PatsFans.com Menu
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans

Idle thoughts...


Status
Not open for further replies.

patfanken

PatsFans.com Supporter
PatsFans.com Supporter
Joined
Jul 11, 2005
Messages
15,517
Reaction score
27,504
...For a Sunday morning column...long enough I hope to get you through to 4pm. ;)

1. I am far more productive these days, since I rarely listen to anything any of the talking heads are saying about the Pats. Its not that they are being SO negative, patronizing, or snide, but because they have NOTHING new to say. Lets break it down.

a. "They Pats are going to win it all, but on the other hand, here are the reasons the ....fill in the name here (Colts, Packers, Jags, or Cowboys) can beat them."

b."Jacksonville can beat the Pats because they are better suited to play in bad weather than the Pats, because they can run the ball and stop the run."

c. "The Colts can beat the Pats because they can match the Pats offense, and their stop the Pats with their "awsome" defense."

d. "The Pats are flawed because they can't stop the run very well, they don't run the ball very well, and aren't suited to play in the cold weather."

e. "The Chargers are getting it together just at the right time, and are getting on a roll. Don't forget at the start of the season it was thought that SD had the most talented roster in the NFL."

There you have it. You can now be a productive memeber of your family until 4pm. There is no need to watch the prepame shows, since that is all you are going to hear about the Pats

2. File the following under things we just wished we could hear if the morning pregame shows were all cursed with the "Liar, Liar" hex.

a. "The Cowboys can beat the Pats because we have to over hype Romo, so we can rape and pillage him when the inevidable collapse occurs. Also TO gives us so many great story lines, Wade Phillips is the anti-Bellichick....and Gerry Jones is the most influential owner in the league, so we have to talk about the Cowboys all the time." :rolleyes:

b. "The Packers can beat the Pats because we can't get Farve's **** out of our mouth, and what a great story line beating the Pats would make."

c. "Oh yeah, since we still have to maintain a smidgen of objectivity, 9 out of 10 of us will STILL predict the Pats will run the table, even though we will spend the next 3 weeks postulating how they can be beaten using flawed logic and incorrect information."

3. I keep hearing how the Colts are STILL the main threat to us and I'm starting to get tired about hearing how they are more suited to play a cold weather outside game than the Pats are. Here are the reasons why I think the Colts are no longer the team I fear the most.

a. The Pats did a very good job pass protecting for Brady when the Colts had the advantages of a loud home field advantage, perfect conditions, and a healthy Dwight Freeney. They will have NO CHANCE to get to Brady on a slower track, OUR homefield advantage, and NO Dwight Freeney.

In fact, for those reasons, I guarantee you that the Pats will get TWICE the sacks/hits/hurries on Manning than the Colts get on Brady. While I don't doubt they will get a sack or two, that's just the nature of the game; Brady will STILL spend MOST of the game sitting comfortably in the pocket picking and choosing his receivers.

b. I'm not sure why, but while OUR running game isn't much to write home about, the Colts running game isn't exactly tearing up the league either recently. In fact the entire Colt offense isn't exactly tearing up the league. They have had just as many unimpressive victories as the Pats recently. How can you be impressed with a team who has the freakin RAIDERS :eek: in the red zone, with time running out, driving for the game tying TD.

4. Jacksonville DOES pose an interesting threat given their strengths. However in the game's most important match up isn't even close. That is Bellichick vs Del Rio. In a playoff game, especially one that they have 2 weeks to prepare, Del Rio doesn't stand a chance.

The Pats defense is good enough to stop the running game of the Jags, and the Jax secondary has been lit up by a lot of lesser NFL offenses. The Jags DO have a very good team, and could very well end up in the AFCCG if they don't play the Pats til then, but they JUST DON'T match up against the Pats, especially at Gillette.

5. The Pro Bowl designation HAS TO BE the most OVER RATED accolade the league has. Last year the Pats had only one guy named to the Probowl, and that was a guy who had his WORST year as a Pat (I still don't count Light's last years mercy appearence as a true appointment, though I'm glad he got picked this year.)

