How Much Optimism Do You Have Over This Defense?

We added Anderson. I think that does a lot to improve our depth at Linebacker. This defense really has no glaring holes as long as people play up to expected levels. I also expect to see at least a couple of defenders making strides - particularly Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins.

Add 1st rounder Easley to the mix and we might have a deadly combination of inside and outside pressure, forcing QBs to throw into tight coverage supplied by Revis, Browner, Ryan and DMC. "Let loose the dogs of war and cry havoc!" - WS

Well I have a ton of optimism over this defense. Bill will do his best to put together the best possible defense. Once all the players are in place the defensive coordinator and coach need to set up some good play calls. After that it is in God's hands to make sure all the players are in good enough health to perform at their best.

Christiancat said:

Well I have a ton of optimism over this defense. Bill will do his best to put together the best possible defense. Once all the players are in place the defensive coordinator and coach need to set up some good play calls. After that it is in God's hands to make sure all the players are in good enough health to perform at their best.

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Whatever God anyone prays to has nothing to do with the health and performance of players @Christiancat. That comes down to simple chance, player conditioning and team performance.

ausbacker said:

Whatever God anyone prays to has nothing to do with the health and performance of players @Christiancat. That comes down to simple chance, player conditioning and team performance.

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God very much plays a big part in everyone's life, whether or not they believe that is on them. God created everyone of us. Thus, it is in God's hands how or if a player heals.

http://www.goodnewsaboutgod.com/studies/spiritual/home_study/without_me.htm
excerpt from link
"Atheists can reject God, blaspheme God, curse God, and deny that God exists. But they can’t do any of these things - - without God. The only place they get the life and breath to reject, blaspheme, curse, and deny the existence of God - - - - is from God!"

Christiancat said:

God very much plays a big part in everyone's life, whether or not they believe that is on them. God created everyone of us. Thus, it is in God's hands how or if a player heals.

http://www.goodnewsaboutgod.com/studies/spiritual/home_study/without_me.htm
excerpt from link
"Atheists can reject God, blaspheme God, curse God, and deny that God exists. But they can’t do any of these things - - without God. The only place they get the life and breath to reject, blaspheme, curse, and deny the existence of God - - - - is from God!"

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Keep your religious beliefs to yourself if you wouldn't mind. It has no bearing on the Patriots, the players, their performance and their health.

ausbacker said:

Keep your religious beliefs to yourself if you wouldn't mind. It has no bearing on the Patriots, the players, their performance and their health.

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I will continue to express my beliefs whenever I so choose despite your Christian bigotry. To me God has a bearing on the players, patriots, performance, health etc. The fact that because I mention God and the Patriots you get into an uproar speaks volumes.

Christiancat said:

I will continue to express my beliefs whenever I so choose despite your Christian bigotry. To me God has a bearing on the players, patriots, performance, health etc.

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I haven't stated my religious beliefs other than to state I don't believe religion has any bearing on the outcome of sports, a person's health or their ability to do their job.

Keep religion to yourself. There are more appropriate forums for you to spread your word. Here is not the place and for that, you're going to be placed on ignore.

ausbacker said:

I haven't stated my religious beliefs other than to state I don't believe religion has any bearing on the outcome of sports, a person's health or their ability to do their job.

Keep religion to yourself. There are more appropriate forums for you to spread your word. Here is not the place and for that, you're going to be placed on ignore.

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I did nothing to you. I barely made a Reference to God in my first post in this thread and you jumped on it. I am a very respectful poster, but I don't appreciate being attacked for simply stating that the health of the players were in a Gods hands. I didn't go in depth into the religious discussion until you attacked me for my first post in this thread. Even though my first post was on topic with the thread. Nevertheless, place me on ignore and Have good evening!

Christiancat said:

I did nothing to you. I barely made a Reference to God in my first post in this thread and you jumped on it. I am a very respectful poster, but I don't appreciate being attacked for simply stating that the health of the players were in a Gods hands. I didn't go in depth into the religious discussion until you attacked me for my first post in this thread. Even though my first post was on topic with the thread. Nevertheless, place me on ignore and Have good evening!

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There was nothing wrong with the post you made that led to the back and forth.

The problem with God is humans. It always comes down to "my God is better than your God, my God is the true God not yours" and , as the millenia past so bloodthirstily demonstrate, this will always be a flashpoint anytime it is brought into the conversation. I respect CC and respect her religious view.I expect some posters will object and that's OK too.

