First Thoughts

[patfanken]

1. Well we saw the Pats play their worst game of the year, and everything that could go wrong DID go wrong....And they still won. They are that good.

2. I can only assume that AThomas got hurt in the game, and that's why he was invisible or not playing.

3. Peyton played a very very good game and STILL managed to score only 2 TDs.

4. There was one ref who desperately trying to give the game to the Colts. He threw 2 flags that were TOTALLY undefenseable both nearly cost the game for the Pats. He was so incompetent that I'm sure there will be some reprecussions.

5. Did you have this feeling in this game. Well BB has been telling the NFL FU for 8 weeks, not the NFL is telling BB FU, with this officiating job. I did.

6. The Pats tackled as badly as I have seen them since BB returned.

7. I thought they did a bad job coaching on offense. I thought they never gave the one back one TE, 3WR. formation a chance to run and pass the ball. I hated that the only run we had was the delay. A slow starting indecisive runninng play against a very fast defense. Even though he ran the ball fairly successfully they didn't run the ball with any conviction. BAD Josh BAD.

8. Randy Moss might be running slants and in cuts for the Pats, but its very clear that he doesn't like it. ... and isn't that good at it.

9.That nice tackle on special teams that Kyle Eccel made is the main reason we won't be seeing Corey Dillon back anytime soon.

10. Joseph Addai is one hell of a back, and the ONLY reason the Colts were even in the game. Tip of the cap for him.

11. Is anyone questioning whether Welker is worth a 2nd and 7th yet. His special teams play was OUTSTANDING.

12. Anyone notice how much better the pass protection got as the game went on.

13. Last year we needed the offense to make a big play at the end of the game. THIS year they did. Last year we need ONE big play at the end of the game to win the game. THIS year they did.

I'll leave the rest for others feel free to comment and add on. I want to watch some of the post game shows.

 

[cstjohn17]

Great game, that is what I was thinking going into the 4th. Indy pretty much asserted their will on the Pats but couldn't land the knock out punch. I am so glad the team stepped up in the 4th, they showed a lot with their approach.

Agree with almost everything, my comments.

14) Our ILBs (Seau & Bruschi) are brutal in coverage.
15) Some very good defensive adjustments in the 4th, most of the game we could not get to Peyton but in the 4th the Pats were able to dial it up.
16) Welker and Brady are in total synch.

17) We don't have an offensive system, we just throw the ball to Moss over and over. Not that I mind.
18) Indy is scary fast on defense, it is huge that the Pats have home field advantage in their pocket.

7a) Bad play call on the 3rd and 1 in the 3rd quarter, essentially they ran into a 10 or 11 man box. It would have been better to spread them out and sneak or run it against a 7 man box.
10a) Addai versus Maroney - Game, set, match. If this was a prize fight it would be stopped.

As far as the refs, the story is getting old. If talking to officials before games helps (ala the NBA) then BB should shred the clock of secrecy and become chatty Cathy.

 

[BradyManny]

2. I can only assume that AThomas got hurt in the game, and that's why he was invisible or not playing.

4. There was one ref who desperately trying to give the game to the Colts. He threw 2 flags that were TOTALLY undefenseable both nearly cost the game for the Pats. He was so incompetent that I'm sure there will be some reprecussions.

8. Randy Moss might be running slants and in cuts for the Pats, but its very clear that he doesn't like it. ... and isn't that good at it.

8: I disagree, Moss is lethal on those and I feel like Brady could go to him every play. He made some tough catches across the middle (one handed one!). Brady was under pressure, had a few misfires, and Moss still made up for them. Moss across the middle is money. Moss on the sideline is money. Moss anywhere is money.

4: Honestly, as I said in another thread, I actually thought there was a fix on or something. It was that bad. It was "get an internal investigation going" kind of bad.

2: That was puzzling. I thought I saw AD back in pass rushing towards the end of the game, lining up as a DL, but I might've been mistaken and misread a number. Maybe he's been limited every since he hurt that ankle against the Browns I think, but it's surprising that they'd choose this game to limit his snaps. I have to believe that was not intentionally part of the game plan!

My own thoughts...

1: Props to the Colts. They are for real, they are better than I thought, particularly on defense.
2: Props to Rodney Harrison for making Dallas Clark insignificant.
3: Even though I give props to the Colts D in point 1, I still feel this game easily could've been a 2 TD victory. I really felt like we controlled them offensively, they made two GREAT plays to pick off Brady, but other than that, we ran on them and we passed on them with success. Most of our drives were successful. I feel confident that if and when we meet again, we will score much more easily.
4: The only thing about the offensive play calling I didn't get was why they didn't give Matt Light a security blanket over there on the left more often. Whether it be K Brady or Faulk, when Brady has time, it doesn't matter how many are in coverage, he will find someone.

