Hello New England Fans

Another huge factor in this game is if Sean Lee will play (concussion). I expect he will.

Sean Lee is a massive part of our run defense. The design of our DL is to occupy blockers on the way to the QB, which frees up the LBs to stop the run. Sean Lee is a bullet on the field and a perfect fit for this scheme. Rolando McClain's presence will help the run defense as well.

blueberryicedcoffee said:

Let me ask, based on what you've seen so far (albeit it being a small sample size), what do you think of Malcolm Brown?

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Underwhelmed. He's getting pushed around in there.

Key here is that it is only 3 games in.

But there may very well be a short-term reason why Belichick brought up Khyri Thornton and traded for Akiem Hicks.

That being said, it took 2 years for Vince to become Vince also.

The better (at this time) story on the line is that Dominique Easley will be back and at full strength for this game.

The kid is dynamite inside and the most disruptive potential pass rusher from a DT position on the Pats since Richard Seymour. He's a smallish DT on the cusp of breaking out with one of the fastest first moves off the snap I've ever seen. He's way under the radar right now, due to injuries in college and his rookie year.

I'll also echo that the Patriots major question mark/weakness is that secondary. It is a work in progress and if Weeden (or Cassel?) can get the ball downfield, that is probably the way to go.

blueberryicedcoffee said:

Another huge factor in this game is if Sean Lee will play (concussion). I expect he will.

Sean Lee is a massive part of our run defense. The design of our DL is to occupy blockers on the way to the QB, which frees up the LBs to stop the run. Sean Lee is a bullet on the field and a perfect fit for this scheme. Rolando McClain's presence will help the run defense as well.

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We don't have to run much though. We're very capable of throwing the ball 50-60 times and winning. The short quick passing game usually becomes a substitute for the run game vs teams with good running D.

blueberryicedcoffee said:

Really good information there.

I have watched a couple Patriots games this seasoned I'm really impressed with Collins. He is a fantastic player. I am a huge fan of McCourty, and we have a similar player in Byron Jones.

Let me ask, based on what you've seen so far (albeit it being a small sample size), what do you think of Malcolm Brown? Can he become that dominant DT you're looking for? I know a lot of Dallas fans were upset with us passing him up for Byron Jones. While we are not particularly strong at DT, a lot of that has to do with UT fans wanting to see him wear the star. I am originally from London, so I never adopted a college football team. I love it that way and I watch plenty of games, but when draft time rolls around I can watch tape and research players without bias.

Another player to watch out for is our 3-Tech Tyrone Crawford. He is a severely underrated player who constantly gets pressure and I expect him to benefit from Hardy's return, because Greg will demand attention.

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Funny you should mention Brown. Many here felt the same way about Jones, having gone to UConn and the obvious need we had at draft time letting Revis and Browner leave. Brown looks like he'll develop. He'll never be what Wilfork was, but so far he's avoided the injury bug, which has snake-bitten last years 1st round DT/DE Dominique Easley.

The thing to watch with NE is if Brady stays clean. That means the OL is gettin' it done.The interior was a concern at the outset of the season with C Stork and G/C Wendell being out and G/C Connoly retiring. Rookies UDFA C Andrews and 4th Rder Jackson along with 2013 UDFA Kline have filled in without skipping a beat. If you don't get pressure and hits on Brady he'll pick you apart. You don't want a shootout with him against Weeden. The 'Boys best chance is a ground game and chewing up clock. Realistically the only way stop Brady is to keep him off the field.

If Garrett is worth his salt he knows that's the only approach to beating NE. If that's what he tries to do you should get ample chances to see how Brown is faring.

OhExaulted1 said:

Funny you should mention Brown. Many here felt the same way about Jones

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Yep, Byron Jones was a major favorite of our draftnik community -- a rare athlete with good instincts, and the last CB on the board worthy of a first-round pick. A great deal of cursing was aimed in the general direction of Dallas when that selection was announced!

Brown dropping all the way to #32 was a nice consolation prize, though. And late-round CB Darryl Roberts was looking like a major find with near Jones-like athleticism but he was lost for the season with a wrist injury. (I know, I know, no complaining about injuries to Cowboys fans....)

I'm not taking this game lightly. Will the Pats win? Sure, but I hope our still young OL can keep Brady on his feet because Hardy is going to try to make a statement. And if for whatever reason the Pats take a huge lead, I hope they sit Brady and keep him safe.

venecol said:

I'm not taking this game lightly. Will the Pats win? Sure, but I hope our still young OL can keep Brady on his feet because Hardy is going to try to make a statement. And if for whatever reason the Pats take a huge lead, I hope they sit Brady and keep him safe.

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The only time Hardy has faced Brady was in 2013 and he sacked him once about midway through the 1st Qtr. He'll spend most of his day squaring off with a vet who's no slouch. Nate Solder.

I like that match-up for us.

As for Brady sitting? Highly doubt it. After Jerruh's comments, if we get a huge lead it's just going to be step on the throat time.

I don't expect Bill and Tom to show any mercy.

And they shouldn't.

Brown will be fine, he just needs a few more sandwiches after practice and games. He'll be fine!

