Cat Thoughts

[Oswlek]

Again, I missed most of the second half. Please don't hurt me.

* On the play were Morris ran for a first down just before Gost's first missed fg, where was the holding on Neal?

* After the first TD, I saw Mills congratulating Brady. Was he in the play anywhere?

* Did Dierdorf really not see the offensive pushoff on Gay? The show a slow motion replay with the WRs two arms going up, both hands touching Blue, the arms thrusting out and Blue tumbling. I knew that was OPI in live time (and was grateful when the right call was made). That said, he was pretty tame and actually did a decent job.

* I didn't see many stunts and loops by the DL, but NE's OL was much better this week. The only time anyone got near Brady was on a heavy blitz or if he held the ball for 6 full seconds.

* Do people still think Morris is junk? Or even a JAG?

* The start of the game was clearly a run scrimage with mixed results. While the numbers ended up pretty good, it seemed as if the plays were still sloppy. Maroney started off by dancing a little too much, but he looked good once he got warmed up.

* My boy had a nice game. It still pisses me off that even Dan Dierdorf is saying that Welker might have the most impact of all NE's FAs. He used to be all mine!

* Despite all the short passes in this PS, I think that NE will use the deep ball more than ever. I don't just say this because of Moss and Stallworth. It just seems as if NE is purposely not calling any deep posts or gos.

* I can't stand the guy, but Delhomme had himself a nice game. He put the ball in some tight spots and was vicitmized by several drops. Did I mention that I can't stand him, though? He really just rubs me the wrong way.

* Despite several three and outs, I don't think NE's starting D had a very good day. If Carolina's receivers could catch in the early part of the game, they likely would have had nice gains every time the got the ball. Of mild concern is that the Cats seemed to have consistent success working underneath on NE's LBs and safeties. The DL didn't look nearly as dominant against the better Carolina line, either.

I am sure that I am forgetting something, but that's all I have for now.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

Welker was never just your boy. He is my favorite pick-up of the offseason on offense. I think he will be catching passes for us long after Moss has cashed in somewhere else.

Like I was telling my wife, how often lately has Brady had anybody on offense that will simply catch the damn ball, not bumble it, fumble it or bobble it, just catch the thing.

I'll take ten yard gains all day long over medium to low probability passes downfield. I'm not greedy that way...

And some longer passes to Moss/Stallworth for good measure.

 

[jczxohn1]

Again, I missed most of the second half. Please don't hurt me.

* On the play were Morris ran for a first down just before Gost's first missed fg, where was the holding on Neal?
On the replay, the DT went down on his face as tho he tripped, Neal stepped back and threw up his hands. Couldn't see a hold, but the ref may have suspected a WWE take-down.
* After the first TD, I saw Mills congratulating Brady. Was he in the play anywhere?
Also saw Jenkins congratulating him after the half. Would liked to have heard that interaction.
* Did Dierdorf really not see the offensive pushoff on Gay? The show a slow motion replay with the WRs two arms going up, both hands touching Blue, the arms thrusting out and Blue tumbling. I knew that was OPI in live time (and was grateful when the right call was made). That said, he was pretty tame and actually did a decent job.
Couldn't believe the hold on Reche going into the endzone wasn't called, either. DB had his hand on his shoulder for 15 yds. and the ref was looking right at them.
* I didn't see many stunts and loops by the DL, but NE's OL was much better this week. The only time anyone got near Brady was on a heavy blitz or if he held the ball for 6 full seconds.
Big difference by the O-line. The only pressure was from blitzers.
* Do people still think Morris is junk? Or even a JAG?
He had a heck of a game against us last yr. Like the fact that he's all AFCE, too. Should know his way around the shop.
* The start of the game was clearly a run scrimage with mixed results. While the numbers ended up pretty good, it seemed as if the plays were still sloppy. Maroney started off by dancing a little too much, but he looked good once he got warmed up.
Ditto
* My boy had a nice game. It still pisses me off that even Dan Dierdorf is saying that Welker might have the most impact of all NE's FAs. He used to be all mine!
I was all over Welker last fall when it was known he would be a FA. The only Dolphin that scared me for the last 2 yrs.
* Despite all the short passes in this PS, I think that NE will use the deep ball more than ever. I don't just say this because of Moss and Stallworth. It just seems as if NE is purposely not calling any deep posts or gos.
No Moss, no protection last wk, and Stallworth just getting back, it was nice to finally see a long ball catch, even if it was a poor throw.
* I can't stand the guy, but Delhomme had himself a nice game. He put the ball in some tight spots and was vicitmized by several drops. Did I mention that I can't stand him, though? He really just rubs me the wrong way.
Reminds me too much of that guy from Denver. Short-term memory loss is a terrible affliction. Oh yeah, Plummer, that's it, Plummer.
* Despite several three and outs, I don't think NE's starting D had a very good day. If Carolina's receivers could catch in the early part of the game, they likely would have had nice gains every time the got the ball. Of mild concern is that the Cats seemed to have consistent success working underneath on NE's LBs and safeties. The DL didn't look nearly as dominant against the better Carolina line, either.
Thought the same. Jarvis and Vince were the only regulars on the D-line, tho. Smith and Brown got a lot of time in the First half. Didn't even notice Wright too much.
I am sure that I am forgetting something, but that's all I have for now.

