Curran: Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

[mcsully]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

Last I checked they have the same record that we do and we lost to the same team. Their defense (which has been touted on this forum) gave up 31 to them at home. They beat the Trent Edwards led Bills, but only put up 15 points. They beat an offensively challenged Vikings team and then allowed 31 to the Jets.

I understand our record down there and I understand our defensive woes. But if anyone is thinking that Dolphins will win simply because of our defense than you might be surprised. Brady could easily drop 40+ on the Dolphins defense. Their secondary is worse than ours, and considering that Edwards and keller had a field day down there last week. How do you suppose they stop Moss, Welker, Edelman, Hernandez, Gronk, Crumpler and Tate?

NE is the better team, and unless Brady has a case of the brain farts (especially the Miami kind) - this should be a win.

Miami is a better all around football team than us right now. Comparing who beat who by how many points is a rookie mistake, esp when you talk about divisional games. Reminds me of the Power Rankings by journalists.. Dolphins split with the Jets last year and we split with both of them.. But at the end, the jets were 30 minutes away from going to the SB..

We have historically not matched up well with the Dolphins.. And the idea of our young Secondary going up against Marshal, makes me think if I was a betting man, I'd put money on Miami..

Bottom line, I want a win.. Yes they have a chance.. But I marked this down as a loss when I went thru the schedule (of course I thought we win in NY)..

 

[SVN]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

Boomer Esiason, CBS Sports on WEEI

boomer here makes our defense sound like really bad which it probably is so its expected people to pick against the pats.

 

[D-Money]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

This team has a brutal schedule.I could see a 10-6 record this season.People keep saying that this defense will improve from game to game then lets see some improvements tonight!!!!

 

[Sicilian]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

Miami is a better all around football team than us right now.

Are they though?

Passing offense = Big edge Patriots, due to QB play and variety of receiving options.
Rushing offense = You would assume edge Dolphins, but the Patriots are actually beating them in yards per carry (4.6 to 3.8), and they've both played two out of three games against common opponents.
Front seven = Dolphins
Secondary = Push. both teams have one good corner and then a guy who gets abused. Safety play has been up and down for both teams thus far.

And the idea of our young Secondary going up against Marshal, makes me think if I was a betting man, I'd put money on Miami..

I'll take our secondary against Marshall, Bess, and Fasano over their secondary against Moss, Welker, Tate, Edelman, Hernandez, Gronk, and Crumpler most any day. Neither is a good matchup, but we have way more weapons to attack them with. If you're going to be concerned about Marshall versus our guys, you need to be MORE concerned about our receivers versus their guys.

 

[SVN]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

Are they though?

Passing offense = Big edge Patriots, due to QB play and variety of receiving options.
Rushing offense = You would assume edge Dolphins, but the Patriots are actually beating them in yards per carry (4.6 to 3.8), and they've both played two out of three games against common opponents.
Front seven = Dolphins
Secondary = Push. both teams have one good corner and then a guy who gets abused. Safety play has been up and down for both teams thus far.



I'll take our secondary against Marshall, Bess, and Fasano over their secondary against Moss, Welker, Tate, Edelman, Hernandez, Gronk, and Crumpler most any day. Neither is a good matchup, but we have way more weapons to attack them with. If you're going to be concerned about Marshall versus our guys, you need to be MORE concerned about our receivers versus their guys.

i think our o line is going to have some problems tonite. they handled the jets blitz well but one on one matchups upfront iam not sure about them yet because they havent faced a good one yet...buffalo has no Dline so its really not a barometer

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

This team will win all or most of those games where the offense and Brady put up 28 points or more

The team will lose any games where the offense does not put up 28 points or more

The defense is a huge work in progress and is in a rebuilding year so while they rebuild, the offense is in charge of the outcome of games because this defense looks like it won't stop anyone this year.

The defense has too many growing pains and needs another season to get experienced as one unit,right now we just have a bunch of individuals trying to find themselves as a defender and of thier own position to improve on,not a key for immediate success.

Like you see right now in Pittsburgh,NY Jets and Baltimore that you need a tight bunch on defense and one unit on a mission each and every week to create havoc for opposing offenses like those 3 teams have accomplished and it shows in thier records.

It will take time and effort and patience of Pats fans who only think its SB or nothing,Relax,being a champion defense does not form overnight.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

Miami is a better all around football team than us right now. Comparing who beat who by how many points is a rookie mistake, esp when you talk about divisional games. Reminds me of the Power Rankings by journalists.. Dolphins split with the Jets last year and we split with both of them.. But at the end, the jets were 30 minutes away from going to the SB..

We have historically not matched up well with the Dolphins.. And the idea of our young Secondary going up against Marshal, makes me think if I was a betting man, I'd put money on Miami..

Bottom line, I want a win.. Yes they have a chance.. But I marked this down as a loss when I went thru the schedule (of course I thought we win in NY)..

A rookie mistake?? That defense has been tested once and came up on the wrong end of the stick. They have yet to face a top 10 passing team, and in comes NE.

Historically is just that. Historically the Dolphins had Jayson Taylor coming off the edge with Zach Thomas in the middle and for a few years Porter coming off the other edge. They have none of that now, their pass rush is just as bad as ours, actually I think it might be worse. Their secondary is bad and not just "they make mistakes" bad, but a severe lack of talent.

