Game Thoughts: The Pats Kansas City BBQed the Chiefs Edition

Here we go:

• Looks like the pre-injury Patriots are back. The game wasn't perfect to say the least, but the game wasn't nearly as close as the score indicated. In the first half, the Chiefs couldn't stop the Patriots offense and were lucky a rust Edelman had a case of the dropsies early or the Pats would have probably been up by 2-3 TDs at halftime. The only time the Chiefs stopped the Patriots offense in the first half was when the Patriots offense stopped themselves.
• Speaking of Edelman, it is safe to say he is the Patriots' best offensive lineman. I don't want to diminish the job that the o-line did yesterday, but with Edelman on the field the o-line was like night and day. The Pats could spread out the opposing defense and Brady got rid of the ball quickly.
• I think Amendola is going to draw the ire of Belichick when they review the film for that personal foul. Not for the hit itself, but the fact it was stupid for him to be in that area with the ball bouncing around in that area. What if the ball hit Amendola? That would have been a live ball just outside the goalline. When Amendola decided not catch the ball, his job was to get away from the ball.
• If Gronk was less than 100%, you certainly couldn't tell. Probably going to get the haters to accuse the Pats of cheating so way. Screw them! Just happy to see Gronk being Gronk.
• Anyone else think that long reception to Keyshawn Martin was intended for Gronk and Brady just overthrew him?
• Third down defense was a little disconcerting last night. I can't trash the defense because although they let long drives end in 3 or no points rather than TDs, but they definitely need to improve in this area and quick especially if the Pats face a high powered offense with the Steelers.
• For all the crap Marcus Cannon gets (much is very justified), he was outstanding last night.
• I think Brandon LaFell is not long for this team. People think Amendola will be gone because of his contract, but I think he will take a pay cut to stay. LaFell has fallen off the map and cn easily be replaced.
• Wow, Andy Reid really does not understand clock management. I don't even know where to begin. Forget the lack of urgency. Forget he was sitting on three time outs and chose to let time run out before the two minute warning rather than using a time out and using the two minute warning as another time out. What are they doing huddling at first and goal down by two TDs with about three minutes left?
• I think the Pats can beat either Pittsburgh or Denver, but I am rooting for Denver. I want the Pats to have one last shot to send Manning packing in the playoffs. The Brady/Manning battles we have become accustom to are long gone with Manning a shell of himself. But I would like to see it one last time.

Chiefs’ Jamell Fleming compares Danny Amendola hit to Vontaze Burfict

seriously ?

Andy Reid Needs to Respect the Clock

Lafell 2.5 million in cap savings if cut. Still hoping for the dream:

Edelman
Gordon
Amendola
Martin
Harper/Dobson/Tyms/rookie

Reiss thinks BB will target the draft for an outside WR but I think he is tired of that route. Even if Gordon costs a 3rd and another low pick, he's still on the last year of his rookie deal and a proven threat albeit risky.

Amendola is tricky. We shouldn't get rid of both but it's tough to say that he is worth his contract.

Is Brandon Gibson under contract next year? He could be a nice option coming off IR.

LaFell just can't seem to find a rhythm at all for some reason. He has made a few (very few) nice grabs and showed that ability to break tackles. But those are few and far between. I didn't even notice him yesterday. He could have been wearing the red non-contact jersey and I STILL would not have noticed him. This is coming from me, one of the biggest LaFell fans on the board. He has been a non-factor mostly all season.

Aside from that, Reid shows the more things change the more they stay the same as far as managing the clock in big situations. It's like the game has to be going a certain pace for him to be good. He doesn't rise to the moment or the ebs and flows of the game.

And I knew KC was done when I heard Smith's quip about something always happening in Foxboro and how they had to be prepare for anything (off the field shenanigans). Somebody should have told him to prepare more for what would happen on the field.

patsinthesnow said:

Lafell 2.5 million in cap savings if cut. Still hoping for the dream:

Edelman
Gordon
Amendola
Martin
Harper/Dobson/Tyms/rookie

Reiss thinks BB will target the draft for an outside WR but I think he is tired of that route. Even if Gordon costs a 3rd and another low pick, he's still on the last year of his rookie deal and a proven threat albeit risky.

Amendola is tricky. We shouldn't get rid of both but it's tough to say that he is worth his contract.

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Holy moly. Adding Josh Gordon on the outside here would be amazing if he could grasp it and stay out of trouble. BB would sign him to a nice contract in return if he worked hard and kept clean... Add Dion Lewis and James White to that crew at RB plus Gronk and you've got a lethal, lethal offense. Hopefully the offensive line can be coached up more next year, maybe with a couple additions. Getting Solder back will definitely help a lot.

Rob0729 said:

Here we go:

• Looks like the pre-injury Patriots are back. The game wasn't perfect to say the least, but the game wasn't nearly as close as the score indicated. In the first half, the Chiefs couldn't stop the Patriots offense and were lucky a rust Edelman had a case of the dropsies early or the Pats would have probably been up by 2-3 TDs at halftime. The only time the Chiefs stopped the Patriots offense in the first half was when the Patriots offense stopped themselves.
• Speaking of Edelman, it is safe to say he is the Patriots' best offensive lineman. I don't want to diminish the job that the o-line did yesterday, but with Edelman on the field the o-line was like night and day. The Pats could spread out the opposing defense and Brady got rid of the ball quickly.
• I think Amendola is going to draw the ire of Belichick when they review the film for that personal foul. Not for the hit itself, but the fact it was stupid for him to be in that area with the ball bouncing around in that area. What if the ball hit Amendola? That would have been a live ball just outside the goalline. When Amendola decided not catch the ball, his job was to get away from the ball.
• If Gronk was less than 100%, you certainly couldn't tell. Probably going to get the haters to accuse the Pats of cheating so way. Screw them! Just happy to see Gronk being Gronk.
• Anyone else think that long reception to Keyshawn Martin was intended for Gronk and Brady just overthrew him?
• Third down defense was a little disconcerting last night. I can't trash the defense because although they let long drives end in 3 or no points rather than TDs, but they definitely need to improve in this area and quick especially if the Pats face a high powered offense with the Steelers.
• For all the crap Marcus Cannon gets (much is very justified), he was outstanding last night.
  