 

[ATippett56]

7. I thought they did a bad job coaching on offense. I thought they never gave the one back one TE, 3WR. formation a chance to run and pass the ball. I hated that the only run we had was the delay. A slow starting indecisive runninng play against a very fast defense. Even though he ran the ball fairly successfully they didn't run the ball with any conviction. BAD Josh BAD.

I agree 100%! The Patriots on the first offensive series should not have gone shotgun but started with two tight ends, two wide receivers, one running back with Brady under center. The Patriots on the first offensive series failed to establish the running game where the Colts on defense are the weakest. Once the running game is established, then throw off play action.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playb...ayPage=tab_play_by_play&season=2007&week=REG9

Notice on the second offensive series for the Patriots, Laurence Maroney was established in the running game. A good mixture of run and pass resulted in the first offensive touchdown of the game.

On the third offensive series, the Patriots stopped running the football when the clock reached 2:47 in the half at the Colts 24 yard line after converting a first down. If I'm not mistaken, the Patriots still had three timeouts remaining plus the two minute warning. Laurence Maroney should have been put back in the game and the Patriots should have not abandoned the rushing attack.

 

[BradyManny]

I agree 100%! The Patriots on the first offensive series should not have gone shotgun but started with two tight ends, two wide receivers, one running back with Brady under center. The Patriots on the first offensive series failed to establish the running game where the Colts on defense are the weakest. Once the running game is established, then throw off play action.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playb...ayPage=tab_play_by_play&season=2007&week=REG9

Notice on the second offensive series for the Patriots, Laurence Maroney was established in the running game. A good mixture of run and pass resulted in the first offensive touchdown of the game.

On the third offensive series, the Patriots stopped running the football when the clock reached 2:47 in the half at the Colts 24 yard line after converting a first down. If I'm not mistaken, the Patriots still had three timeouts remaining plus the two minute warning. Laurence Maroney should have been put back in the game and the Patriots should have not abandoned the rushing attack.

Well put. It's hard to question Josh McD at this point as he has asserted himself as an offensive genius at this point, but I do wish they would have established the run more. Maroney had some success all game and it would've opened things up for sure. The delay inside handoffs worked well for a while, but the Colts started picking up on it and by the 3rd quarter were stifling those.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

you can't blame the defense if they lossed except for the td before halftime. In all the defense kept the pats in the game.

brady and welker weren't in sync all game because he would have hit him for about 9-10 catches throughout the entire game.

how does moss not like slants? he's uncomfortable but what made you think it makes him unhappy?

they should have used max protect more in the first half.

brady just looked so uncomfortable in the first half.... it looked like the san diego game last year when they just decided to go to the shotgun 1 rb, 1te, 3 wr set.

the reffing was awful. they need to change pass interference inside the red zone. it shouldn't be a free gift. there needs to be middle ground between giving a first down but not placing the ball on the 1 or 5 yard line. how many times have the pats gotten shafted on this.

the entire team is under a microscope as moss gets PI??

 

[marty]

Good thoughts ken, as usual, may I just add my one favorite moment in the 1st period was Adam missing the FG! Almost the difference in the game.

 

[Fencer]

1. Well we saw the Pats play their worst game of the year, and everything that could go wrong DID go wrong....And they still won. They are that good.

-- Not everything. Use your imagination.

2. I can only assume that AThomas got hurt in the game, and that's why he was invisible or not playing.

-- Or, rather, with dinged up coming in.

3. Peyton played a very very good game and STILL managed to score only 2 TDs.

-- Indeed.

4. There was one ref who desperately trying to give the game to the Colts. He threw 2 flags that were TOTALLY undefenseable both nearly cost the game for the Pats. He was so incompetent that I'm sure there will be some reprecussions.

-- I don't buy into the conspiracy theories. But yeah, he screwed up. And the NFL screwed up sending a weak team to officiate an obviously major game.

5. Did you have this feeling in this game. Well BB has been telling the NFL FU for 8 weeks, not the NFL is telling BB FU, with this officiating job. I did.

-- It sure felt that way emotionally. Logically, however, it doesn't make sense.

6. The Pats tackled as badly as I have seen them since BB returned.

-- That's tough to judge. Maybe Addai was just that good. Not many touches went to other Colts, but when they did they were generally planted immediately.

7. I thought they did a bad job coaching on offense. I thought they never gave the one back one TE, 3WR. formation a chance to run and pass the ball. I hated that the only run we had was the delay. A slow starting indecisive runninng play against a very fast defense. Even though he ran the ball fairly successfully they didn't run the ball with any conviction. BAD Josh BAD.

-- I hate the delay as well.

8. Randy Moss might be running slants and in cuts for the Pats, but its very clear that he doesn't like it. ... and isn't that good at it.

-- He's mortal at it, but he's not bad. He's actually quite good.

9.That nice tackle on special teams that Kyle Eccel made is the main reason we won't be seeing Corey Dillon back anytime soon.

-- A few more injuries, and there could be roster slots for both.

10. Joseph Addai is one hell of a back, and the ONLY reason the Colts were even in the game. Tip of the cap for him.

-- That fellow Manning isn't bad either. But yeah -- Addai was awesome.

