A Few Thoughts on Yesterday

[apple strudel]

Hmmm....

So basically you are telling us you don't know anything.

Thanks for the input there, Captain Obvious.

I guess there is no point asking if a 7-2 record can tell you anything.

patfans.com doing its thing!

 

[aluminum seats]

patfans.com doing its thing!

Yeah, really. I think most realistic fans are in the position of not really knowing what the team is at this point. Raise your hand if you thought they'd get clobbered by the Browns and then clobber the Steelers. Anyone? Bueller?

 

[ATippett56]

I'm not sure what the h3ll your point is unless you're just trolling (not very well) since nobody's making excuses for anybody (why would a Pats fan make excuses for the Steelers?). But I assume that you are aware that they have 2 starting DEs, Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith, that did not play last night. The Pats O line was down 2 starters last night, but you could argue that it was 1 effective starter given how solid Vollmer is. It all goes back to depth. The Pats have it, and they deal with injuries better than any team in the league, IMO..

I'm not trolling whatsoever. As for defensive starters missing, Ty Warren and Leigh Bodden have been placed on injured reserve prior to the start of the season. Those New England Patriots defensive injuries cancel out a 34 year old Aaron Smith and a 32 year old Brett Keisel missing from the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. You're trying your best to be a Pittsburgh Steelers apologist.

 

[apple strudel]

I'm not trolling whatsoever. As for defensive starters missing, Ty Warren and Leigh Bodden have been placed on injured reserve prior to the start of the season. Those New England Patriots defensive injuries cancel out a 34 year old Aaron Smith and a 32 year old Brett Keisel missing from the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. You're trying your best to be a Pittsburgh Steelers apologist.

You haven't read a single thing I've posted, have you? ************, this forum makes me want to be one of those guys complaining about the decline of American skills.

 

[ATippett56]

Hmmm....

So basically you are telling us you don't know anything.

Thanks for the input there, Captain Obvious.

I guess there is no point asking if a 7-2 record can tell you anything.

The 2010 New England Patriots are far better than the 2009 New England Patriots with road victories against Miami, San Diego, and Pittsburgh.

 

[ATippett56]

You haven't read a single thing I've posted, have you? ************, this forum makes me want to be one of those guys complaining about the decline of American skills.

You must be a Felger or Borges follower.

 

[zoostation]

Speaking of Chung, he came out of nowhere to flatten the Pittsburgh receiver on the last play of the 1st Q—I thought he stopped him short of the first down. Second Q., it was first down w/no mention of a measurement or anything. Did I miss something?

I thought the same thing when they first came back and saw the '1st and 10" on the tv. They did however mention that they took a measurement during the tv break.

It was a BS spot

 

[apple strudel]

You must be a Felger or Borges follower.

Um, no. Not even close. You, however, must be on ignore. And yes. Yes you are.

 

[ATippett56]

Um, no. Not even close. You, however, must be on ignore. And yes. Yes you are.

Yes! The first to be added to my ignore list!

 

[SVN]

I don't think it's just a Steelers problem. It's a herd coaching/mediot mentality. The same one that insists Manning is the GOAT. There is no reason for it, it just is.

Look at the Steelers/Saints game. The mediots talked about how great the Steelers were in the first half. Never mentioned they got lit up in the second half. I believe there are two factors.

The Steelers dominate a sizable majority of the league. They don't dominate elite offenses and elite QB's. As such, Brady and Warner and in the past Palmer can light them up but there is no consistent pattern since the next week has them dominating an inferior opponent.

"Pressure" is overrated against elite offenses. Yet the media clings to it like the second coming because it's "sexy". Against elite offenses, you have to mix up defenses, be selective with blitzes and really bring "pressure" up the middle. Not the Steelers forte. They also don't have the personnel to play man and I doubt they can play with the requisite level of disciplined.

Polamalu can't.

However, every system has it's advantages and drawbacks and two recent Super Bowls is nothing to complain.

you are correct. its funny all the mediots keep talking "zone blitz" and "you dont know who is coming and who is dropping back" with such hyperbole but never ever mention to explain its deficiency .
I remmeber brian baldinger constantly saying BB's style of D is overrated but if played well i think its as good as just zone blitz schme.
Credit the steelers, they run the same thing over and over again and rely on winning physical matchups to win. but as collinsworth said, the pats spread out and throw quick passes not really wanting to play to pitts stye and for pitts its not a fair fight

 

[aluminum seats]

Chung's pass coverage seems to be vastly improved from last year. He's still subpar, and he's a holding call just waiting to happen, but he's clearly getting better. Another year or two could see him turn into a truly complete safety.

Subpar, meaning he's below the league average in pass coverage? Seems like he flies to the ball pretty well to me.

 

[Wax Frog]

Isn't it awesome to be looking forward to the development of young guys instead of worrying about age, slowing down and wear and tear?

I needed a few seasons to mourn the nearly complete 'passing' of the Heroes of 2001, and thus the thumb-ring possibilities, but I'm now officially ready to enjoy the changeover

 

[Uncle Rico]

Shaughnessey (of all people) has a good column on SI about how this is BB's best coaching job.

New England Patriots' Bill Belichick doing his best coaching job - Dan Shaughnessy - SI.com

Last January the Pats were humbled in the first round of the playoffs, at home. The Baltimore Ravens came to Foxboro and administered a 33-14 beatdown.
It was supposed to signify the end of the golden days for Patriot football. Too much talent and brainpower had been shipped out of New England. The Patriots lost defensive stalwarts Tedy Bruschi, Richard Seymour, Mike Vrabel and Rodney Harrison. GM Scott Pioli went to the Chiefs. Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel, Josh McDaniels and Eric Mangini hit the bricks. Belichick eliminated the offensive and defensive coordinator positions. He took on the whole operation. It was hubris. It was crazy. It was a plan for failure.
And now the Patriots are 7-2 and no one has a better record in all of football.