After 2 poor preseason games has your outlook on the 2008 Patriots changed?

[Dino 6 Rings]

As an outsider. Tom Brady didn't play. The importance of a win or loss in this game is null and void.

Pre-season is about a bunch of Pros getting their legs under them and getting into game speed while attempting to stay healthy and a bunch of other guys trying to make a pro roster and playing their guts out. Mental mistakes happen in the pre-season, and the attention to detail is missed. The Film sessions arent the same as they are in the regular season. The Focus isn't there. That makes all the difference.

 

[DynastyDriven]

2007 Preseason

Week 1 @ Buccaneers 13-10 L
Week 2 Titans 27-24 L

2008 Preseason

Week 1 Ravens 16-15 L
Week 2 @ Buccaneers 27-10 L


Yup time to panic...

 

[IcyPatriot]

Okay ... who are the 2 who voted for #1 ... you are :banned:

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

My view of the preseason is not particularly complicated.

Just comparing last year's roster over this year's, my expectation is that we don't have quite as much talent -- we've lost a bit. What I've seen in preseason so far, for what it's worth, does not make me feel better. I recognize that we've seen very little, though.

I also was a bit concerned about the lines of scrimmage, which we did not seem to control even with our first team defense.

The games don't count yet, so it's hard to say what's what. But, that said, I would be feeling pretty good right now if I were a Bucs fan. They showed something. And even though it's preseason, I can hardly say that's a crazy outlook -- and once I say that I kind of need to recognize that it obviously seems we have some serious work to do before we're ready for primetime.

If that makes me a chicken little, so be it. I've never really been a chicken little before, but whatever. I find the constant shouting down of anyone who remotely has anything to say that might be a concern is as bad as the sky is falling stuff.

 

[PatsFan24]

no, i and i am not trying to be mean but it is foolish to think a team with a lot of talent will struggle because they have not looked good in two preseason games.

 

[RayClay]

I would rather they start slow and peak at the end rather than the 3/4 pole, but there isn't much to be enthused about. Gostkowski, if he's confident.

That D will be great, I imagine the vets were just trying to avoid injuries. Again, no reason to leave it in the post season and Seymour's back. Merriweather? = difference between up and coming and scrambling.

Are we hurting if Brady's down? I'd say that question has been answered more clearly. If it cause a vet or another QB to go to #2 that's something Brady needed.

Receivers are fine, so it doesn't matter, but it would be nice if Jackson looked better with the Welker routes and punt returns or the team gives him more long routes and kickoff returns he and his body type are better at (he's not a small quick receiver, he's a big guy who needs some room).

RBs look fine, but they haven't found a workable combo since Dillon Maroney. Health and reps there.

Oline depends on injuries. If they're getting guys back, they could end up stronger, but it's scary. Game by game.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

2007 Preseason

Week 1 @ Buccaneers 13-10 L
Week 2 Titans 27-24 L

2008 Preseason

Week 1 Ravens 16-15 L
Week 2 @ Buccaneers 27-10 L


Yup time to panic...

Just posting the final scores does not do the games justice. In the Tennesse game, both teams competed very very hard for the first half. And the Patriots absolutely put it on them defensively. They were in the backfield all over Vince Young, getting a bunch of sacks and rushing him all half long. I think he barely completed any passes. They blew the Titans off the line of scrimmage too, stuffing pretty much every run. I'd guess about 80 percent of the Titans runs in the first half were no gain or for a loss.

In Tennessee's first 8 possessions, they gave the ball back all 8 times -- six on punts, once on downs, and once by fumble. Brady kept throwing interceptions, but it didn't matter, because the defense kept stuffing Tennesse. The Titans only score of the first half was an interception return for TD. With a few minutes left in the second half, leading 17-7 and having absolutely owned the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots shut it down and Tennessee went on to win against the second stringers.

Other than the final score, there is no comparison whatsoever to this year's Bucs game -- and in fact the final scores are still pretty different. In fact, the only things that are the same are the result.

