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- Jul 11, 2005
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1. My first thought as I happily walked home from my local sports bar was ‘what did we all miss’? Granted we all hoped for a scenario where the Pats could walk out of Giants Stadium with a win, despite having a QB who hadn’t started a game since 1999, playing an improved Jets team, in their home opener, against a HOF QB, etc, etc, etc. Sure I’m sure there were many who felt the Pats would win the game, BUT I’m also sure that even those wouldn’t have been shocked or even surprised to see us lose a close game. This was further reinforced by the fact 85% of the so call experts picked the Jets, including a couple I even respect. Even Nellie and Paul Perillo joined Felger and Curran in ALL picking the Jets. So again I ask the question “what did we “all” miss. Here are a few thoughts
a. QB is the most important individual position on a football team, yet we probably give the position too much weight in the winning of a professional football game. A great QB CAN take a mediocre team and elevate them, like the Pats in 2006, or a great QB can almost single handedly win an individual game. HOWEVER a good football can win with an average QB. It’s just that the margin for error is greatly reduced.
b. I think we forget that an average NFL QB is STILL a great QB. You just have to look a Cassell’s physical skills to see he has a great arm, will make the throw with people in his face, and has some mobility. He can certainly make all the throws, its just a question can he do it CONSISTENTLY, and at the right times. Its all about the decisionmaking.
c. Throughout the “disrespect” years of 2001-2004, we all lived by the principle that the “sum is greater than the individual parts. Yesterday’s game was further proof of that old adage. Its time we bring it back, into the forefront.
Here are some off the cuff thoughts about yesterday’s game. I hope at least some of them offer some new insights and discussion potential. .
On the offense
1. The refs giveth and the refs taketh away. How many noticed that the 50+ yard pass play that set up the Jets first FG in the 2nd quarter, started a full count AFTER the clock had reached zero. None of the TV pukes seemed to notice. (BTW is that a reviewable play?). On the other hand the roughing the passer on Calvin Pass in the 4th quarter was an equally bad call. If THAT was roughing, then we might as well just give the QBs flags.
2. Think about this. How come if a defensive player puts his hands to the facemask of an offensive player, it’s a penalty, yet QBs and RBs routinely stiff arm defensive players to the facemask, with NO retribution? In fact, merely touching a QBs facemask mask will often draw a flag. I my view there is something inherently wrong with this dichotomy.
3. On Randy Moss. I wouldn’t be worried about his future production. The Jets tried to take him out of the game by putting a CB right on him (taking away the quick pass) and positioning a S over the top. So on many plays they took Randy out of the equation by alignment. In the Red Zone this coverage was even more pronounced. The Pats can easily defeat this by motioning Moss (long or short), and by using more man to man patterns that can free Moss against close coverage (read pick plays). The fact is that he caught a couple of balls anyway, and should have had a 60+ yd TD (with a better throw) or a 50 yd catch (with a better catch) shows how impactfull Moss can be DESPITE close coverage
4. While Welker was his usual effective self, I am concerned that Gaffney doesn’t have the speed, or separation ability to be an effective outside receiver, ala Stallworth. He is more effective in the slot, which is kind of redundant.
5. Cassell’s most effective attribute yesterday was the fact that he didn’t turn the ball over. The Jets weren’t even CLOSE to a pick. I was encouraged that the Pats let him throw the ball late in the game and he did pretty well at it. It looked like vintage Brady in 2001-3.
6. I caution students of history to remember that in those years Brady had a few real clunkers (Denver –4 picks) and we shouldn’t be surprised to see Matt “enjoy” a few games like it as well
7. I’m sure there will be a hue and cry about the lack of production from Moroney in the running game, but I defy anyone to point out where he was missing any holes, or that he wasn’t running hard. I Loved how effective Jordan seemed to be, but I would remind you all that Jordan was fresh, and got to run against a defense that had been on the field for a long time, on a hot day, and was somewhat worndown. So while I’m very glad to have him, if uninjured Laurence Moroney should STILL be our starting RB.
a. QB is the most important individual position on a football team, yet we probably give the position too much weight in the winning of a professional football game. A great QB CAN take a mediocre team and elevate them, like the Pats in 2006, or a great QB can almost single handedly win an individual game. HOWEVER a good football can win with an average QB. It’s just that the margin for error is greatly reduced.
b. I think we forget that an average NFL QB is STILL a great QB. You just have to look a Cassell’s physical skills to see he has a great arm, will make the throw with people in his face, and has some mobility. He can certainly make all the throws, its just a question can he do it CONSISTENTLY, and at the right times. Its all about the decisionmaking.
c. Throughout the “disrespect” years of 2001-2004, we all lived by the principle that the “sum is greater than the individual parts. Yesterday’s game was further proof of that old adage. Its time we bring it back, into the forefront.
Here are some off the cuff thoughts about yesterday’s game. I hope at least some of them offer some new insights and discussion potential. .
On the offense
1. The refs giveth and the refs taketh away. How many noticed that the 50+ yard pass play that set up the Jets first FG in the 2nd quarter, started a full count AFTER the clock had reached zero. None of the TV pukes seemed to notice. (BTW is that a reviewable play?). On the other hand the roughing the passer on Calvin Pass in the 4th quarter was an equally bad call. If THAT was roughing, then we might as well just give the QBs flags.
2. Think about this. How come if a defensive player puts his hands to the facemask of an offensive player, it’s a penalty, yet QBs and RBs routinely stiff arm defensive players to the facemask, with NO retribution? In fact, merely touching a QBs facemask mask will often draw a flag. I my view there is something inherently wrong with this dichotomy.
3. On Randy Moss. I wouldn’t be worried about his future production. The Jets tried to take him out of the game by putting a CB right on him (taking away the quick pass) and positioning a S over the top. So on many plays they took Randy out of the equation by alignment. In the Red Zone this coverage was even more pronounced. The Pats can easily defeat this by motioning Moss (long or short), and by using more man to man patterns that can free Moss against close coverage (read pick plays). The fact is that he caught a couple of balls anyway, and should have had a 60+ yd TD (with a better throw) or a 50 yd catch (with a better catch) shows how impactfull Moss can be DESPITE close coverage
4. While Welker was his usual effective self, I am concerned that Gaffney doesn’t have the speed, or separation ability to be an effective outside receiver, ala Stallworth. He is more effective in the slot, which is kind of redundant.
5. Cassell’s most effective attribute yesterday was the fact that he didn’t turn the ball over. The Jets weren’t even CLOSE to a pick. I was encouraged that the Pats let him throw the ball late in the game and he did pretty well at it. It looked like vintage Brady in 2001-3.
6. I caution students of history to remember that in those years Brady had a few real clunkers (Denver –4 picks) and we shouldn’t be surprised to see Matt “enjoy” a few games like it as well
7. I’m sure there will be a hue and cry about the lack of production from Moroney in the running game, but I defy anyone to point out where he was missing any holes, or that he wasn’t running hard. I Loved how effective Jordan seemed to be, but I would remind you all that Jordan was fresh, and got to run against a defense that had been on the field for a long time, on a hot day, and was somewhat worndown. So while I’m very glad to have him, if uninjured Laurence Moroney should STILL be our starting RB.
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