POST Game Thread: It was the Best of Times, It was the Worst of Times Edition

shmessy said:

McDaniels loves the pass.

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running the ball won't land you that next big gig

supafly said:

As some other posters mentioned, I think it was still the correct call to play the percentages and try to go into the half up 14-6.

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Maybe. But it was still the absolute worst possible set of plays if that is your goal. Gray or Blount would both have been better options, even in a blatant running set. I get the first down try to fake out Miami, but after that it wasn't fooling anyone so you might as well stop being so damn cute.

That is the biggest complaint about McDaniels. He's always trying to outsmart the other guy instead of just going with what works. I was really optimistic after the Indy and Detroit games, but he's reverted to form big time the past three weeks.

EDIT: Ugggh... grammar.

Wheelman said:

Apologies if this has already been posted. Dolphins' fans pissed @ Phillip Wheeler for allowing Brady to get the first down on his run.

http://www.finheaven.com/showthread...ip-wheeler&s=42f3d67427b35acaf75156d644791fb4

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There's some very funny stuff in that thread. If Brady had been injured it wouldn't be funny at all though. No need for Brady to pull a Drew there.

Oswlek said:

That is the biggest complaint about McDaniels. He's always trying to outsmart the other guy instead of just going with what works. I was really optimistic after the Indy and Detroit games, but he's reverted to form big time the past three weeks.

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That said, I would think that tightening up the run defense would have been a point of emphasis for the LOLphins (the Pats got about 4 YPC, while the Ratbirds had almost 6 YPC last week).

Going back a bit further, look what happened to the Wildcat in 2008: it went from spectacularly effective in September to damn near useless in December.

ctpatsfan77 said:

That said, I would think that tightening up the run defense would have been a point of emphasis for the LOLphins (the Pats got about 4 YPC, while the Ratbirds had almost 6 YPC last week).

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CT, you are counting Shane Vereen's 6 for 5 yards (4 of which were 1st or 2nd down carries into the middle of the line) in that team average.

Vereen should never be the mule on first or second downs into the middle - - - no matter HOW much BB/McDaniels hate Jonas Gray. I'm glad they gave in on the ridiculousness in the 2nd half. It helped greatly on play action passes too.

Oswlek said:

Funny, I was pretty upset in the second half as well. When your QB ends up on the ground after nearly every pass play - even the successful ones - and you have a guy going for 5 yards a pop, (excuse my Motumboise) RUN THE DAMN BALL! NE was unnecessarily putting Tom in harms way long after the game was decided and it was infuriating. It's one thing if no one was getting near him, but why allow your QB to absorb half a dozen hits to expand a 31-13 lead to 41-13? Miami was in full roll over mode at that point and you probably do just as well toting the rock as you did slinging it.

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They were Peyton Manning it?

shmessy said:

McDaniels loves the pass.

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I never pass when I play Madden.

Good stuff. I still think it is funny about comparing Chung to Ward. Thought he was the most overrated signing of the offseason by the Broncos. The guy is no different than Chung. Good against the run, can cover in short yardage situations, a liability in deeper coverages.

Regarding Chung. Count me in the crowd that was saying, why oh why are you bringing him in?

Very glad to be wrong as Chung has been a big help this year. I'm not sure how much he has been helped by having Browner and REvis because most of his matchups seem to be 1 on 1. Perhaps it limits his role and allows him to focus on his 1 defender or he's matured to a point where he accepts his role.

Either way, could be happier with BBs bargain signings this year: Chung Ayers, Castillas ...

OL - much better blocking in the second half. Nice adjustments. They went to six, seven and even eight blockers on all pass plays with the three backs, Devlin, Hooman and Gronk all helping out at different times. That got Brady more time and less pressure. Miami's LBs and SS were jumping the runs, but the extra blockers mostly countered that too, getting Gray space to run. Pretty good job.

It looked like Vollmer spaced out a bit more on pass protection. Wendell missed two blocks in the first half but made several other key ones in both halves.

Other than one hurry, Odrick was manhandled most of the day.

