Some thoughts from yesterday:
Ochocinco: I think it's pretty clear he's got a confidence problem, and I'm guessing he heard about it from Brady on the sidelines following the interception where McKelvin stepped inside after Ochocinco rounded his route off. I think that also played a part of the drop, because I'm sure he was pressing to make a play to make up for it. On that drive they scored anyway - but the big issue was the fact they needed 10 plays and another 5 minutes after that to do it. We're only three games in and he's making progress, so let's not bury him at this point when there's still 13 games left. They're going to need him - because no one's walking through that door.
Randy Moss: To follow up on the above last sentence, I heard the Schefter report, and in case there's still a few of you out there, Moss is not coming back - ever. Let it go.
Bill O'Brien: For those looking to give him his pink slip: they scored 31 points yesterday and did a great job moving the football on almost every drive. I mean let's be honest, they only punted three times yesterday. Those four picks were tough and really killed them.
Tom Brady: He had a tough game, but I'd have to only put one of those picks on him (the one he underthrew to Gronk). The others were just great plays by Buffalo and one was just a tough deflection. When he starts actually throwing the ball right to opposing defenders and making stupid decisions, then I'll worry. But obviously we're no where near that yet.
Julien Edelman: I had my doubts about him, but he's done exactly what he's needed to when called upon and looks more confident this season vs. last year when he had the "deer in headlights" look. He's returning the ball well and was fairly productive offensively despite a low number of offensive snaps yesterday. Not much more you can ask from a 7th round pick.
Deion Branch: I questioned him after the preseason, but I was wrong - and he's played well to this point. He and Ochocinco drew a lot of the coverage yesterday and both were doubled at times. There was also one play where Brady missed him badly that would have been a completion. But after re-watching part of it this morning, that's one of the main reasons he only saw three targets yesterday.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis: He didn't have it yesterday, although I thought they overreacted with some of the situations they put other guys in (Edelman has no business carrying the ball as a tailback in that formation). Part of me wonders if Green-Ellis is nursing a hamstring injury or something to that effect, because he didn't look like his usual self and didn't run like it either.
Brandon Spikes: He was out of position more times than not and his random acts of celebration left me shaking my head. I don't quite understand him.
Defensive Line: I know everyone loves to talk about the lack of pass rush, but I honestly have to agree with some of the criticism. After watching them in the first two preseason games and seeing what a force they appeared to be, it's staggering watching the regression from what we thought they'd be. Shaun Ellis has been virtually invisible, as has the same guys who made us believe from their play during the preseason we were going to have an incredible group of players getting after the quarterback this year. I know they've got some guys banged up, but it's still a mystery to say the least.
Devin McCourty: He's just a guy with a confidence problem who didn't get a chance to get better during the offseason. I honestly believe being away from the coaching staff for the entire offseason and not being able to improve on his weaknesses is killing him now. Teams obviously looked at film and saw how to attack him, and they're throwing at him like he's still a rookie. However, he's too good of a player to make me believe he won't come around, and again - it's only the 3rd game of the year and I have a hard time believing this is as good (or bad - if you want to look at it that way) as he's going to be this season.
Leigh Bodden: He's another guy I believe got hurt by not being able to work through minicamps and OTA's. Coming off of a shoulder injury I think he could have used the work, and I think the other part of the problem is conditioning because he looked gassed on the play he got beat deep. However, like McCourty, I believe he'll come around eventually.
Needless to say I understand the frustration. I know it was a winnable game, but as much as I hate to say it, they played a very good Bills team that capitalized and did what they needed to. I get that the Pats were up 21-0, but you have to give credit to some of the great plays Buffalo made yesterday. The mistakes and turnovers were what cost them the game, and hopefully they learn from it and turn it around.
But for those of you who are ready to start purging coaches, players, etc., I'd reserve a little more judgement until we've played more than three football games and have more guys back healthy. It's too long a season to start jumping off the wagon just yet.
