I think we actually have a legitimate SHOT at this thing!!

[stinkypete]

I'm not ready to put the blinders back on until after this Baltimore game. If the Patriots win convincingly, none of this last minute dropped TD pass BS, then I'm ready to consider the Patriots elite.

Otherwise, I see some serious play-making potential on this team and in all 3 phases of the team. That is a characteristic of the glory days when it seemed the offense, defense and special teams always delivered when absolutely necessary. The GREAT Patriots teams didn't dominate, they knew how to deliver a win when they had the opportunity, and every game presents an opportunity. The 2006 - 2009 teams could never master that.

This team...it has that potential...

 

[alvinnf]

NE schedule is nasty from here on out. Cleveland on the road and Det on turkey day are tough games.... Those are our remaining cupcakes. 10-6 likely 11-5 possible. This is going to be one of those years where you have to be 11-5 to get in.. As we saw in 08 that might not be good enough. Let's hope they find a way to beat Balt, all those conf. games are gonna be crucial. I would be happy just to see their D tighten up.

 

[flynismo]

Does that include being down 21-0 in the first quarter at home?

NE schedule is nasty from here on out. Cleveland on the road and Det on turkey day are tough games.... Those are our remaining cupcakes. 10-6 likely 11-5 possible. This is going to be one of those years where you have to be 11-5 to get in.. As we saw in 08 that might not be good enough. Let's hope they find a way to beat Balt, all those conf. games are gonna be crucial. I would be happy just to see their D tighten up.

I agree, this is almost certainly shaping up to be a year where you need to be 11-5 to get in.

What I think is crap is that the 4 teams most likely to make it to the SB (bal, pitts, nyj and ne) will spend all year beating the bejeezus out of each other while Indy gets to chill out in the AFCS all season and not face any of us until the postseason.

 

[VJCPatriot]

NE schedule is nasty from here on out. Cleveland on the road and Det on turkey day are tough games.... Those are our remaining cupcakes. 10-6 likely 11-5 possible. This is going to be one of those years where you have to be 11-5 to get in.. As we saw in 08 that might not be good enough. Let's hope they find a way to beat Balt, all those conf. games are gonna be crucial. I would be happy just to see their D tighten up.

Pats are 3-1 now.

This is the rest of their schedule:


6 Sun, Oct 17th, 2010 Baltimore 01:00 PM Gillette Stadium. Winnable at home. I'll give the Pats the nod. 4-1
7 Sun, Oct 24th, 2010 at San_Diego 04:15 PM Qualcomm Stadium . Chargers are underachievers this year and beatable. Pats 5-1
8 Sun, Oct 31st, 2010 Minnesota 04:15 PM Gillette Stadium. Is there a more overrated team in football now? Pats win as Favre throws away a game losing pick. 6-1
9 Sun, Nov 7th, 2010 at Cleveland 01:00 PM Cleveland Browns Stadium. Browns are just not very good. 7-1
10 Sun, Nov 14th, 2010 at Pittsburgh 08:20 PM Heinz Field. Tough game, realistically we lose this one on the road. 7-2
11 Sun, Nov 21st, 2010 Indianapolis 04:15 PM Gillette Stadium. Colts are not as l33t as last year. Could go either way but we're at home. 8-2
12 Thu, Nov 25th, 2010 at Detroit 12:30 PM Ford Field. This is a joke, right? 9-2
13 Mon, Dec 6th, 2010 NY_Jets 08:30 PM Gillette Stadium. This revenge game is at home and the Pats have had time to gel so I'll give em the W. 10-2
14 Sun, Dec 12th, 2010 at Chicago 01:00 PM Soldier Field. Let's give em a let down loss after taking down the Jets in an emotional rivalry game. 10-3
15 Sun, Dec 19th, 2010 Green_Bay 08:20 PM Gillette Stadium. The pack are beatable and not looking nearly as good as last year. 11-3
16 Sun, Dec 26th, 2010 at Buffalo 01:00 PM Ralph Wilson Stadium. Pats own the Bills. Nuff said. 12-3
17 Sun, Jan 2nd, 2011 Miami 01:00 PM Gillette Stadium. Pats rest Brady as the division is probably locked up at this point. 12-4

This would optimally be how the season goes. No guarantees but they should be in the hunt for the division title for sure. It helps that the Pats dominate the bills/dolphins. If they manage a split with the Jets then I think the AFCE title becomes assured.

