Halfway Mark: Under & Over Performers

[PatsWickedPissah]

Based on the 1st half season...

Offense Over Perform:
Welker: bringing new, deeper threat dimensions to his already great game
Solder: Solid for a rookie and even for a vet
Waters: Unexpected bonus from a late FA acquisition plus vet leadership
Conolley: playing to his ability in a sudden new position

Offense Under Perform:
Brady: I do feel silly including a top 5 at his position guy but I'm seeing sub-par (for him) decision making and far more than normal turnovers
Mankins: Not earning his contract. Mental mistakes on pass blocking and failure to excelas a top paid guy @ position
Branch: can't separate; probably harsh, given that age may have caught up to The Twig
EDIT 85: forgot to even list this ghost

Meeting expectations are reliable performers like Gronk, Hernandez, slowed by injury and no-fumble Law Firm who has even caught swing passes

Incompletes to Glass IR Price and the rookie RBs who haven't gotten PT


Defense Over Perform:
Wilfork: went on a roll with picks & playing a HUGE # of minutes
Carter: exceeding expectations as an older guy, keeping constant pressure
Ninkovich: making plays, making the most of his JAG abilities and showing progress
Arrington: solid performance under the spotlight for young JAG talent; like all Pats DBs, needs to turn and look for the ball
Love: solid contributions for the fat 2nd year kid

Defense Under Perform:
Haynesworth: not currently on the team but listed because of lack of effort thru 8 games
Bodden: couldn't find a way to suck it up mentally and contribute off position
Brown: only under to idiots like myself and BB who foolishly expected something as he gained experience...NOT!
Cunningham: healthy scratch week after week. Consistent at least!
McCourty: regressed sharply but possibly on the way to recovery 2nd half
Mayo: off high expectations, listed only because off his tackle mark from last season and still yet to develop big play game changing ability

Guys like the LBs Spikes & Guyton are what they are this season. Same for the rest of the DL rotation.

Special Teams:

Entire Squad: not getting field position on KR or PR. Also giving position to the league's better ST squads like the hated Jets STs
Edelperson: no real yardage and a TO that could have been costly
Gostkowski: deflated momentum 2 weeks in a row with missed makable kicks

 

[JackBauer]

Spikes I would list as an overperformer.

Ninkovich I wouldn't list as either. He is what he is: a JAG who shouldn't be starting and certainly shouldn't be out there for 90 percent of the defensive snaps.

Mayo was overperforming prior to his injury.

 

[Rob0729]

One thing about McCourty, he has rebounded pretty well the last 3-4 games. Opposing QBs are not throwing his way much so we aren't seeing him, but that is because the guy he has been playing is covered. He isn't producing in the INT department or the tackles as much though.

Mayo gets a pass because he has been injured in my book.

 

[IllegalContact]

you're screwed when your best all-round player on defense is your NT.......

from the back 7, the arrington INT in the end zone is the first big impact play anyone has made this year.

the defense simply lacks talent.....most of the starters on the pats would either be backups or not even make many other rosters

 

[mgteich]

I agree with your analysis. I have the following additional notes.

RIDLEY is over-performing (he is backup and is doing just fine).
SPIKES is over-performing. He has looked awesome, and is our starting MLB.
BARRETT certainly bears mention as a huge under-performer as a starting safety.
IHEDIGBO has overperformed as a special teamer who has played reasonably at safety.
===========

With all this analysis, you'd never know that were so terrible. You might think that we were tied for the division, a top 12 team, and a team likely to go to the playoffs.

Based on the 1st half season...

Offense Over Perform:
Welker: bringing new, deeper threat dimensions to his already great game
Solder: Solid for a rookie and even for a vet
Waters: Unexpected bonus from a late FA acquisition plus vet leadership
Conolley: playing to his ability in a sudden new position

Offense Under Perform:
Brady: I do feel silly including a top 5 at his position guy but I'm seeing sub-par (for him) decision making and far more than normal turnovers
Mankins: Not earning his contract. Mental mistakes on pass blocking and failure to excelas a top paid guy @ position
Branch: can't separate; probably harsh, given that age may have caught up to The Twig
EDIT 85: forgot to even list this ghost

Meeting expectations are reliable performers like Gronk, Hernandez, slowed by injury and no-fumble Law Firm who has even caught swing passes

Incompletes to Glass IR Price and the rookie RBs who haven't gotten PT


Defense Over Perform:
Wilfork: went on a roll with picks & playing a HUGE # of minutes
Carter: exceeding expectations as an older guy, keeping constant pressure
Ninkovich: making plays, making the most of his JAG abilities and showing progress
Arrington: solid performance under the spotlight for young JAG talent; like all Pats DBs, needs to turn and look for the ball
Love: solid contributions for the fat 2nd year kid

Defense Under Perform:
Haynesworth: not currently on the team but listed because of lack of effort thru 8 games
Bodden: couldn't find a way to suck it up mentally and contribute off position
Brown: only under to idiots like myself and BB who foolishly expected something as he gained experience...NOT!
Cunningham: healthy scratch week after week. Consistent at least!
McCourty: regressed sharply but possibly on the way to recovery 2nd half
Mayo: off high expectations, listed only because off his tackle mark from last season and still yet to develop big play game changing ability

Guys like the LBs Spikes & Guyton are what they are this season. Same for the rest of the DL rotation.

Special Teams:

Entire Squad: not getting field position on KR or PR. Also giving position to the league's better ST squads like the hated Jets STs
Edelperson: no real yardage and a TO that could have been costly
Gostkowski: deflated momentum 2 weeks in a row with missed makable kicks

 

[Leave No Doubt]

He's not the Deion of old but underperforming, I dunno. If he gets separation he can make some catches at least that's my impression- no stats or anything, just overall opine

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I agree with your analysis. I have the following additional notes.

RIDLEY is over-performing (he is backup and is doing just fine).
SPIKES is over-performing. He has looked awesome, and is our starting MLB.
BARRETT certainly bears mention as a huge under-performer as a starting safety.
IHEDIGBO has overperformed as a special teamer who has played reasonably at safety.
===========

With all this analysis, you'd never know that were so terrible. You might think that we were tied for the division, a top 12 team, and a team likely to go to the playoffs.

Ridley has looked good. I blame BOB for not finding more opportunities for the kid.

I didn't have Spikes as over because I recall several plays where he stood flat footed as plays went on about him. Yes, I know he not a coverage guy but that attribute kept him at meets performance. I'm optimistic about him as the season progresses.

Barrett, my bad for not listing. Probably blocking out bad, bad memories.

Ihedigbo agreed. I'd thought of him while writing the post and simply forgot while typing.