 

[LasVegasPatsFan]

Its preseason!!!! It means nothing. Teams such as the Patriots work on certain plays and scheme's. BB is not going to show everyone the true team util official kickoff come September. Also, the Bucs started Griese and McCown whom both have NFL experience. I would not consider them as backups. We had Cassell and O'Connell whom neither started a game. Make your conclusion.

 

[DynastyDriven]

Just posting the final scores does not do the games justice. In the Tennesse game, both teams competed very very hard for the first half. And the Patriots absolutely put it on them defensively. They were in the backfield all over Vince Young, getting a bunch of sacks and rushing him all half long. I think he barely completed any passes. They blew the Titans off the line of scrimmage too, stuffing pretty much every run. I'd guess about 80 percent of the Titans runs in the first half were no gain or for a loss.

In Tennessee's first 8 possessions, they gave the ball back all 8 times -- six on punts, once on downs, and once by fumble. Brady kept throwing interceptions, but it didn't matter, because the defense kept stuffing Tennesse. The Titans only score of the first half was an interception return for TD. With a few minutes left in the second half, leading 17-7 and having absolutely owned the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots shut it down and Tennessee went on to win against the second stringers.

Other than the final score, there is no comparison whatsoever to this year's Bucs game -- and in fact the final scores are still pretty different. In fact, the only things that are the same are the result.

Like I said time to panic...

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

Like I said time to panic...

I didn't say it was time to panic. But I don't see the comparison at all between last year's preseason and this year's.

There are many arguments that can be made for why this year's dismall preseason showing doesn't matter. I'm happy to talk about them. Comparing this year's second preseason game was last year's, though, is just not one of them, which is my only point.

 

[Run DMC]

Absolutely not worried about this teams prospects. I voted a solid "NO!".

 

[PatsDeb]

I was going to vote #2 - no worries, but ended up voting for #4 - right down the middle. I am trying not to worry as I remember worrying last year when Randy Moss did not play a snap in preseason, Wes Welker hadn't done anything and everyone saying it was part of a plan, which I didn't believe. Then look what happened.

This year, I keep thinking in the front of my brain that Brady (and half the team) isn't really injured; he (and they) just has some little thing and they are letting him rest. looking out for the long term. But dang, a flawless drive by our #1s, followed by a flawless stop (a nice INT run back for a TD maybe?) by our vaunted D would sure put the back of my mind at ease.

Oh well. We'll find out in about three weeks what is going to happen. Whatever will be will be.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Maybe we need TB to go out and play Friday. He might get injured for the regular season, but the "preseason worryorites" will feel better.

 

[signbabybrady]

No to preseasons games don't change my mind on anything. My eyebrows have raised a bit but not enough for me to back off my expectations I don't think anything in preseason could (injuries aside)

 

[Disco Volante]

I've slightly changed my prediction from 16-0 to 4-12.

 

[PATRIOT64]

I was a not really concerned after the first 2 preseason games - now I am getting just a wee bit worried about the defense as a whole and the OL after the third week.

I know its preseason but I think its time to take a little closer at those areas on the team - To do an about face in september and suddenly look real good is not that simple I believe.

I think this team is in for alot of those brutal 3 point finishes like in the past where a small difference in a play will be between winning and losing - Alot of those 17-14 type final score games this year.

Only the biggest freaking morons will think this team will even come close to resembling last years dominating squad - 11 or 12 wins are about right -EVEN IF ITS THE FREAKING PRESEASON so just STFU about that already,I don't want to hear it they are out there just practicing anymore,its time to show SOMETHING.

If these guys are faking it totally and are really waiting to put on a dominating show in 2 weeks and onward then I will award them the academy award for best acting.

Brady will definately give the offense some firepower when he returns but that OL could be a death wish for him and that defense looks simply poor right now to say everything is alright,we need something to look positive at in the preseason,hope it is something against the G-Men this week

Many starters are out there so its not like it was all rookies playing tonight and that is a bit scary from my standpoint.