 

[Kontradiction]

Dude give the secondary a break, the pats HAVE NO PASS RUSH!!
The qb has so much time to pass it almost looks like they don't even try to hit him.

Why would I give the secondary a break when they clearly haven't been playing up to snuff? Yes, the pass rush is an issue as well. But let's not sit here and pretend like the secondary is simply a byproduct of that. It's clearly not.

 

[jmt57]

NE schedule is nasty from here on out.

As noted elsewhere, Pats have the same schedule as the Jets and Dolphins with the exception of two games. Teams that looked solid two months ago look shaky now, and visa versa. The other clubs have big name teams on their schedule too.

If I'm going to be concerned about something then it is the defense; certainly not this team's schedule versus that team's schedule. Just my opinion.

 

[ausbacker]

As much as an optimist I am this thread doesn't account for the possibility of players regressing this season.

 

[JackBauer]

Really, I think it comes down to injuries. If we can avoid certain players going down, we have as good a shot as anyone else, I think.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

Although the Pats schedule looks rough up ahead, I think we have a good chance at coming out at least 10-6. I am more excited that we are playing great teams than a bunch of busts... If we dominate the game vs the Ravens I bet everyone here will be throwing around the word "elite" about our 2010 Pats. If we lose the Ravens game and it looks ugly it will not be a good sign.

 

[RayClay]

Call me crazy.

***

Here's the good news, if anyone is buying my perception of things:

Our 3 largest weaknesses ~ our ONLY weaknesses ~ the D Line Edge, the Flankers, and our Secondary ~ all have tremendous upside within the context of this very Campaign.

* End Brandon Deaderick could have an immense impact on our Run Defense, and that, right soon.

* End Ron Brace continues to improve.

* Flanker Jermaine Cunningham continues to improve.

* Flanker Rob Ninkovich continues to improve.

* The Secondary continues to improve.

***

Good Health Granted, those are the only 5 Trouble Spots standing in our way of being ELITE Super Bowl Contenders, in the year 2010.

And execution at ALL FIVE is improving by Leaps and Bounds, in all cases by young men of Skill, Youth, and Passion, and under the extraordinary guidance of The Greatest Coach In The Game.

***

Last Monday Night was a Quantum Leap Forward, ahead of even my lofty expectations.

Gentlemen??

I think we actually have a legitimate SHOT at this thing.

I'd say you're wildly optimistic about the defense. I'm optimistic, but Deaderick is going to what?

Now as far as it relates to the Jets, I'd say their offense sucks and if we stay disciplined against the run we'll be all right on that score. Fave just kept handing the ball back and i don't care if they had a couple good offensive games, they are stoppable.

Surprisingly (maybe not) I think trading Moss helps us against what is a top notch defense, no getting around that. They can cover top receivers and get pressure consistently.

what works against that type of D? The dink and dunk. Get the ball out quick, quick opening routes, mix it up. Just move the chains and their pressure and big time CBs mean a lot less. Damn, Faulk would be great, but Woodhead, Edelman and a healthy Fred Taylor means the Jets will get bored defending conservative, smart offense.

If healthy, Branch>Moss against that defense. Cromartie is the perfect corner to neutralize Moss, no jump balls.

 

[Patspsycho]

Dude give the secondary a break, the pats HAVE NO PASS RUSH!!
The qb has so much time to pass it almost looks like they don't even try to hit him.

Here we go with the stupid "pass-rushing problems" again.

The top two teams leading with sacks, far and away, are the Chargers and the Titans with a combined record of 4 wins and 6 losses.

 

[RayClay]

I will ad a wildly optimistic thought. if Wheatley can get on the field without snapping any more bones, I say he's a starting CB on this team and a good one.

He was being assigned top receivers and doing a job when he first got here. Health is a big ? but talent isn't IMO.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I will ad a wildly optimistic thought. if Wheatley can get on the field without snapping any more bones, I say he's a starting CB on this team and a good one.

He was being assigned top receivers and doing a job when he first got here. Health is a big ? but talent isn't IMO.

Who? I think Crable makes a bigger impact...

