Overstating the Obvious

PatsFanInVa · Dec 26, 2014

Not for nothin', but I was feeling that there would be no bounce-back after the Chiefs game (my usual perfect timing.) And I'm not usually a chicken little type. I was also saying that Brady's under-performance was a matter of the O-line "gelling," but was feeling the unlikelihood of that happening. To me, this season since wk 4 has already exceeded (then) expectations.

What Ivan (I think, among others), said above, is true: You cannot have the best of everything. When we see one area that is questionable, e.g., O-line, we also know that every team has weaknesses, and that the Pats' weaknesses can be overcome in any given game. We'll see once this team has been through the crucible. The signs point to the Pats being among the serious contenders for the Lombardi - as measured today. The day after any loss after next week, it will look like they never belonged in the conversation, be it any margin of defeat. The Panthers and Eagles are forgotten. The Rams are only remembered because we upset them after one of them declared "Tonight a dynasty is born." Plus, they were an ongoing storyline for about 3 years... the Warner story, the Greatest Show on Turf story, the great D + great O story, etc.

Sorry about the side-track. Go Pats! We're one of the teams that look legit today... only the games can tell us what they'll look like after season's end.

shmessy · Dec 26, 2014

Rob0729 said:
BTW, Miguel said on PFW in Progress on Wednesday that if the Pats retained Mankins, there would have been no way the Pats would have been able to trade for Ayers or Casisas and signed Blount because they would not have the cap space. He said that actually trading away Mankins did actually help the Pats' this year.

Then I happily stand corrected.

This great trade is even better than I have been claiming.

moejr · Dec 26, 2014

LivinLovin&Breathin_Brady said:
While I agree with your assessment, I'm not too concerned about it. Excuse me for not seeing any real competition for the Pats in the AFC. Denver is garbage unless they are facing teams like Oakland, that helps anybody look bigger and badder than what they really are. Peyton is broke down, I don't believe in their overrated running back, and I'm sorry, but I must've missed Denver's GREAT defense in that game against Brady's offense several weeks ago. Denver is no more than hype and they're not even that anymore. Same thing with Pittsburgh. Antonio brown this, Roethlisberger that and I look at their schedule and I'm just shaking my head. 6 games were a given. The NFC south this year was nonexistent and who can't beat the Jags or the Titans these days. Steelers are hot garbage. The Colts, bad defense and Luck is sure to hand you the game on a silver platter. Outside of San Diego and possibly Miami, they know us too well and Tannehill, though I hate to say it and it was only Minnesota, but still he looked pretty good and determined to win. I don't see any reason why the Pats can't roll into the SB. Sure we have problems, mainly Josh McDaniels and penalties, but other teams have bigger problems.

IMO, the offenses in the NFC are a little weak, outside of GB and Dallas. I'm not too worried about Seattle's defense. Yeah, I keep hearing they are great and all, but they've only faced a bunch of scrubs for QBs, outside of Romo and Rivers and we saw what happened when they faced them. I'm not sold on Seattle. If we make the Superbowl we should be fine, unless Brady gets (1.)arrogant, like he did against the Giants in 2007. Steady trying to go deep, while his o-line was being dominated. (2.) Bad luck, Eli was lucky in both games or (3) Brady gets hurt, like I believe he did in that last SB against the Giants. He was killing it up until that sack.
Dallas got a whacky secondary and a not so reliable offense, stop Murray and force the mistake-prone Romo to throw it about 40 times and we got a victory. I'm not even worried about GB, they only beat us the first time because of a poor game-plan.

Those deep passes were called by JMD not Brady. The arrogant one was him not TB.

moejr · Dec 27, 2014

As much as it pains me to think of the SB 42 loss we got to be realistic. Our D now is a whole lot better than that D. That mediocre at best D held the Giants to 17 points. It was our O that crapped itself with poor play calling. If anything I would be worried about our O in the playoffs more than the D especially if we make it to the SB.

shmessy · Dec 27, 2014

moejr said:
As much as it pains me to think of the SB 42 loss we got to be realistic. Our D now is a whole lot better than that D. That mediocre at best D held the Giants to 17 points. It was our O that crapped itself with poor play calling. If anything I would be worried about our O in the playoffs more than the D especially if we make it to the SB.

You're not really going out on a limb there. Even though it is the highest scoring Offense in the NFL this year, just about everyone here is more worried about it getting stifled in a playoff/SB game. The D is healthy, deep and consistent since September. The Offense, while prolific, is not deep at all. The only position there that is deep and stocked is RB. Let's face it, Brady has gone "KC Jones 1987" and throws mainly to 2 WRs and 1 TE. Who's our 3, 4 and 5 WR's?

