Other thoughts on tonight's game...

[JFK]

Am I the only one that didn't know Watson played? What's up with my man Watson?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Am I the only one that didn't know Watson played? What's up with my man Watson?

He's coming off an injury, limited practice, standard procedure is to let the guys who practiced get the most playing time. Ben worked with the third team last night, but he's going to bounce back. I expect Baker to fill a Grahambo-like roll with Watson more H-back and Thomas working in as a FB/#3 TE.

 

[PatsfanGlo]

He's coming off an injury, limited practice, standard procedure is to let the guys who practiced get the most playing time. Ben worked with the third team last night, but he's going to bounce back. I expect Baker to fill a Grahambo-like roll with Watson more H-back and Thomas working in as a FB/#3 TE.

I was thinking the same thing seeing Watson playing special teams and with third stringer. As someone coming back from injury, what's he doing playing kick off coverage? I really hope this is the year he FINALLY live up to his freakish potential......

 

[mgteich]

I agree that Belichick will keep two special team specialists. I agree with your choices of Aiken and Slater, although I have no clue why you believe that Slater would be OK in a pinch at safety. We have nine defensive backs who would all be called in to play safety before Slater.

My preference is Lenon over Alexander, because of his better talent as a position player.

I disagree with using the roster spot for Ventrone, our #7 wide receiver and #14 receiver in total after the 6 wideouts, 4 running backs and 3 tight ends. He would never be used as a receiver. BTW, how many receptions did the #5, #6 and #7 receivers have in total last year? I strongly believe that this roster spot is better used for a veteran quarterback.

My BOTTOM LINE is that Aiken and Slater can make the squad as special team players and do not need to justify their rosters spots by their position play. I also believe that additional special team specialists need to be acceptable options at their positions. I agree that Alexander meets that requirement and could beat out Lenon for the roster spot.

If you were to assign Slater to a position it would be S, not WR. He's a lock for Special Teams:
-- he's the top Gunner,
-- top Lead Blocker,
-- top Gunner Blocker,
-- one of the top KO coverage men,
-- he's done a decent job as a KR despite people's memories of the Pittsburgh game,
-- and I believe he was one of the guys who helped free up Chung for the blocked kick against the Eagles.
Both of his Fair Catch interference penalties resulted from the punts tailing off to the side and the PR moving into Slater to follow the kick - it's a correctable issue. You also have to realize there's a reason he's the one drawing those penalties - it's because he's beaten the blockers and run down under the Punt while it's still in the air. Idiots may wish to attack his intelligence, but you've got some incredible athletic talent moving at high speed, avoiding blockers, and getting into position to make a play - Scott O'Brien will fix the stopping distance issue, it's most certainly not an intelligence problem.

For pure Special Teams specialists I have Aiken and Slater as locks, with Alexander and Ventrone near locks. BB believes in his Special Teams guys and he's shown a lot of confidence in those four. Aiken, Ventrone, and Alexander are also decent emergency depth in their respective position areas, Slater needs more work as a Safety, but he'll do in a pinch.

 

[italia44]

pretty much agree about koc....he's not stepping into his throws.
If you can't throw that sideline out,on time,DON'T friggin' throw it!

Slater is out of control...I think this was the 3rd time he's interfered with the punt catcher....Not acceptable.

Nobody in the secondary,except maybe Bodden,turns to face the throw and the only one who seems to tackle is Meriweather,maybe Sanders.

On the other hand....Wilfork is playing like a madman.....I thought he was gonna KILL someone out there.

Jerod Mayo is a STUD...S-T-U-D....they're turning him loose this year on those blitzes and he looks twice as fast this year.

Randy"friggin'" Moss...what can you say?I think if they left him in with TB,he would have caught 20 passes.He was absolutely torturing Leon Hall and Leron Landry.

Lastly,Mr Light better not get too comfortable.Vollmer is really progressing.Looked damn-good at LT,tonite.

......just wanted to add something to my list.
When they're not running the spread formation,the pats are a left-handed running team.With Baker on the strong side(left) and Maroney as the single-back behind Brady,this is the scenario:

In a :strong" formation against a 4-3 set,the SS is on the right side of the formation as a run protector and to help cover the TE,if he releases.The FS is in the middle,shading towards the left CB,because of Randy Moss

Now,I'm not a big LoMo fan and they're only testing this so far,but Maroney is down-right scary in the open field.He looks like a slightly,faster version of Marion Barber.

When they swing-pass to Maroney on the right side,there is no CB or safety,nearby......only the weak-side linebacker,who may be a delayed blitzer....if the defense is employing a nickleback,he better be busy with Welker in the slot.

