Troy Brown: Patriots were a "front-running" team

RayClay said:

I think it's a valid criticism. The 2001 team was too, to an extent, getting big early leads on Pitt and the Rams, and hanging on for dear life.

2001 team had a better veteran defense and Smith could close out games but Brady, outside of some outstanding drives, wasn't exactly and explosive scoring machine, and his WRs weren't either.

This team was heavy on Brady putting up points and allowing the run through nice open lanes when teams keyed on Brady. The defense was partially based on teams needing to pass because Brady had already dropped 14 or so on them. Our line was so depleted, we had to emphasize run or pass coverage, playing into the hands of a Jets team with a good running attack and a QB who needed some help.

I kind of like having the sages in Troy, Bruschi and rodney out there. 14-2 with this lineup ws quite a feat and they could have rode it out with early scores in each game, as they could have in this one. I think Troy's point was valid, that record was due to the nice advantages early leads give you.

If this group wants to contend, they should listen and toughen up and learn from experience. We'll be able to make the team more able to overcome these game plans through new personnel too, but you have to suck it up and make a couple plays when the tide is against you sometimes.

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Brarrell said:

They have to improve their defense they need playmakers, the owner needs to spend some money on vets along with drafting 3 top notch players. There should be no trading for future picks in 2012 their QB will be 34 next year and the window is closing. Today was a perfect example the difference between GBay and the Pats their offense was not on their game and their defense carried them. Lets stop with the getting FA players at a discount if you want players like Peppers you have to pay for them I almost feel the fans around here have been brain washed into this paying players only with a discount we haven't won a title since 2004 and the team south of us has supassed us 2 years in a row. We had the 3rd lowest payroll in the league and we are the third richest team in the league there is something very wrong with this picture.

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JustEndTheSeason said:

Actually, they remembered BJGE a little too much in that drive last week.

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