 

[RayClay]

Here we go with the stupid "pass-rushing problems" again.

The top two teams leading with sacks, far and away, are the Chargers and the Titans with a combined record of 4 wins and 6 losses.

I'm encouraged with the oass rush. Cunningham just got back, Crable too and Ninchovich is showing some confidence which is a bonus.

C&C have plenty of athleticism IMO, so increased time should show some pass rush. Let's not forget Gholston and the other "great can't miss rushers". There was a steroid Merriman thread, he of the 4 sacks in 3 years.

As TBC and the other three meld with our young ILBs, we'll be getting sacks and pressures in bunches. A sack isn't worth crap if you blow your assignment on the next play and give up a score.

 

[RayClay]

Who? I think Crable makes a bigger impact...

I like Crable's athleticism, but in season and preseason, Wheatley's shown more. Granted, they've both been hurt so much you can't tell. I think Crable's power and overall play are a mystery just cause he hasn't played, while his athleticism and speed are apparent.

As much as either's played, there's no basis for judgment on either, but i noticed wheatley on videos and have been watching him. think he's got major league talent, but he looks great against N.O. and gets hurt again.

They're both outstanding or bust types, I think.

Plus, impact wise, Butler really has his head up his butt, so there's a big opening. Looks like Crable can be brought along slowly since the rotation ahead of him looks promising.

 

[Patspsycho]

I'm encouraged with the oass rush. Cunningham just got back, Crable too and Ninchovich is showing some confidence which is a bonus.

C&C have plenty of athleticism IMO, so increased time should show some pass rush. Let's not forget Gholston and the other "great can't miss rushers". There was a steroid Merriman thread, he of the 4 sacks in 3 years.

As TBC and the other three meld with our young ILBs, we'll be getting sacks and pressures in bunches. A sack isn't worth crap if you blow your assignment on the next play and give up a score.

What is encouraging to me is that we are consistently moving or collapsing the pocket, and disrupting the rhythm of the QB.

 

[patsfan-1982]

if the defense can keep geting big turn overs and the ST keep makeing plays they will win the SB

 

[Froob]

Yea I'm going to wait to see how they do vs baltimore. That should tell us where this season is headed.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Dude give the secondary a break, the pats HAVE NO PASS RUSH!!
The QB has so much time to pass it almost looks like they don't even try to hit him.

I guess that you did not see the Miami Dolphins game. The Patriots had a pair of sacks, and should of had a third but Henne broke out of the grip of a would be sacker. They also had at least 9 QB pressures or QB hits. On two of the four INTs, there was a pass rusher within half a step of the Miami QB bearing down, forcing him to throw the ball. There should have been another INT, as he threw a wobbler as he was hit throwing, but the DB dropped the INT.

I was more impressed with the pass rush than with the turnovers, but they go hand in hand.

With regard to the 400 yards of Miami Offense, I would remind you that the Patriots were on the field for 3 more "1 and done", and a "2 and done", before giving the ball back to the Dolphins. That they scored 4 times is the same as if they had gone "3 and out with a punt", giving up the ball. The Defense got no rest, and the Dolphins Offense had 4 extra opportunities to rack up yardage, but they still did not score.

The Defense is coming around after 1/4 of the season, and it will be better still by the final 1/2 of the season. This is an extraordinarily young, but talented Defense; and even the older portions of the established Offense have gotten much younger too.

It is wonderful to see a true expert like Belichick go about building a Super Bowl contender.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I've been high on Deaderick since the offseason. However, he still has a long way to go before he makes an "immense" impact.



Agreed. He's really been a life saver out there this season at DE. I really couldn't imagine how our defense would look without his contributions this year. His progress makes me wish Ty Warren was healthy.

I concur.



Indeed. Shows good speed and good technique. Just needs to get the defense and his instincts down and he'll be a valuable commodity at OLB.

I concur.



No he doesn't. JAG that had a great game against Miami partly due to their quarterback's incompetence.

I too considered Ninkovitch a JAG. Just as I viewed Mike Vrabel when he joined the Patriots. The thing that changes a guy from a JAG to a contributor, is plays and games like the one he just produced.



I certainly hope so. They've looked absolutely brutal so far. However, we all expected some growing pains there after Bodden went out for the season, so it is what it is.