This is the play that was so successfull with Kevin Faulk,the last 2 years.Dallas runs it with Barber and the Chargers with Darren Sproles,with game-changing success,I might add.

If Maroney is able to catch this in stride and square-up,he will be scary,against the Cb or FS trying to come up,after releasing Randy Moss.

I hope they can get to a trust-level with Maroney,because this is a game-changer,IMHO...

 

[mayoclinic]

......just wanted to add something to my list.
When they're not running the spread formation,the pats are a left-handed running team.With Baker on the strong side(left) and Maroney as the single-back behind Brady,this is the scenario:

In a :strong" formation against a 4-3 set,the SS is on the right side of the formation as a run protector and to help cover the TE,if he releases.The FS is in the middle,shading towards the left CB,because of Randy Moss

Now,I'm not a big LoMo fan and they're only testing this so far,but Maroney is down-right scary in the open field. He looks like a slightly,faster version of Marion Barber.

When they swing-pass to Maroney on the right side,there is no CB or safety,nearby......only the weak-side linebacker,who may be a delayed blitzer....if the defense is employing a nickleback,he better be busy with Welker in the slot.

This is the play that was so successfull with Kevin Faulk,the last 2 years.Dallas runs it with Barber and the Chargers with Darren Sproles,with game-changing success,I might add.

If Maroney is able to catch this in stride and square-up,he will be scary,against the Cb or FS trying to come up,after releasing Randy Moss.

I hope they can get to a trust-level with Maroney,because this is a game-changer,IMHO...

I've always said that LoMo in space is an all-pro; LoMo running in traffic is a dud. The OC needs to get more creative getting the ball to him with some space to hit his stride. He is a major offensive weapon waiting to happen.

 

[mayoclinic]

I agree that Belichick will keep two special team specialists. I agree with your choices of Aiken and Slater, although I have no clue why you believe that Slater would be OK in a pinch at safety. We have nine defensive backs who would all be called in to play safety before Slater.

My preference is Lenon over Alexander, because of his better talent as a position player.

I disagree with using the roster spot for Ventrone, our #7 wide receiver and #14 receiver in total after the 6 wideouts, 4 running backs and 3 tight ends. He would never be used as a receiver. BTW, how many receptions did the #5, #6 and #7 receivers have in total last year? I strongly believe that this roster spot is better used for a veteran quarterback.

My BOTTOM LINE is that Aiken and Slater can make the squad as special team players and do not need to justify their rosters spots by their position play. I also believe that additional special team specialists need to be acceptable options at their positions. I agree that Alexander meets that requirement and could beat out Lenon for the roster spot.

I agree with Lenon over Alexander. I agree with Aiken and (possibly, though I'm still a bit dubious) one of Slater/Ventrone making the squad, but definitely not both. I agree with 3 QBs and 6 WRs. The idea of Slater being ok in a pinch at safety is about as ridiculous as Alexander being ok as a coverage LB. I disagree that Alexander meets the requirement of being an acceptable option at his position. He's had years to prove himself, and hasn't shown me that he's anything but a liability yet.

 

[italia44]

Lenon>Alexander.......pleeeeze!....and Slater CAN play Free Safety.(see my post in the other thread).

 

[BradyFTW!]

Lenon>Alexander.......pleeeeze!....and Slater CAN play Free Safety.(see my post in the other thread).

Define 'can'.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I agree that Belichick will keep two special team specialists. I agree with your choices of Aiken and Slater, although I have no clue why you believe that Slater would be OK in a pinch at safety. We have nine defensive backs who would all be called in to play safety before Slater.

No, we disagree, since my roster in your other thread on the subject projects four core Special Teams players: Aiken, Slater, Alexander, and Ventrone. Define "pinch" Mark, it's a warm body to plug in when nobody else is available.

My preference is Lenon over Alexander, because of his better talent as a position player.

That has yet to be proven.

I disagree with using the roster spot for Ventrone, our #7 wide receiver and #14 receiver in total after the 6 wideouts, 4 running backs and 3 tight ends. He would never be used as a receiver. BTW, how many receptions did the #5, #6 and #7 receivers have in total last year? I strongly believe that this roster spot is better used for a veteran quarterback.

What veteran QB do you have in mind? Walter is no more ready than O'Connell, the only reason to keep him is with the belief that some other QB needy team will make him an offer he can't refuse - personally I think he's already received that in terms of rehabbing his career, bringing him back mid-season made more sense to me than letting one of the two guys you have trained to take Izzo's place get picked up because you let him go.

My BOTTOM LINE is that Aiken and Slater can make the squad as special team players and do not need to justify their rosters spots by their position play. I also believe that additional special team specialists need to be acceptable options at their positions. I agree that Alexander meets that requirement and could beat out Lenon for the roster spot.

