Game Thoughts - Let's be perfectly Blount Edition

Here we go:

1.) LeGarrette Blount has skyrocketed to being one of the best trades of the Belichick era. I was never down on the trade for him as many, but I couldn't have imaged he would have been nearly as good as he ended up becoming the last few weeks. He is like Gronk in that he needs several defenders to bring him down and he is surprisingly fast and nimble in the open field.

2.) When the Pats drafted Jamie Collins, we all knew he was a project that would take time to make an impact. That time looks to have come. He showed last night that he has the potential to be what we hoped Adalius Thomas would be. He can everything. He rush the passer. He can stuff the run. And most importantly, he can cover int the open field. The sky is the limit on this kid. He may never come close to reaching it, but he certainly has the tools to be a stud LBer.

3.) If the Pats can continue to run the ball like they have the last three games, there is no reason why they can't win the Super Bowl. This running game is the perfect defense against the Broncos' offense. It takes the pressure off of Brady and the passing game which over relying on in recent years has been the achilles heel of this team in the playoffs. With teams being built to stop the pass, teams that run the ball could actually sneak up on even the best defenses in the league.

4.) By my count, the Pats had 6-7 rookies either start or play significant time last night (Colllins, Ryan, Vellano, Chris Jones,Thompkins, Ryan Allen before he was injured). Pretty impressive for a team that will be playing for the AFCCG next week.

5.) IMHO, an unsung hero yesterday was Sealver Siliga. On the Collins sack, it was made possible because Siliga was tying up two bodies. He was a monster for most of the game. It didn't show as much on the stat line (3 tackles and one QB hit), but he was giving the Colts' o-line fits all game yesterday.

6.) I am still a bit concerned about the passing game. If the Chargers or Broncos (which ever one advances) figures out how to stop the run, I don't know if the Pats can air it out with basically three slot receivers playing on the field at the same time. They need Thompkins and/or Dobson back.

7.) I thought other than a few big breakdowns, this defense looked close to what it was early in the year. Take away two or three big breakdowns in the secondary and the Pats did a pretty good job shutting down the Colts. On top of the 4 INTs, the Pats forced three and outs four times (and a punt on 5 plays and 12 yards ). The defense seems to be jelling and getting healthy at the right time.

8.) I know Hightower has been a lightning rod on this board, but he was a stud last night. He did everything we wanted him to do all year. He led the team in tackles. Along with the emergence of Collins, IRing Spikes might have been the best thing for this team.

I agree about the Spikes IR benefitting Hightower the most. Collins obviously got the extra snaps, but positionally, hightower was able to play the run and not have to worry about getting lost in coverage. Collins and Spikes, even on paper, make far more sense than Spikes and hightower did.

Hightower has versatility, just not as much as had been asked of him this year, so Collins takes a lot of that weight off his shoulders. Add mayo to this group, and that is a scary scary linebacking core.

also, with Collins stepping up, it couldnt come at a better time, since last time we played denver they were without Julius Thomas. If denver moves on, Collins will be a great coverage fit for him.

Pretty nifty INT by Hightower yesterday to add to strong game.

I think we all know the receiving weapons are not top notch but I still am not all that worried about the passing game. As long as Brady is playing it will work when it has to. Brady made some great throws last night, the one to Amendola over the middle was one of tightest windows I've seen (great catch also). Mostly I think they're hurting in the red zone. But if the running game keeps up that won't be a big deal.

Whether it's Edelman, Amendola, or Vereen one finds a way to get open. IMO, I wouldn't pull either one off the field in favor of KT or Dobson unless it's the red zone.

Rob0729 said:

Here we go:



6.) I am still a bit concerned about the passing game. If the Chargers or Broncos (which ever one advances) figures out how to stop the run, I don't know if the Pats can air it out with basically three slot receivers playing on the field at the same time. They need Thompkins and/or Dobson back.

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If DEN/SD want to put 7 or 8 in the box to stuff our run, I like Edelman/Amendola/Collie 1 on 1 with their corners. Especailly if we get the play action going like we did yesterday on that bomb to Amendola.

If they focus on the run, the PA will open up the field nicely for our WR, even without a tall/deep threat.

I agree with some of the others here. I'm not convinced that Denver and San Diego have the type of stud secondary that can handle our WRs if they put 8 in the box. And both teams can be had in the run game anyway, because I think most teams would be uncomfortable putting 8 in the box with Brady at QB.

Seattle would be a different story, but let's hope that, if we get to that point, we've got a healthy KT or Dobson to mitigate the concerns there.

