Random Game Thoughts
 

1.) Kudos to both coordinators. These guys get slammed in losses and no credit in wins. The defense was the most agressive it has been all season. The Pats actually had a pass rush. The defense were in spots to be opportunistic. McDaniels called a very good game and his halftime adjustments were spectacular. He threw a lot of new wrinkles into the offense too.
2.) Sorry to see what looks to be the end of a career for Harrison to end like this. He deserves better no matter what others in the league think of him.
3.) On that note, a touch of class by Bruschi going over to comfort his friend and teammate. I wonder what Tom Casale...er.....Tommy Rider thought about that.
4.) Wilfork, on the other hand, is going to earn his dirty play moniker if he continues to pull that crap that he did last night. Two stupid, cheap penalties.
5.) I felt once Neal got in there and got a few reps underneath him, the blocking improved a decent amount as the night went along. This is good because Yates isn't much more than a speed bump for opposing defenders. The guy blew a lot of assignments.
6.) This was the best games for Light and Mankins this season. I was glad to see Mankins being dominant again and making plays down the field after struggling for most of this season.
7.) Hobbs also deserves a lot of credit. I think he is turning into a pretty good #1 CB. He is not playing as far off the ball as much as previous years and I think that suits his strengths.
8.) People can dismiss this win by saying that the Broncos defense isn't any good or Cutler was injured, but when you beat a team 41-7 it is a big win no matter the situation. The Pats last year had several of these types of wins and no one complained.

Re: Random Game Thoughts
 

Great point. Hobbs has looked great all year - worth nothing he's finally healthy. Now if one of or both of Wheatley/Wilhite can develop, we'll be in great shape for the future in that position.

I loved what I saw from the defense last nite, too. Like you say, people can dismiss the Denver defense, but its hard to dismiss their offense. The Pats got pressure and they played tight coverage. LeKevin Smith filled in quite well for Jarvis Green. Unfortunately I don't have the first half of this game on tape, but I'd love to see what the nickel packages looked like. I think they were using the 3-3-5 a lot, with any combination of Guyton, Mayo, AD, Vrabel and Woods at LB. Those 5 liberally shared snaps at the LB position and it worked beautifully.

The defense looked championship caliber last nite. If they play that well every week and get stronger as the season gets on, then Cassel will easily be good enough to lead this team deep in the playoffs.

Re: Random Game Thoughts
 

I certainly do not wish anyone severe physical pain. But if that is the way Rodney's career ended, IMO it was covered in glory. He went out on his shield, on the field of battle, to a thunderous ovation, during a dominant defensive performance, in a blowout win, on MNF.

His career will not end with a whimper, like the careers of so many greats, petering out until a coach unceremoniously cuts them, and they slip off in the night shadows of the players they once were.

other points...

I refuse to criticize Wilfork's intensity. It is one of his best qualities, and he has many good ones. As far as a "dirty player" rep, who the F cares. Maybe coaches will think twice before sending the next scrub to take out Brady's knee.

Re: Random Game Thoughts
 

I have no problem with Wilfork's intensity, but there is a difference between playing with fire and playing stupid. Wilfork let the game get away from him which is usually what the Pats do to other players, not the other way around. You play with fire until the whistle and then you stop. There is never a call for the crap he did after the play even if the other guy is doing similiar things. Rise above it. That is the Patriots way.

Re: Random Game Thoughts
 

We4 must have been watching the different games in weeks 4 through 6. Hobbs ws the best DB on the field, but that is only a compliment when you look at the other DB's on the field.

Let's face it, Ellis is just a nice nickle DB and will never be a solid #1. Looking at the team right now, we should be picking somewhere around #20 in the draft in April, We have our #1 and two #2's. I would spend all three in a effort to find a true #1.

Or, we could kill two birds with one stone and steal Darrel Revis from the Jets, he is a Free Agent this year. Ellis will be in the last year of his contract next year so maybe he will play as well as he tells everybody he plays, but he will have to play realllllllly well for that to happen.

Re: Random Game Thoughts
 

If you say so. :confused:

Re: Random Game Thoughts
 

Huh? Hobbs was spectacular last night. Other than his PI call against San Deigo, he was the only one in the secondary who played even decent against the Chargers. He was great vs. both the 49ers and the Jets.

Re: Random Game Thoughts
 

The focus of this week was enjoying football again, celebrating with your teamates, playing aggressively and with intensity. Vince is unapologetic today as he knows sometimes you have to take a stand. He said he had discussed the situation with the player and the refs to no avail, so finally he dealt with it. It wasn't his first choice, and he acknowledges it's not a situation you want to make a habit of and it will be discussed this week but I don't think Bill will be quite as riled as some of you are given he likely grasps the circumstances in context.

Re: Random Game Thoughts
 

If Revis is a "free agent" like you claim, then he'd be an Exclusive Rights free agent. Meaning that he's stuck with the Jets. He was only drafted LAST year so its unlikely that he's a free agent.

Hobbs plays better than you give him credit for. And, since you've missed it, Belichick and Pioli like the smaller, faster and more agile CBs. If they could find one in the 5'11-6' range who could play the way they like, then its a different story. Unfortunately, those types tend to go early in the draft.

Re: Random Game Thoughts
 

Revis and the Jets went through a long negotiation process. He signed a 4-year deal with team options at high salaries for years 5 and 6 I believe. Whatever it was there is no chance that he is a free agent after this season.