Some Observations

[NJPatsfan26]

- Preseason is exactly what it is....scrimmages to test out new players and get the vets back into the gel of the team.

- From the last three games, we can tell that Belichick has a lot to do before the regular season begins in 16 days. It seems he does indeed have a plan to rest the starters and keep everyone as healthy as possible.

- Just reading thru the massive posts since the first preseason game, there seems to be two types of fans on this site. Ones who believe the sky is indeed falling and we will go 0-16 this season, and the others who believe this is just preseason and we will be fine before KC on Sept 7th.


This is just my opinion on what is going on. What do you all think?

 

[spacecrime]

- Preseason is exactly what it is....scrimmages to test out new players and get the vets back into the gel of the team.

- From the last three games, we can tell that Belichick has a lot to do before the regular season begins in 16 days. It seems he does indeed have a plan to rest the starters and keep everyone as healthy as possible.

- Just reading thru the massive posts since the first preseason game, there seems to be two types of fans on this site. Ones who believe the sky is indeed falling and we will go 0 - 16 this season, and the others who believe this is just preseason and we will be fine before KC on Sept 7th.


This is just my opinion on what is going on. What do you all think?

There are always fans who think their team is good and will do well this year, and there are always fans who think their team is falling apart at the seams.

Some fans think BB/SP know what they are doing and these fans will revise an opinion of a player if BB signs them (at least until the guy proves himself), and others believe that BB drafted the wrong guy, signed the worng FA, and will cut the wrong guys, and these people make fun of fans who think BB knows what he is doing.

Most fall somewhere in the middle of those two spectrums.

 

[Jackson 2]

- Preseason is exactly what it is....scrimmages to test out new players and get the vets back into the gel of the team.

- From the last three games, we can tell that Belichick has a lot to do before the regular season begins in 16 days. It seems he does indeed have a plan to rest the starters and keep everyone as healthy as possible.

- Just reading thru the massive posts since the first preseason game, there seems to be two types of fans on this site. Ones who believe the sky is indeed falling and we will go 0-16 this season, and the others who believe this is just preseason and we will be fine before KC on Sept 7th.


This is just my opinion on what is going on. What do you all think?

I would guess that most of us realize that this franchise, from the owner to the coaches to the players, is an elite one which will win far more games this season than it will lose. I think the "Chicken Little" angst some feel (and I have had twinges of it myself) has a lot to do with the way last season ended. I believe if we had won on the first Sunday in February few, if any, of us would be concerned about the pre-season play thus far. But that game left a lasting impression, and not a good one, which has been reinforced by what we have seen thus far in pre-season. I know that I have reacted emotionally to what I've seen in a way which is unusual for me. Typically, I'm always sure things will turn out fine no matter how badly they may be going at any given time. But the results from February 3 through today have been anything but typical for this team. I really believe a solid win on September 7 will return most of us to our former, and appropriate, frame of mind and I believe that will happen.

 

[JMarr]

I would guess that most of us realize that this franchise, from the owner to the coaches to the players, is an elite one which will win far more games this season than it will lose. I think the "Chicken Little" angst some feel (and I have had twinges of it myself) has a lot to do with the way last season ended. I believe if we had won on the first Sunday in February few, if any, of us would be concerned about the pre-season play thus far. But that game left a lasting impression, and not a good one, which has been reinforced by what we have seen thus far in pre-season. I know that I have reacted emotionally to what I've seen in a way which is unusual for me. Typically, I'm always sure things will turn out fine no matter how badly they may be going at any given time. But the results from February 3 through today have been anything but typical for this team. I really believe a solid win on September 7 will return most of us to our former, and appropriate, frame of mind and I believe that will happen.

Bingo--give the man a cookie. A voice of reason in the wilderness. This whole optimist vs. pessimist theme is getting tiresome, especially when alot of people seem to want to prod others into taking one extreme or the other, the OP being a good example of this.

 

[NJPatsfan26]

Bingo--give the man a cookie. A voice of reason in the wilderness. This whole optimist vs. pessimist theme is getting tiresome, especially when alot of people seem to want to prod others into taking one extreme or the other, the OP being a good example of this.

Well then I am glad I made these observations to bring out the good voice of reasons....

 

[JMarr]

Well then I am glad I made these observations to bring out the good voice of reasons....

Brilliant, good job.

This is just my opinion on what is going on. What do you all think?

I think everyone who has concerns about the Pats play this preseason thinks this team is going to go 0-16.

 

[NJPatsfan26]

Brilliant, good job.