I would have given you a "like" just based on the title alone.

Rob0729 said:

Here we go:

1.) LeGarrette Blount has skyrocketed to being one of the best trades of the Belichick era. I was never down on the trade for him as many, but I couldn't have imaged he would have been nearly as good as he ended up becoming the last few weeks. He is like Gronk in that he needs several defenders to bring him down and he is surprisingly fast and nimble in the open field..

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(Lets not go over board - There were a lot of 2 yd runs in there before the long TD run. In fact, before that play I doubt he was averaging anywhere close to 4ypc. I understand that ground and pound is a process and you have to endure early in order to excel late. However teams are going to adjust over what we hope will be the next 2 games, so if I may paraphrase a former Pats HC, "lets not put him in the HOF just yet"

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2.) When the Pats drafted Jamie Collins, we all knew he was a project that would take time to make an impact. That time looks to have come. He showed last night that he has the potential to be what we hoped Adalius Thomas would be. He can everything. He rush the passer. He can stuff the run. And most importantly, he can cover int the open field. The sky is the limit on this kid. He may never come close to reaching it, but he certainly has the tools to be a stud LBer.

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Collins just might end up being one of the best picks of the BB era. Since he can be used all over the field, he can be match up nightmare for enemy OC's, and a DC's dream. But all that might prove premature if he doesn't continue to improve and get better over the next few years.

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3.) If the Pats can continue to run the ball like they have the last three games, there is no reason why they can't win the Super Bowl. This running game is the perfect defense against the Broncos' offense. It takes the pressure off of Brady and the passing game which over relying on in recent years has been the achilles heel of this team in the playoffs. With teams being built to stop the pass, teams that run the ball could actually sneak up on even the best defenses in the league..

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I'd argue that about passing game being the Achilles heel, but to what end. The fact is that HAVING a good running game will always give the Pats a chance in their next 2 game (I hope), especially as they will be played in cold weather venues BUT as you point out later, being left with essentially 3 slot receivers and a RB as your only receiving options, not only limits your effectiveness, it makes defending your running attack just that much easier.

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4.) By my count, the Pats had 6-7 rookies either start or play significant time last night (Colllins, Ryan, Vellano, Chris Jones,Thompkins, Ryan Allen before he was injured). Pretty impressive for a team that will be playing for the AFCCG next week..

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It IS truly remarkable. The 2nd youngest team in the league, with all those key injuries, making it to the AFCCG is astounding. But just think how much better it will be next year when regardless of what we do in FA and the draft, we will add 4 proven pro bowlers to the roster.

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5.) IMHO, an unsung hero yesterday was Sealver Siliga. On the Collins sack, it was made possible because Siliga was tying up two bodies. He was a monster for most of the game. It didn't show as much on the stat line (3 tackles and one QB hit), but he was giving the Colts' o-line fits all game yesterday..

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Nice observation. Siliga has been ANOTHER great find by the "junkman". His insertion into the lineup has really helped solidify the run D. And believe me, Denver or SD are going to test that run D.

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6.) I am still a bit concerned about the passing game. If the Chargers or Broncos (which ever one advances) figures out how to stop the run, I don't know if the Pats can air it out with basically three slot receivers playing on the field at the same time. They need Thompkins and/or Dobson back..

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A bit????? I have little faith in either Dobson or Thompkins being available next week, so Josh is really going to earn his money for this game. He's got to find a way to get some receivers deep. He got to find a way to integrate the TE's into the passing game and make them a viable threat that the opposition has to respect, and he's got to create ways to get his non-physical receivers off of physical press coverage underneath. So "a BIT concerned"???????

7.) I thought other than a few big breakdowns, this defense looked close to what it was early in the year. Take away two or three big breakdowns in the secondary and the Pats did a pretty good job shutting down the Colts. On top of the 4 INTs, the Pats forced three and outs four times (and a punt on 5 plays and 12 yards ). The defense seems to be jelling and getting healthy at the right time..

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I even saw fewer breakdowns than you. Aside from just a handful of plays, most of Luck's big plays were more a factor of great throws or catches, rather than poor coverage. Only the 2nd Brazill TD over McCourty was a real breach.

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8.) I know Hightower has been a lightning rod on this board, but he was a stud last night. He did everything we wanted him to do all year. He led the team in tackles. Along with the emergence of Collins, IRing Spikes might have been the best thing for this team.

