Post game thoughts...and Super Bowl observations

[patfanken]

1. Its a credit to the ENTIRE team that Tom Brady can play his WORST game of the seasonand the Pats can win a game of THAT Magnatude.

2. All three picks were his fault. The tipped ball was a bit unlucky, but it came off of an inaccurate pass...and it wasn't his only inaccurate throw. The Jammer Pick was just a prayerl thrown into coverage. The Cromartie pick was ANOTHER ill advised throw, although a great play by Cromartie.

But even some of the completions were not the great balls we've come to expect from Brady. Kevin Faulk bailed Brady out a couple of times with great catches off inaccurate passes.

3. The Good news is that Brady and the rest of the Team made enough plays to win the game fairly comfortably IMHO. The OTHER good thing is the fact that Brady INVARIABLY follows a poor game with a great one. And the NEXT game would be a great game for a TB MVP performance.

4. Some announcer said something that struck me as so true. He mentioned that some day down the road, when the Pats have a "Kevin Faulk day", he will get to know the just how much Pats fans have learned to appreciate what he truly means to this team.

5. Though the Charger had 2 sacks, I thought the OL protected very well, they once again made Shawn Merriman irrelavent. JUST LIKE LAST YEAR. Brady had plenty of time most of game, IMHO. However the Chargers had GREAT coverage in the secondary.

6. OK its time to ask when will the next Randy Moss sighting is going to be.
IIRC he has only ONE more catch than Heath Evans this playoffs season. I don't believe all this stuff about team's taking him out of the game with double coverage. HEY GUYS, he's had double coverage all year. Part of the Blame goes to Randy, but part has to go to the coaching staff which has done NOTHING to get Randy clear and give him some fast releases, like with motion or positioning him in the slot, etc.

7. I am STILL waiting for the first PAP (play action pass) of the AFCCG. I was
yelling at the screen the ENTIRE 2nd half waiting for it to happen. EVERY single time Moroney lined up with Brady under C it was a run. Except for one time where they eschewed the PAP and dropped right back WITHOUT making a run fake....and was sacked.

I just don't understand the reluctance, ESPECIALLY given how successful PAPs have been this year. Personally, all due respect to the SD defense, this wasn't the best offensive game plan we had this season, and Josh's playcalling left a lot to be desired IMHO.

8. There was an official AThomas sighting yesterday. I thought he was much
more visible in the Pass rush and set the edge on running plays all game.

9.That last 9 minute drive was so impressive even though no points were scored, Especially the last 2 first downs where Moroney ran against a stacked defense. And speaking about peaking at the right time, how about Lawrence Moroney.

Superbowl thoughts: (without going into much depth)

1. While I was watching the Packer/Giant game, by half time, I was convinced that the Pats will crush whoever emerges from this game.

Origninally, I was becoming more and more afraid of the Packers. They appeared to have all the factors that would create problems for the Pats. 2 "shut down" corners. Big WRs, a solid running game, good offensive line, fast pass rushers and of course, Bret Farve. But after watching them for a half, that fear faded fast. The more I watched the more I became convinced that a lot of that image was created by the Packers playing against bad NFC opponents.

I have a lot of respect for what the Giants have accomplished in the playoffs. In fact that except for the city they represent, they are positively likeable, especially since Shockey went out. However lets not forget that we hung 38 point on that defense, despite all the talk about their pass rush, and give BB 2 weeks to prepare for the offense that the Giants have shown in the playoffs and I GUARANTEE that the Giants will be hard pressed to get 20 points.

2. Be prepared for the media's attempt to elevate the Giants to epic proportions and diminish the Pats just to hype the game. Don't take it personally. The people who do it are either the run of the mill haters or guys who are just trying to make this game more competitive than it will be. I was much more worried about a banged up SD team, than I am about the Giants. As to why I have this conviction, well that will be for another time. Its a LONG 2 weeks before Arizona, and I don't want to shoot ALL my bullets today.

