The Official Patriots vs Titans POST game thread

vuudu said:

There was nothing misleading about this stats, in obvious passing downs, he got handled very easy, did his TBC impression and just stood there. We need pressure from both sides in this passing heavy league now a days and Ninkovich will not cut it, we have seen his peak, time to put Cunningham there for us to see whether he can swim or sink.

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I really like Cunningham taking snaps at DT in the nickel and sub packages. He looks unstoppable in that position with his speed and power.

If you move him to Ninks spot who fills that void? Long term I expect to see Bequette develop toward the end of the year.

When was the last time anyone said that the patriots had the best run defense in the nfl?

I know the statement was a bit over the top. But still, at the end of last year folks thought we had an awful defense.

BBass said:

I really like Cunningham taking snaps at DT in the nickel and sub packages. He looks unstoppable in that position with his speed and power.

If you move him to Ninks spot who fills that void? Long term I expect to see Bequette develop toward the end of the year.

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I don't see anyone filling that DT (on pass downs) spot will Myron P comes back from PuP. He is our true 3 tech quick pressure DT.

vuudu said:

There was nothing misleading about this stats, in obvious passing downs, he got handled very easy, did his TBC impression and just stood there. We need pressure from both sides in this passing heavy league now a days and Ninkovich will not cut it, we have seen his peak, time to put Cunningham there for us to see whether he can swim or sink.

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*sigh* Sorry, but this is an over-reaction on your part, imho and fails to take into consideration what the Pats have done against ALL other mobile QBs they have faced in years past. They want to contain them in the pocket and FORCE them to throw the ball while under pressure without giving up a running lane. That's what the Pats have done with guys like Vick and Roethlingsberger because they know that if they give up that outlet for the guy to get out, he's got a 15-20 yard gain easily. By standing up the tackle and controlling him (which is what I saw Nink doing quite a bit) you shut down 2 gaps that the QB could escape through.

Cunningham and Ninkovich were BOTH in there on passing downs with Cunningham lining up inside. There were times that Cunningham was in there for Ninkovich and did the same thing as Ninkovich. Stood the tackle up and prevented Locker from running his direction.

With the strength of Tennessee being Chris Johnson and Tennessee O-line, the run game was always going to be the primary focus of the game plan. The Patriots nailed that hammer home.
Then taking away the scramble option from Jake Locker and forcing him to make decisions with his arm (not literally of course), the Defence did its job. We saw how Locker can be elusive as a runner on the play called back for holding on Cunningham.

Having said that, we will have to see how the Patriots D does in upcoming games when faced with a more balanced or pass orientated offense. If they have improved the pass defence then things are really looking up.

NinjaZX6R said:

I will say, when is the last time we threw a back shoulder fade? 2009 Moss?


Lloyd is just warming up. (God I hope so)

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Yup.

The back shoulder pass was the one play where I smiled the most during the game. "Finally," I said out loud. Love seeing that in the offense now.

Nice win. Defense seems faster and more cohesive......I know it's only one game. Liked the balance on offense between the run and pass.
Want to see that every game. A good quality reliable run game will save this QB from a major pounding this year.

Re: Patriots @ Titans Post Game Thread:

DaBruinz said:

Good:
Ridley - 21 carries for 126 yards and a TD

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One edit: change good to GREAT!

21 carries for 126 yards on the road is tremendous! 6.0 yards per carry to go along with that passing game is fantastic! If the Patriots get that every game, Ridley is OJ Simpson.

He not only got yards that were there, he broke tackles all day long. We lamented Vereen being hurt. Ridley was terrific.