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This is another good catch. I completely forgot this in my post game thread. (one of the problems of getting old and writing these things after 1am ) But Hightower looked completely in control out there last night. He not only played a very solid game, he looked like he was directing players as well, without the loss of good execution. I feel a lot of the criticism his got early in the season, after Mayo went down, was justified. But recently his play has really improved. Since now he's in the Spikes role and Collins has come on, his duties look more defined, and now he covers FB's out of the backfield instead of having to cover Spiller types.

One of BB's great skills over the years has been not asking players to do what they can't physically do, but rather putting them only into positions where they can succeed. Unfortunately when Mayo went down and Collins wasn't ready, Hightower was forced to take Mayo's role as cover LB, and that's not him. He can't cover guys like Spiller (who can). Now that he doesn't have to, he's getting better at his current role as run stopper and communicator. Good for him.

Always look forward to your post gamers, Rob. The official post gamers are okay but it's usually alot of sifting through posts and pages to get a list of actual observations.

I somewhat echoed your sentiments on the defense in another thread. This is the healthiest I can recall them being since maybe early on in the Saints game. Talib and Dennard at full strength make all the difference and given that there were no new injuries on D yesterday I like their chances even if it's Denver next week. Like you said there were 2 or 3 breakdowns, but I believe at least 2 of them were on DMC and Dennard (the 2 TD passes) and remember it's been 3 weeks since either saw real game action. At least on DMC's part I think that played a part because he rarely gets caught like that. I've got full faith the breakdowns won't happen next week on their part now that they are up to speed. Otherwise they were terrific I thought especially Dennard.

I forgot a few things:

1). I disagree with Dierdorf. On the muffed snap, there was an advantage in Allen picking up the ball. If he had time (which obviously didn't), the smartest thing to do was pick up the ball and toss it into the ground. That would have been intentional grounding and a ten yard penalty at the line pf scrimmage.

2). They need to change personal foul penalties on extra points or on TD plays by the defense. A 15 yard penalty on the kick off is a joke. It is just a guaranteed touchback. It should be assessed after the kick.

3). Pats players need to not head butt Collie after plays in celebration. We need him and with his concussion history, we don't need any unnecessary risks.

PATSYLICIOUS said:

This is the healthiest I can recall them being since maybe early on in the Saints game. Talib and Dennard at full strength make all the difference and given that there were no new injuries on D yesterday I like their chances even if it's Denver next week.

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"No new injuries on D yesterday." YES. It's nice to be able to type that for once.

aluminum seats said:

"No new injuries on D yesterday." YES. It's nice to be able to type that for once.

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Really even after it was 43-22 I would still nervously watch each play, just hoping nobody stayed down or limped off

Rob0729 said:

2). They need to change personal foul penalties on extra points or on TD plays by the defense. A 15 yard penalty on the kick off is a joke. It is just a guaranteed touchback. It should be assessed after the kick.

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I'm always calling for an on sidekick attempt when this happens. Worst case the other team gets it at their 40, which isn't so bad.

Patjew said:

I'm always calling for an on sidekick attempt when this happens. Worst case the other team gets it at their 40, which isn't so bad.

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I said the same thing to my friends right after the penalty that they should consider trying an onside kick because it was low risk other than giving good, but not great field position.

I guess, not so great minds think alike.

While I don't like to play what-ifs.. I cant help but pose a "where-would"..

Where would this defense be ranked with a healthy Wilfork, Mayo and Kelly playing?

Rob0729 said:

Here we go:

1.) LeGarrette Blount has skyrocketed to being one of the best trades of the Belichick era. I was never down on the trade for him as many, but I couldn't have imaged he would have been nearly as good as he ended up becoming the last few weeks. He is like Gronk in that he needs several defenders to bring him down and he is surprisingly fast and nimble in the open field.

2.) When the Pats drafted Jamie Collins, we all knew he was a project that would take time to make an impact. That time looks to have come. He showed last night that he has the potential to be what we hoped Adalius Thomas would be. He can everything. He rush the passer. He can stuff the run. And most importantly, he can cover int the open field. The sky is the limit on this kid. He may never come close to reaching it, but he certainly has the tools to be a stud LBer.

3.) If the Pats can continue to run the ball like they have the last three games, there is no reason why they can't win the Super Bowl. This running game is the perfect defense against the Broncos' offense. It takes the pressure off of Brady and the passing game which over relying on in recent years has been the achilles heel of this team in the playoffs. With teams being built to stop the pass, teams that run the ball could actually sneak up on even the best defenses in the league.