 

[BelichickFan]

I have a lot of respect for what the Giants have accomplished in the playoffs. In fact that except for the city they represent, they are positively likeable, especially since Shockey went out. However lets not forget that we hung 38 point on that defense, despite all the talk about their pass rush, and give BB 2 weeks to prepare for the offense that the Giants have shown in the playoffs and I GUARANTEE that the Giants will be hard pressed to get 20 points.

And that was with Neal and Kaczur out. And in NY. I just like this matchup better - I'd prefer to face the GB defense but I think we'll score on anyone and the NY offense, while good, I can't see keeping up with us being a standard big back, 1 top WR offense. Although I think we'd outscore GB, their depth at WR and willingness to throw, throw, throw at least gives them the chance to score with us.

 

[NEfan32]

I agree on the NFC game. At first I was worried about the Packers because of your reasons, and then I was worried about the Giants defense. We did hang 38 points on them still even though we didn't play the best game. Our defense played bad though, and if the defense can step it up, I think we will win. My Prediction is 35-24 or something like that. I agree the media will hype up the Giants defense and Eli Manning. Remember he is Eli Manning, and chances are he makes a mistake in the SB. Also, Tom is incredible in the SB, and third, the writers talk about how we are flawed and so on, well I think it is that people see a weakness on our team that they think other teams should capitalize on, but they can't, so they keep trying to make the Pats mortal by making it seem like they can lose. Remember, Brady never has 2 flat games in a row.

 

[marcus]

Great thoughts as always!


The 2 that really puzzle me, is why no play action

and why do they not have Moss in motion to allow him to avoid the jam at the line.


Moss has had a great year, but I agree that his almost complete absence in the playoffs is concerning.

When he is a factor, the Patriots Offense truly becomes unstoppable.


I wonder if Randy is a bit unhappy that he has become nothing more than a decoy.



Love the fact that LM has stepped it up. With LM running so well, play action should be there for the Pats.


You are 100% correct, the media wll elevate Eli and the Giants to near mythical proportions and try to knock the Pats down.
This has to be done to sell the game, drum up maximum advertisng revenue and optimize th allmighty dollar.

 

[JustWinBrady]

And that was with Neal and Kaczur out. And in NY. I just like this matchup better - I'd prefer to face the GB defense but I think we'll score on anyone and the NY offense, while good, I can't see keeping up with us being a standard big back, 1 top WR offense. Although I think we'd outscore GB, their depth at WR and willingness to throw, throw, throw at least gives them the chance to score with us.

TE Kyle Brady was out of that game also.

 

[Handel]

Nice notes, but it's LaUrence mAroney...

 

[BSR]

Alot of good stuff in there as usual Ken.

5. Though the Charger had 2 sacks, I thought the OL protected very well, they once again made Shawn Merriman irrelavent. JUST LIKE LAST YEAR. Brady had plenty of time most of game, IMHO. However the Chargers had GREAT coverage in the secondary.

I don't know if I wholly agree with this. Brady looked more rushed and unsettled in the pocket this game and I believe it was beause the Chargers were managing to get some pressure up the middle. Most pressure comes around the edge which the line and Brady handle expertly. Pressure up the middle, as rare as it is, is what rattles Brady and he was rattled today.

6. OK its time to ask when will the next Randy Moss sighting is going to be.
IIRC he has only ONE more catch than Heath Evans this playoffs season. I don't believe all this stuff about team's taking him out of the game with double coverage. HEY GUYS, he's had double coverage all year. Part of the Blame goes to Randy, but part has to go to the coaching staff which has done NOTHING to get Randy clear and give him some fast releases, like with motion or positioning him in the slot, etc.

The deep passing wasn't there today because of the weather and the chargers defense front and lets face it, the deep pass IS Randy's game. He isn't going to run alot of slants or go accross the middle, except for the occassional change up. His role is to take the double coverage in this game. That all being said, I thought he had a very good game today. I saw him blocking his ass off on many plays today. I would love to hear what someone with more knowledge then I, of Randy's blocking today. He made a difference and think he will be huge against the Gints.

7. I am STILL waiting for the first PAP (play action pass) of the AFCCG. I was
yelling at the screen the ENTIRE 2nd half waiting for it to happen. EVERY single time Moroney lined up with Brady under C it was a run. Except for one time where they eschewed the PAP and dropped right back WITHOUT making a run fake....and was sacked.

