Idle thoughts - the exultation edition

NYCPatsFan · Nov 3, 2014

I loved the way the team tried to pull a fast one on the 4th and 1 punt (in the second half) by quickly substituting the O for the special teams. Credit the Broncos D for realizing it and returning fast to the field.

Felt bad for the referees.

Pity that we had to commit a penalty that forced us to punt.

I did think BB was smiling at the whole thing at the end even though it we ended up punting.

Great team win and that Gronk catch was just friggin unbelievable.

PatCat · Nov 3, 2014

I thought Lafell was reverting back to his old ways of underachieving in big games when he dropped that laser spiral in the end zone but to his credit he caught a few critical balls and a TD afterwards so all is well. Credit Brady for going back to him, Edelman redeemed himself as most thought he would and Gronk was a savage. On D collins, chung, Browner and Ninko held it down, Hightower is coming up if I may say. By the way "TFB" is my QB

archstanton543 · Nov 3, 2014

NYCPatsFan said:
I loved the way the team tried to pull a fast one on the 4th and 1 punt (in the second half) by quickly substituting the O for the special teams. Credit the Broncos D for realizing it and returning fast to the field.

Did I hear the announcers say that the new rule is that when you run a play like the Pats did, the refs have to let the other team get set? What's the point of running that play at all then? And why on that specific play? On normal plays, the offense can snap the ball if they're set and the defense isn't.

patfanken · Nov 3, 2014

Some comments on the comments:

1. Its kind of fascinating how a defense that gave up over 450yds is being perceived as having a great day. Now I put myself firmly in this group, despite the reality of that number, but I'm not quite sure how to justify it.

2. I also find it fascinating that Manning is telling the media that he stunk. I thought he played much better than I thought he would given the conditions. He made several throws into tight coverages that had to be PERFECT to be complete, many of them into the wind. To my view we beat Manning on one of his GOOD days, which makes this convincing victory even sweeter..

3. Ayers and Cassilas both made a few plays in the game, but make no mistake that these guys are role players that BB will get the best out of. No question they are great for mid season pick ups, but its not like we hit the lottery with either

4. I know I've said it before, but the best thing about this game was that this team's best game hasn't been played yet. Given all the hype before the game, one would have thought the Pats would have had to play a near perfect game to beat the "mighty broncos. Yet despite being FAR from perfect, they beat them soundly. I think that bodes well for the future of this team.

5. If the media can tell us what's going on with Dennard, they could actually do us a service for a change.

6. At the start of the season we all knew how hard this 6 game stretch was going to be, but we took comfort in knowing we had those 3 division games at the end of the season to fall back on to pad our "stats". Well it looks like NONE of those games will be easy. The Bills and Dolphins both look like playoff contenders, and the Jets, regardless of their record, will always play us tough in NJ.

It could very well be that by the time the season ends, the Pats will have played one of the toughest schedules in the league. It might even approach what the 2003 team did, which was win 10 games against teams that won 10 games or more. Now THAT was a feat than never gets the attention it deserves.

livinginthe past · Nov 3, 2014

Definitely agree with the upbeat observations of a very good team performance - as noted, its amazing to think that this was still actually far from perfect and we still smashed them.

One minor quibble, can we please do away with whatever that bizarre sprinting handoff thing is that Brady does now and then?

Not only does it look horrifically awkward it always seems to get the RB hit way behind the line.

borg · Nov 3, 2014

continued....
9) Watching NE's defense vs run heavy teams then watching NE vs Denver's offense.......can we officially state BB built this D with one team in mind? The Pats pieces matched up perfectly vs Denver's weapons. Collins has been a fish out of water...until yesterday.

10) Letting Knowshon Moreno go was a terrible decision by Elway (regardless of his 2014 injury)

11) Watching Gronk take shots to his knees drove me to drink yesterday. Head bad.....knees OK......gotcha NFL

12) AFC North......legit or frauds? (I vote the latter)

13) Will BB get the running game going over the bye week....I say yes. With the lack of practices, BB builds one sound structure at a time. Passing game.....BUILT. Phase two commences

Oswlek · Nov 3, 2014

Just want to give Tim Wright a little love. He didn't do much on scrimage downs yesterday, but check out his work on Julian's punt return.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-.../Wk-9-Can-t-Miss-Play-Edelman-s-record-return

When the ball is kicked, Tim is running from behind the punter (he was blocked wide and back, going as far back to the 20), nearly taking advantage of Colquitt's error. That is at the 8 second mark.