I'm impressed by some of the rooks. The 2nd string O-line played pretty well, I thought, L.Smith and K. Brown look to have more potential as back-ups
than our #8 and #9 in yrs past. Also, like Rogers, Richardson and Lua, too.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

* In the pre-season, Heath Evans becomes John Riggins

 

[DaBruinz]

Thought the same. Jarvis and Vince were the only regulars on the D-line, tho. Smith and Brown got a lot of time in the First half. Didn't even notice Wright too much.

I'm impressed by some of the rooks. The 2nd string O-line played pretty well, I thought, L.Smith and K. Brown look to have more potential as back-ups
than our #8 and #9 in yrs past. Also, like Rogers, Richardson and Lua, too.

JCZXOHN -
The reason you didn't notice Wright too much is because he wasn't playing.

 

[ClevTrev]

* In the pre-season, Heath Evans becomes John Riggins

Hah! If true, I'd love to see him continue his Riggins impression well into the post season. Let's just hope he doesn't utter these words at some point: "Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight."

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Hah! If true, I'd love to see him continue his Riggins impression well into the post season. Let's just hope he doesn't utter these words at some point: "Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight."

Beautiful, Clev! Historical memory lives!

He'd have to change it to "Ruthie Baby," but I'm sure we could persuade him...

PFnV

 

[Horace's Ivories]

- Kick coverage looks much improved. ST in general - wow!

 

[jczxohn1]

JCZXOHN -
The reason you didn't notice Wright too much is because he wasn't playing.

That's what I thought, but was sure if I said so and he was someone like you would be even more obnoxious.

 

[primetime]

* I can't stand the guy, but Delhomme had himself a nice game. He put the ball in some tight spots and was vicitmized by several drops. Did I mention that I can't stand him, though? He really just rubs me the wrong way.

I've always thought Delhomme was a stud. I'd put him in the second tier of QBs after the Manning/Brady top tier with guys like Brees, Palmer, and McNabb. I think he's that good.

 

[Oswlek]

- Kick coverage looks much improved. ST in general - wow!

I thought that the KO coverage had ore to do with Carolina's lousy blocking than anything else. There were a couple KOs were three of four defenders converged on the returner while there were Carolina players blocking no one on the screen.

The bullying of them on the FG attempts was impressive regardless. On both attempts you see two guys just fly backwards immediately after the snap.

 

[Fencer]

I've always thought Delhomme was a stud. I'd put him in the second tier of QBs after the Manning/Brady top tier with guys like Brees, Palmer, and McNabb. I think he's that good.

Other than one of the few Super Bowl losing performances that despite the loss deserves to be called truly clutch, what has he accomplished to make you feel that way?

 

[Oswlek]

I've always thought Delhomme was a stud. I'd put him in the second tier of QBs after the Manning/Brady top tier with guys like Brees, Palmer, and McNabb. I think he's that good.

