats

What? The Broncos got Travis Henry who should be a big upgrade over the guys they had last season, and they were pretty good even with those bums. Denver can plug pretty much anyone in and have a good running game and now they have a proven back, how can you say that would be a concern for them?

The Pat's O line isn't a concern either, there will be some competition at RT but aside from that it will be the same group playing together for another year; I think its safe to expect them to be as good if not better than last year.