Patriots at the 1/2 way mark - 5 pleasant surprises & 5 dissapointments

[PatsWickedPissah]

Five surprises:
+ Trading Seymour: how could that not be #1 in people's list? EDIT: didn't read pleasant, my bad!
+ McGowan: phenomenal, did NOT expect that, a strong #2 surprise
+ Butler: come a long way for a rookie, starting at corner in the 1st half of the season
+ TBC: had him figured as a depth move only
+ Edelperson: folks forget that this 7th rounder surprised everyone by playing well on STs and at WR when WWW was out injured. So soon the injured are forgotten.

Honorable Mention First Place: Guyton: knew he was good last year but he really steped up and filled in during Mayo's absense

Five disappointments
- Pierre Woods: this was his year to emerge at OLB; he's been a ghost forgotten by all
- Burgess: a 3rd pick for a guy who was going to play at an elite level where we needed pass rush
- Springs: a quality FA I thought would be a key swing DB
- Red Zone offense: below par, especially given the talent level
- Offensive & Defensive play calling: for the 1st time ever for me, I'm joining the coordinator critic crowd who are befuddled by play selection in critical situations

Never expected much from Galloway although I'm surprised he was THAT bad

 

[unoriginal]

It should be noted that this is about surprises, not expected positives or negatives
(...)
Meriweather's improvement
(...)
Moss and his refusal to fight for the ball in the air

I think those two at least were pretty expected.

 

[JackBauer]

Had the ball not gone out of bounds, there was a real chance for a turnover on his punch-fumble yesterday......

Of course, it also appeared like he blew the coverage on the TE in the end zone, so ...

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Surprises

1. Safeties - They're making it difficult for opposing teams to throw deep.
2. Vollmer - Has played extremely well, has great footwork. However, his big test is against Freeney next week.
3. McGowan - no name safety is certainly making Pats fans take notice. Hits hard and is consistently around the football. He leads the team in tackles and pretty much stole Sander's job.
4. Butler - He's already taken over as a starter in the secondary. He's shown great coverage skills and is not afraid to hit someone.
5. Banta-Cain - He's the only one on this defense that actually gets consistent pressure.

Disappointments

1. Adalius Thomas - What the hell happened to this guy?
2. Derrick Burgess - gave up a 3rd and a 5th and it looks as though the Pats are getting hosed on this one. He clearly doesn't fit in with this defense as he will probably walk in 2010.
3. Terrance Wheatley/Shawn Crable - two draft picks that can't stay on the field. Heck, Crable hasn't even played in one regular season game in the two seasons he's been in the league. Don't be surprised if he doesn't make the final roster in 2010. Ditto with Wheatley.
4. Joey Galloway - I'm disappointed, yet not surprised. What else should you expect out of a 37 year old WR? You get what you pay for.
5. Offensive play calling - it's getting slightly better but was atrocious early in the season. I can't stand it when they throw on early downs when it's first and goal. In addition, they abandon the run too much. Specifically, Maroney gets a good 5-6 yard run, yet the Pats start throwing again.

 

[JackBauer]

For a guy who doesn't appear to do that much, Burgess does seem to see a lot of playing time.

 

[patsfan-1982]

Joey Galloway[/B] - I'm disappointed, yet not surprised. What else should you expect out of a 37 year old WR? You get what you pay for.
.

that's why i did not add him as a Dissapointments i did not look for him to do anything this year he's just to old same with springs

 

[Synovia]

and Neal is having a terrific season

I'm not sure I agree with that. He's been beat by quite a few tackles this year. Mankins has been called for a couple fouls, but hes played much better than Neal.

 

[Deus Irae]

I think those two at least were pretty expected.

I don't think it was expected that Meriweather would improve as much as he has, though.

As for Moss, he's jumped for the ball in the past, although not every time. This season, he seems to have developed an allergy to the action. However, I'll note that I used 'surprise' in the sense of a surprise to me. I expected the team to struggle against the run once Seymour was traded, for example, so I didn't note that on the 'disappointment' list.

