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..... and other assorted thoughts about tonight's game.
1. It was clear from the outset that BB didn't give a sh!t about the other team tonight. He had his own agenda and he followed it to a tee. Maroney needed extra work, and he got it, with the first NINE scripted plays being runs. The team needed to show they could make a big play, and BOOM... BB goes for it on 4th and short inside his own 30. No chance for a 2 minute drill at the end of the first have, so he goes out an immediately puts Brady into the 2 minute drill at the START of the second half. BB dictated what he wanted to do, especially on offense and he got it done.
2. Lots of very good stuff, starting with the OL and its pass rush blocking. I thought it was impressive when they showed the graphic that Peppers and the other DE combined to have the second most sacks in the league over the last 4 years....and they didn't get a sniff at Brady the entire night. The OL protected their QB like HE was the one who had the baby.
3. The rushing game was impressive, but I think the RBs and OL still are not in synch yet. With the zone blocking, the "rule" for RBs is one cut and go. I think, while fairly successful, Maroney did a little to much dancing in the backfield for my taste. He wasn't decisive enough IMO. Its not a criticism, since this was his first real live action, just an observation.
4. Given that the worst ball Brady threw was caught, it gives us a small insight to what we can expect to see more of, with Moss and Stallworth on the outside. Even with a well covered WR or a less than perfect ball, with those guys, we'll win the battle more often than not. If I'm a DC it will make it very hard to play anthing more than a deep umbrella 2 deep secondary. If you don't you risk giving up a lot of big plays.
5. This creates a NEW challenge for Brady. Thus far in his career he's been a lot more likely to throw to the hot receiver short against Blitz packages. I'm sure it will take some getting used to, to hold the ball a half second more and put it up there for Moss or Stallworth to go get. He will also have to recognize which WR is getting the safety over the top. If BOTH safeties are playing over the top, then the field just becomes wide open for Watson and Welker.
6. There were only a few disappointing plays. Watson's drop in the first quarter was mitigated some by the 4 catches he made the rest of the way, a couple were very tough grabs. Actually, I'm probably more pissed at the Penalty by Kazcur than Watson's drop, which might have been a more of a good play by a defender than a bad play by Watson. I'd have to see it a few more times to be sure one way or the other. Gotcha's 46 yd miss was disappointing, especially given his inconsistancies in previous games. The 52 yd miss didn't bother me at all. Carolina's TD play was the most disappointing. Not so much the catch, but the fact that he wasn't tackled. 2 guys took bad angles. I think one was Sanders, or it may have been Wilson. Someone who a DVR can let me know.
7. I LOVE having Thomas in the middle on run downs. He's still feeling his way, but when he GETS IT, he will give us a presence in the middle we haven't had since Teddy Johnson was in his heyday. On passing down, he gives us a lot of flexibility on playing him all over the field. I don't think he'll have the great INDIVIDUAL numbers he had with the Ravens, but I think his IMPACT to THIS team will be enormous.
8. Interesting that I don't remember season Jr on the field tonight.
9. I think the reports of the demise of Tedy Bruschi are over blown. I think the broken wrist and playing out of position were a couple of reasons why he seemed to slip last season. Back playing the WILL ILB, and with a healthy wrist, he looks a lot more comfortable and effective....at least to me. Does anyone else agree....or not.
10. I definitely think we will keep 6 WRs. Kelly Washington is to valuable a talent at WR and ST's to let go. I think Chad goes to the IR and Brown stays on PUP until the inevidable injury occurs
11. Speaking of Chad, I think a lot of people have been way to harsh on him. He's a great "talent", lots of "potential". Sure he had a disappointing first year, but that shouldn't be unexpected. This is a very tough offense to absorb, especially for a rookie. Don't forget he DID have 3 TDs in very limited playing time. I would like to see the list of rookie WRs with 3 TDs or more. I doubt its very long.
Secondly his knee injury usually takes OVER a full year to fully recover. That means recover to the point where he not only can make the cuts, but that he isn't in danger of REINJURING himself. (see Brian Fineran). By IRing Jackson, we not only protect an important asset, it will make it unnecessary to draft a first day WR or spend big money for high end FA, and we will need him next year because Brown WILL retire, and I doubt we keep BOTH Moss and Stallworth.
12. I was particularly impressed with the KO coverage. We consistantly pinned the Panthers inside their 25 (the rule is anything inside the 25 is a win for the coverage team, and outside the 30 is a win for the return team. When it ends up between the 25 and 30 its a draw) The punt coverage team wasn't as good, but it wasn't bad. KO returns were pretty good, but there were too many penalties. It needs work. BTW- Its a shame that CJ Jones has NO shot at making this team, he looks like a decent return guy.