My only guess is that PAPs are used to fool safties and this defense isn't about the safties.

8. There was an official AThomas sighting yesterday. I thought he was much
more visible in the Pass rush and set the edge on running plays all game.

I thought he had some good pressure and was good against the run but I also thought he was great last year.

 

[Horace's Ivories]

If there was not the wind of yesterday I bet they would have taken more shots downfield with randy

 

[SEA_Pat]

For whatever reason, the gameplan appears to be to let Randy take two defenders with him and use that to open up the field for the other receivers and the running game. Worked pretty well in the second half. As to his blocking, someone noted that he apparently put Luis Castillo out of the game with a block!

Some things I noticed:

1. The tackling of the defense was excellent and a key to the victory. This was one of the weak points of the defense over the last couple years and it has been cleaned up big time.

2. Ellis Hobbs had a very good game in my opinion (again). I think he has been unfairly criticized this year.

3. Meriweather is starting to lay the wood out there as we had all hoped he would. He is starting to show up around the ball a lot and he had the biggest non-RB hit on the Chargers for the second game running. I think the rook is starting to get it.

4. Tedy Bruschi had an excellent game and with the rejuvenated Junior the middle was solid as a rock.

5. Mankins was just a beast out there as usual. I love keeping an eye on him on replays you can see he just goes after guys with some serious attitude. The play where he blocked two different guys was amazing.

6. Kelley Washington deserves major props for keeping his head completely in the game and playing so hard and well on special teams even though there is no place for him in the starting lineup.

7. Watson, Evans and Brady blocking was a big part of Maroney's rampaging through the San Diego defense. As long as they can get him a seam past the first line of defense, LoMo is going to do the rest.

8. Kevin Faulk. One of my all-time favourite Patriot players. Just love the guy. Especially now that he's gotten rid of his penchant for fumbling the football.

What a team. What a season. I think they will pull out all the stops against the Giants and crush them in a Super Bowl blowout. With the elephant package now blasting guys off the line of scrimmage, the two-headed monster in the backfield putting the finishing touches on the greatest offense in the history of the game and the defense rounding into its stingy bend-but-don't-break form, this game isn't going to be close.

 

[NYPatsFan]

7. I am STILL waiting for the first PAP (play action pass) of the AFCCG. I was yelling at the screen the ENTIRE 2nd half waiting for it to happen. EVERY single time Moroney lined up with Brady under C it was a run. Except for one time where they eschewed the PAP and dropped right back WITHOUT making a run fake....and was sacked.

You and me both Ken! My kids were asking me why I was yelling at the TV in the 2nd half and I said, "Cause the damn coach won't call my play!! They are NOT listening to me." My 6 year old realized how ridiculous that was but still.

 

[Hamtown]

You and me both Ken! My kids were asking me why I was yelling at the TV in the 2nd half and I said, "Cause the damn coach won't call my play!! They are NOT listening to me." My 6 year old realized how ridiculous that was but still.

Yes, dead on! The PAP was virtually non exsistant. I only hope this is a strategy of BB's to put some confusion out there for thier next opponent (which we now know is the GIANTS) when they start preparing for the Superbowl. I am not sure. I am wondring if Brady was sick?

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

"Kevin Faulk Day"- Boomer Esaison as usual as he is the most level headed, followed by Marino and then you have Cowher hoping to pick an upset, and Sharpe who is annoying as all heck.

 

[BelichickFan]

Yes, dead on! The PAP was virtually non exsistant.

Here you guys go, from Football Outsiders' preview :

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/2008/01/18/ramblings/game-previews/6039/

"All that running leads to play-action, but this is where San Diego really shines. The Patriots offense averaged 11.1 yards using play action, best in the league. However, the Chargers defense allowed only 4.1 yards on average, also the best in the league. Teams only used play-action on 15 percent of pass plays against San Diego; the only defenses to see it less often were Baltimore and Arizona."

