The "UnOfficial" Pats @ Vikings Post Game Thread

Jones is an All Pro when he isn't a 3-4 DE.

We have quite the trio of pass rushers with Jones, Hightower, and Ninkovich as OLBs. Can Collins play ILB?

RhodyPatriot said:

What I loved about this game is the Patriots won it going away and their offense had very little to do with the outcome. A very encouraging sign going forward for this team.

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The D and STs won this game. Brady may as well have stayed home. A lot of things to improve but SB caliber teams need Ds/STs that can win game all by themselves against lesser teams.

FourierSeries said:

Pass D has allowed an average of only 166 passing yards in the first two games - albeit against two mediocre QBs. Still very good though.

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Mediocre is being generous, but I don't care. After that first drive, they beat down Cassel as thoroughly as a really good pass D is supposed to beat him down.

Devlin got some opportunities out of the backfield in the first half and executed well.

Christopher Price ‏@cpriceNFL 7m
Brady looks bummed out. "We're going to try and make improvements."

Christopher Price ‏@cpriceNFL 5m
Brady: I'm happy we won, but I just wish we would go out there and play the way we're capable of.

patsinthesnow said:

Jones is an All Pro when he isn't a 3-4 DE.

We have quite the trio of pass rushers with Jones, Hightower, and Ninkovich as OLBs. Can Collins play ILB?

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In a 3-4? Absolutely, probably his best position. Makes it hard to target him in the run game and he can pursue plays rather than trying to seal the edge. I see Collins as a 4-3 SOLB and 3-4 ILB

Basically, it works for all the same reasons that Hightower at OLB theoretically could work well.

What I liked this game is that BB adapted in a good way. Something he really didn't do last game.

In the first drive I thought that the D was pretty good, except for Skinner. BB then seemed to move to fronts where we didn't need him on the field as much. Skinner is one of the worst linebackers I've ever seen in the NFL, he made Spikes look like a track star.

We also used Chandler more in the way he should be used, to rush on the outside. We used Revis for what he is, a true shutdown corner, and boy did he show he still got it. Re sign that man!

Hightower has been decent the first 2 years. But not that great. But I really like him when we play hime close to the line. I can see him and Chandler as our pass end of the line players in the future as Ninkovich isn't getting younger.

No two ways around it, McCourty is really good. He has good vision and understanding of the game. He also got good speed. So he can bait the QB to throw it and then pick it up like he did now. Boy do I like our Defensive pieces for the future with McCourty(sign the beast), Hightower, Chandler Jones, Jamie Collins.

Jones looked so much better out there. Hmm wonder why!?!?

And Revis was shut down today. 1-4 for only 5 yards and 1 INT i think? Will only get better

ALP said:

About amendola...why did he not play

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I mentioned this in the Amendola thread, but Amendola not only played a lot but was used effectively in tight as a de facto tight end. There were a number of mass protect passing plays where he was kept in to block (watch the Dobson catch, for instance) and he was very effective in the running game. If anything, you should be asking why they're using a 5-10 WR as a semi-blocking TE over much bigger guys like Wright (who can't block at all) or LaFell (who supposedly can).

Cool fact

2003
lost 1st game
2nd game won 31-10
2014
lost 1st game
2nd game won 30-7

pretty similar i smell ring #4

Revis played very very good.
Gost was money on FGs and KOs.
The Pats never gave up on the run and seemed to burn the whole 3rd quarter.
Mickey D went run happy. WTF??
Mickey D must have read this board about establishing the run.
See how many more opportunities there are for Brady with play action?
Offense, Defense and Special teams all contributed.

How much do you guys think the heat played in the Miami game. I am thinking bigger role in the loss then we think

Now THAT was game/clock management!!!!!!!

No more Miami game (2013 and 2014) crap.

Is it too crazy to think that Jones and Hightower could become our designated edge-rushers with Ninkovich being moved to Hightower's old position at LB?

I feel slightly less suicidal about the state of the offensive line after today, so that's nice.

Also nice to see Hightower really coming into his own. Jones, of course, is excellent.

Best news, though, is no major injuries (that I'm aware of).

DaBruinz said:

Good game overall.
Defense showed up. 4 Interceptions. 6 sacks and a forced fumble. Blocked punt.

The O-line seems to be finally gelling, though it still had a few hiccups..

The refs need to stop with all the onesided calling..

The refs got the call right on the pass to Jennings, despite Ian Eagle trying to say "But the ball crossed the plane". He still couldn't grasp it even after Mike Carey explained it to him. Ball has to be in control first. Means 2 points down in bounds.

Edelman showing why he could go down as one of the best punt returners in history..

Congratulations to Belichick on win number 200..

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Stuff like that is why I hate Ian Eagle. How hard is it to understand that ball placement doesn't matter if he didn't catch the ****ing ball in the first place?

BradyFTW! said:

In a 3-4? Absolutely, probably his best position. Makes it hard to target him in the run game and he can pursue plays rather than trying to seal the edge. I see Collins as a 4-3 SOLB and 3-4 ILB

Basically, it works for all the same reasons that Hightower at OLB theoretically could work well.

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If we are going to continue to use the 3-4 I think the goal by the end of the season should be:

LOLB – Hightower
LDT – Wilfork
NT – Siliga
RDE – Easley
ROLB – Jones
LILB – Mayo
RILB – Collins

Rotate Ninkovich in for Hightower and Jones to keep everyone fresh.

Christopher Price ‏@cpriceNFL 5m
Brady: I'm happy we won, but I just wish we would go out there and play the way we're capable of.

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Brady needs to look in the mirror. The Pats won this game because the coaches mostly took the ball out of his hands. Staring down receivers. Hopeless heaves down the sideline to kill drives. Throwing into heavy coverage.

Brady6 said:

If we are going to continue to use the 3-4 I think the goal by the end of the season should be:

LOLB – Hightower
LDT – Wilfork
NT – Siliga
RDE – Easley
ROLB – Jones
LILB – Mayo
RILB – Collins

Rotate Ninkovich in for Hightower and Jones to keep everyone fresh.

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That's a pretty good front 7, I agree. Easley is not an ideal 3-4 DE, but he's just not an ideal 3-4 guy period. It's not like there's another 3-4 position that he's better suited for.

Today confirmed one thing for me, and that is Tom Brady is not going anywhere. If Belichick really intended for Garopollo to take over for Brady he would have put him in the game today to get him reps, we had a commanding lead, and it would have been the perfect time. Garopollo is here to be Mallett, and nothing more than that is in the pipeline right now.