Despite the Pats getting 8 guys picked, it really has NO correllation on how good a team you are. Concider the Ravens. IIRC, at the start of the year, 14 out of 22 of their position players had been Pro Bowlers. How'd that work out for them. I think SD had about 11 go last year.

The only guy I think who got screwed was Fred Taylor, and he'll probably make the trip before its all said and done. Speaking of the Jags, they took the Pats place as the best team with the FEWEST players selected- ZERO

That being said, I AM happy for the Wilfolk, and the 3 OLmen got selected. They do a lot of unselfish work, and they do it well. Good for them. My only other Pro Bowl comments are, Welker was NOT snubbed, and what is the over/under that Tom Brady is playing at Pebble Beach instead in Hawaii with his bretheren?

6. My ideal scenerio for tommorow is as follows. Brady throws 5 TD passes by the middle of the 3rd quarter, and the record breaker is caught by Troy Brown. That would be a GREAT Christmas present to the fans of the Patriots.

7. The best debate topic question I've seen lately is the one that asks, if you can only keep one long term, who do you sign, Wilfolk or Samuel? I'm leaning toward Wilfolk, but I think I could get talked out of it with the right arguement. Needless to say, I would suspect that THIS will be the biggest topic on the board for the last 2 weeks of Feburary.

Well that's it for now. For those of you who have the good fortune to go to the game, have fun and stay warm. For the rest of you, enjoy the scrimmage, and have a VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.
 
Ken

7. The best debate topic question I've seen lately is the one that asks, if you can only keep one long term, who do you sign, Wilfolk or Samuel? I'm leaning toward Wilfolk, but I think I could get talked out of it with the right arguement. Needless to say, I would suspect that THIS will be the biggest topic on the board for the last 2 weeks of Feburary.

Not sure if the pressure started by VW makes AS look as good as he does. Many of the interceptions are because the opposing QB is throwing off the back foot.

Nice to see a post from you again, all the best to you and yours.
 
Great post, Ken. Agree on most points, inclucing the worthless Pro Bowl. But Wes was snubbed, fwiw.
 
b. I'm not sure why, but while OUR running game isn't much to write home about, the Colts running game isn't exactly tearing up the league either recently. In fact the entire Colt offense isn't exactly tearing up the league. They have had just as many unimpressive victories as the Pats recently. How can you be impressed with a team who has the freakin RAIDERS :eek: in the red zone, with time running out, driving for the game tying TD.

Oh didn't you hear? Dungy is saving Addai for the post-season just like BB did with Maroney most of the year (well, according to the posters on PatsFans.com). :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
6. My ideal scenerio for tommorow is as follows. Brady throws 5 TD passes by the middle of the 3rd quarter, and the record breaker is caught by Troy Brown. That would be a GREAT Christmas present to the fans of the Patriots.

My sentiments exactly.. nothing would get much better than this.

Great post, Ken. Agree on most points, inclucing the worthless Pro Bowl. But Wes was snubbed, fwiw.

Hear this often, who would you leave off.. Braylon Edwards, Housamen(sp), think you need to say who Welker should replace??
 
I'll say this again: I would pay good money to read Patfanken if he was writing for a magazine. Great stuff.

Although I do disagree about Matt Light and Wes Welker. Welker should have gone instead of Light. (Although i agree with GJAJ's question about which WR would he replace - - that IS a toughy).

IMO, Light is the most overrated LT in football. How many penalties (how many false starts AT HOME!) has Light had this year? Why is Maroney (who is naturally an East-West runner) being forced to run inside? Why is the FO so intent on having the "best blocking TE in the NFL" the past few years (either Graham or K.Brady) line up next to Light as his binky?
 
