The most Dangerous Teams

Over the last couple of weeks we were severly challenged by two teams with horrible records. Now we face a team thats 9-2 in Pittsburgh. It doesn't look so good until you take into consideration that Philly,and Baltimore are done for the season,they had nothing to lose and everything to gain by beating us. So also feeling dissrespected they threw everything at us. On top of the kitchen sink,they also threw the toaster,microwave,tv,and grandpa Freddys ashes at us. They took all kinds of chances. Now a team with something to lose isn't going to do this because well, they have something to lose if they lose, a division,a play off berth, a better play off position. So it might actually be easier playing someone like the Steelers,or the Giants,and harder playing teams like Miami,or the Jets (I wish I had better examples) I think we roll on both. But it may explain the last two weeks,or is that stating the obvious. Your thoughts

reflexblue said:

Over the last couple of weeks we were severly challenged by two teams with horrible records. Now we face a team thats 9-2 in Pittsburgh. It doesn't look so good until you take into consideration that Philly,and Baltimore are done for the season,they had nothing to lose and everything to gain by beating us. So also feeling dissrespected they threw everything at us. On top of the kitchen sink,they also threw the toaster,microwave,tv,and grandpa Freddys ashes at us. They took all kinds of chances. Now a team with something to lose isn't going to do this because well, they have something to lose if they lose, a division,a play off berth, a better play off position. So it might actually be easier playing someone like the Steelers,or the Giants,and harder playing teams like Miami,or the Jets (I wish I had better examples) I think we roll on both. But it may explain the last two weeks,or is that stating the obvious. Your thoughts

Click to expand...

Not sure I buy this; the Steelers are still in the hunt for a top seeding in the AFC, albeit only just and if they finish with four wins, I think 13-3 might be good enough if Indy dropped another to an AFC team. So they'll be hard out there.

The Giants might slacken off, because they will likely know their fate by week 17, and probably their seeding (number 5) and will not have the benefit of the bye week. But the G Men also have a fast pass rush defence that will have watched what the Ravens and Eagles did and might believe they can upset the apple cart.

As for the Jets and the Fins. They're just not good enough for it to matter how hard they play. The Ravens, despite their lousy record, have talent all over the team, and played to it last night for the first time in ages. Neither Jets nor Phins have anything like that potential.

ironwasp said:

Not sure I buy this; the Steelers are still in the hunt for a top seeding in the AFC, albeit only just and if they finish with four wins, I think 13-3 might be good enough if Indy dropped another to an AFC team. So they'll be hard out there.

The Giants might slacken off, because they will likely know their fate by week 17, and probably their seeding (number 5) and will not have the benefit of the bye week. But the G Men also have a fast pass rush defence that will have watched what the Ravens and Eagles did and might believe they can upset the apple cart.

As for the Jets and the Fins. They're just not good enough for it to matter how hard they play. The Ravens, despite their lousy record, have talent all over the team, and played to it last night for the first time in ages. Neither Jets nor Phins have anything like that potential.

Click to expand...

My point is the steelers, or a team in their position won't take the risks that teams with nothing to lose would.They'll play tough but most likly straight up no trickery,no on side kicks in the first quarter etc.

IMO, the most dangerous teams are the ones that have a good-very good pass rush and run D. These teams are also able to run the ball.

The Pats run D has been horrid the past couple of weeks which is the oppositions greatest ally when facing them because it keeps our O off of the field.

One team that comes to mind that is like this is Pittsburgh. Parker hasn't been great as of late but he is still a threat to take it all the way to the house whenever he touches it. If the tackling doesn't improve and they can't stop the run, they will be run over in the playoffs. The D line needs to start stepping up, especially Seymour.

The Steelers are the only team with a chance of stopping the Patriots (and its a small chance). The short week for the Patriots helps the Steelers significantly. Given how physical this Ravens game was, my guess is it takes a day longer to recoop than the usual game. But the Steelers also suck on the road.

The Jets/Dolphins on their best day don't have the skill to beat the Patriots on the Patriot's worst day.

And if the Patritots are 15-0 against the Giants, there is no way they lose that game. Every Patriot will have plenty of motivation to go all out. One game from making history. This will be the Patriots pre-superbowl-superbowl. & In the best case (for us), the Giants will have no motivation and will be resting their starters -- since they won't get a bye in the following week and their playoff seed may already be set win or lose.

I've come to the conlusion that Laurence Maroney IS NOT THE ANSWER. The Patriots can't run the ball with that guy. Sammy Morris a career backup was MUCH better until he got hurt. It was evident that he was the #1 back and Maroney was his backup. I saw a back with absolutely NO explosion even in the open field.

I've never seen a HB run the ball and after every whistle the guy is still standing up. Morris would fall forward for 3 yards but Maroney runs too damn upright with NO POWER. Watch the replay, every time the guy runs the ball he's gang tackled and still standing up right then gets pushed backwards 3 yards. What the heck!?!?

With that said teams like the Steelers might make it more interesting then it needs to be. If the Patriots continue to keep passing passing and passing with 3 and outs that means the defense will be dog tired. The Steelers then get to play keep away and make just enough plays to make it close. Thats basically what the Ravens and Eagles did. They made enough plays on defense and kept the ball on offense. It's not complicated. I'd be really curious to see what the team would do in rainy or really snowy conditions, what go 4-5 wide still?