Thanks Dues and Joker for your support.

Christiancat said:

I will continue to express my beliefs whenever I so choose despite your Christian bigotry. To me God has a bearing on the players, patriots, performance, health etc. The fact that because I mention God and the Patriots you get into an uproar speaks volumes.

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You're trying to tell people that something they may or may not believe in is wrong. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean you can tell them they're wrong, and its a conversation that is far too sensitive to many people to be held on this forum, or at least in this particular section of this forum.

This section is about football, and I do believe the forum rules state that the conversation stays on football.

Nobody is outraged at you, but this discussion is not welcome on this section of the forums.

Edit: Just to clarify, no disrespect to you or your views, just on where you're voicing this particular topic.

Most players pray together before each game. I doubt that very many would be at all upset at ccat's comment:

"After that it is in God's hands to make sure all the players are in good enough health to perform at their best."

The comment stated no belief about my God or your God (a strange idea in any case). I too found the reaction over the top and decidedly strange.

In any case, our society and we as individuals are in serious trouble if the mere use mention of the word God is a flashpoint.

Shall we stop saying God Bless You when we sneeze. Shall we remove "In God We Trust"? Should we stop installing government officials with a bible?

I apologize for the rant, but the mere use of the word of "God" in a sentence shouldn't be objectionable anywhere in the US.

Joker said:

The problem with God is humans. It always comes down to "my God is better than your God, my God is the true God not yours" and , as the millenia past so bloodthirstily demonstrate, this will always be a flashpoint anytime it is brought into the conversation. I respect CC and respect her religious view.I expect some posters will object and that's OK too.

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strngplyr said:

You're trying to tell people that something they may or may not believe in is wrong. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean you can tell them they're wrong, and its a conversation that is far too sensitive to many people to be held on this forum, or at least in this particular section of this forum.

This section is about football, and I do believe the forum rules state that the conversation stays on football.

Nobody is outraged at you, but this discussion is not welcome on this section of the forums.

Edit: Just to clarify, no disrespect to you or your views, just on where you're voicing this particular topic.

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I wasn't trying to say anyone view is wrong. If someone feels offended by me or anyonelse that mentions the word God in their post should just put that poster on ignore. Have a good evening!

mgteich said:

Most players pray together before each game. I doubt that very many would be at all upset at ccat's comment:

"After that it is in God's hands to make sure all the players are in good enough health to perform at their best."

The comment stated no belief about my God or your God (a strange idea in any case). I too found the reaction over the top and decidedly strange.

In any case, our society and we as individuals are in serious trouble if the mere use mention of the word God is a flashpoint.

Shall we stop saying God Bless You when we sneeze. Shall we remove "In God We Trust"? Should we stop installing government officials with a bible?

I apologize for the rant, but the mere use of the word of "God" in a sentence shouldn't be objectionable anywhere in the US.

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It's kind of pathetic, yes, society today is far too touchy on these topics, however, it is what it is, we can't change it, so its best to avoid it entirely on a football forum instead of allowing a thread to turn into a religious debate that gets everyone hating each other for whatever reasons.

It's why all forums have subforums for politics and religious talk, because for some reason it never ends well when discussed in an area like this.

mgteich said:

Most players pray together before each game. I doubt that very many would be at all upset at ccat's comment:

"After that it is in God's hands to make sure all the players are in good enough health to perform at their best."

The comment stated no belief about my God or your God (a strange idea in any case). I too found the reaction over the top and decidedly strange.

In any case, our society and we as individuals are in serious trouble if the mere use mention of the word God is a flashpoint.

Shall we stop saying God Bless You when we sneeze. Shall we remove "In God We Trust"? Should we stop installing government officials with a bible?

I apologize for the rant, but the mere use of the word of "God" in a sentence shouldn't be objectionable anywhere in the US.

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Thanks Mgteich for your support. I believe Joker meant well with his post. It unfortunate that certain posters who unfortunately attack anyone who even mentions the word God on the forum.

strngplyr said:

You're trying to tell people that something they may or may not believe in is wrong. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean you can tell them they're wrong, and its a conversation that is far too sensitive to many people to be held on this forum, or at least in this particular section of this forum.

Click to expand...

Christiancat was doing no such thing.

strngplyr said:

You're trying to tell people that something they may or may not believe in is wrong. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean you can tell them they're wrong, and its a conversation that is far too sensitive to many people to be held on this forum, or at least in this particular section of this forum.