Aiken, Slater, Alexander, and Ventrone don't need to justify a roster slot by position play, as you were so quick to point out with Ventrone and Slater, there's a fair bit of depth ahead of them. That said, Aiken and Slater were both targeted for acquisition because of their Special Teams play, and both Alexander and Ventrone give you and others like you hives because they keep turning back up on the roster despite your best efforts to will them away - BB keeps bringing them back for a reason and it's the same one he used with Izzo.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Define 'can'.

Execute an assignment, cover a receiver, tackle a ball carrier. He may not be Ed Reed, but he's as good a #5 S as you'll find at the back of a roster.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

As someone coming back from injury, what's he doing playing kick off coverage?

Blocking and/or tackling. He's healthy, he just hasn't had the practice reps Baker, Thomas, and Smith received.

 

[mayoclinic]

Lenon>Alexander.......pleeeeze!....and Slater CAN play Free Safety.(see my post in the other thread).

Maybe when we're up 56-7 in the 4th Slater can play FS. Not before then.

 

[italia44]

Define 'can'.

I wrote this up in another thread.......can means:he played safety in college......he tackles well,played some safety last year in preseason.Lastly,he would be the fastest free safety in the leauge.

In a "pinch",sometimes that's all you want back there.
Trust me.if Tebucky Jones can be coached to play safety,Slater "can".

 

[patsox23]

I think Bubba Ventrone will make the 53.

 

[captain stone]

I agree with Lenon over Alexander. I agree with Aiken and (possibly, though I'm still a bit dubious) one of Slater/Ventrone making the squad, but definitely not both. I agree with 3 QBs and 6 WRs. The idea of Slater being ok in a pinch at safety is about as ridiculous as Alexander being ok as a coverage LB. I disagree that Alexander meets the requirement of being an acceptable option at his position. He's had years to prove himself, and hasn't shown me that he's anything but a liability yet.

QFT.

The sooner that Slater & Alexander are off the NEP, the better-off the NEP will be.

 

[patsox23]

1) Kevin O'Connell sucks. He was absolutely horrible, and I'm not sure why he was SMILING at the end of the game. Apparently he doesn't realize that he may have just played himself down to #3 on the QB depth chart.

Ahem. Apologies can be PM'd. j/k.

(sorta)

 

[shakadave]

I just feel, from having watched O'Connell play a lot of football, including in person at Gillette and in Southern California, that he is - so far, anyway - doing a poor job. If you disagree, that's cool. And, again, I hope you're right, I'd LOVE to be wrong about him.

UPDATE FROM THE REPLAY OFFICIAL: Patsox, you were right on the money about O'Connell.

 

[patsox23]

UPDATE FROM THE REPLAY OFFICIAL: Patsox, you were right on the money about O'Connell.

Well, to be fair and honest, I certainly didn't think THIS would happen. Given he's been here for less than two years, you'd think they would try to get something for him. I realize he'd be seen, just in being offered, as a JAG or something, but still, they couldn't take a bit more time before cutting him?

Because, frankly, with the injuries to Cassel and Orton, it sure would be nice to have waited a bit longer to try and get a 5th or 6th or 7th out of someone. I know that's pretty much a pipe-dream, but I'm not convinced this F.O. couldn't make something work.

 

[AzPatsFan]

While the Pats' defense gave up 17 points in the first half, I don't think it's as bad as you're making it sound. We had three straight three and outs after the first Redskins series. The first TD drive was aided by stupid penalties that I believe can be corrected. And the second TD drive was aided by a ridiculous 70 yard pass play that won't happen too often (well I hope not anyway). Our tackling should get better as the season goes along and our new/young secondary players will develop a better chemistry to prevent plays like the one we gave up to Cooley. Besides those plays, our defense played pretty well.

As you mentioned, our pass rush was there for the most part. Our secondary, although beaten a couple of times, was competitive.

I agree about Maroney. Not too many holes to run through. BJGE had huge holes to run through. If Maroney had those types of holes, he'd be an All-Pro. He made his presence felt in the passing game and was quite effective. I don't understand why we don't use him like that more often.

O'Connell didn't help himself tonight. The kid looks like he's just not focused enough. Bad practice habits maybe? He's got the physical tools, but he looks like he doesn't have the maturity level to completely grasp what the hell is going on out there.

Galloway and Brady still are not on the same page. HOWEVER, Galloway on his longest catch from Brady showed what type of impact he can have on this team. Teams are going to have to respect his speed and that curl should be there all year long for him if he's being covered one-on-one.

Well since Tedy was responsible for both that 73 yarder, as well as the 38 yarder the previous week,and hes not going to be around any more, I guess you'll be correct...