He goes out of view and is forgotten as we see Edelman catch and dodge the first would-be tackler and peel off toward the edge. But, just when it looked like a man might have the angle, there is Wright to make the hit that opens up the sideline. The block takes place on NE's 27 yard line at 16 second mark. From a near blocked punt, to a critical block; 52 yards in 8 seconds.

I'm sure that kind of effort is commonplace if you watch every single ST play closely enough, but I was impressed.

Rob0729 · Nov 3, 2014

Oswlek said:
Just want to give Tim Wright a little love. He didn't do much on scrimage downs yesterday, but check out his work on Julian's punt return.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-.../Wk-9-Can-t-Miss-Play-Edelman-s-record-return

When the ball is kicked, Tim is running from behind the punter (he was blocked wide and back, going as far back to the 20), nearly taking advantage of Colquitt's error. That is at the 8 second mark.

He goes out of view and is forgotten as we see Edelman catch and dodge the first would-be tackler and peel off toward the edge. But, just when it looked like a man might have the angle, there is Wright to make the hit that opens up the sideline. The block takes place on NE's 27 yard line at 16 second mark. From a near blocked punt, to a critical block; 52 yards in 8 seconds.

I'm sure that kind of effort is commonplace if you watch every single ST play closely enough, but I was impressed.

The best part of that play was Mike Carey shutting up Phil Simms because it clearly was not a bad block. Ok, it wasn't the best part, but whenever someone calls out Simms on national TV it is always sweet.

Oswlek · Nov 3, 2014

Some other random thoughts:

* Was anyone else surprised Manning wasn't in full-on "Let's go for 450, guys!" mode at the end of the game?

* When you consider that two NE non-scoring drives included sure LaFell TD misfires, the four free points handed to Denver on their first TD drive, all the drops and the fact that Denver's second TD was coaxed by the refs like a set of overprotective parents coddling their over-matched kids.... I don't see how anyone can spin this as a game where the Broncos were just a few mistakes away from winning.

* The biggest drive of the game, IMO, was after Denver scored to make it 37-21. As much as NE dominated the game to that point, Denver had scored twice in the 3rd quarter and barely needed 4:00 of possession to do so. Even on the turnover, Welker was open. It wasn't that outlandish to imagine the Broncos scoring a couple more times given that there was still nearly 6:00 left in the third quarter.

Instead, NE chewed up all 5:50 and even a couple minutes into the 4th quarter, culminating in a TD that put the nail in the coffin. That was a championship level drive.

* As much as I complain about the refs, I have to admit to being surprised that they allowed NE to drill guys on the ground. I saw at least three plays where a Denver player made no effort to get up and instead of a tap, the defender laid into him. One of them (by Collins, I think) really should have been flagged for unnecessary roughness.

I'm sure I'll have a few more things as threads jog my memory. Good win.

borg · Nov 3, 2014

Oswlek said:
Some other random thoughts:

* Was anyone else surprised Manning was in full-on "Let's go for 450, guys!" mode at the end of the game?

New England scored 21 points in 57 seconds vs Chicago the week before. I don't get why so many find fault with Manning trying to get his team back into the game until the very end.

mayoclinic · Nov 3, 2014

patfanken said:
1. Its kind of fascinating how a defense that gave up over 450yds is being perceived as having a great day. Now I put myself firmly in this group, despite the reality of that number, but I'm not quite sure how to justify it.

I think it's quite simple: the defense contested every yard, and clearly confused Manning; they held Manning to 3/11 on 3rd down and 0/4 on 4th, causing 4 drives to end on downs; they kept Denver scoreless on 10/13 drives; and they intercepted Manning twice (only 3 prior interceptions in 7 games).

The situational football was terrific. The yards were mostly meaningless.

Oswlek · Nov 3, 2014

borg said:
New England scored 21 points in 57 seconds vs Chicago the week before. I don't get why so many find fault with Manning trying to get his team back into the game until the very end.

I'm not seeing what this has anything to do with the comment you quoted. What am I missing?