5 UP - Cunningham, rookies on D, Wilfolk, Ridley, Run blocking

5 DOWN - Pass coverage, pass protection, Welker, Ninko, the Zoltan

Tons more to be really excited about than not. Best looking front seven performance in a while. Appears to be another solid draft class. Nice to have athleticism. Very balanced approach to the play calling. Awesome start!!

connolly according Bedard, just got his head rung, did concussion tests , all ok. too many posts fast and furious , to read if posted already

hodgey said:

5 UP - Cunningham, rookies on D, Wilfolk, Ridley, Run blocking

5 DOWN - Pass coverage, pass protection, Welker, Ninko, the Zoltan

Tons more to be really excited about than not. Best looking front seven performance in a while. Appears to be another solid draft class. Nice to have athleticism. Very balanced approach to the play calling. Awesome start!!

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HUH???? Pass Coverage was very good with 6 PDs today. I can't remember the last time the Pats had 6 PDs in a game.

Pass Protection - They gave up 1 sack and what, 2 hurries?

Mesko - 3 of 4 inside the 20 and the 4th was a TB.. And that's bad????

The defense looked solid today. I like the focus on the running game. In the long run, that running game will make Brady that much more effective. Very solid win.

I don't know why some people are so desperate to even the number of 'ups' and 'downs' after a dominating 34-13 win.

I know a couple of our more popular sports coulumnists like this format but it seems more than a little inane after outclassing the opposition to such a degree.

AndyJohnson said:

Bolden had 1 good run, and look horrific otherwise.
Did you watch the game today?

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Well he had a second good run when the clock is winding down and the other team is playing 11 in the box cause they know your running it is hard to look 'good'.

hodgey said:

5 DOWN - Pass coverage, pass protection, Welker, Ninko, the Zoltan

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Pass coverage? They had a few big plays on a 4th and 1 single coverage and a scramble when the QB got out of the pocket. On the other hand they had an INT, just missed another and forced what would have been a fumble a few years ago on a text-book legal hit.

Which leads to Ninko. He did his job, which was keeping Locker in the pocket. Jones really only got unleashed when they were really backed up.

Pass protection. If that's the worst it's going to get with Cannon at tackle and Solder against a pro-bowler, I'll take it.

Zoltan. Meh. Barely noticed him. Did he not drop every punt inside the 5?

Welker. Yep, that bum nearly cost us the game by... missing one catch off his helmet? Let's look at just stats and see 3 catches what a stiff. Let's ignore that we didn't need the 5 yard passing game because we were getting 6 or 7 running it.

Defensively
5/14 3rd down allowed
0-2 red zone defense
20 rushing yards allowed versus 119 average ypg rushing last year
Offensively
6 rushes over 10 yards by Ridley
13 rushing first downs on 35 rushing plays (34 and kneel down at end of first half)

livinginthe past said:

I don't know why some people are so desperate to even the number of 'ups' and 'downs' after a dominating 34-13 win.

I know a couple of our more popular sports coulumnists like this format but it seems more than a little inane after outclassing the opposition to such a degree.

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Thats funny because I find it "inane" when someone will waste time to post with the only intent to throw a meaningless jabs at an opinion. Wish we could get more discussion about what happened on the field and less blowhards.

my son and I was at the game, section 112 row A, right behind the pats bench. first game we'd been to in about 10 years.

All I can say is that this defense can be awesome. CJones is a playmaker and so is Hightower. how about the first 3 draft picks contributing in todays game!!! And Spikes is an intimidating beast on D.

As for the O, Solder, Vollmer, and Cannon are 3 very large individuals. Humongous. If they could get Cannon to play G consistently, that line would be earth movers.

Ninkovich did 0 the whole game and should take a seat. Cuningham is as ready as he will ever be, will get his shot next few weeks.

Woodhead is 2 yards and a dive. Wasted plays giving it to him, take a seat.
Have another one of those undrafted guys who can do it better when SR needs a breather. Still have mister big upside/injury prone, if he can shake himself and get ready to play.

Very thin at corner two C to C- / below average.
Arrington D- who still hasn't turned his head to pick up a ball. Thinks his job is trail the receiver by a couple of yards and hope for a riccochet to get his cheap interceptions. Take a seat.

Patriots changing from guys who can do 6 things pretty good to guys who can do a few things very well. About time.