I don't care what anyone says I'm really starting to believe they can't run the ball.

MrTibbs said:

I've come to the conlusion that Laurence Maroney IS NOT THE ANSWER. The Patriots can't run the ball with that guy. Sammy Morris a career backup was MUCH better until he got hurt. It was evident that he was the #1 back and Maroney was his backup. I saw a back with absolutely NO explosion even in the open field.

I've never seen a HB run the ball and after every whistle the guy is still standing up. Morris would fall forward for 3 yards but Maroney runs too damn upright with NO POWER. Watch the replay, every time the guy runs the ball he's gang tackled and still standing up right then gets pushed backwards 3 yards. What the heck!?!?

Click to expand...

I've been a staunch Maroney supporter, and I always disagreed with those who thought he "dances too much".

Actually, all good backs "dance" in the hole, it's how they avoid tacklers. Maroney doesn't seem to have this elusiveness. He runs too upright and like you said, has no power because of it. Also, he somehow lost that explosiveness he showed early last year. So, now, he is no skills that really jump out at you.

reflexblue said:

Over the last couple of weeks we were severly challenged by two teams with horrible records.

Click to expand...

So what?

reflexblue said:

Now we face a team thats 9-3 in Pittsburgh. It doesn't look so good until you take into consideration that Philly,and Baltimore are done for the season, they had nothing to lose and everything to gain by beating us. So also feeling dissrespected they threw everything at us.On top of the kitchen sink,they also threw the toaster,microwave,tv,and grandpa Freddys ashes at us. They took all kinds of chances.

Click to expand...

What chances did the Baltimore Ravens take? Where were the trick plays by the Baltimore Ravens? What game were you watching last night? The Baltimore Ravens played straight up smash mouth football for three quarters.

reflexblue said:

Now a team with something to lose isn't going to do this because well, they have something to lose if they lose, a division,a play off berth, a better play off position. So it might actually be easier playing someone like the Steelers,or the Giants,and harder playing teams like Miami,or the Jets (I wish I had better examples) I think we roll on both. But it may explain the last two weeks,or is that stating the obvious. Your thoughts

Click to expand...

BALONEY! Stop rationalizing the Patriots poor performance the last two weeks, especially on defense. As for the Patriots offense, Josh McDaniels better revert back to a balance offensive attack as was the case against the Washington Redskins.

letekro said:

I've been a staunch Maroney supporter, and I always disagreed with those who thought he "dances too much".

Actually, all good backs "dance" in the hole, it's how they avoid tacklers. Maroney doesn't seem to have this elusiveness. He runs too upright and like you said, has no power because of it. Also, he somehow lost that explosiveness he showed early last year. So, now, he is no skills that really jump out at you.

Click to expand...

There is no doubt and anyone who comes in here trying to challenge that fact GO WATCH THE REPLAY. Watch almost every game this season that he's played and it's right there.

letekro said:

I've been a staunch Maroney supporter, and I always disagreed with those who thought he "dances too much".

Actually, all good backs "dance" in the hole, it's how they avoid tacklers. Maroney doesn't seem to have this elusiveness. He runs too upright and like you said, has no power because of it. Also, he somehow lost that explosiveness he showed early last year. So, now, he is no skills that really jump out at you.

Click to expand...

I'm convinced after last night that Maroney is a bust. A good back will make his cuts but he'll be moving forward as he's doing it. This way he keeps his momentum and power. Maroney's problem is that he's making his cuts after he's already lost that momentum because he's moving east to west. Watch the good ones, they read the field while maintaining that forward power.

BTW, for those who are going to point out his gains last night, that's what Reggie Bush does and we don't need a runner who can only run if he starts in open space.

I'm not saying the Pats are going to lose a game but if they do, it will be against the Steelers this week. You have to take into account the short week (I'm sure Tom & Company are a bit sore today) and the fact that the Steelers are a better team than the Ravens.

Also, look at the trends. The last three games came down to last minute drives to win by 3 or 4 points. The WR's are dropping a lot of balls that have been thrown at their hands or hit them in the numbers. The run D is looking soft (hate to say it) and the pass rush is about 1/2 step too slow (resulting in the opposing QB's getting hit but not sacked).

All that being said, a W is a W...The Pats will have a real challenge with a stout Steelers D and run game.

FirstAndGoal said:

I'm convinced after last night that Maroney is a bust. A good back will make his cuts but he'll be moving forward as he's doing it. This way he keeps his momentum and power. Maroney's problem is that he's making his cuts after he's already lost that momentum because he's moving east to west. Watch the good ones, they read the field while maintaining that forward power.

BTW, for those who are going to point out his gains last night, that's what Reggie Bush does and we don't need a runner who can only run if he starts in open space.

Click to expand...

I completely agree.
Last night, Jaws was pointing out how McGahee "waited" at the line by taking small steps while stiil going forward and then widened his stride and accellerating forward when the hole developed. I remember Dillon doing that, and Faulk definitely hits the line better, too. Maroney seems to have a tough time doing this and it's probably due to his stsnce which doesn't give him any momentum through the line.

When did our offense stop the power? Shortly after Morris was gone. Maroney is not a feature back. His rookie year was far better than this.

I think even if the Pats played the Ravens Friday and had 1 day to prepare for the Steelers they would still win.Destiny is on their side.There are some folks trying to make excuses.We won the game and that's all that matters.I think we're going to get back to our blowout games within the next 4.