Marshall is their only hope in the passing game, hell he is their passing game. Unless Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown have a big night in conjuction with Marsall having a big night, they lose. They simply won't be able to scrore enough. Unless of course brady has his 2nd half road troubles.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

Our secondary and linebackers in coverage have a ton to prove.

I hope the experts keep picking the other team during this stretch we begin tonight.

I'm not picking the Dolphins but at the same time it's hard to brag we kick their tail tonight.

I think we win in an ugly low scoring grind it out game ... old school football night.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

A rookie mistake?? That defense has been tested once and came up on the wrong end of the stick. They have yet to face a top 10 passing team, and in comes NE.

Historically is just that. Historically the Dolphins had Jayson Taylor coming off the edge with Zach Thomas in the middle and for a few years Porter coming off the other edge. They have none of that now, their pass rush is just as bad as ours, actually I think it might be worse. Their secondary is bad and not just "they make mistakes" bad, but a severe lack of talent.

Marshall is their only hope in the passing game, hell he is their passing game. Unless Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown have a big night in conjuction with Marsall having a big night, they lose. They simply won't be able to scrore enough. Unless of course brady has his 2nd half road troubles.

When you have a bad defense like the Pats you hope for turnovers and interceptions to be the 12th 'player' or factor on defense

Turnovers will be key to the game,I guarantee the team with more turnovers loses this game.

 

[Sicilian]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

i think our o line is going to have some problems tonite. they handled the jets blitz well but one on one matchups upfront iam not sure about them yet because they havent faced a good one yet...buffalo has no Dline so its really not a barometer

They've played well in all three games, with the only tough aspect being run blocking against the Jets (who are a great run defense team). And again, the line has played pretty well in years past, despite changing personnel. The common denominator is Dante.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

I like it when the media picks against us. The Pats thrive on disrespect. This is gonna be a tough road game and the Pats need all the motivation they can get. Pats secondary is young and inexperienced but I don't think they lack for talent. If the defensive front can put some pressure on Henne, I think you'll start to see what the Pats defense can really do. They have speed all over the field.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

I like it when the media picks against us. The Pats thrive on disrespect. This is gonna be a tough road game and the Pats need all the motivation they can get. Pats secondary is young and inexperienced but I don't think they lack for talent. If the defensive front can put some pressure on Henne, I think you'll start to see what the Pats defense can really do. They have speed all over the field.

Speed isn't the issue...Mechanics of the pro game are.

If speed was the biggest factor in the overall game,then Bethel Johnson would be in the hall of fame as a WR.

I'll take smarts and knowledge of being in the right place at the right time over speed burners any time.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

When you have a bad defense like the Pats you hope for turnovers and interceptions to be the 12th 'player' or factor on defense

Turnovers will be key to the game,I guarantee the team with more turnovers loses this game.

Yup, this team will need them. And last week they were good in that area. But I think people are overestimating Miami's defense. We have the better offense and I don't see Miami's d stopping them. Along the same line as your statement. The only way NE doesn't score on every possesion is if they turn it over or Brady and Co have miscommunications ala 2nd half in NJ.

 

[BradysBunch12]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

I think the whole "Dolphins offense is going to score at will against the Pats" is an overstatement, too. I mean, we're not facing Dan Marino. I think the defense can hold the Dolphins to around 30 points.

 

[SVN]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

I like it when the media picks against us. The Pats thrive on disrespect. This is gonna be a tough road game and the Pats need all the motivation they can get. Pats secondary is young and inexperienced but I don't think they lack for talent. If the defensive front can put some pressure on Henne, I think you'll start to see what the Pats defense can really do. They have speed all over the field.

disrespect etc is okay...still need good players to channel it..

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

I think the whole "Dolphins offense is going to score at will against the Pats" is an overstatement, too. I mean, we're not facing Dan Marino. I think the defense can hold the Dolphins to around 30 points.

Actually I could definately see Brandon Marshall making Reggie Wayne's performance yesterday of 192 yards look pedestrian.

Its the others we need to stop like Bess and Fasano who has hurt NE before.

Marshall will get his yards and plenty of them,its the others that must be limited in order to win this game.

 

[BadMoFo]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

I have yet to see a single team play like they are SB bound. The closest team would be Pittsburgh and even they found a way to lose at home by giving up a late 4th quarter lead. But that defense looks good and they are getting Ben back. But other than them every team has been inconsistant.

You are forgetting the Jets of the past three weeks.

 

[BAM!]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

I like it when the media picks against us. The Pats thrive on disrespect.

This ain't the 2003-2008 Pats.

 

[Tunescribe]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

I used to like Curran before he decided to become a "media personality." Now he's just embarrassing.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: Curran:Traveling call: It's hard to pick Patriots over Dolphins

I half agree with him here. I can see picking the Dolphins, but I don't think picking the Pats is unreasonable either. I think it's pretty much a toss up, and I'd give the edge to the Dolphins because it's in Miami. They don't really have the WR depth to exploit our weak secondary, though, and they don't have the secondary depth to stay effective against our passing game. Their running game hasn't been great, but I could see Brown busting out big time in this one.