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Randy was in the slot alot and they flip him to the oether side also. He was in motion too. I wondered why they didn't try play action out of the running set or even throw to him in the slot on a slant.

I think the Superbowl will be different. Warm weather, no wind.

 

[AzPatsFan]

For whatever reason, the game plan appears to be to let Randy take two defenders with him and use that to open up the field for the other receivers and the running game. Worked pretty well in the second half. As to his blocking, someone noted that he apparently put Luis Castillo out of the game with a block!

Some things I noticed:

1. The tackling of the defense was excellent and a key to the victory. This was one of the weak points of the defense over the last couple years and it has been cleaned up big time.

2. Ellis Hobbs had a very good game in my opinion (again). I think he has been unfairly criticized this year.

3. Meriweather is starting to lay the wood out there as we had all hoped he would. He is starting to show up around the ball a lot and he had the biggest non-RB hit on the Chargers for the second game running. I think the rook is starting to get it.

4. Tedy Bruschi had an excellent game and with the rejuvenated Junior the middle was solid as a rock.

5. Mankins was just a beast out there as usual. I love keeping an eye on him on replays you can see he just goes after guys with some serious attitude. The play where he blocked two different guys was amazing.

6. Kelley Washington deserves major props for keeping his head completely in the game and playing so hard and well on special teams even though there is no place for him in the starting lineup.

7. Watson, Evans and Brady blocking was a big part of Maroney's rampaging through the San Diego defense. As long as they can get him a seam past the first line of defense, LoMo is going to do the rest.

8. Kevin Faulk. One of my all-time favourite Patriot players. Just love the guy. Especially now that he's gotten rid of his penchant for fumbling the football.

What a team. What a season. I think they will pull out all the stops against the Giants and crush them in a Super Bowl blowout. With the elephant package now blasting guys off the line of scrimmage, the two-headed monster in the backfield putting the finishing touches on the greatest offense in the history of the game and the defense rounding into its stingy bend-but-don't-break form, this game isn't going to be close.

When, or if you watch the game replay, there isi one play where Randy blocks two guys on a sweep to the right. He pancaked one defender who fell back inot a fellow Bolt taking both out of the play. It sprung the Rb Faulk or Lomo, for a big gain. It was block you might occasionally see from a TE or a FB, not a spindly WR.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Alot of good stuff in there as usual Ken.

I don't know if I wholly agree with this. Brady looked more rushed and unsettled in the pocket this game and I believe it was beause the Chargers were managing to get some pressure up the middle. Most pressure comes around the edge which the line and Brady handle expertly. Pressure up the middle, as rare as it is, is what rattles Brady and he was rattled today.

The deep passing wasn't there today because of the weather and the chargers defense front and lets face it, the deep pass IS Randy's game. He isn't going to run alot of slants or go accross the middle, except for the occassional change up. His role is to take the double coverage in this game. That all being said, I thought he had a very good game today. I saw him blocking his ass off on many plays today. I would love to hear what someone with more knowledge then I, of Randy's blocking today. He made a difference and think he will be huge against the Gints.

My only guess is that PAPs are used to fool safties and this defense isn't about the safties.

I thought he had some good pressure and was good against the run but I also thought he was great last year.

:agree:

For whatever reason, the gameplan appears to be to let Randy take two defenders with him and use that to open up the field for the other receivers and the running game. Worked pretty well in the second half. As to his blocking, someone noted that he apparently put Luis Castillo out of the game with a block!

Some things I noticed:

1. The tackling of the defense was excellent and a key to the victory. This was one of the weak points of the defense over the last couple years and it has been cleaned up big time.

2. Ellis Hobbs had a very good game in my opinion (again). I think he has been unfairly criticized this year.

3. Meriweather is starting to lay the wood out there as we had all hoped he would. He is starting to show up around the ball a lot and he had the biggest non-RB hit on the Chargers for the second game running. I think the rook is starting to get it.

4. Tedy Bruschi had an excellent game and with the rejuvenated Junior the middle was solid as a rock.

5. Mankins was just a beast out there as usual. I love keeping an eye on him on replays you can see he just goes after guys with some serious attitude. The play where he blocked two different guys was amazing.