BB really wanted to make Tannenhill beat us with his arm. He knew if that happens we will get a couple of turnovers and that would be the end of it. We did a great job of containing Tannenhill in the run game. With Jones back that gave us a guy who can pass rush from the outside and has the speed to chase down a guy. It gave us opportunity to play a Chung even Browner as a spy

@Brady6 ,On Siliga: a Seahawks fan I talk to said in his opinion Siliga would have been kept on their 53 man roster last season if it wasn't for them keeping a ton of DEs and playing the "NASCAR package" more than most teams.

The guy is an absolute beast so I'm glad they couldn't find space for him because it means he ended up in New England!

The Defense full of beasts & freaks is an absolute joy to watch, long may it continue!

patriot lifer said:

I was very surprised by how Chandler Jones tallied so many snaps. Reiss noted 55 of 81. And here I thought he'd have 10-15 reps.

Welcome back Chandler!

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I loved the reps Jones got. Having Ayers in there to give him breaks is a very good thing to have. Something Jones hasn't had since he's been here. He looked fresh the whole game and I hope they keep the reps the way they are. I love what Ayers gave this team in Chandlers absence and love what he gives this team in depth. Just a great pickup.

Taking a moment to reflect on another December victory.
Imagine being a fan stuck in the AFC East these past 15 years, looking forward to those December games against the Patriots. The Globe noted that Steve Ross has visited Gillette stadium six times as an owner, and has left as the loser all six times.
I'm one of the fans who lived through a lot of the tough times. This is amazing.

Brady6 said:

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- I hear a lot of chatter about Jonas Gray being better than Blount, which was true yesterday but why does it matter so much to everyone? I do not really care who is better, I think they are both very good RBs who we can rely on to get yards between the tackles. I am not going to say that Belichick should favor 1 more than the other, I think he should ride the hot hand as he has been doing. In previous games he actually had no real reason to use Gray, Blount was either effective or we were in passing situations.

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I think Blount and Gray are both good RBs as well. However, it seems clear to me that Gray is a bit more decisive in his cuts than Blount. Gray is one cut and go and Blount seems to be a bit more selective in picking the hole.

I think BB has a good problem right now.

robertweathers said:

I think Blount and Gray are both good RBs as well. However, it seems clear to me that Gray is a bit more decisive in his cuts than Blount. Gray is one cut and go and Blount seems to be a bit more selective in picking the hole.

I think BB has a good problem right now.

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Blount is a big bruiser who likes to cut like a speedy back. Gray more of a decisive runner. That is why Blount can be a big play threat over Gray, but why Gray hits the hole faster.

Brady6 said:

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- I hear a lot of chatter about Jonas Gray being better than Blount, which was true yesterday but why does it matter so much to everyone? I do not really care who is better, I think they are both very good RBs who we can rely on to get yards between the tackles. I am not going to say that Belichick should favor 1 more than the other, I think he should ride the hot hand as he has been doing. In previous games he actually had no real reason to use Gray, Blount was either effective or we were in passing situations.

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This +1. You hit the nail on the head. Why must it be a competition either or? DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN! I want both of them doing their thing, and Vereen doing HIS thing (which ain't running into the middle of the line on 1st downs).

The Patriots at LOADED at RB. Use it as a complement to the passing game - - and open up more play action fakes.

I don't know if this is by design or I'm just projecting something that isn't there, but it seems like the Patriots defense allows the opposing offense to live in an illusion that it is producing (Miami, Denver, Colts), a bunch of stats are created, and then at the end of the fourth quarter everybody looks at the scoreboard and it is 41-13.

shmessy said:

This +1. You hit the nail on the head. Why must it be a competition either or? DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN! I want both of them doing their thing, and Vereen doing HIS thing (which ain't running into the middle of the line on 1st downs).

The Patriots at LOADED at RB. Use it as a complement to the passing game - - and open up more play action fakes.

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I'm right there with you, but this line is patently false.

In previous games he actually had no real reason to use Gray, Blount was either effective or we were in passing situations.

Blount had more strong runs, but he was his usual, hesitant self enough of the time that the more consistent Gray could have been extremely helpful.