RelocatedPatFan
Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2009
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The Patriots are 3-0 with 2 victories within the division. The Bills aren’t looking like a team ready to compete in the AFCE, Manuel and the Jets look better than expected, but we were expecting a team that could compete for the top draft pick next year. The dolphins are 3-0 as well and have a solid to good defense and might have enough on offense to make trouble for defenses. We’ll have to wait for week 8 until we see a head to head match-up and that feels like a good time for both teams to come together. Right now I feel that schedule favors the Patriots as they made need more time.
What’s optimistic
Our Rookie receivers seemed good during the preseason with signs of chemistry. That was against vanilla-like defense and the regular game vs. the Bill seemed to be a step back from our expectations. I imagine the live reps with film study are allowing the WRs to make progressive. This seems very very positive as we have receivers that can learn on the fly. Why does it seem that highly rated or veteran receivers seem to have issues with our system (with the exception of Randy Moss)? It’s like the good looking girls in high school that never seem to develop that sense to flirtation and get by on their looks alone. Then find themselves behind the curve when they get to college and have to develop new skills whereas the plain-janes who are better looking than they were lead to believe seem to be fun to hang out with and you can connect with them (our UDFAs/receivers without much expectations)
Defense. This is the first year in some time that we seem to have a defense that can go out and help the offense win a game. We’ve been opportunistic in the past (great takeaway stat), but have been unable to get off the field on 3rd downs and give up long drives. This seemed to wear our team down towards the end of the game and they couldn’t stop their shadow later in game (overly generalize, but you all know that gut wrenching feeling when other teams could make a final drive to win the game…no confidence). Granted we haven’t played any real offensive teams and have a somewhat limping Atlanta team coming to town. But, you get a sense that this defense can play the game and win (well until they get creamed and all the bandwagoners see the sky is falling and the emperor has no hoodie).
Team offense We still haven’t found our identity and it will be a work in progress for a few weeks. Can you imagine this team getting Gronk back to form and Vereen coming back. I’m not putting much faith in Amendola, but he will be an asset to the team when he’s healthy & on the field. The team can come together for the final stretch. And by that, I mean they will compete for the best offense in football for the back half of the season.
Mild concerns
Running Game. It feels blasphemous to mention it because our running game seems to be real solid and a strength of the team. I see our game and feel the average gain is down. We’ve been able to rip off some huge runs and I think teams will have to respect that, but our average outside of those few plays seems to be lacking. While, that may seem true for all teams (take away their big plays and the average goes down), I was expecting more consistency with the RRBC. Maybe it will get better when/if Ridley gets out of the doghouse. He really needs to earn back the featured back role (until Vereen can resume his role). The B team (see that double meaning) of Boldin/Blount just don’t convince me enough. Their best use to me is as a battering ram and to keep Ridley fresh.
What’s on my nerves
EDIT: Discussions where people are saying that Brady is looking old. Brady looks like Brady. How is it that Peyton could be having the greatest season ever and be 1 year older than Brady with more wear and tear on his body and out guy is looking old. Let’s just agree to leave this decision until the bye week.
EDIT: Once again, I object to people saying Brady looks old. He's perfectly fine.
Overly critical of Brady’s play I haven’t seen a real pattern develop (though it is only 3 weeks) to say there’s something wrong with him. Seems this team gets complained about by every bad play rather than the good plays. Maybe it has to do with the Red Sox playing great and all that media angst has to be directed somewhere. You would think TB is the second coming of Tony Eason the way he’s getting treated.
Speaking of Peyton. The lovefest for PM will make me want to avoid all forms of media if they go 7-0. And even if they lose it will definitely be someone else’s fault. My eyes are telling me that their offense is firing on all cylinders and while they may not get the deep ball too often, it’s an offense that can score. If the unimaginable should happen and the Bronco’s get to the SB, the media frenzy would be whipped up to such a frenzy that it will be Peyton and Montana as the best 2 QBs to play the game…ever. And that’s before he even plays the game. Brady will be discarded for having a near .500 average since starting his playoffs 10-0 and as a QB who has fallen off his prime. It’s laughable, but you know it would come down to that.
What’s on my mind
At what point do you think we’ll have the identity of this team? I think it will come later in the season. Certainly after week 8 vs Miami and by week 12 (vs Denver). That’s mostly offensively. The Defense should get it’s pace over the next 3 weeks with Atlanta/Cincy & New Orleans.
Where’s all the people saying how Kaepernik can’t be stopped?
Washington, Green Gay, San Fran and Giants. Parity at work. Though, I’d be concerned about a 9-7 Giants team that enters the playoff picture…no idea why I would be.