This is just my opinion on what is going on. What do you all think?

I think everyone who has concerns about the Pats play this preseason thinks this team is going to go 0-16.

Dang chicken little's....that has been a great theme of this board in the last few weeks....

 

[JMarr]

- Preseason is exactly what it is....scrimmages to test out new players and get the vets back into the gel of the team.

- From the last three games, we can tell that Belichick has a lot to do before the regular season begins in 16 days. It seems he does indeed have a plan to rest the starters and keep everyone as healthy as possible.

- Just reading thru the massive posts since the first preseason game, there seems to be two types of fans on this site. Ones who believe the sky is indeed falling and we will go 0-16 this season, and the others who believe this is just preseason and we will be fine before KC on Sept 7th.


This is just my opinion on what is going on. What do you all think?

NJPAT26: I would agree with your 1st two sentences, and can appreciate your trying to make a point about this never-ending theme. The problem I have (to beat a dead horse for the last time I promise) is that, the way you frame it is inherently biased and leaves no room for anyone to voice a realistic opinion:

1. "Chicken littles": Team is sucking in the PS, therefore "we will go 0-16 this season

2. "All others": It's only the PS and these games mean nothing, therefore "we will be fine by KC on September 7" ........except that in your "two types of fans" proposition, this sentence would logically read "therefore we will finish 16-0." So I guess that unless you're predicting 16-0, you are chicken little.

 

[NJPatsfan26]

[/B]

NJPAT26: I would agree with your 1st two sentences, and can appreciate your trying to make a point about this never-ending theme. The problem I have (to beat a dead horse for the last time I promise) is that, the way you frame it is inherently biased and dishonest:

1. "Chicken littles": Team is sucking, sky must be falling, therefore "we will go 0-16 this season

2. "All others": It's only the PS and these games mean nothing, therefore "we will be fine by KC on September 7" ........hmmm, in your "two types of fans" proposition, this sentence would logically read "therefore we will finish 16-0 I guess that if you're not predicting 16-0, that makes you a chicken little.

I appreciate your criticism. Everyone needs that....and your right....I did contradict myself. I would consider myself to be a homer and want the Pats to go 16-0 everyday of the week. I was only trying to put forward my thoughts about the two types of fans in my opinion.

I want nothing more than to do win the SB this year and have one of the greatest come backs in NFL History. So GO PATS...

 

[PatsFan37]

What I've gotten out of preseason so far:
-- Tank Williams is out. Happily, Lynch is in, but losing Tank is a shame.
-- Welker has an injury of unknown severity. Doesn't look like a season-ending injury, though, so I'm not too concerned.
-- Neal looks like a candidate for reserve PUP. Light looks like he'll be back.
-- Osi Umenyiora has a knee injury, Jason Taylor has a sprained right knee, Peyton Manning has a knee problem that the Colts are papering over. These are the key injuries that haven't happened to the Patriots this preseason, with the exception of Tank Williams.

We won't know much about this team until Sep 14th, after the Jets. We'll know a lot more the morning after Oct 12th (Chargers). Until then, I'm a wait-and-see kind of fan. It's hard to complain about an offense that doesn't have its star QB. It's hard to complain about a defense known for scheming opponents, that isn't scheming.

That's not to say there aren't concerns. Only that the concerns we have now may not be the concerns we'll have in a few weeks.

 

[DefenseRules]

To be honest, I'm not concerned about the win/loss column at this time of the year. I'm concerned about the lack of EXECUTION in all three phases of the game so far this preseason. I saw better execution in the first preseason game and the second half of last weeks game even though we lost. That shows me that these guys are capable of playing better and what we are seeing is correctable. MY BIGGEST CONCERN, is the backup QB position.
I'm a rational fan. When my team sucks, I admit it, they suck. If they are playing great, then I brag about their greatness. I'm one of those, call it like I see it fans. Right now, the EXECUTION on this team SUCKS. They can do better, IMO. It's time for them to do so. You don't need to scheme to make a tackle, block, catch a pass, run, or smack someone in the mouth. They are not competing consistently, and THAT BOTHERS ME.

 

[Urgent]

Anyone unconcerned about the performance of this team hasn't seen the pre-season games.

You can label objective concern "chicken little."

However, those folks who have watched football have seen some very poor execution. Terrible blocking. Terrible tackling. Poor technique.

That stuff can be improved, and we know there is talent there.
But watching Seymour, Wilfork, Vrabel, Bruschi, Harrison, and team fail to stop a second-team offense from running it down their throat, and then passing over the top, is certainly room for concern.