I can't say that I agree. He seems to have NE's number because NE thrives more on defending structured passing offenses. The Cats, by comparison, have more of a "draw the play in the sand" type offense and are very good at fixing a broken play. Take a look at the 2003 SB, all you see in the second half is a bunch of jump balls that Carolina's WRs consistently came down with. Very seldom is there any clear timing involved. That is the best way to attack a BB defense that is willing to forego atleticism for being in the right place.

 

[fgssand]

I can't say that I agree. He seems to have NE's number because NE thrives more on defending structured passing offenses. The Cats, by comparison, have more of a "draw the play in the sand" type offense and are very good at fixing a broken play. Take a look at the 2003 SB, all you see in the second half is a bunch of jump balls that Carolina's WRs consistently came down with. Very seldom is there any clear timing involved. That is the best way to attack a BB defense that is willing to forego atleticism for being in the right place.

I agree with your basic conclusion that a few jump balls off of broken plays are about the only way to beat a BB defense, when he is on and the team is healthy and playing well - HOWEVER, no way do I accept your statement that this "BB defense has foregone athleticism - are you kidding me???

 

[Oswlek]

I agree with your basic conclusion that a few jump balls off of broken plays are about the only way to beat a BB defense, when he is on and the team is healthy and playing well - HOWEVER, no way do I accept your statement that this "BB defense has foregone athleticism - are you kidding me???

"Has forgone" is not at all what I said. "Will forego" is certainly the case in some respects. I have firmly been in Samuel's corner, but there are probably 30 guys in the league that have better measurables than he does. Samuel has great ball instincts and positions himself well, which is just what I am talking about. Does that mean that I think *every* Patriot is in this boat? Of course not. The DL is as athletic as any in the league. Now with AD added the LB corps is up there. Obviously the RBs are dripping with athletic ability.

"Willing to forego" does not mean "every postion on the roster is a smart statue" not do I think it comes across that way. It just means that given two choices:

1) A guy who oozes talent but doesn't have natural game insticts and really isn't that smart.

2) A guy who is average or slight above in physical abilities, but is a hard worker who knows his position well.

BB is choosing #2 every time. Obviously #2 cannot be a dud physically or his instincts and intelligence won't matter. But you can be damn sure that not every team is making that choice. Lots of teams look at #1 and get all googly eyed think just how good he would be if he learned the game.

 

[primetime]

Other than one of the few Super Bowl losing performances that despite the loss deserves to be called truly clutch, what has he accomplished to make you feel that way?

Everytime I've seen him play he makes passes that are right on the money. Granted, having Steve Smith helps quite a bit too, but I think Jake fairly deserves some of the hype Smith gets. I just think he's a good QB; it might be an unshared sentiment by a majority, but if I had to pick a QB for the Patriots besides Brady, it'd go Manning, Palmer, Brees, then Delhomme.

 

[patchick]

HOWEVER, no way do I accept your statement that this "BB defense has foregone athleticism - are you kidding me???

If we're talking exclusively about the secondary, I'd have to agree. The Patriots routinely sign and draft DBs with uninspiring measurables but great ball skills, field awareness, etc. This year's #1 draft pick is a prime example, and Samuel and Hobbs are hardly burners.

 

[psychoPat]

I thought that the KO coverage had ore to do with Carolina's lousy blocking than anything else. There were a couple KOs were three of four defenders converged on the returner while there were Carolina players blocking no one on the screen.

....

They announced and flashed a graphic that
Panthers were LAST in the NFL last season in KO returns.
Averaged 19 and a fraction yards!

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Okay, this link is worth a read for those interested in the O-line and that RB kid...makes me even grumpier about being forced to watch a game I could get on NFL Network in a replay. :enranged: Oh, DaBruinz, there's a Washington remark in AWTE's breakdown - it's not Special Teams, but it's another report on Kelley.
http://www.patriotsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24894

 

[RayClay]

Some stuff.

Just wanted to say I was keeping my eye on Gay and he is a smooth looking cornerback.

Hard to believe he keeps his consistency with his absences, but the proof of the pudding and all that.

I'd still like to see them bring someone along, because I don't like counting on a player whose heart isn't in it.

Even if they make it this year, they need more than Richardson for the future.