 

[Mack Herron]

How about a little love for Tully Banta Cain, Jake Ingram, and Brandon McGowan?

On the other side of the ledger: I expected more out of AD, Pierre Woods, and Derrick Burgess.

 

[ricogatenby99]

I have a lotta love for Banta-Cain

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I don't think it was expected that Meriweather would improve as much as he has, though.

As for Moss, he's jumped for the ball in the past, although not every time. This season, he seems to have developed an allergy to the action. However, I'll note that I used 'surprise' in the sense of a surprise to me. I expected the team to struggle against the run once Seymour was traded, for example, so I didn't note that on the 'disappointment' list.

Concerning Moss,I was also worried of how winded and tired out he was on the bench after his TD catch - The Moss we saw 2 years ago was wired and vigorous on the sidelines after TDs,This Moss is still very effective and dangerous,but age is slowly creeping in,you could see it.

 

[mgteich]

First. I am not surprised by the play of Wilfork, Watson, Banta-Cain, Bodden, Springs, Maroney, Wright and Meriweather. They are playing well, as expected. Should I be pleasantly surprised that Brady would be back in reasonable form after the bye, much as expected?

Secondly, I didn't expect huge impacts from Woods and Burgess, just that they do their jobs when they are called to (as they have).

PLEASANT SURPRISES
1) We are not missing Seymour more.
2) McGowan is our best defensive player so far this year.
3) The backup offensive linemen are fine in filling as the #3 TE.
4) Pryor has had significant reps and has done reasonably well.
5) Butler is awesome! He is progressing faster than I expected.

DISSAPPOINTMENTS
1) the average play of Adalius Thomas (how much is he being paid?)
2) the trade of Seymour
3) the lack of an extension for Wilfork.
4) the #3 WR situation, after cutting Lewis and Galloway for poor performance.
5) the slow development of ouir top draft choice (injuries to Wilfork and Green seemd likely to give Brace a chance to be a major player; instead Sands and Pryor have provided the backup reps).

 

[pats1]

I'd might consider putting Sanders in the "disappointment" category, although he has been injured and obviously McGowan has been a huge surprise.

 

[Marqui]

Pleasant surprised by Ben Watson's play and the Defense staying solid so far.

Very disappointed by the Denver loss and our weak redzone efficiency.

 

[Synovia]

I'd might consider putting Sanders in the "disappointment" category, although he has been injured and obviously McGowan has been a huge surprise.

THis seems similar to the Brace "dissapointment".


It all hinges on the guy who is out playing him being bad, and thats not the case.

McGowan is really good. He's a find. That doesn't mean Sanders is playing poorly.

 

[Marqui]

Moss and his refusal to fight for the ball in the air

This also makes me REALLY sad

 

[rbh24]

Mine:
1:Free agent picks up's(besides Galloway)They have all looked great.Banta Cain and Leigh Bodden,Mcgowan espically.
2:2009 draft class Vollmer,Endlemen and Tate have been good.Hats off to the scouting staff.
3:Richard who? thanks for the top 10 pick Oakland.
4:Offensive line
5:Brandon Merryweather(not much of a suprise)but he has been awesome.

disappointments
1:Galloway
2:Thomas
3:long term deal for Wilfork
4:3rd wide reciever slot(though Endlemen can handle it)
5:Sanders

 

[patchick]

Mine:
1:Free agent picks up's(besides Galloway)T

...and McGowan?

...and Bodden?

Taylor was contributing nicely before the injury, too. I'd call it a mixed bag, like usual.

 

[Patspsycho]

I'd might consider putting Sanders in the "disappointment" category, although he has been injured and obviously McGowan has been a huge surprise.

He saw time at ST and got that offsides call.

 

[rbh24]

...and McGowan?

...and Bodden?

Taylor was contributing nicely before the injury, too. I'd call it a mixed bag, like usual.

Sorry about that hit the wrong button.