6. Kelley Washington deserves major props for keeping his head completely in the game and playing so hard and well on special teams even though there is no place for him in the starting lineup.

7. Watson, Evans and Brady blocking was a big part of Maroney's rampaging through the San Diego defense. As long as they can get him a seam past the first line of defense, LoMo is going to do the rest.

8. Kevin Faulk. One of my all-time favourite Patriot players. Just love the guy. Especially now that he's gotten rid of his penchant for fumbling the football.

What a team. What a season. I think they will pull out all the stops against the Giants and crush them in a Super Bowl blowout. With the elephant package now blasting guys off the line of scrimmage, the two-headed monster in the backfield putting the finishing touches on the greatest offense in the history of the game and the defense rounding into its stingy bend-but-don't-break form, this game isn't going to be close.

Nailed it!

Here you guys go, from Football Outsiders' preview :

"All that running leads to play-action, but this is where San Diego really shines. The Patriots offense averaged 11.1 yards using play action, best in the league. However, the Chargers defense allowed only 4.1 yards on average, also the best in the league. Teams only used play-action on 15 percent of pass plays against San Diego; the only defenses to see it less often were Baltimore and Arizona."

There is usually a good reason for everyting this team does or doesn't do. Just that when the armchairs don't see it they assume the OC screwed up...

Brady said in his post game that SD was doing things they did not see on film ALL YEAR. Kudos to Norv and his players, though in the end it simply wasn't enough to derail a team that through 18 games and counting has always found a way to make enough plays to win. Fans need to embrace that simple fact, quit nitpicking it and really, really just admire and enjoy it. They are way smarter and better equipped than any of us keyboard critics at figuring out what it takes to win on a game by game basis, IN REAL TIME, even when equally well informed opponents scheme to out think and out execute them.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

1.) I haven't seen it posted anywhere on here, or mentioned in any articles (on ESPN anyways) but I think Brett Favre choked horrendously last night!

From the start of the 4th Q:

1st drive-- 1/2 for 20 yds with an INT- INT was fumbled and recovered by GB
1st drive cont--1/1 for 0 yds and also a pitch out to Grant that resulted in 7yd loss (counted as a rushing attempt)

Result: GB has field position (thanks mostly to fumble recovery) to hit game tying FG w/ 11:51 left.

2nd drive -- 1/3 for 7 yds for a 3 and out punt. All passing attempts

3rd drive -- 1/3 for 5 yds for 3 and out. Punt results in NYG getting the ball at midfield with 2:15 left in prime position to score and potentially win.

Overtime -- 0/1 pass intercepted and returned to GB 34.

Total from 4Q and OT: 4/10 for 34 yards (not counting 7 yd loss on swing pass to Grant, which would make it 5/11 for 27) and 2 INT



2.) My take on the PAP talk: With the revelation that SD is good against PAP (thanks to poster above for the stat) added to the fact that SD is a ballhawking team that thrives on getting INT's, then it makes little sense to ask Brady to first turn his back to the secondary to fake the handoff before turning around to survey his 1st and 2nd options with shortened time due to a solid pass rush.

I think it just all adds up to it being too much of a risk of turning it over or taking a sack against the potential gains that could be had.

I agree that while watching the game, I expected to see Moss go over the top on a PAP, but in hindsight I guess we just have to give credit to SD's defense for taking away that potential.

 

[patfanken]

a couple of points in rebuttal

1. There will be a lot made of Giants running attack against the Pats run defense. Some how the fact that the Pats have completely controlled some of the best running games in the league over the last few game. Even the 100 yds that SD got last year was helped by the 28 yd run by Sproles right at the end of the half when the team was in a prevent defense.

The Pats are not going to be effected by the Giants running attack, which they will hold to less than 100 yds

2. This match up reminds me a lot of the Pats/Bears match up in 86. In that game it was the Pats playing the Giants, going on the road to win 3 games, only to face the team that was concidered the best in the league that year. I also think the result will be similar (wel maybe not that bad ) But I do think the Pats will win by double digits.