Yeah, results don't matter. Going for two in the fourth quarter of a close game is a pre-season decision. Failing to pressure the QB, opening holes into the backfield, allowing back-to-back kick return TD's - that's execution.

I've watched every preseason game for the past 10 years, and I haven't seen the team play this poorly.

This team is executing poorly now.
We hope they dramatically improve in two weeks.

 

[AzPatsFan]

The Eagles played this as a traditional 3rd game tuneup. The Pats did not.

Donovan McNabb led three drives of 70 yards or more and the Eagles returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in the final 1:35 to take a 27-3 lead.

Probowler Coles schooled Britt on a few plays. That was not a cameo appearance by the Eagles, O, D or ST.

Final score 27-17; subtract two ST returns Finals score 17-13, despite Eagles playing first stringers into third Q...

You are now free to return to mindless hysterics...

 

[DW Toys]

What I've gotten out of preseason so far:
-- Tank Williams is out. Happily, Lynch is in, but losing Tank is a shame.
-- Welker has an injury of unknown severity. Doesn't look like a season-ending injury, though, so I'm not too concerned.
-- Neal looks like a candidate for reserve PUP. Light looks like he'll be back.
-- Osi Umenyiora has a knee injury, Jason Taylor has a sprained right knee, Peyton Manning has a knee problem that the Colts are papering over. These are the key injuries that haven't happened to the Patriots this preseason, with the exception of Tank Williams.

We won't know much about this team until Sep 14th, after the Jets. We'll know a lot more the morning after Oct 12th (Chargers). Until then, I'm a wait-and-see kind of fan. It's hard to complain about an offense that doesn't have its star QB. It's hard to complain about a defense known for scheming opponents, that isn't scheming.



That's not to say there aren't concerns. Only that the concerns we have now may not be the concerns we'll have in a few weeks.

Good post. Does anyone else think that Seau would make a big difference in the attitude of the defense? He had a passion and love for the game that was contagious to the other "D" members. Even if he plays a couple downs a game he would add spark back to what I see is a dead group. Teddy has a little of this spirit and so does Vrabel, but who else? Seau just had a great effect here and Bill knows it. Any thoughts on Seau as a big influence missing on the 08 defense? I would love to have him back one more year.

DW Toys

 

[Jackson 2]

Bingo--give the man a cookie. A voice of reason in the wilderness. This whole optimist vs. pessimist theme is getting tiresome, especially when alot of people seem to want to prod others into taking one extreme or the other, the OP being a good example of this.

Thanks. Uhm...any chance I can get an ice cold 16 oz. Bud Light aluminum bottle instead of a cookie? I'm trying to watch my figure...

 

[loosebearing]

What I've gotten out of preseason so far:
-- Tank Williams is out. Happily, Lynch is in, but losing Tank is a shame.
-- Welker has an injury of unknown severity. Doesn't look like a season-ending injury, though, so I'm not too concerned.
-- Neal looks like a candidate for reserve PUP. Light looks like he'll be back.
-- Osi Umenyiora has a knee injury, Jason Taylor has a sprained right knee, Peyton Manning has a knee problem that the Colts are papering over. These are the key injuries that haven't happened to the Patriots this preseason, with the exception of Tank Williams.

We won't know much about this team until Sep 14th, after the Jets. We'll know a lot more the morning after Oct 12th (Chargers). Until then, I'm a wait-and-see kind of fan. It's hard to complain about an offense that doesn't have its star QB. It's hard to complain about a defense known for scheming opponents, that isn't scheming.

That's not to say there aren't concerns. Only that the concerns we have now may not be the concerns we'll have in a few weeks.

Left out Merriweather
If the sky is truely falling then he is ...

 

[JMarr]

Good post. Does anyone else think that Seau would make a big difference in the attitude of the defense? He had a passion and love for the game that was contagious to the other "D" members. Even if he plays a couple downs a game he would add spark back to what I see is a dead group. Teddy has a little of this spirit and so does Vrabel, but who else? Seau just had a great effect here and Bill knows it. Any thoughts on Seau as a big influence missing on the 08 defense? I would love to have him back one more year.

DW Toys

Couldn't have said it better. It's a bit carried away to think that Seau is THE ANSWER. But from where i'm sitting, he kind of is. If he can still play and wants to, I'm shocked if they don't have his contract already drawn up, to be signed Sept. 1 and BB's not calling him everyother day reminding him to stay in shape.

I'd add Rodney to your list of the non-sleepwalking defensive players.