Uncle Rico · Nov 3, 2014

borg said:
10) Letting Knowshon Moreno go was a terrible decision by Elway (regardless of his 2014 injury)

Absolutely. And Elway gets a free pass for cheaping out on such a key area.

TruthSeeker · Nov 3, 2014

archstanton543 said:
Did I hear the announcers say that the new rule is that when you run a play like the Pats did, the refs have to let the other team get set? What's the point of running that play at all then? And why on that specific play? On normal plays, the offense can snap the ball if they're set and the defense isn't.

Well, they have to give the defense an opportunity to substitute when the offense substitutes. Exactly how much of an opportunity that is (i.e. when the offense can snap the ball after the defense gets on the field) is a judgment call.

reflexblue · Nov 3, 2014

Rob0729 said:
The best part of that play was Mike Carey shutting up Phil Simms because it clearly was not a bad block. Ok, it wasn't the best part, but whenever someone calls out Simms on national TV it is always sweet.

i had to turn the sound off because sims just wouldn't let it go. so it was great he got slapped down. its one thing to call a game or add color its another to openly root for one team over another, or to try and diminish what a team accomplishes

hwc · Nov 3, 2014

reflexblue said:
I put this on Fox, it was impossible for denver to win the game down soo many points with appx. a minute left but Fox uses his time outs just to delay the enevitable, bush league move.

I agree. Bush league by Fox. Peyton apparently thought so, too. Called running plays when he came back on the field to get it over.

Oswlek · Nov 3, 2014

borg said:
New England scored 21 points in 57 seconds vs Chicago the week before. I don't get why so many find fault with Manning trying to get his team back into the game until the very end.

Ha! Now I get it. Typo on my part, should have read:

* Was anyone else surprised Manning wasn't in full-on "Let's go for 450, guys!" mode at the end of the game?

I was surprised that they stopped passing, not that they should have given up midway through the 3rd quarter. DOH!

NYCPatsFan · Nov 3, 2014

archstanton543 said:
Did I hear the announcers say that the new rule is that when you run a play like the Pats did, the refs have to let the other team get set? What's the point of running that play at all then? And why on that specific play? On normal plays, the offense can snap the ball if they're set and the defense isn't.

Yes on the first, which is why you had a ref having a hand on the ball that prevented the NE center from snapping it.

Truthseeker feedback is a great one.

rochrist · Nov 3, 2014

mayoclinic said:
Browner is a key. He brings tremendous physicality, aggressiveness and attitude to the defense - the closest thing we've had to a Rodney since 2008. The defense is noticeably more physical when he's in the game. I'll trade a few penalties for that.

He's a lot better in coverage than I expected as well.

rochrist · Nov 3, 2014

patfanken said:
Some comments on the comments:

1. Its kind of fascinating how a defense that gave up over 450yds is being perceived as having a great day. Now I put myself firmly in this group, despite the reality of that number, but I'm not quite sure how to justify it.

2. I also find it fascinating that Manning is telling the media that he stunk. I thought he played much better than I thought he would given the conditions. He made several throws into tight coverages that had to be PERFECT to be complete, many of them into the wind. To my view we beat Manning on one of his GOOD days, which makes this convincing victory even sweeter..

3. Ayers and Cassilas both made a few plays in the game, but make no mistake that these guys are role players that BB will get the best out of. No question they are great for mid season pick ups, but its not like we hit the lottery with either

4. I know I've said it before, but the best thing about this game was that this team's best game hasn't been played yet. Given all the hype before the game, one would have thought the Pats would have had to play a near perfect game to beat the "mighty broncos. Yet despite being FAR from perfect, they beat them soundly. I think that bodes well for the future of this team.

5. If the media can tell us what's going on with Dennard, they could actually do us a service for a change.

6. At the start of the season we all knew how hard this 6 game stretch was going to be, but we took comfort in knowing we had those 3 division games at the end of the season to fall back on to pad our "stats". Well it looks like NONE of those games will be easy. The Bills and Dolphins both look like playoff contenders, and the Jets, regardless of their record, will always play us tough in NJ.

It could very well be that by the time the season ends, the Pats will have played one of the toughest schedules in the league. It might even approach what the 2003 team did, which was win 10 games against teams that won 10 games or more. Now THAT was a feat than never gets the attention it deserves.

I think Ayers is potentially better than you're giving him credit for.

Idle thoughts - the exultation edition

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