I'll say it. I thought McCourty played well.

[everlong]

3rd-18, WAS 8 4:36 New England committed 11 yard penalty

While I thought he played better as the game went on and he made a great breakup in the second half where he delivered the wood to the receiver as the ball arrived the above is unacceptable.

We all bought into situational football. Well that was situational football at it's worst. 3 and 18 you have them pinned deep and you tackle the receiver on a ten yard in cut. You make the tackle there and they punt and you're back in business at midfield. Instead the Skins get new life and score.

In the first half his ball skills were awful again. I was talking to a friend saying how did this kid lose it that fast? He had chances to make plays and was playing the man too much and the ball not enough. In the second half there were a few times where we saw his 2010 form. More of that please.

 

[DaBruinz]

So BB is at no fault when drafting. That's what you're saying, oh well BB didn't think they were bad...ok? what's your point? They were bad and he's every bit responsible.

Oh the agony, Barrett got hurt. That must be why our defense is last. That and the fact Meriweather began to suck, as opposed to his normal sucking.

Starting to think your post was a goof, let me know if it was.

Clearly you can't think beyond your own garbage.

BB is NOT a psychic (another fact you can't deny). There is no way for him to have known that Chung, Dowling, Bodden, McCourty, and Barrett would see significant time lost due to injury.

Instead of making things up, why not zip it and just read what he said. He mentioned nothing about BB's drafting, though the draft is a crap shoot (that's another FACT you can't deny).

The defense is last in yards allowed because of the number of injuries that have occurred to this defense. Mayo and Spikes both missing time with sprained MCLs. Fletcher missing time. Chung missing time. Barrett on the IR. Dowling on the IR. Bodden let go and it turning out that he had a bad disc that required surgery... McCourty missing time. Pryor and Wright both ending up on the IR again. Now, Cunningham on the IR. When you lose that many people from your defense, you're going to have issues. That is something you don't see to be able to comprehend.

 

[DarrylS]

Clearly you can't think beyond your own garbage.

BB is NOT a psychic (another fact you can't deny). There is no way for him to have known that Chung, Dowling, Bodden, McCourty, and Barrett would see significant time lost due to injury.

Instead of making things up, why not zip it and just read what he said. He mentioned nothing about BB's drafting, though the draft is a crap shoot (that's another FACT you can't deny).

The defense is last in yards allowed because of the number of injuries that have occurred to this defense. Mayo and Spikes both missing time with sprained MCLs. Fletcher missing time. Chung missing time. Barrett on the IR. Dowling on the IR. Bodden let go and it turning out that he had a bad disc that required surgery... McCourty missing time. Pryor and Wright both ending up on the IR again. Now, Cunningham on the IR. When you lose that many people from your defense, you're going to have issues. That is something you don't see to be able to comprehend.

Coupled with McCourty and Idebeho(sp) are both playing hurt right now, with obvioius shoulder injuries..

Imagine as a DB playing with shoulder injuries??

 

[patfanken]

Once again the negative nellies can't see the forest for the trees.

1. Getting back to the original topic, I too felt that McCourty played a much better game yesterday, especially in the second half. You know the half where the Pats gave up an unforgivable SEVEN points. I mean why can't we get defensive talent like they have in Dallas and NY, run by REAL defensive geniuses. You know the kind that allow 22 and 17 points in an all important 2nd half. Yeah, I dream of the day when that happens

2.The critical PI penalty that was called on McCourty was no worse that what the Skin DB did to Underwood which wasn't called. The difference between success and failure is THAT thin...and that arbitrary

3. I've said it before and I'll say it again. McCourty WASN'T beaten by Stallworth on that long gain. In man coverage, he's SUPPOSED to play the receiver from underneath. He was in perfect position. He was beaten by the perfect pass. Just like EVERY DB is when that occurs. Just like the Skin DB who was covering Gronk on one of his TDs. Perfect position....Perfect pass....TOUCHDOWN.

4. He made 4 very good plays in the second half that I can recall. And what was most telling was he made some in man coverage and some in zone.

5. If I wanted to be CONSTRUCTIVELY critical, these would be some of the comments I would make and I'm sure they'll be echoed by his own coaches.

a. He needs to be more physical on the LOS. He has to vastly improve his jam. He is not consistent enough.

b. He has to play more confidently. In other words be willing to take chances on the ball. See it, read it, believe it, and ACT on it. It seems to me that he plays it too safe sometimes. Willing to simply make the tackle.

BTW - I don't worry about this, its just something that comes with time and a better supporting cast.

 

[Ring 6]

So it took a "mere" 5 years picking in the low to mid rounds of every draft to accumulate the talent he has to date. Well that's enough for me. Rick's a certified patsfans.com drafting genius.

You are missing the most important factor. He drafted Connor Barwin, who after 2 years of doing not much is actually contributing something in year 3.

 

[everlong]

2.The critical PI penalty that was called on McCourty was no worse that what the Skin DB did to Underwood which wasn't called. The difference between success and failure is THAT thin...and that arbitrary

3. I've said it before and I'll say it again. McCourty WASN'T beaten by Stallworth on that long gain. In man coverage, he's SUPPOSED to play the receiver from underneath. He was in perfect position. He was beaten by the perfect pass. Just like EVERY DB is when that occurs. Just like the Skin DB who was covering Gronk on one of his TDs. Perfect position....Perfect pass....TOUCHDOWN.

What the Skin's DB did to Underwood is irrelevant. It was bad situational football.

He wasn't beaten but last year he would have looked up and played the ball and knocked that ball down or at least tried. I'll have to re-watch it but it looked like if he has put his hand up he could have deflected the ball.

It's not being a negative Nelly when you point out the good and the bad.