• I think Brandon LaFell is not long for this team. People think Amendola will be gone because of his contract, but I think he will take a pay cut to stay. LaFell has fallen off the map and cn easily be replaced.
• Wow, Andy Reid really does not understand clock management. I don't even know where to begin. Forget the lack of urgency. Forget he was sitting on three time outs and chose to let time run out before the two minute warning rather than using a time out and using the two minute warning as another time out. What are they doing huddling at first and goal down by two TDs with about three minutes left?
• I think the Pats can beat either Pittsburgh or Denver, but I am rooting for Denver. I want the Pats to have one last shot to send Manning packing in the playoffs. The Brady/Manning battles we have become accustom to are long gone with Manning a shell of himself. But I would like to see it one last time.

Click to expand...

I agree that Marcus Cannon gets a lot of grief from some posters. He earned his paycheck in this Divisional Playoff game though. I'm glad you noticed it too.

You are daft if you think that replacing LaFell is an easy thing to do. He is not an uber-talent, but he does lots of little things that win games. Trying to find an outside receiver who will gladly block like a TE is a very very difficult tasks, amid all the Prima Donnas. When he can be employed and cove as the third WR, as an outside receiver he is invaluable.

Beware what you wish for , you just might get it. The Pats home Playoff record is just so much better than their road record.

Rob0729 said:

• Speaking of Edelman, it is safe to say he is the Patriots' best offensive lineman. I don't want to diminish the job that the o-line did yesterday, but with Edelman on the field the o-line was like night and day. The Pats could spread out the opposing defense and Brady got rid of the ball quickly.

Click to expand...

I think Edleman makes a terrible offensive lineman, But, I agree with the sentiment that Edleman and Brady are a lineman's best friend. I'd be curious to know how quickly Brady was getting rid of the ball. all in all, it felt comfortable for Brady and you can tell this offense goes through Edleman, moreso than Gronk. But, Gronk is definitely a difference maker and having both of them together is wesome.

• Rob0729 said:

  Third down defense was a little disconcerting last night. I can't trash the defense because although they let long drives end in 3 or no points rather than TDs, but they definitely need to improve in this area and quick especially if the Pats face a high powered offense with the Steelers.

  Click to expand...

Yeah, those long conversions just hurt and the % was certainly skewed to favor the Chiefs. i recall mentioning that the Patriots might play contain with Smith and getting a few people tell me I was wrong. I'd be curious if they feel differently after yesterday. Alex Smith, while not an elite athlete, makes good decisions, throws a pretty good ball and is an effective runner when necessary (perhaps deceptively so).

Your boy Ryan couldn't cover anything once again.

I like the focus on the pass. BB knows Brady is motivated to win his 5th sb in his hometown and is putting the ball in his hands all game. I'm sure we'll see the same next week.

Marqui said:

Your boy Ryan couldn't cover anything once again.

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He's not my boy. I just didn't get why people were trashing the guy when he was playing great for most of the year. He played like crap for the most part yesterday, but this game has been more of the exception than the rule.

AzPatsFan said:

I agree that Marcus Cannon gets a lot of grief from some posters. He earned his paycheck in this Divisional Playoff game though. I'm glad you noticed it too.

You are daft if you think that replacing LaFell is an easy thing to do. He is not an uber-talent, but he does lots of little things that win games. Trying to find an outside receiver who will gladly block like a TE is a very very difficult tasks, amid all the Prima Donnas. When he can be employed and cove as the third WR, as an outside receiver he is invaluable.

Beware what you wish for , you just might get it. The Pats home Playoff record is just so much better than their road record.

Click to expand...

LaFell of 2014 is not easily replaced. LaFell of 2015 is. Not all WRs are prima donnas. Many can block just as good as LaFell.

Rob0729 said:

I think Brandon LaFell is not long for this team. People think Amendola will be gone because of his contract, but I think he will take a pay cut to stay. LaFell has fallen off the map and cn easily be replaced.

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I honestly think that LaFell never really fully recovered from his foot injury and is still bothered by it. That's what I read between the lines when BB talked about LaFell missing lots of time preseason and still catching up.

Really doubt that he will be cut but rather will get a full offseason to get back to 100%.

Marqui said:

Your boy Ryan couldn't cover anything once again.

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I am still waiting for you to tell me why you think Ryan had a bad game. He was beat a few times by great plays (and failures by our pass rush to get Smith down) but played overall good enough to keep the coverage tight on many more plays.

Only major point of contention for me is LaFell. He's had a very bad year, but I think the Pats give him the offseason to heal up and get back out there. He hasn't been healthy at any point this year.

My thoughts.

1. Brady was amazing, 48 out of the 56 offensive plays were created by TB. He picked apart the best defense (stats wise) in the second half of the season.
2. The return of Edelman was huge.
3. Gronk YAC using pure strength is amazing to see.
4. The trio of Chung/Collins/Hightower in the middle of field was huge against KCs quick passing attack
5. KC played outstanding and was the toughest game we played all season.

luuked said:

I am still waiting for you to tell me why you think Ryan had a bad game. He was beat a few times by great plays (and failures by our pass rush to get Smith down) but played overall good enough to keep the coverage tight on many more plays.

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I don't know what game you were watching but Ryan didn't have "tight coverage on many plays".