Mariucci: "They Just Might Run the Table"

[QB12]

Got to love Mooch (Steve Mariucci), talking tonight on Total Access before the Miami - Carolina game. No one rallies the troops from adversity like Belichick does. Predicts the Patriots may very well run the table following the controversy over "the spot" as he calls it. He and Primetime and Rich Eisen predict the Pats will slaughter the Jets. Marshall Faulk - not so sure.

QB12

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I will be very surprised if we lose any game other than the Saints. I'm not sure our defense is ready to stop the Saints yet. By Super Bowl time we may be but I'm not sure we are just yet.

 

[Kontradiction]

Before the season I called 13-3 and a trip to the Super Bowl this year. I'm sticking by that still. And yes, I actually believe we'll beat the Aints and sweep the Dolphins.

 

[farn]

I would not be blown away if they go 13-3 as it was my preseason prediction. I think 12-4 is much more realistic with the loss being either the Saints (obv) or the last game on the sched if it means nothing for seeding. I'd be dissappointed if this team, goes any worse - all three losses were stingers that seemed like success was right around the corner.

Regardless of final record, it looks as though the average of the margin of their losses might be ridiculously low, as they've been "right" there vs Jets, Denver, and Indy.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Regardless of final record, it looks as though the average of the margin of their losses might be ridiculously low, as they've been "right" there vs Jets, Denver, and Indy.

As sad as it is to think about, we led those three games by 26 points combined at halftime.

 

[102 Pat]

It's interesting to hear that from a former head coach in Mariucci, unlike the talking heads who have never played a down of football in there life.

 

[Patspsycho]

I think 12-4 is much more realistic with the loss being either the Saints (obv) or the last game on the sched if it means nothing for seeding.

Don't knock Hoyer.. he is pretty good.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think there's a very solid possibility that we run the table.

The problems this team has had all years have been consistency, focus, and red zone execution. I said going into the Colts game that the Pats were better than the Colts, but that the Colts were more consistent than the Pats. We blew the Colts out for 48 minutes and then stopped playing. Inconsistency has hurt us in the 2nd half all year.

I think that Colts game was just the wake up call that this team needed. We proved that we can dominate anyone, even the 9-0 Colts, when we play our game. I think this team has a big time axe to grind after last week's loss and all of the criticism of BB, and that they will be relentless the rest of the year just like they were after Spygate. Without Spygate I doubt we would have gone 16-0 in 2007 - it's just too hard to stay focused and not have letdowns. But Spygate pissed the team off and it played all season with a rage. I wouldn't be surprised to see that happen the rest of this year.

The Saints are likely to be 10-0, but they haven't been nearly as consistent as the Colts, surviving major scares by Miami, Carolina, Atlanta, and even lowly St. Louis. I think they are ripe for the plucking.

 

[letekro]

As sad as it is to think about, we led those three games by 26 points combined at halftime.

Pretty amazing the offensive ineptitude shown in those 2nd halves:

10 points combined (all against Indy), with 7 of those points coming on a 7 yd drive following a punt return. Take out that short drive and you're talking about an average of 1 point per game in the second half.

 

[jays52]

They will. Book it. The team is coming together, the defense is playing it's best football in five years, and when he isn't out thinking himself, BB is largely himself. I look at the Indy game as a benchmark measurement of the team. I don't care that they lost, because they weren't catching Indy anyways. What mattered to me was how the team played. They dominated the game, and were one quarter of bad coaching and a freak fumble away from a blowout.

I think that the Pats are currently the best team in the NFL when they are playing at their highest level. I can't identify a team with a legitimate chance of beating them if they execute. First time since '04 I've believed that.

 

[ausbacker]

I really don't care what we do... as long as we win every game left in the season and win every game we play in the post season.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

I don't see why not. It's all coming together. Hopefully we'll get some players back. Brady is feeling better & confident. D will only get better & comfortable each game. I think we're catching Saints at a good time also. Their banged up and brees cooled off. Brady comin to town on prime time best is yet to come.

 

[Patjew]

As sad as it is to think about, we led those three games by 26 points combined at halftime.

Well that's a kick in the nuts, ain't it. This team needs to further develop its killer instinct.

 

[jays52]

Those leads dropped after halftime are directly on Dean Pees. He is garbage with a lead. That goddamned cover four is lethal to any defense. His calls with the lead are the most predictable I have ever seen. 2 man under in running and short passing situations. Cover four in passing situations. Gives up a first. Rinse, lather, repeat. Lulls QB into the 3rd down cover four, sends six. He's almost as bad as Mangini.

 

[Wax Frog]

I think they are ripe for the plucking.

Please, no Vanderjinxes!

 

[mayoclinic]

I think that the Pats are currently the best team in the NFL when they are playing at their highest level. I can't identify a team with a legitimate chance of beating them if they execute. First time since '04 I've believed that.

Exactly. Well said. Though I would say that I felt that way in 2007.

 

[mayoclinic]

Those leads dropped after halftime are directly on Dean Pees. He is garbage with a lead. That goddamned cover four is lethal to any defense. His calls with the lead are the most predictable I have ever seen. 2 man under in running and short passing situations. Cover four in passing situations. Gives up a first. Rinse, lather, repeat. Lulls QB into the 3rd down cover four, sends six. He's almost as bad as Mangini.

We have been just as predictable on offense in the 2nd half, running exclusively out of the shotgun, with no effective running game. 10 2nd half points in 6 quarters against the Jets, Broncos and Colts isn't Pees' fault, though I completely agree with you about Pees.

We dominate teams and then give the game away with crappy play calling and schemes. No one has been able to stop our team except our own coaching staff.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

Got to love Mooch (Steve Mariucci), talking tonight on Total Access before the Miami - Carolina game. No one rallies the troops from adversity like Belichick does. Predicts the Patriots may very well run the table following the controversy over "the spot" as he calls it.

Mooch is right on about "the spot". So is Phil Sims and other commentators who want to talk about the actual play rather than spend days bashing Bill Belichick over what was in reality a successsful 4th down play. On the Tailgate show tonight Steve DeOssie and Freddie Smerlas showed 2 different angles which clearly shows Kevin's initial bobble when he's in the air, he then gains full possession of the ball as he's coming down and when his left foot touches the ground Kevin is in full possession of the ball and his upper body and the ball are well beyond the 30 yd line. Steve DeOssie, a pretty straight shooter who doesn't carry the Patriots water said it was a terrible call, the real spot wasn't even that close and the ref who made the call (along the sideline) was in terrible position to do so.
Patriots got screwed. Pure and simple!

 

[Kontradiction]

We dominate teams and then give the game away with crappy play calling and schemes. No one has been able to stop our team except our own coaching staff.

And that's a scary thought come playoff time. I hope BB had Pees and O'Brien in his office at some point this week and lit into them.

 

[SVN]

i would take the wait and see approach. They are certainly improving but this team esp in defense and running game is not like the 2003-4 teams. We won games with scores of 9-3 etc. Right now , its a lot on the offense. The defense is somewhat inexperienced .We could run the table but also could make mental mistakes which is common for a young team.So its hard to project 8 games. The older teams would win games they had no business of winning sometimes e.g the rams game in 2004 with troy brown playing secondary. This team is still growing especially on defense.