RobertWeathers · Dec 27, 2014

shmessy said:
Let's face it, Brady has gone "KC Jones 1987" and throws mainly to 2 WRs and 1 TE. Who's our 3, 4 and 5 WR's?

Last time I checked there was a real possibility that the team was going to have 2 WRs with over 1000 yards receiving. In addition, the team has an all-world TE who is also a 1000 yrd "receiver. With that said, I understand the "Big 3" connotation, but there isn't another NFL team that is even close to having this.

Keep in mind that Vereen is a 50 catch guy. Wright and Amendola are also viable targets. I would consider them you DJ, Ainge and Scott Wedman guys. Not day in/day out top performers, but certainly capable of playing very well.

While it would be great to have another Donte Stallworth or Jabar Gaffney-type player running out there, this team (as long as there aren't any major injuries and the line does it's job) can win a SB with this receiving corp.

A man named Brady · Dec 27, 2014

It's all about the trenches. The patriots haven't been able to protect Tom in the PS and opposing QBs have all day to throw. I don't think Peyton's jersey got dirty in the AFC title game

Ivan · Dec 27, 2014

A man named Brady said:
It's all about the trenches. The patriots haven't been able to protect Tom in the PS and opposing QBs have all day to throw. I don't think Peyton's jersey got dirty in the AFC title game

Guess that explains why they went 3-12. You guys were right they suck and the Kraft's should clean house.

supafly · Dec 27, 2014

robertweathers said:
While it would be great to have another Donte Stallworth or Jabar Gaffney-type player running out there, this team (as long as there aren't any major injuries and the line does it's job) can win a SB with this receiving corp.

I definitely agree that they could win the SB with the current group of receiving depth. As you say however, "it would be great" to see it improved upon in the offseason one way or another.

Getting the running game going will be big in the postseason (IMO).

Joker · Dec 27, 2014

Our new super secret speed burner weapon has been activated!! Get ready for turbocharged Rolls Royce Boyce!!!

Kdo5 · Dec 27, 2014

moejr said:
As much as it pains me to think of the SB 42 loss we got to be realistic. Our D now is a whole lot better than that D. That mediocre at best D held the Giants to 17 points. It was our O that crapped itself with poor play calling. If anything I would be worried about our O in the playoffs more than the D especially if we make it to the SB.

I wouldn't call the 2007 Pats D "mediocre at best". They were good but not elite. A lot of veterans and leaders but a little old. Not mediocre IMO. The team went 16-0 and it wasn't all the offense.

I think people look back at 2007 and try to discredit how good they actually were (a bit) because of the end result. If not for a miracle catch it'd be known as the best team in NFL history.

RobertWeathers · Dec 28, 2014

supafly said:
I definitely agree that they could win the SB with the current group of receiving depth. As you say however, "it would be great" to see it improved upon in the offseason one way or another.

Getting the running game going will be big in the postseason (IMO).

Just as I still am with Dobson, I'm still optimistic (but not confident) that Boyce can produce here. We shall see.

SHOWTIME15 · Dec 28, 2014

AndyJohnson said:
Meh. They struggled early. Sacked on 3rd down twice in the first 3 drives.
After that:

TD
Punt
Punt
FG on a 13 play 81 yard drive
TD
turnover
11 play clock killing drive

17 points which would have been at least 20 if not 24 if they needed them on the last drive in 7 drives is not that bad.
Not a great day, but hardly pathetic. Better communication in the OL and/or Connolly in there and they probably put up the normal 30.

Plus they would have scored another 7 on the last drive if they didn't tske a knee. Score should have at least been 24-16

supafly · Dec 28, 2014

Joker said:
Our new super secret speed burner weapon has been activated!! Get ready for turbocharged Rolls Royce Boyce!!!

I imagine that we'll be seeing some Josh Boyce action once Amendola/LaFell come out, although who knows? It's possible that Amendola will stay in the game to work with J.G., and that Boyce will never see the field.

In the meantime, it's nice to see Tyms seeing some real playing time. I think they can develop him into something that Kenbrell Thompkins never was, although I still think he's in the ballpark of comparable players.

Overstating the Obvious

PatsFanInVa

PatsFans.com Supporter

shmessy

Phoenix, AZ/Retired

moejr

In the Starting Line-Up

moejr

In the Starting Line-Up

shmessy

Phoenix, AZ/Retired

RobertWeathers

Member of the Seattle 7 & Roadie for Metallica

A man named Brady

Third String But Playing on Special Teams

Ivan

Hall of Fame Poster

supafly

Eff you, Shula

Joker

PatsFans.com Supporter

Kdo5

Pro Bowl Player

RobertWeathers

Member of the Seattle 7 & Roadie for Metallica

SHOWTIME15

No asterisks

supafly

Eff you, Shula

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