Conventional "Wisdom"

[Metaphors]

1) The Pats can't stop the run

Parker 21-124 (5.9)
Davenport 6-33 (5.5)

Statistics without context are a feast for simple minds. I had an earlier post about the Ravens game and this game was similar. Taking away meaningless carries at the end of each half and the numbers work out to:

Parker 18-100 (5.5)
Davenport 2-5 (2.5)

Still good number for Parker, but half of those yards came on 2 carries. Not to minimze those carries but without them Parker's numbers are pretty pedestrian:

Parker 16-51 (3.2)

Saying that the Pats problem is losing focus and showing poor technique at points of the game, I would have to agree. Saying the Pats are struggling to stop the run is going too far. When they are locked in (check out the 4th quarter of games when the results are in doubt), they are actually quite solid.

2) Pats can't run the ball

Maroney 8-18 (2.3)

Looking at Maroney's first 4 runs, he was doing fairly well: 2, 10 (how strong was that run?), 2 (on 3rd and 1) and 3...4-17 (4.3 average). At this point, people in Third World countries without televisions or electricity know that when Brady is under center with Maroney behind him, they are going to run. Next play, Brady play-action to Maroney and Moss is literally 20 yards behind the safeties.

Maroney didn't have a great game (next 2 runs got nothing) but he did what was asked of him, executed well and the team got positive results. The decision to go exclusively to the pass was based on matchups. How can you argue with the results? If the Pats had run Maroney 15 more times and got a 4.3 average, would the Pats have won the game? Probably, but it likely would have been much closer.

3) Maroney is a terrible runner

"He has horrible vision and can't see the holes. He never busts runs outside or gets into space."

These statements make the assumption that Maroney isn't running exactly where the coaches want. Can anyone name an instance where a player executes a play incorrectly (regardless of results) and the coaches kept putting them in the same position? Didn't think so.

Maroney runs almost exclusively over the guards or in the A gap. Not hesitant or looking around to find a hole. Do I think this is the best use of his skills? Nope, but I'm not responsible for building gameplans that have to work now and into the playoffs. Maroney is doing what has been asked of him and not making mistakes (0 fumbles in 130 touches).

The Pats are choosing to put together a passing offense, not forced into it by an ineffectual rushing attack. Record-setting results and an undefeated record should be enough to validate their decision. Maroney is steady, if unspectacular. Bust on him for his execution within the gameplan...but don't kill him based on your expectations of what a 1st round pick should be doing.

4) Tony Romo is the 3rd best QB in the NFL

Romo is 0-1 in the playoffs. I'm not so much hung up on the 0 wins as I am on the 1 opportunity. The Cowboys have a very good team (with a distinctive Tuna aroma) and Romo has helped win the games they were supposed to win. There is a lot to be said for doing just that...but that shouldn't be the bar set for being considered "elite".

Romo is a fine player and is set up in a terrible NFC to take the Cowboys to the Super Bowl. Let's wait for the final exam before handing out grades.

 

[Metaphors]

5) "Spygate"

With the upcoming Jets game, this term is going to drive me crazy:

• Man in plain view of thousands of people
• Holding a decidedly non-hidden camera
• Wearing Patriots attire
• Face well-known by the opposition

Call it "Cameragate" or "Toenailgate" or anything else. If this is considered "spying", it is no wonder we can't find bin Laden.

 

[cstjohn17]

Someone said "All stats lie, some are useful'. The Patriots won and are 13-0, that is awesome. I am jacked and pumped but...

#1) I don't think you can say the run defense was good, they gave up 181 yards and over 5.2 YPC last week and the game before they gave up 166 and 4.5.

Aside from the numbers which I am sure will be minimized the eye ball test was equally and unimpressive. Especially against the Ravens, the front seven was dominated.

Does it matter? I don't think so. My expectations for the defense are to keep Indy and Dallas under 27 and have the offense score 30+ = victory

#2-3) With JESTS and Dolphins being so poor against the run I expect a more balanced attack, Maroney will have break out games against these two pathetic franchises.

#4) Romo is good, with all the crappy QB play and crappy clutch coaching he is in the conversation. I really like how Dallas uses formations to create matchup advantages. Romo fits the offense like a glove.

 

[Metaphors]

#1) I don't think you can say the run defense was good, they gave up 181 yards and over 5.2 YPC last week and the game before they gave up 166 and 4.5.

Addai Results In Crunch Time
2-14-NE 36 (13:35) J.Addai right tackle to NE 37 for -1 yards (R.Seymour).
1-10-NE 20 (12:27) J.Addai right tackle to NE 16 for 4 yards (M.Wright).
2-6-NE 16 (11:46) J.Addai right tackle to NE 13 for 3 yards (M.Vrabel, T.Warren).
3-3-NE 13 (11:06) J.Addai left tackle to NE 6 for 7 yards (J.Sanders).
1-10-IND 20 (7:59) J.Addai up the middle to IND 23 for 3 yards (T.Warren, R.Colvin).
1-10-IND 34 (6:45) J.Addai left end to IND 37 for 3 yards (R.Seymour, R.Harrison).
1-10-IND 48 (3:01) J.Addai left tackle to IND 49 for 1 yard (J.Green).

7-20 (2.9 ypc)

McGahee Results in Crunch Time
1-10-NE 26 (12:21) W.McGahee right end to NE 26 for no gain (J.Sanders).
2-10-NE 26 (11:42) W.McGahee up the middle to NE 25 for 1 yard (R.Harrison).
1-10-BLT 28 (8:37) W.McGahee left guard to BLT 30 for 2 yards (V.Wilfork, M.Vrabel).
2-8-BLT 30 (7:59) W.McGahee left end to BLT 29 for -1 yards (R.Harrison).
2-3-BLT 35 (4:38) W.McGahee left guard to BLT 36 for 1 yard (V.Wilfork).

5-3 (1.7 ypc)

Parker Results in Crunch Time
1-10-PIT 8 (10:00) W.Parker left guard to PIT 9 for 1 yard (V.Wilfork).
2-9-PIT 9 (9:20) W.Parker right guard to PIT 13 for 4 yards (V.Wilfork, T.Warren).
2-2-NE 49 (3:07) W.Parker right guard to NE 41 for 8 yards (M.Vrabel, R.Harrison).
1-10-NE 20 (1:52) W.Parker left end to NE 13 for 7 yards (T.Bruschi).
2-3-NE 13 (1:19) (No Huddle) W.Parker up the middle to NE 11 for 2 yards (T.Bruschi, T.Warren).
1-8-NE 8 (15:00) W.Parker right tackle to NE 5 for 3 yards (R.Harrison, A.Samuel).

6-25 (4.2 ypc)

Early 4th quarter in the Steelers game, facing 3rd and goal from the 1 the Steelers called for a fade route and a gimmick WR run.

The Pats have hit some rough patches in run defense (1st quarter Indy, 3rd quarter Balt, 2 big Parker runs Pitt) but my contention is that the problems aren't fundamental. If they were, why can't teams seem to run well throughout the game and especially when the game is on the line? Shouldn't the "suspect" Pats' run D be worse late in the game?

There is definitely work to be done before January...but I think it is in the area of concentration and technique, not in scheme and personnel.

 

[cstjohn17]

Addai Results In Crunch Time
There is definitely work to be done before January...but I think it is in the area of concentration and technique, not in scheme and personnel.

Good breakdown, I agree they showed up when it mattered and there is room for improvement.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

anyone know why Seymour and Warren didn't appear to be playing in the 2nd quarter? Seemed like Wright and Green were out there. I need to re watch the tape to see when Seymour and Warren came back in?