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- Oct 16, 2007
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1. First half offense featured an impressive running game. Woodhead looked great - shifty and elusive as ever. Sometimes I worry that BJGE is an average RB on a very good team but he ran hard last night. Might we see NE try to be more physical by putting greater emphasis on the running game? I really liked the fourth TD drive. On the previous NE possession, the Bucs actually showed a pulse, with a fair amount of blitzing pressure on Brady. The Patriots' response was to run the ball down the Bucs throats, with only one pass on the 60 yard TD drive, that coming after the OH penalty on Koppen negated a BJGE TD and moved the ball back to the 15.
2. When the halftime score is Men 28 Boys 0, you'd think TB was having a big night. But there really wasn't all that much production from the passing game. The two TD passes both came against laughably inept pass coverage. Not a good night for the wideouts and Brady himself would say he wasn't especially sharp. They did look deep a couple of times but Brady had to settle for check downs. I'm not convinced there's a legitimate deep threat on the team - this may well save Brandon Tate unless Price can get deep and stay healthy.
3. Ochocinco is struggling to pick up the offense but I think he will get there. The guy is still an incredible physical specimen who runs crisp, precise routes and can explode in and out of his breaks. He should be made for this offense if he can figure it out. I'm rooting for him because it's pretty clear that he loves to play football and wants so badly to do well here.
4. Andre Carter reminds me a bit of Roman Phifer in this respect. He's a guy who has played pretty well for a number of years. He's been very durable, in no small part because he has kept himself in phenomenal shape. He carries himself like a leader and I believe he will be quickly respected in the locker room. If I were Jermaine Cunningham, I'd attach myself to Carter's hip so that I could learn what it takes to succeed in the NFL.
5. I'm having a hard time finding a comparable player to Stevan Ridley. Some backs find holes; Ridley finds creases. He's uncannily elusive in tight spaces, with a quick hop or wiggle allowing him to consistently gain an extra yard or three. One cautionary note - he didn't look particularly receptive to Ivans Fears' comments after the fumble. Here's hoping that a veteran (Faulk?) reads him the riot act because these coaches will make him a better player if he'll listen to them.
6. Cut down dates: August 30 to 75 players, September 3 to 53. There's going to be a lot of bodies out there and a lot of player movement at cutdown time. Belichick's going to keep the 53 best regardless draft position and contracts, so be prepared for some surprises.
7. I know that the Krafts are great owners but do Don Criqui and Randy Cross have to remind us 17 times per quarter? Please, make it stop ...
8. Has BB ever looked more relaxed on the sideline than he did last night? He was positively serene. I can imagine that he's thinking - I've got all of the pieces here, I just need to figure out how to fit them together.
9. Usually, I'd worry that things going too well in a preseason game would result in some complacency. But there is so much competition for spots virtually everywhere on this roster. The smart players are thinking that this team has a chance to be special and I really don't want to be traded or get cut so I know that I need to work my butt off .
10. Patriots add Hayensworth, Ochocinco, Carter, Ellis, Anderson and the usual treasure trove of draft picks to young team that went 14-2 last year. jets add 73 year old Derrick Mason (Fat Rex expects 90-100 receptions) and ex-con Plexiglass coming off a 2 year vacation paid for by the state of NY. Advantage: jets.
2. When the halftime score is Men 28 Boys 0, you'd think TB was having a big night. But there really wasn't all that much production from the passing game. The two TD passes both came against laughably inept pass coverage. Not a good night for the wideouts and Brady himself would say he wasn't especially sharp. They did look deep a couple of times but Brady had to settle for check downs. I'm not convinced there's a legitimate deep threat on the team - this may well save Brandon Tate unless Price can get deep and stay healthy.
3. Ochocinco is struggling to pick up the offense but I think he will get there. The guy is still an incredible physical specimen who runs crisp, precise routes and can explode in and out of his breaks. He should be made for this offense if he can figure it out. I'm rooting for him because it's pretty clear that he loves to play football and wants so badly to do well here.
4. Andre Carter reminds me a bit of Roman Phifer in this respect. He's a guy who has played pretty well for a number of years. He's been very durable, in no small part because he has kept himself in phenomenal shape. He carries himself like a leader and I believe he will be quickly respected in the locker room. If I were Jermaine Cunningham, I'd attach myself to Carter's hip so that I could learn what it takes to succeed in the NFL.
5. I'm having a hard time finding a comparable player to Stevan Ridley. Some backs find holes; Ridley finds creases. He's uncannily elusive in tight spaces, with a quick hop or wiggle allowing him to consistently gain an extra yard or three. One cautionary note - he didn't look particularly receptive to Ivans Fears' comments after the fumble. Here's hoping that a veteran (Faulk?) reads him the riot act because these coaches will make him a better player if he'll listen to them.
6. Cut down dates: August 30 to 75 players, September 3 to 53. There's going to be a lot of bodies out there and a lot of player movement at cutdown time. Belichick's going to keep the 53 best regardless draft position and contracts, so be prepared for some surprises.
7. I know that the Krafts are great owners but do Don Criqui and Randy Cross have to remind us 17 times per quarter? Please, make it stop ...
8. Has BB ever looked more relaxed on the sideline than he did last night? He was positively serene. I can imagine that he's thinking - I've got all of the pieces here, I just need to figure out how to fit them together.
9. Usually, I'd worry that things going too well in a preseason game would result in some complacency. But there is so much competition for spots virtually everywhere on this roster. The smart players are thinking that this team has a chance to be special and I really don't want to be traded or get cut so I know that I need to work my butt off .
10. Patriots add Hayensworth, Ochocinco, Carter, Ellis, Anderson and the usual treasure trove of draft picks to young team that went 14-2 last year. jets add 73 year old Derrick Mason (Fat Rex expects 90-100 receptions) and ex-con Plexiglass coming off a 2 year vacation paid for by the state of NY. Advantage: jets.
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