11. Is anyone questioning whether Welker is worth a 2nd and 7th yet. His special teams play was OUTSTANDING.

-- Overall, the Pats won it on STs, between the field position and the tipped FG.

12. Anyone notice how much better the pass protection got as the game went on.

13. Last year we needed the offense to make a big play at the end of the game. THIS year they did. Last year we need ONE big play at the end of the game to win the game. THIS year they did.

I'll leave the rest for others feel free to comment and add on. I want to watch some of the post game shows.

Great stuff as usual!

 

[patsox23]

Anybody killing Maroney today is being EXTREMELY short-sighted, in my view. He produced very well when in there. The one negative play that stood out was when freakin' Mankins and Evans whiffed on Bob Sanders spiking through the line and into the backfield. That was a HORRIBLE job by them. How the F do you not account for that guy in that spot????

That ain't on Maroney. Not even close.

P.S. Ellis Hobbs is REALLY regressing and did a terrible job today.

 

[Nordy]

Guys, he was being sarcastic about Moss being bad at going over the middle. Do you not see the wink there or what?

 

[ATippett56]

P.S. Ellis Hobbs is REALLY regressing and did a terrible job today.

Please! That was definitely offensive pass interference on Reggie Wayne when not only Ellis Hobbs had inside position, but Hobbs was also closer to the football. The officiating fix was in all game long, but somehow the Patriots overcame it.

 

[patfanken]

Anybody killing Maroney today is being EXTREMELY short-sighted, in my view. He produced very well when in there. The one negative play that stood out was when freakin' Mankins and Evans whiffed on Bob Sanders spiking through the line and into the backfield. That was a HORRIBLE job by them. How the F do you not account for that guy in that spot????

That ain't on Maroney. Not even close.

P.S. Ellis Hobbs is REALLY regressing and did a terrible job today.

No one is complaining about Moroney. I just don't think we used well today. I don't think we gave him plays to accentuate his best qualities. He's an outside threat, who never gets to run outside. He has great accelleration and initial quickness, yet he is rarely given a quick hitter to show that side off. Most of the running plays we ran to day gave the Colts too much time to recover.

Granted we DID rush for over 100 yds...again, but I think we could have done better than that against this team. Much better.

BTW- On that 3rd down play that Maroney failed to get the first down, IMO it was Hockstein who missed the block on Sanders that broke up the play.

 

[The Gr8est]

11. Is anyone questioning whether Welker is worth a 2nd and 7th yet. His special teams play was OUTSTANDING.

I think the best way to address this is to reverse the question. Would any Pats fans accept a #2 and #7 for Welker?

Anyone willing to trade him for a #1?

 

[BelichickFan]

Two weeks in a row now that Rashad Baker has played ahead of Meriweather. Looks like "maybe next year" for the rookie.

Anyone else have flashbacks on our 3rd and 3 at the end to last year's AFCCG ? Almost the exact situation on the second to last drive in that game. Then we completed it Welker - new year, new WR, new team, new result.

 

[Nordy]

I saw Meriweather out there. Not sure how many plays he was in though.

 

[patsox23]

Please! That was definitely offensive pass interference on Reggie Wayne when not only Ellis Hobbs had inside position, but Hobbs was also closer to the football. The officiating fix was in all game long, but somehow the Patriots overcame it.

The fact that Hobbs was one of the many who got F'd by poor officiating today does not exempt him from being called out for a HORRIBLE game otherwise/overall, which IMO he most definitely had. Poor coverage, poor position, poor tackling. He was, in my view, THE worst defender on the field. Thank God for Rodney.

 

[ATippett56]

Anyone else have flashbacks on our 3rd and 3 at the end to last year's AFCCG ? Almost the exact situation on the second to last drive in that game. Then we completed it Welker - new year, new WR, new team, new result.

Reche Caldwell probably drops that ball. Wes Welker was also a key factor on three punt returns. Nothing like those "hidden yards" coaches speak about.

 

[ATippett56]

The fact that Hobbs was one of the many who got F'd by poor officiating today does not exempt him from being called out for a HORRIBLE game otherwise/overall, which IMO he most definitely had. Poor coverage, poor position, poor tackling. He was, in my view, THE worst defender on the field. Thank God for Rodney.

Hobbs has not played as well as he did last year. Maybe Randall Gay should start ahead of Hobbs once Eugene Wilson returns to the lineup. The New England Patriots can ill-afford to lose Asante Samuel next season.

 

[Deus Irae]

Hobbs has not played as well as he did last year. Maybe Randall Gay should start ahead of Hobbs once Eugene Wilson returns to the lineup. The New England Patriots can ill-afford to lose Asante Samuel next season.

Take away the false pass interference issues and Hobbs was just fine as the Patriots starting cornerback today.

 

[ATippett56]

Take away the false pass interference issues and Hobbs was the Patriots cornerback today.

Address that to patsox23.