This section is about football, and I do believe the forum rules state that the conversation stays on football.

Nobody is outraged at you, but this discussion is not welcome on this section of the forums.

Edit: Just to clarify, no disrespect to you or your views, just on where you're voicing this particular topic.

Click to expand...

I wasn't outraged by Christancat's position nor the fact that he/she choose to call me a bigot because I don't believe any of the 4000 odd belief structures determine the performance or health of sportspeople.

mgteich said:

Most players pray together before each game. I doubt that very many would be at all upset at ccat's comment:

"After that it is in God's hands to make sure all the players are in good enough health to perform at their best."

The comment stated no belief about my God or your God (a strange idea in any case). I too found the reaction over the top and decidedly strange.

In any case, our society and we as individuals are in serious trouble if the mere use mention of the word God is a flashpoint.

Shall we stop saying God Bless You when we sneeze. Shall we remove "In God We Trust"? Should we stop installing government officials with a bible?

I apologize for the rant, but the mere use of the word of "God" in a sentence shouldn't be objectionable anywhere in the US.

Click to expand...

I don't have an issue with people believing in what they choose to believe in. I have an issue when someone makes a remark that the outcome of their ability to do their job is predetermined by whatever God they pray to and if you don't believe that then you're wrong and a bigot. That takes away the accomplishment of making the NFL, training hard, game planning and working toward being the best you can be. It also has no bearing on how optimistic I feel toward the Patriots D this season. That cautious optimism is fuelled by the actions of the front office, ownership, the coaches, the players and the new players agreeing to terms with New England not my belief structure.

Religion is a hot button issue.

It is a polarizing issue along with: Health care. Evolution. Creationism. Welfare. Sexual orientation. Gender roles. Abortion. Politics. Right to bear arms.

There is a reason, like with politics, you shouldn't bring up these issues if you are unsure of your audience -that is, don't bring up these issues if you have any expectation what-so-ever of keeping the conversation on topic. Such as football.

Mentioning, even with the best of intentions, anything about any hot button issue and you only have yourself to blame for where the conversation goes from there. Doing so and then claiming you are "under attack" is passive aggressiveness.

Had you brought up politics or any other hot button issue, you'd have received a similar response from the same kind of people asking you to refrain. Calling them "Christian bigots" for doing so might be correct in some cases but it is also passive-aggressiveness.

I admire the strength of courage it takes Jehovah Witnesses to come knocking on my door. That doesn't mean I want them doing so when I'm watching the game.

I personally dont mind people interjecting references to God in conversations when I can assess that they mean well.. and I know you meant well.. But then, Republicans also mean well, and Democrats also mean well and yet all three are still hot button issues.

Talking about either political party is just going to derail any other conversation. There's a reason I pick and choose my time to talk politics... just as there's a reason we don't see Harry Boy over here talking football. Thank God for that..

(oops).


EDIT: In retrospect, I wish I had used the word "naive" rather than "passive aggressive".. a phrase that I don't think has ever been used in an actually constructive manner in the history of it being in existence.

My optimism is very high but it all hangs on health. I got a good feeling Mayo will return to norm. Armstead is a complete unknown but I'm optimistic he will find a role on the team. Wilfork is a huge playing card in all of this. Just two years ago he was the type of player that required double teams in the middle and could generate inside pressure by himself. If only he had the help back then that we think he has now. If he can return to form I'm convinced this defense will be devastating to not only the run but the pass. If not I still think they have a chance to be special.

The main thing is lowering the reps of some of these players. You can't have 280 + players fighting all game for 90% of the snaps if you expect to be healthy and at the top of your game come playoffs. I think with all the players returning from injury and another leap from players like Collins, Hightower etc this defense can definitely be special. Add in Armstead and Easley and I think their is enough depth to make a huge run. Those two could be special as well, we just don't know yet what their impact will be this season.

All this and I haven't even mentioned the new additions in the secondary. Having a shutdown corner is something this team hasn't seen since Law. It changes the entire dynamic of the defense. Makes McCourty and every other player better. Game plans more aggressive etc.

My biggest hope is that the front 7 or whatever formation including the secondary feed off of one another and work in unison. Too many times this 3rd down defense has failed and extended the drive for the opposing team. It would be nice to see this team to be one of the best in that stat. It is very aggravating to watch them play well for two downs and then give it away.