Ironic: It wasnt Branch, Givens, or Vinatieri we missed the most
 

In the end, the guy who's loss left the biggest hole was Willie McGinest.
Having him in there instead of Alexander or Banta-Cain would have been nice.

Re: Ironic: It wasnt Branch, Givens, or Vinatieri we missed the most
 

Really? McGinest left the biggest hole? Sorry, gotta disagree there. McGinest wouldn't have made a difference in the game against the Colts.

Re: Ironic: It wasnt Branch, Givens, or Vinatieri we missed the most
 

It may have been Seau :eek:

Re: Ironic: It wasnt Branch, Givens, or Vinatieri we missed the most
 

at least he would have held his position better than Banta-Cain and Vrabel wouldve been better at ILB than Alexander.
Not saying a HUGE difference but Ghost replaced Adam just fine and overall Caldwell and Gaffney came through, even with the 2 Reche drops that didnt cost any points.
it was the defense that was our downfall.

Re: Ironic: It wasnt Branch, Givens, or Vinatieri we missed the most
 

No, chances are McGinest would be old and hurtin'.

(Wait...he already is...)

Re: Ironic: It wasnt Branch, Givens, or Vinatieri we missed the most
 

Only if he didn't turn down the offer to sit in the box at the game...

Re: Ironic: It wasnt Branch, Givens, or Vinatieri we missed the most
 

So, let me get this straight, you have the ability to see alternate time streams so you can say, with certainty, that McGinest would have held his position better than TBC.

Sorry, but reality doesn't jive with you and here's why.

Alexander, the quicker, better coverage LB, started the Colts game and was lining up across from the Colts TEs. Please re-read that sentence. OK. So, if Alexander started the game, that would mean that the Pats felt that Alexander was a better coverage LB than Vrabel or TBC. (following so far?) Alexander was the one getting BURNED by the TEs (also would mean that Vrabel and TBC would be getting burned as well). As was Bruschi, for that matter. So, if the Pats felt that Alexander was the better coverage TE, what would having McGinest on the field and moving Vrabel to ILB as the Coverage LB really do? Umm.... Nothing. It would actually be a down grade because Vrabel isn't as good a coverage LB as Alexander.

The Pats probably should have gone to a 3-3-5 system and brough in an extra CB/S (Chad Scott, anyone?) to cover the TE. That way you have someone on their atheletic TE (Clark) who can keep up with the player and probably defense the pass better.

Re: Ironic: It wasnt Branch, Givens, or Vinatieri we missed the most
 

The person that the Patriots missed the MOST was Rodney Harrison. At least with Harrison on the field, the Pats could have gone to a 3-3-5 Nickel formation and not lose much against the run. They could have also stayed with their base package and had Harrison cover the TE coming out of the backfield.

Re: Ironic: It wasnt Branch, Givens, or Vinatieri we missed the most
 

I second this...

BTW, who is impersonating our most prolific poster?

Re: Ironic: It wasnt Branch, Givens, or Vinatieri we missed the most
 

with out a doubt, I feel Charlie Weis is the biggest loss the Pats have yet to overcome.. The game against the Colts lack inginuity, and creativity.. Not saying Josh Mcdaniels is a failure, but he is learning on the job for the last 2 yrs..