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- Jul 11, 2005
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This has been a strange week. Its been along time since there has been less interest in an upcoming opponent. Most of the talk this week has been about LAST week's game, and future playoff scenarios. It would seem that the only way that this team could lose this game would be is if the team takes the game as casually as the fans have.
1. The following eleven RBs all have 2 things in common.
1. Adrian Peterson
2. Marshawn Lynch
3. Alfred Morris
4. Chris Johnson
5. BJGE
6. Shawn Greene
7. Reggie Bush
8. Trent Richardson
9. Ahmad Bradshaw
10. Lashawn McCoy
11. Michael Turnner
They are all top 20 RB's in the league. Secondly they all have at least 3 fumbles. So I wonder if there are 11 other cities where their fans and media are all wringing their hands like old women keening about the critical fumbling problem their top RB has. The answer is NO!
The fact is that Steven Ridley is being unfairly persecuted for doing something that happens to EVERY RB. Are you aware that there are only THREE other RB who have 250 carries and LESS than 3 fumbles?....in the entire league. (Gore, Foster, & Martin) Are you aware that Gore had 5 fumbles in his 2nd year in the league, and Foster had 3 in the second year he had a significant number of carries? Are you aware that Adrian Peterson had NINE in his 2nd year?
So lets cut the crap and get real. We would all like Steven Ridely never to fumble the ball, but the fact remains that he will, just like every other RB in the league. What WE need to do is to stop acting like its the Mayan Apocalypse every time it happens (within reason).
Personally I think he can cut his fumbles in half by ridding himself of the his habit of turning his back to the LOS in in the hole. IIRC a couple of his fumbles have occurred when he puts himself in this position. But by and large his fumbles AREN'T being caused by him being careless with the ball. Bottom line: Ridley is a young player. He will probably get better at this as his career goes on For example Tom Brady had 36 fumbles in his first 3 years in the league.and 60 over his first 6 years, but just 11 over the last 3 years. So we might want to think twice about running him out of town
BTW- I think it should be noted that there hasn't been a lot of this Ridley Hating going on here, but its been rampant in the media and on talk radio where its a major topic.
2. The Pats offense got a lot of respect for their comeback last week, and rightfully so. However that same respect wasn't given to the defense. The Pats secondary is still being treated with disdain despite the fact it gave up only 216 yards through the air. The defense only gave up 5 out of 14 third down conversions, and were put into horrible situations by the offense for most of the game.
Much like the Houston game, the first SF drive was off the charts bad for the defense, but after that, I thought they played a much better game than they are being credited with. Granted it certainly wasn't a great job, and there were many examples where it has to improve. However, there were also many examples of good solid play. In fact more good than bad. I just can't get that 216 yd number out of my head. That could be a season low.
Am I the only one that saw a lot of good stuff on defense in that game. Despite this set back, I'm still confident that the defense is still on track to be “playoff quality” when the time comes (assuming we get there in relative good health)
3. I read something that caught my eye and is timely since our next opponent is going to be the Dolphins. Personally I think Joe Philbin has done a nice job this year. I think Tannyhill has shown enough to at least give Dolphins fans some hope, and beyond that I think they are slowly developing a solid roster, and a very good defense.
So when I saw this blurb somewhere, I took notice. This off season, the Dolphins will have 9 draft picks (including 5 in the first 3 rounds) and $45MM in cap space. That's why I think THEY are going to be the “next big threat” to our domination of the AFCE.
If Tannyhill can take another step forward. If they add some offensive weapons with all those picks and cap space. They are going to be a very dangerous team going forward. It will be interesting to watch them. Its been a LOOOONNNNNGGGG time since we've played a meaning series of games with the Phins. 2008 seems like a mirage. They had that great year and were gone....back into virtual oblivion.
I'm old enough to remember when it was the Dolphins and NOT the Jets who were our main rivals. Prior to the 90's the greatest win in Pats history was probably the playoff victory by the 85 Pats in Miami that sent us to the Superbowl. I put it in the top 5 even now. And one the best regular season wins of the superbowl era was the OT win in Miami (2001 or 2003, I can't remember)
So like Cassandra, I sound the warning....Beware the Phins.
4. A win and good heath is all I ask for tomorrow. I almost hope its an ugly one. While I want to win the last 2 games, I'd almost like for the Pats to fall out. of favor with the mediots and drop below the superbowl radar.
