Tom Curran: Patriots used the Colts game to experiment with players

[Rob0729]

It appears that the koolaide has moonshine in it these days.

The pass defense is what it is...not very good. "Experimenting" to see if Slater is better than an actual DB? Maybe, or maybe it's a desperate attempt to wake personnel up? Give Ochostinko more real game opps? He sure took advantage! (eyeroll).

There may be some truth to the "experiment" theory....but it's not the whole story. I just can't see why he was so pissed off if he was just "experimenting."

There is as much doom and gloom as sunshine. The doom and gloomers just want everyone to say this defense sucks and the Pats are doomed.

Yes, the defense needs improvement. It isn't nearly as bad as some people make it, but it isn't the 2000 Ravens either. It is probably average when everything is said and done. Belichick took time to work on things that might improve it down the line against a team that has waived the white flag long ago. Why are people trying to turn this into Belichick is just throwing things against the wall to see what sticks in a desperate attempt to salvage the season?

The simple fact is the Pats had the worst team in the NFL at home and had an opportunity to try things to improve the team. He probably wouldn't have done it with any other team they played against, but the Colts have mailed it in long ago and Belichick took advantage of it.

 

[strngplyr]

The OP itself is an excuse-making attempt to the contrary......the argument is that the defense was not good because of the things they were trying when the real fact is that the defense is simply not good at all

The argument was that it looked THAT bad because of experimenting, not that it "didn't look good" because of it. The defense is sub-par, but yesterday they were obviously experimenting. ESPN Boston has multiple articles up detailing the personnel groupings that support this. We had a few players back from injury yet we still played the scrubbest of the scrubs for 90% of the game. It was an evaluation game, "glorified preseason".

That said, give the Colts credit. It was a combination of defensive experimenting and the Colts switching to a no huddle attack. If we have to face a real no huddle offense BB better not be afraid to blow a TO. We got ruined by one of the worst teams in the NFL using it.

 

[Rob0729]

Even Felger and Mazz are dismissing this game as just "Belichick playing around" this game. I mean if they can admit that Belichick was doing a lot of experimenting in this game, why can't the fans. They are the two biggest contrarians in New England.

 

[BradyManny]

Even Felger and Mazz are dismissing this game as just "Belichick playing around" this game. I mean if they can admit that Belichick was doing a lot of experimenting in this game, why can't the fans. They are the two biggest contrarians in New England.

Good point.

Just look at the D snaps on Reiss' blog. Do people really think that Slater, Jones and Koutouvides would have that many snaps if Belichick believed that game were ever a true contest?

If we don't accept that yesterday's game was nothing more than a scrimmage to BB, than how else would one explain Sterling Moore's snaps. He's played - seemingly - well since being inserted into the lineup at safety and is held out all game until brought in as a corner?

 

[SteveKiner]

BTW, the Big Nickel made a return appearance yesterday for the first time since Tank Johnson was on the team. Tell me that the Pats weren't experimenting.

I agree with your general sentiment but this made me laugh. I think you mean Tank Williams. Tank Johnson would be a real BIG Nickel.

 

[Rob0729]

Good point.

Just look at the D snaps on Reiss' blog. Do people really think that Slater, Jones and Koutouvides would have that many snaps if Belichick believed that game were ever a true contest?

If we don't accept that yesterday's game was nothing more than a scrimmage to BB, than how else would one explain Sterling Moore's snaps. He's played - seemingly - well since being inserted into the lineup at safety and is held out all game until brought in as a corner?

Even Reiss buys into the theory. From the blog post you link:

The sense from here was that Bill Belichick was taking a closer look at how different options looked so he can gather more information heading into the playoffs and make the best roster-related decisions based on a specific matchup.

 

[Rob0729]

I agree with your general sentiment but this made me laugh. I think you mean Tank Williams. Tank Johnson would be a real BIG Nickel.

Always do that. Aren't all Tanks the same give or take 200 lbs.

 

[Keyser Söze]

Was Slater really a step down from our other safetys yesterday?

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Always do that. Aren't all Tanks the same give or take 200 lbs.

I wonder who the Big Nickel is aimed at.

Baltimore? Houston?

I hope that's not being developed for Green Bay or New Orleans.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

There is as much doom and gloom as sunshine. The doom and gloomers just want everyone to say this defense sucks and the Pats are doomed.

Yes, the defense needs improvement. It isn't nearly as bad as some people make it, but it isn't the 2000 Ravens either. It is probably average when everything is said and done. Belichick took time to work on things that might improve it down the line against a team that has waived the white flag long ago. Why are people trying to turn this into Belichick is just throwing things against the wall to see what sticks in a desperate attempt to salvage the season?

The simple fact is the Pats had the worst team in the NFL at home and had an opportunity to try things to improve the team. He probably wouldn't have done it with any other team they played against, but the Colts have mailed it in long ago and Belichick took advantage of it.

Rob

I would also point out that with four teams 9-3, this game might be the only time for evaluation.

Week 17 will most likely be meaningful.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Even Felger and Mazz are dismissing this game as just "Belichick playing around" this game. I mean if they can admit that Belichick was doing a lot of experimenting in this game, why can't the fans. They are the two biggest contrarians in New England.