13. Willie Andrews and Mike Richardson, got a lot of early play in this game. Andrews looks like a good bet to make this team, and it wouldn't shock me if Richardson is more than a PS member.
14. Randall Gay continued his excellent coverage. This is especially impressive since he was matched with Steve Smith a lot of times. I think the only time he really got behind him was on that Blitz that forced Delhomme to over throw the ball, and even then, we don't know for sure he had the principle coverage responsibility. BTW- I admire the heck out of Steve Smith as one of the top 3 WRs in the league. HOWEVER, I quickly got tired of him CONSTANTLY complaining to the refs every time the ball came near him or a defender touched him, even though HE initiated the contact. For god's sake, Steve, man up...will ya.
15. I am now officially comfortable with Cassell as our back up. Every game he gets better and more comfortable in the pocket. I don't recall Rohan Davey, EVER being that stable in the pocket. The pass he complete in the red zone against a full blitz was VERY impressive. He really hung in there. If Brady went down in game one, I'd feel we'd still have a good chance to make the playoffs with Cassell at the helm.
16. The punter had a good game... and when was the last time we saw 2 blocked kicks in the same game
17. Deirdorf, et all were pretty much annoying and inaccurate, BUT even then, they were head and shoulders above our local broadcast. Kraft seems to do everything so professionally, yet every year the preseason games that are produced locally get worse and worse.
Here are 2 suggestions. First the radio guys should do the play by play for the Preseason games (Geno & Gil) They would be a vast improvement over the two boobs who do it now. If they aren't available get Dale Arnold to do the play by play, and hire one of myriad local guys (Grogan, Hannah, DiOssi, Zolak, etc. My personal choice would be Steve Nelson) You'd still be way ahead, and at least they'd get the names right.
17. Oh Yeah, did I mention that the starting QB played pretty well too.
BOTTOM LINE: It was a lot better than the previous 2 games. This is the best team the Pats have ever fielded. Years ago it would be a shoe in to dominate the league. The defense was scary WITHOUT 3 of its best players in Samuel, Warren, and Seymour. Unfortunately the reality is, though this might be the most talented team in Pats history. The AFC is freakin littered with teams with just as much talent, if not more (SD, Denver, Balt. Indy, at the top, and then Cinci, Pitts, Jets and Jax can easily beat you if you bring less than your A game.) That being said, this team, of all the ones in BB's reign has the best chance of winning it all when you look at it at the start of the season.
1. It was clear from the outset that BB didn't give a sh!t about the other team tonight. He had his own agenda and he followed it to a tee. Maroney needed extra work, and he got it, with the first NINE scripted plays being runs. The team needed to show they could make a big play, and BOOM... BB goes for it on 4th and short inside his own 30. No chance for a 2 minute drill at the end of the first have, so he goes out an immediately puts Brady into the 2 minute drill at the START of the second half. BB dictated what he wanted to do, especially on offense and he got it done.
2. Lots of very good stuff, starting with the OL and its pass rush blocking. I thought it was impressive when they showed the graphic that Peppers and the other DE combined to have the second most sacks in the league over the last 4 years....and they didn't get a sniff at Brady the entire night. The OL protected their QB like HE was the one who had the baby.
3. The rushing game was impressive, but I think the RBs and OL still are not in synch yet. With the zone blocking, the "rule" for RBs is one cut and go. I think, while fairly successful, Maroney did a little to much dancing in the backfield for my taste. He wasn't decisive enough IMO. Its not a criticism, since this was his first real live action, just an observation.
4. Given that the worst ball Brady threw was caught, it gives us a small insight to what we can expect to see more of, with Moss and Stallworth on the outside. Even with a well covered WR or a less than perfect ball, with those guys, we'll win the battle more often than not. If I'm a DC it will make it very hard to play anthing more than a deep umbrella 2 deep secondary. If you don't you risk giving up a lot of big plays.
5. This creates a NEW challenge for Brady. Thus far in his career he's been a lot more likely to throw to the hot receiver short against Blitz packages. I'm sure it will take some getting used to, to hold the ball a half second more and put it up there for Moss or Stallworth to go get. He will also have to recognize which WR is getting the safety over the top. If BOTH safeties are playing over the top, then the field just becomes wide open for Watson and Welker.
6. There were only a few disappointing plays. Watson's drop in the first quarter was mitigated some by the 4 catches he made the rest of the way, a couple were very tough grabs. Actually, I'm probably more pissed at the Penalty by Kazcur than Watson's drop, which might have been a more of a good play by a defender than a bad play by Watson. I'd have to see it a few more times to be sure one way or the other. Gotcha's 46 yd miss was disappointing, especially given his inconsistancies in previous games. The 52 yd miss didn't bother me at all. Carolina's TD play was the most disappointing. Not so much the catch, but the fact that he wasn't tackled. 2 guys took bad angles. I think one was Sanders, or it may have been Wilson. Someone who a DVR can let me know.