Morning all. Thank you Ken! This board is greatly enhanced by your contributions and I very much appriciate your efforts.
The Jags win at Pitt was a nice one but it seems to me that they are becoming this months "flavour of the month" by the mediots, who have nothing new to say. This is the same situation as a couple years ago when we kncoked them out of the Wild Card game. They had a few nice wins, got into the Playoffs as a wild card and then we smoked 'em.
I don't think there's any questions that Vince gets redone between February and the summer! If they were will to lock up Ty Warren long term with a year left on his deal, how can they not do this for Vince? It would be foolish not to.
And I have to agree with shmessy. Light is brutally overrated and the one real weakness we have on the line. Proof of this is how the coaching staff uses the tight end beside him. I like the guy! I just wish he was better!
I have just come through a major work push and now have a day off. I'm going to gamble a few dollars and watch football all day, with the 4pm game being the highlight of my week. Its pouring rain here in Toronto but sweet jesus it feels like the sun is shining and its 80 degress out.
Stay sane folks and have a great day.
Merry Christmas!
 
7. The best debate topic question I've seen lately is the one that asks, if you can only keep one long term, who do you sign, Wilfolk or Samuel? I'm leaning toward Wilfolk, but I think I could get talked out of it with the right arguement. Needless to say, I would suspect that THIS will be the biggest topic on the board for the last 2 weeks of Feburary.

It may be a debate topic on this board, but I don't think this is a debate topic in BB's mind. Earlier in the season, didn't he say that Wilfork is the best Nose tackle he has ever coached? That is quite a compliment coming from BB and I think they will sign Wilfork to a long term deal in the off season.
 
yeah, Smess....and we could keep track of his career if he used the pen name of Patrick Fanken, (which, being the dumb SOB that I am), I thought he was all along...:D :D :D
 
Great post man. The powers that be should vote you to first string starter.

As far as Wilfork and Samuels, lets hope that Daddy Bob coughs up the cash for both of them. Also Light did a respectable job last year and deserved the credit.

#1 Lesson learned from last year was absorbed by BB this year. "Full speed ahead until you have an insurmountable lead" If that means 'running up the score, then "tough darts farmer" (Bob Newhart, 1992)
 
Last edited:
b."Jacksonville can beat the Pats because they are better suited to play in bad weather than the Pats, because they can run the ball and stop the run."

What has the world come to when popular opinion suggests a team from Florida is better suited to play in cold weather than a team from MASSAFUGGINCHUSETTES?
 
What has the world come to when popular opinion suggests a team from Florida is better suited to play in cold weather than a team from MASSAFUGGINCHUSETTES?

Jacksonville ain't Miami.. I heard it gets to like 45 at night during December.. :rolleyes:
 
They do! It was 50 degrees down here one time and these people looked like freakin astronauts.. wearing like 5 layers.
 
As for the great debate, LOS trumps secondary. And it's not who gets the deal this offseason - Wilfork's rookie deal is heavily incentivized and he's makin' 'em. His second deal may wait since he's signed through 2009, it will depend on what else they have planned for 2008. Might be a good time to extend Watson before he gets any more consistent or makes a pro bowl. Asante won't get that mega deal here because of what it bodes for other units as well as his own in a year or two when the bonus hits on that kind of deal would begin to mount against new money salary. And because on principle alone they can't give him a highest paid deal because it sets the wrong tone for the guys who didn't push for it and/or weren't planning to.

Welker may not have been snubbed in the classic sense because his generic position of WR is deep and the league shortchanges the roster in this era of offense. But he is just as deserving as TJ, and maybe moreso because he's putting up his numbers from the slot as opposed to all the other WR's selected who are doing it from the #1 position. The league doesn't build a terribly functional Pro Bowl roster in that respect.

As for Light, he isn't a pro bowler any more than he's a potential HOF'er. He's good, not great. Last year he was the THIRD alternate and only made the trip because the other two didn't want to go at the 11th hour. This year he is apparently benefitting from being on an undefeated team in a year when no LT has stood out as a slam dunk.