I am surprised there was no snide remarks about your 'Elite QB' comment! I mean who the heck would that be? Did Dallas trade for a new QB?

Anyway, enjoy the game. It will be a good game!

And thank Hardy for talking about TB's wife. I am sure he appreciates it!

if romo is an elite qb, then what's brady?

Sorry, blue, there's not much we can do to slow down the vengeance tour that the Pats are on. Your owner shouldn't have spoken out against Tom Brady. I'm afraid it's going to be a long evening for you and your team.

OhExaulted1 said:

Last time Brady was in Dallas was 2007 and he hit 31-46 for 388 yards and 5 TD's while NE won 48-27.

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I was at this game on my honey moon. My wife bought the tickets as a wedding present, about 5 rows from the field. We pissed off the mascot. Yeee hawww!

i want sean lee to play. cowboys writers/fans hyping him like crazy.
some suggesting he can defend gronk without help. would love to see that!
particularly in the redzone when we flex him out wide...

blueberryicedcoffee said:

In all seriousness, this is the game I was looking forward to most before the season started. It would be an awesome game of Romo and Dez + defensive additions were playing.

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It's funny how things change. During the off-season this game appeared to almost certainly be game 4 of the Framegate suspension and as such, quite a challenge for Jimmy G to drive the offense well enough to keep up with Romo and Dez. Most of us had confidence we could get it done, but I'm sure most of us are glad we're starting TB12. I'm sorry that Romo and Dez are injured, but wouldn't be that sorry if Jerrah choked on his tongue just for a little while until a huge lineman gave him the Heimlich maneuver, maybe he'd be better for the experience... Just sayin'....

wolverinejoe80 said:

if romo is an elite qb, then what's brady?

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romo chokes. he is nowhere close to being elite.

Sorry Blue, I have always hated the Cowboys. Not so much the team, but the fact that they were SELF designated as America's team for no other reason than the mediots. But your post was thoughtful and well written and fans of your quality are always welcome here.

The Romo loss is huge. There are so few quality QB's in the league that losing one for any length of time is a big loss. Losing Dez is very over rated, just like the loss of ANY WR would be be. There are other here ho would disagree with me, but they'd be wrong. The fact is that the WR is more overhyped and over rated than any position on the field, simply because there are just so many good ones around.

The Pats have gone through this entire run of 15 years or so years and only had one "true" #1 WR for 2 of those years. (Moss) They media loves WR's, but I'd rather a great OLman or DT. They are much rarer.

BTW- what makes Gronk so rare ISN'T his receiving (though he is marvelous), but his ability as a first class blocker as well. It just makes him so effective and difficult to cover when he can line up as a run blocker as well.

I don't usually allow the "injury excuse" very often, but the Cowboys deserve it this time, and it's more than just Romo and Bryant. You guys have truly been hammered with injuries. On the plus side, you should get most of your guys back, and it's likely that only 9 or 10 victories will win you the division, and after that who cares what happened earlier in the season,.

As for Malcolm Brown, I will join most in saying that through 3 games he hasn't stood out. However I will add this observation. The Pats have had a number of good defensive linemen over the years, and it seems that in BB's system none of the defensive linemen seem exceptional in thier first season, including Seymour and Wilfolk. So what Brown will turn out to be is far from being told.

blueberryicedcoffee said:

Let me ask, based on what you've seen so far (albeit it being a small sample size), what do you think of Malcolm Brown? Can he become that dominant DT you're looking for? I know a lot of Dallas fans were upset with us passing him up for Byron Jones. While we are not particularly strong at DT, a lot of that has to do with UT fans wanting to see him wear the star.

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I would have to defer to someone more knowledgeable on this one for the finer points. I know the popular opinion is that Brown has been disappointing so far, and there were some metrics from PFF that graded him among the league's worst DTs against the pass and the run. PFF is kind of a joke, but it kicked a discussion here and I don't think anyone thinks Brown is flashing talent very often. So early, though, and I also don't think even the most pessimistic among us are close to declaring the B word just yet.

Once in awhile we get the pleasure to host opposing fans that inspire some good football talk on this board. Welcome to the club.

wolverinejoe80 said:

if romo is an elite qb, then what's brady?

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An elite QB. Probably the best in the NFL.

Right now, Brady and Rodgers are the best in the league. You can't go wrong with either. Manning, Romo and Brees are the other elites right now.

I like Andrew Luck, but I disagree with the people calling him elite. He will be one day but he isn't at this point. Neither is Wilson.

shmessy said:

The better (at this time) story on the line is that Dominique Easley will be back and at full strength for this game.

The kid is dynamite inside and the most disruptive potential pass rusher from a DT position on the Pats since Richard Seymour. He's a smallish DT on the cusp of breaking out with one of the fastest first moves off the snap I've ever seen. He's way under the radar right now, due to injuries in college and his rookie year.

I'll also echo that the Patriots major question mark/weakness is that secondary. It is a work in progress and if Weeden (or Cassel?) can get the ball downfield, that is probably the way to go.

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I am definitely a fa of Easley. He was my favorite DT in that draft class behind Donald. I'm looking forward to watching him play, our interior OL will be great matchup.