BTW- It wasn't very long ago when the Bears were considered the top team in the league. It only took about a month, and Lovie Smith is getting his resume up to date. Its a fickle league. It doesn't take long or much for the winds of fortune to change. Just as Steven Ridley
1. The following eleven RBs all have 2 things in common.
1. Adrian Peterson
2. Marshawn Lynch
3. Alfred Morris
4. Chris Johnson
5. BJGE
6. Shawn Greene
7. Reggie Bush
8. Trent Richardson
9. Ahmad Bradshaw
10. Lashawn McCoy
11. Michael Turnner
They are all top 20 RB's in the league. Secondly they all have at least 3 fumbles. So I wonder if there are 11 other cities where their fans and media are all wringing their hands like old women keening about the critical fumbling problem their top RB has. The answer is NO!
The fact is that Steven Ridley is being unfairly persecuted for doing something that happens to EVERY RB. Are you aware that there are only THREE other RB who have 250 carries and LESS than 3 fumbles?....in the entire league. (Gore, Foster, & Martin) Are you aware that Gore had 5 fumbles in his 2nd year in the league, and Foster had 3 in the second year he had a significant number of carries? Are you aware that Adrian Peterson had NINE in his 2nd year?
So lets cut the crap and get real. We would all like Steven Ridely never to fumble the ball, but the fact remains that he will, just like every other RB in the league. What WE need to do is to stop acting like its the Mayan Apocalypse every time it happens (within reason).
Personally I think he can cut his fumbles in half by ridding himself of the his habit of turning his back to the LOS in in the hole. IIRC a couple of his fumbles have occurred when he puts himself in this position. But by and large his fumbles AREN'T being caused by him being careless with the ball. Bottom line: Ridley is a young player. He will probably get better at this as his career goes on For example Tom Brady had 36 fumbles in his first 3 years in the league.and 60 over his first 6 years, but just 11 over the last 3 years. So we might want to think twice about running him out of town
BTW- I think it should be noted that there hasn't been a lot of this Ridley Hating going on here, but its been rampant in the media and on talk radio where its a major topic.
2. The Pats offense got a lot of respect for their comeback last week, and rightfully so. However that same respect wasn't given to the defense. The Pats secondary is still being treated with disdain despite the fact it gave up only 216 yards through the air. The defense only gave up 5 out of 14 third down conversions, and were put into horrible situations by the offense for most of the game.
Much like the Houston game, the first SF drive was off the charts bad for the defense, but after that, I thought they played a much better game than they are being credited with. Granted it certainly wasn't a great job, and there were many examples where it has to improve. However, there were also many examples of good solid play. In fact more good than bad. I just can't get that 216 yd number out of my head. That could be a season low.
Am I the only one that saw a lot of good stuff on defense in that game. Despite this set back, I'm still confident that the defense is still on track to be “playoff quality” when the time comes (assuming we get there in relative good health)
3. I read something that caught my eye and is timely since our next opponent is going to be the Dolphins. Personally I think Joe Philbin has done a nice job this year. I think Tannyhill has shown enough to at least give Dolphins fans some hope, and beyond that I think they are slowly developing a solid roster, and a very good defense.
So when I saw this blurb somewhere, I took notice. This off season, the Dolphins will have 9 draft picks (including 5 in the first 3 rounds) and $45MM in cap space. That's why I think THEY are going to be the “next big threat” to our domination of the AFCE.
If Tannyhill can take another step forward. If they add some offensive weapons with all those picks and cap space. They are going to be a very dangerous team going forward. It will be interesting to watch them. Its been a LOOOONNNNNGGGG time since we've played a meaning series of games with the Phins. 2008 seems like a mirage. They had that great year and were gone....back into virtual oblivion.
I'm old enough to remember when it was the Dolphins and NOT the Jets who were our main rivals. Prior to the 90's the greatest win in Pats history was probably the playoff victory by the 85 Pats in Miami that sent us to the Superbowl. I put it in the top 5 even now. And one the best regular season wins of the superbowl era was the OT win in Miami (2001 or 2003, I can't remember)
So like Cassandra, I sound the warning....Beware the Phins.
4. A win and good heath is all I ask for tomorrow. I almost hope its an ugly one. While I want to win the last 2 games, I'd almost like for the Pats to fall out. of favor with the mediots and drop below the superbowl radar.
BTW- It wasn't very long ago when the Bears were considered the top team in the league. It only took about a month, and Lovie Smith is getting his resume up to date. Its a fickle league. It doesn't take long or much for the winds of fortune to change. Just as Steven Ridley