It's really too bad Rodney shot himself in the foot or he likely would have made the trip to Honolulu. As for Tommy playing golf, you better hope not. He did that in the past when he was not the starter. Last year he was an alternate and that was an insult so why should he. The best time of your life is flying to the Pro Bowl late on the jet of the winning Superbowl owner. If we take care of business, Tom will start his first Pro Bowl.

As for the rest of Ken's idle thoughts, the relationship between the national media and this team is what it is. They have never understood us and we don't make their jobs easier so.... Ho, ho, ho...
 
1. I am far more productive these days, since I rarely listen to anything any of the talking heads are saying about the Pats. Its not that they are being SO negative, patronizing, or snide, but because they have NOTHING new to say.


pwp: That has long been my contention. Why waste time and become frustrated listening to the annointed spout inanities? There's more good thoughtfull info right here. Don't watch.

7. The best debate topic question I've seen lately is the one that asks, if you can only keep one long term, who do you sign, Wilfolk or Samuel? I'm leaning toward Wilfolk, but I think I could get talked out of it with the right arguement. Needless to say, I would suspect that THIS will be the biggest topic on the board for the last 2 weeks of Feburary.

Wilfork.
Here's why. The core of a BB D runs right up the middle. With our aging LB corps it's imperative that we have a strong NT to protect the LBs. You can somewhat compensate for average DBs by coverage schemes with safety help. You can't give that help if you're vulnerable to the run and need to keeep the safety up near the LOS.
Wilfork is unique. Sign the folker.
 
Oh didn't you hear? Dungy is saving Addai for the post-season just like BB did with Maroney most of the year (well, according to the posters on PatsFans.com). :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I love how the Maroney haters stereotype and basically LIE about what people said regarding Maroney....

BTW, Addai has been getting just as many carries as he had all year. Addai, who has 2 more years of college experience than Maroney, is a good All-Purpose back. He is there the on most plays.

The Pats RUN GAME, in general, has been hurt by the game planning. If you look, the 1st 6 games had the Pats averaging like 33 rushes per game. The next 7 had that down to 20.6 rushes per game. The Jets game saw the Pats run the ball 35 times. The most since week 3 of the season and the 3rd most on the entire year.
 
If BB and Pioli let Wilfork go I would rip my hair out. He is probably the most important cog in the 3-4 scheme. 3-4 NTs don't grow on trees.
 
I love how the Maroney haters stereotype and basically LIE about what people said regarding Maroney....

I remember the argument for a while on the Maroney bashing threads (probably around the Eagles game) was that since Morris went down, BB was resting Maroney for the play-offs.
 
I remember the argument for a while on the Maroney bashing threads (probably around the Eagles game) was that since Morris went down, BB was resting Maroney for the play-offs.

Its that selective reading of yours. What was said was that, DURING THE BUFFALO GAME, BB game the carries to Evans and Eckel in the 2nd half because there was no need to run Maroney. The point was WHY risk injury to him when the Pats have an injury prone Faulk behind Maroney. It was the "haters" who said that it was saving him for the playoffs.


All one has to do is look at the games and see that the Pats PURPOSELY didn't run as much vs the tough run defense teams (Philly, Balt, Pitt). But that they ran a LOT MORE against the other teams.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.


Monday Patriots Notebook 4/15: News and Notes
Patriots News 4-14, Mock Draft 3.0, Gilmore, Law Rally For Bill 
Potential Patriot: Boston Globe’s Price Talks to Georgia WR McConkey
Friday Patriots Notebook 4/12: News and Notes
Not a First Round Pick? Hoge Doubles Down on Maye
Thursday Patriots Notebook 4/11: News and Notes
MORSE: Patriots Mock Draft #5 and Thoughts About Dugger Signing
Matthew Slater Set For New Role With Patriots
Wednesday Patriots Notebook 4/10: News and Notes
Patriots Draft Rumors: Teams Facing ‘Historic’ Price For Club to Trade Down
Back
Top