5.) IMHO, an unsung hero yesterday was Sealver Siliga. On the Collins sack, it was made possible because Siliga was tying up two bodies. He was a monster for most of the game. It didn't show as much on the stat line (3 tackles and one QB hit), but he was giving the Colts' o-line fits all game yesterday.

7.) I thought other than a few big breakdowns, this defense looked close to what it was early in the year. Take away two or three big breakdowns in the secondary and the Pats did a pretty good job shutting down the Colts. On top of the 4 INTs, the Pats forced three and outs four times (and a punt on 5 plays and 12 yards ). The defense seems to be jelling and getting healthy at the right time.

8.) I know Hightower has been a lightning rod on this board, but he was a stud last night. He did everything we wanted him to do all year. He led the team in tackles. Along with the emergence of Collins, IRing Spikes might have been the best thing for this team.

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This is starting to look like a legitimate SB team, and the most balanced Pats' team since 2004. The ground-and-pound running physical game, run-pass balance, and improving defense all make this team look more like Seattle or San Francisco than Denver/Indy/New Orleans. And the SB being played in New Jersey in February could end up being a huge factor.

I agree that the defense is looking the best it has since the first 5 weeks of the season, when it gave up an average of 16 PPG (21, 10, 3, 23 and 13 = 80 points). It's given up an average of 18.25 PPG over the past 4 games, after giving up over 27 PPG over an 8 game stretch in the middle of the season when they were figuring out how to deal with the injury attrition. Both the offense and defense have adapted and evolved - the offense with the running game, the defense with more athletic LB play and improved run defense. A lot of the guys you highlighted - Blount on offense (not to mention the OL and Develin/Hooman/Mulligan) and Collins/Hightower/Siliga (plus the return of the secondary to relative health) have been important in those improvements. The offense averaged 19 PPG going 4-1 over the first 5 games, and 33.3 PPG going 6-1 over the past 7 games.

A couple of comments on specific points:

- Jamie Collins' ceiling is on the level of a Von Miller/DeMarcus Ware kind of impact player. What's really important to realize is that next year will be the first time in 6 years that Collins hasn't been changing positions or adapting systems. He came to Southern Miss as a QB (2 time Mississippi state champion) and switched to DB, then to LB, then to DE and switched defensive coordinators and schemes, then came to the pros and had to adapt to a new role and new system. Through all that he's made rapid progress at each step. Next year he won't have to learn a new position or system or adapt to a new coaching staff, just get better. I expect a huge leap. BB said "I love having him on this team" last night, and I can't remember higher praise from BB for a rookie.

- The evolution of Collins and the move of Hightower inside to a role more naturally suited to his skill set is huge. I agree that Hightower played a terrific game yesterday. While Spikes has situational value against run-heavy teams, I think Dane Fletcher is a more complete player. I can't wait to see this unit with Mayo back next year.

- Sealver Siliga looks like a keeper to me, along with Chris Jones. I'm not convinced about Joe Vellano, who gives great effort, but I feel pretty comfortable with Siliga and Jones being able to play at a starting level, which would be fabulous for rotational players.

- At the beginning of the year, if someone had predicted that our most important FAs to retain after Aqib Talib would be Julian Edelman and LeGarrette Blount, I doubt anyone would have believed it. Those have been our 2 most valuable players on offense after TB.

Patriots still need to prove that they can stop the run. However, if the offense can put up points, stopping the run will be an afterthought.

I really like the Patriots chances against Manning and the Broncos.

Rob0729 said:

I forgot a few things:

1). I disagree with Dierdorf. On the muffed snap, there was an advantage in Allen picking up the ball. If he had time (which obviously didn't), the smartest thing to do was pick up the ball and toss it into the ground. That would have been intentional grounding and a ten yard penalty at the line pf scrimmage.

2). They need to change personal foul penalties on extra points or on TD plays by the defense. A 15 yard penalty on the kick off is a joke. It is just a guaranteed touchback. It should be assessed after the kick.

3). Pats players need to not head butt Collie after plays in celebration. We need him and with his concussion history, we don't need any unnecessary risks.

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I believe intentional grounding is a spot foul at the point of the grounding, which in this case would have been the 2 yard line.

Sfpat said:

I believe intentional grounding is a spot foul at the point of the grounding, which in this case would have been the 2 yard line.

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I believe the correct play is to just kick it back through the end zone. Faster and lest risk than picking it up, and an automatic safety.

Sfpat said:

I believe intentional grounding is a spot foul at the point of the grounding, which in this case would have been the 2 yard line.

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You are right. It is a ten yard penalty if the QB (or passer) is less than 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage. It is a spot foul if he is farther back. My bad.