 

[Patjew]

What really bugged me was that stupid PI. Let him catch it, tackle him, and he's well short of a first down. Instead it seemed like he panicked, which is never good to see.

 

[DaBruinz]

I would have drafted better, there is a simple solution. For this situation? Hire someone who can do it. BB is a great coach, not so great GM.

Perfect hindsight? Give me a break. You could apply that if we were *****ing about one bust, not many.

How would you have "drafted better"? Make sure that you take into account that any change you make will have repercussions down the line on all the other moves.

 

[DaBruinz]

We went 14-2 last season and ended up one and done AT HOME for the second straight season. Excuse those of us who think records can be misleading.

Yes, records can be misleading. But why, exactly, did the Pats end up at home after 1 game? Was it the OFFENSE or Defense? Or can't you be bothered to think beyond your incessant whining?

 

[DaBruinz]

You cant even get the exchange right. Yeah just ignore the rest of his post after he said it was debatable.

It was PatsNutMe who made the post and he didn't say anything else in that post after he said it was debatable. It would seem to be you that can't get the exchange correct.

 

[Shed83]

Well BB's drafting cant be that bad!

Pats, Belichick set records with 10th win

 

[DaBruinz]

Anyone out there there who can comprehend the fact I wasnt saying that personally I could draft better. Read his phrasing, then my response. I'm saying draft better, not that I could. God it's sad I'm posting this again. Yes, it says "I would have drafted better" but a little thought to it might help you understand.

Funny how RayClay obviously knew what I was saying.

WOW. I think the last time I saw someone try and spin so much was Aquafan when he was telling everyone how bad Welker was going to be..

As for you saying "Draft better", that would imply that there is a way to know, before hand, exactly who will pan out and who won't. Who will suffer season ending injuries in Rookie Camp and who won't. That GMs are supposed to be clairvoyant to know these things..

 

[DaBruinz]

You are missing the most important factor. He drafted Connor Barwin, who after 2 years of doing not much is actually contributing something in year 3.

There were quite a few people on here who wanted Barwin and were ridiculed incessantly for it.

Also, Andy, Barwin didn't do anything his sophomore year because he was injured. Trying to denigrate him because he put up only 4.5 sacks playing part time as a rookie doesn't shine well on you or your use of Barwin in the argument.

If you want to attack Smith, then look at the other players and not just the one who is turning into one helluva OLB the way many on this board felt he would.

 

[SVN]

Maybe his shoulder injury has something to do with it

End better than beginning for McCourty

The relief he felt was a measure of how far he's fallen. Pass break-ups? That's a cornerback's bread and butter not reason to celebrate. That's the kind of season it's been: a battle for consistency. The separated shoulder suffered a month ago doesn't help. McCourty is clearly still not himself. Whether it's being right there with Stallworth on that 51-yard catch but not making a play on the ball, or struggling to get dressed after the game, limited mobility is an issue.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Clearly you can't think beyond your own garbage.

BB is NOT a psychic (another fact you can't deny). There is no way for him to have known that Chung, Dowling, Bodden, McCourty, and Barrett would see significant time lost due to injury.

Instead of making things up, why not zip it and just read what he said. He mentioned nothing about BB's drafting, though the draft is a crap shoot (that's another FACT you can't deny).

The defense is last in yards allowed because of the number of injuries that have occurred to this defense. Mayo and Spikes both missing time with sprained MCLs. Fletcher missing time. Chung missing time. Barrett on the IR. Dowling on the IR. Bodden let go and it turning out that he had a bad disc that required surgery... McCourty missing time. Pryor and Wright both ending up on the IR again. Now, Cunningham on the IR. When you lose that many people from your defense, you're going to have issues. That is something you don't see to be able to comprehend.

Barrett and Chung both have significant injury histories, Bodden was an over-30 player coming off of a season-ending injury, and I'm not even bringing up Dowling, although I can see where those who would are coming from (and I respectfully disagree with them).

The Pats elected to go with a collection of unproven and/or injury prone players in the secondary. When you do that, what has happened is a very real and very foreseeable risk.

 

[Rob0729]

Barrett and Chung both have significant injury histories, Bodden was an over-30 player coming off of a season-ending injury, and I'm not even bringing up Dowling, although I can see where those who would are coming from (and I respectfully disagree with them).

The Pats elected to go with a collection of unproven and/or injury prone players in the secondary. When you do that, what has happened is a very real and very foreseeable risk.

In his first two seasons with the Pats, Chung missed two games due to injuries. Based on injuries before that, the only thing I can find is that he couldn't do shuttle drills during the combines due to a knee sprain. I don't think he missed a single game in college. That is not a significant injury history.

Leigh Bodden was 29 when the season started (his birthday is September 24th). Most people expected him to come back and be a major contributor. His injury last year was a torn rotator cuff which should have been recoverable. His injury this year is unrelated.

You are overstating going into the season with unproven guys and injury prone guys. Everyone though McCourty would be a top CB. Everyone thought that Arrington would be a good slot CB and Bodden would be a solid #2. Everyone is re-writing history of how the Pats built this secondary. Most people thought the secondary would be very good going into the season and the only question mark was who are going to line up next to Chung at safety.

 

[mrscruff]

For those that want some X's and O's:

Film Breakdown: Devin McCourty Round 2 - Pats Pulpit

 

[grux]

I think McCourty played an O.K. game. He didn't have much safety help on some plays and looked better in the second half. I am optimistic he is pulling out of his sophomore slump.

 

[JackBauer]

For those that want some X's and O's:

Film Breakdown: Devin McCourty Round 2 - Pats Pulpit

Good article... better safeties needed, stat!

 

[ATippett56]

Good article... better safeties needed, stat!

From where?