But if the fans are upset and worried, then aren't FelgMazz just continuing to be contrarians by saying this?

 

[Kontradiction]

The Pats are only allowed 14 padded practices all season. You want to waste the less than one practice a week they get to play in pads in experimenting with Slater at safety or implementing the Big Nickel? You can't get a proper read on experimenting with these players and formations in shells.

You can get a pretty decent look at your other options and not waste and entire practice on it. Hell, you can do it while your starters get reps and take part in position drills as well. I agree with your last sentence.

Yesterday, the Pats had a game against a team that had packed it in and most people think they are trying to lose to get the first overall pick. This is a game where Belichick could afford to get some real game experimentation.

I can't see how people don't think it is a little fishy that we are seeing new formations we haven't seen all year, players who never played a position starting, and a lot of back ups on both side of the ball getting starts or significant amount of playing time.

The Pats are 9-3, and are tied with two other teams (one of them being Baltimore) with the best record in the AFC. They currently hold the #1 seed and HFA throughout the entire playoffs. Personally, that's reason enough for me not to gamble with experimenting players even if it is just against the lowly Colts. I don't think Belichick is doing this to somehow "salvage his season" or anything like that. I think he was doing it because he sees the flaws in the defense this season and is working his best to try to fix it. In order to do that, he put up actual game reps and got them on tape so he can see what worked and what didn't. That would appear to be a different outlook than many on this forum currently have about that side of the ball.

 

[Kontradiction]

I wonder who the Big Nickel is aimed at.

Baltimore? Houston?

I hope that's not being developed for Green Bay or New Orleans.

I'd be surprised if we saw it a lot in the playoffs, but I would guess Houston. Oakland would likely be another choice.

 

[shmessy]

Someone else (Bella*chick who deserves the credit for finding this) posted this in the post game thread, but I think it deserves its own thread to talk the doom and gloomers off the ledge. Curran points out that Belichick tried out players at new positions and gave end of the roster back ups significant time to see what they could do. It was like the Pats turned this game into a glorified preseason game or scrimmage:

Curran: Belichick uses Colts to further experiment

This was so FREAKING OBVIOUS, it's amazing the 20% of people here last night complaining about the game.

He was playing Niko Koutivides, Jackie Slater's kid Urkel and two guys named Norm.

What's so difficult to understand?

 

[loloooooooooooo]

the game was over at 31-3, I don't see why people think the Colts could have came back? theres a reason the Pats didn't score after that, and it's not because the great Colts defense

 

[shmessy]

So I should believe he was really telling his team Indy was a push over? Since I cant believe what BB says?

Wow. Perhaps you should ask someone who knows about Bill Belichick.

You're under the impression that he gives a rats arse about what he says to the media.

The important things he tells his team you won't find out until well after the season. But God bless ya, Keyser, for dreaming that you're getting important nuggets of insight from his enforced media conferences before a game.

 

[Rob0729]

You can get a pretty decent look at your other options and not waste and entire practice on it. Hell, you can do it while your starters get reps and take part in position drills as well. I agree with your last sentence.

You can get a good 15-30 minutes if that. In a three hour session, how much can they dedicate to experimental stuff. Not much.

The Pats are 9-3, and are tied with two other teams (one of them being Baltimore) with the best record in the AFC. They currently hold the #1 seed and HFA throughout the entire playoffs. Personally, that's reason enough for me not to gamble with experimenting players even if it is just against the lowly Colts. I don't think Belichick is doing this to somehow "salvage his season" or anything like that. I think he was doing it because he sees the flaws in the defense this season and is working his best to try to fix it. In order to do that, he put up actual game reps and got them on tape so he can see what worked and what didn't. That would appear to be a different outlook than many on this forum currently have about that side of the ball.

Yesterday's game was about preparing for a Super Bowl run, not winning a game that was basically in the bag. Belichick wanted to make sure that if he gets a rash of injuries, Matthew Slater's first experience at safety isn't in the AFC Championship against Ben Roethlisberger. The Pats were playing the worst team in the NFL and crushed them with back ups no matter what the score was said.

It is clear to everyone covering this team that this is what they did. Why can't other people understand that? I bet if this was a real team, both Chung and Fletcher would have played and started.

 

[RobertWeathers]

This was so freaking obvious, it's amazing the number of people here last night complaining about the game.

He was playing Niko Koutivides, Jackie Slater's kid Urkel and two guys named Norm.

What's so difficult to understand?

...and the rest of the cast of "Family Matters" and "Cheers" are on the practice squad.

 

[Metaphors]

Good point.

Just look at the D snaps on Reiss' blog. Do people really think that Slater, Jones and Koutouvides would have that many snaps if Belichick believed that game were ever a true contest?

If we don't accept that yesterday's game was nothing more than a scrimmage to BB, than how else would one explain Sterling Moore's snaps. He's played - seemingly - well since being inserted into the lineup at safety and is held out all game until brought in as a corner?

And Moldin was healthy enough to play special teams but didn't get a single snap at CB after going wire to wire against the Chiefs and Eagles (until he got dinged up in Philly).

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Originally Posted by Keyser Söze
So I should believe he was really telling his team Indy was a push over? Since I cant believe what BB says?

Go listen to BB's interview on weei this afternoon at 4, then tell us what you think.