Chiefs & Cincinnati I like the way this is turning out. I even like the fact that the dolphins are 3-0 and can offer a challenge. About time we got some competition
anyone else love that commercial with Harbaugh coaching the kids?
What’s optimistic
Our Rookie receivers seemed good during the preseason with signs of chemistry. That was against vanilla-like defense and the regular game vs. the Bill seemed to be a step back from our expectations. I imagine the live reps with film study are allowing the WRs to make progressive. This seems very very positive as we have receivers that can learn on the fly. Why does it seem that highly rated or veteran receivers seem to have issues with our system (with the exception of Randy Moss)? It’s like the good looking girls in high school that never seem to develop that sense to flirtation and get by on their looks alone. Then find themselves behind the curve when they get to college and have to develop new skills whereas the plain-janes who are better looking than they were lead to believe seem to be fun to hang out with and you can connect with them (our UDFAs/receivers without much expectations)
Defense. This is the first year in some time that we seem to have a defense that can go out and help the offense win a game. We’ve been opportunistic in the past (great takeaway stat), but have been unable to get off the field on 3rd downs and give up long drives. This seemed to wear our team down towards the end of the game and they couldn’t stop their shadow later in game (overly generalize, but you all know that gut wrenching feeling when other teams could make a final drive to win the game…no confidence). Granted we haven’t played any real offensive teams and have a somewhat limping Atlanta team coming to town. But, you get a sense that this defense can play the game and win (well until they get creamed and all the bandwagoners see the sky is falling and the emperor has no hoodie).
Team offense We still haven’t found our identity and it will be a work in progress for a few weeks. Can you imagine this team getting Gronk back to form and Vereen coming back. I’m not putting much faith in Amendola, but he will be an asset to the team when he’s healthy & on the field. The team can come together for the final stretch. And by that, I mean they will compete for the best offense in football for the back half of the season.
Mild concerns
Running Game. It feels blasphemous to mention it because our running game seems to be real solid and a strength of the team. I see our game and feel the average gain is down. We’ve been able to rip off some huge runs and I think teams will have to respect that, but our average outside of those few plays seems to be lacking. While, that may seem true for all teams (take away their big plays and the average goes down), I was expecting more consistency with the RRBC. Maybe it will get better when/if Ridley gets out of the doghouse. He really needs to earn back the featured back role (until Vereen can resume his role). The B team (see that double meaning) of Boldin/Blount just don’t convince me enough. Their best use to me is as a battering ram and to keep Ridley fresh.
What’s on my nerves
EDIT: Discussions where people are saying that Brady is looking old. Brady looks like Brady. How is it that Peyton could be having the greatest season ever and be 1 year older than Brady with more wear and tear on his body and out guy is looking old. Let’s just agree to leave this decision until the bye week.
EDIT: Once again, I object to people saying Brady looks old. He's perfectly fine.
Overly critical of Brady’s play I haven’t seen a real pattern develop (though it is only 3 weeks) to say there’s something wrong with him. Seems this team gets complained about by every bad play rather than the good plays. Maybe it has to do with the Red Sox playing great and all that media angst has to be directed somewhere. You would think TB is the second coming of Tony Eason the way he’s getting treated.
Speaking of Peyton. The lovefest for PM will make me want to avoid all forms of media if they go 7-0. And even if they lose it will definitely be someone else’s fault. My eyes are telling me that their offense is firing on all cylinders and while they may not get the deep ball too often, it’s an offense that can score. If the unimaginable should happen and the Bronco’s get to the SB, the media frenzy would be whipped up to such a frenzy that it will be Peyton and Montana as the best 2 QBs to play the game…ever. And that’s before he even plays the game. Brady will be discarded for having a near .500 average since starting his playoffs 10-0 and as a QB who has fallen off his prime. It’s laughable, but you know it would come down to that.
What’s on my mind
At what point do you think we’ll have the identity of this team? I think it will come later in the season. Certainly after week 8 vs Miami and by week 12 (vs Denver). That’s mostly offensively. The Defense should get it’s pace over the next 3 weeks with Atlanta/Cincy & New Orleans.
Where’s all the people saying how Kaepernik can’t be stopped?
Washington, Green Gay, San Fran and Giants. Parity at work. Though, I’d be concerned about a 9-7 Giants team that enters the playoff picture…no idea why I would be.
Chiefs & Cincinnati I like the way this is turning out. I even like the fact that the dolphins are 3-0 and can offer a challenge. About time we got some competition
anyone else love that commercial with Harbaugh coaching the kids?
. (and maybe not misspelled our).