7. I LOVE having Thomas in the middle on run downs. He's still feeling his way, but when he GETS IT, he will give us a presence in the middle we haven't had since Teddy Johnson was in his heyday. On passing down, he gives us a lot of flexibility on playing him all over the field. I don't think he'll have the great INDIVIDUAL numbers he had with the Ravens, but I think his IMPACT to THIS team will be enormous.
8. Interesting that I don't remember season Jr on the field tonight.
9. I think the reports of the demise of Tedy Bruschi are over blown. I think the broken wrist and playing out of position were a couple of reasons why he seemed to slip last season. Back playing the WILL ILB, and with a healthy wrist, he looks a lot more comfortable and effective....at least to me. Does anyone else agree....or not.
10. I definitely think we will keep 6 WRs. Kelly Washington is to valuable a talent at WR and ST's to let go. I think Chad goes to the IR and Brown stays on PUP until the inevidable injury occurs
11. Speaking of Chad, I think a lot of people have been way to harsh on him. He's a great "talent", lots of "potential". Sure he had a disappointing first year, but that shouldn't be unexpected. This is a very tough offense to absorb, especially for a rookie. Don't forget he DID have 3 TDs in very limited playing time. I would like to see the list of rookie WRs with 3 TDs or more. I doubt its very long.
Secondly his knee injury usually takes OVER a full year to fully recover. That means recover to the point where he not only can make the cuts, but that he isn't in danger of REINJURING himself. (see Brian Fineran). By IRing Jackson, we not only protect an important asset, it will make it unnecessary to draft a first day WR or spend big money for high end FA, and we will need him next year because Brown WILL retire, and I doubt we keep BOTH Moss and Stallworth.
12. I was particularly impressed with the KO coverage. We consistantly pinned the Panthers inside their 25 (the rule is anything inside the 25 is a win for the coverage team, and outside the 30 is a win for the return team. When it ends up between the 25 and 30 its a draw) The punt coverage team wasn't as good, but it wasn't bad. KO returns were pretty good, but there were too many penalties. It needs work. BTW- Its a shame that CJ Jones has NO shot at making this team, he looks like a decent return guy.
13. Willie Andrews and Mike Richardson, got a lot of early play in this game. Andrews looks like a good bet to make this team, and it wouldn't shock me if Richardson is more than a PS member.
14. Randall Gay continued his excellent coverage. This is especially impressive since he was matched with Steve Smith a lot of times. I think the only time he really got behind him was on that Blitz that forced Delhomme to over throw the ball, and even then, we don't know for sure he had the principle coverage responsibility. BTW- I admire the heck out of Steve Smith as one of the top 3 WRs in the league. HOWEVER, I quickly got tired of him CONSTANTLY complaining to the refs every time the ball came near him or a defender touched him, even though HE initiated the contact. For god's sake, Steve, man up...will ya.
15. I am now officially comfortable with Cassell as our back up. Every game he gets better and more comfortable in the pocket. I don't recall Rohan Davey, EVER being that stable in the pocket. The pass he complete in the red zone against a full blitz was VERY impressive. He really hung in there. If Brady went down in game one, I'd feel we'd still have a good chance to make the playoffs with Cassell at the helm.
16. The punter had a good game... and when was the last time we saw 2 blocked kicks in the same game
17. Deirdorf, et all were pretty much annoying and inaccurate, BUT even then, they were head and shoulders above our local broadcast. Kraft seems to do everything so professionally, yet every year the preseason games that are produced locally get worse and worse.
Here are 2 suggestions. First the radio guys should do the play by play for the Preseason games (Geno & Gil) They would be a vast improvement over the two boobs who do it now. If they aren't available get Dale Arnold to do the play by play, and hire one of myriad local guys (Grogan, Hannah, DiOssi, Zolak, etc. My personal choice would be Steve Nelson) You'd still be way ahead, and at least they'd get the names right.
17. Oh Yeah, did I mention that the starting QB played pretty well too.
BOTTOM LINE: It was a lot better than the previous 2 games. This is the best team the Pats have ever fielded. Years ago it would be a shoe in to dominate the league. The defense was scary WITHOUT 3 of its best players in Samuel, Warren, and Seymour. Unfortunately the reality is, though this might be the most talented team in Pats history. The AFC is freakin littered with teams with just as much talent, if not more (SD, Denver, Balt. Indy, at the top, and then Cinci, Pitts, Jets and Jax can easily beat you if you bring less than your A game.) That being said, this team, of all the ones in BB's reign has the best chance of winning it all when you look at it at the start of the season.
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