- Joined
- Nov 14, 2006
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Here we go:
1.) LeGarrette Blount has skyrocketed to being one of the best trades of the Belichick era. I was never down on the trade for him as many, but I couldn't have imaged he would have been nearly as good as he ended up becoming the last few weeks. He is like Gronk in that he needs several defenders to bring him down and he is surprisingly fast and nimble in the open field.
2.) When the Pats drafted Jamie Collins, we all knew he was a project that would take time to make an impact. That time looks to have come. He showed last night that he has the potential to be what we hoped Adalius Thomas would be. He can everything. He rush the passer. He can stuff the run. And most importantly, he can cover int the open field. The sky is the limit on this kid. He may never come close to reaching it, but he certainly has the tools to be a stud LBer.
3.) If the Pats can continue to run the ball like they have the last three games, there is no reason why they can't win the Super Bowl. This running game is the perfect defense against the Broncos' offense. It takes the pressure off of Brady and the passing game which over relying on in recent years has been the achilles heel of this team in the playoffs. With teams being built to stop the pass, teams that run the ball could actually sneak up on even the best defenses in the league.
4.) By my count, the Pats had 6-7 rookies either start or play significant time last night (Colllins, Ryan, Vellano, Chris Jones,Thompkins, Ryan Allen before he was injured). Pretty impressive for a team that will be playing for the AFCCG next week.
5.) IMHO, an unsung hero yesterday was Sealver Siliga. On the Collins sack, it was made possible because Siliga was tying up two bodies. He was a monster for most of the game. It didn't show as much on the stat line (3 tackles and one QB hit), but he was giving the Colts' o-line fits all game yesterday.
6.) I am still a bit concerned about the passing game. If the Chargers or Broncos (which ever one advances) figures out how to stop the run, I don't know if the Pats can air it out with basically three slot receivers playing on the field at the same time. They need Thompkins and/or Dobson back.
7.) I thought other than a few big breakdowns, this defense looked close to what it was early in the year. Take away two or three big breakdowns in the secondary and the Pats did a pretty good job shutting down the Colts. On top of the 4 INTs, the Pats forced three and outs four times (and a punt on 5 plays and 12 yards ). The defense seems to be jelling and getting healthy at the right time.
8.) I know Hightower has been a lightning rod on this board, but he was a stud last night. He did everything we wanted him to do all year. He led the team in tackles. Along with the emergence of Collins, IRing Spikes might have been the best thing for this team.
1.) LeGarrette Blount has skyrocketed to being one of the best trades of the Belichick era. I was never down on the trade for him as many, but I couldn't have imaged he would have been nearly as good as he ended up becoming the last few weeks. He is like Gronk in that he needs several defenders to bring him down and he is surprisingly fast and nimble in the open field.
2.) When the Pats drafted Jamie Collins, we all knew he was a project that would take time to make an impact. That time looks to have come. He showed last night that he has the potential to be what we hoped Adalius Thomas would be. He can everything. He rush the passer. He can stuff the run. And most importantly, he can cover int the open field. The sky is the limit on this kid. He may never come close to reaching it, but he certainly has the tools to be a stud LBer.
3.) If the Pats can continue to run the ball like they have the last three games, there is no reason why they can't win the Super Bowl. This running game is the perfect defense against the Broncos' offense. It takes the pressure off of Brady and the passing game which over relying on in recent years has been the achilles heel of this team in the playoffs. With teams being built to stop the pass, teams that run the ball could actually sneak up on even the best defenses in the league.
4.) By my count, the Pats had 6-7 rookies either start or play significant time last night (Colllins, Ryan, Vellano, Chris Jones,Thompkins, Ryan Allen before he was injured). Pretty impressive for a team that will be playing for the AFCCG next week.
5.) IMHO, an unsung hero yesterday was Sealver Siliga. On the Collins sack, it was made possible because Siliga was tying up two bodies. He was a monster for most of the game. It didn't show as much on the stat line (3 tackles and one QB hit), but he was giving the Colts' o-line fits all game yesterday.
6.) I am still a bit concerned about the passing game. If the Chargers or Broncos (which ever one advances) figures out how to stop the run, I don't know if the Pats can air it out with basically three slot receivers playing on the field at the same time. They need Thompkins and/or Dobson back.
7.) I thought other than a few big breakdowns, this defense looked close to what it was early in the year. Take away two or three big breakdowns in the secondary and the Pats did a pretty good job shutting down the Colts. On top of the 4 INTs, the Pats forced three and outs four times (and a punt on 5 plays and 12 yards ). The defense seems to be jelling and getting healthy at the right time.
8.) I know Hightower has been a lightning rod on this board, but he was a stud last night. He did everything we wanted him to do all year. He led the team in tackles. Along with the emergence of Collins, IRing Spikes might have been the best thing for this team.