A Comprehensive look at The Patriots as a team

[Christiancat]

NY Giants-David Tyree catch in Super Bowl - YouTube


And *cough* Don't mention Spygate or that catch again *cough*

Don't Mention The War!!

Basil Fawlty waits on the Germans - Fawlty Towers - BBC - YouTube

OK thanks Manx.

 

[supafly]

not to familiar with helmet catch. Do you want to elaborate on that.

Also do you think spygate from a few years ago had damaging effects on the team?

Either you're living in a monestary or haven't been following professional football too long, but either way I'll try and show you the benefit of the doubt. Please don't take advantage of my patient nature though and make me look like a fool in front of people whom I respect--that's all I ask. If you are genuinely here to interact and follow the team more, that's one thing. If you have a reputation on other boards for making people look like asses, that's something altogether. For now I am trying my best to give you the benefit of the doubt and be kind--just as I believe you'd do also. I just wanted to throw that out, so don't anything personally by it if it does not apply to you.

The helmet catch was during the season of 2007 when the Patriots had a perfect 16-0 season and won their first 2 playoff games to go 18-0. They were winning in the SB with about 2 minutes left when Eli Manning led them to a game winning drive to win the game. It was highlighted by a very controversial catch that was brought down off the side of a one-hit wonder named David Tyree, who later went on to write a book about it and never really played professional football on much of any level again post-fame.

The point of all of this is that sometimes you get the breaks, and sometimes the breaks get you--so all you can do is try and put yourself in a position which focuses on success not only now, but also with an eye towards the salary cap and the future, and that's what the Patriots have done on a consistent basis for many years now. You really can't ask for much more than that. As long as Brady and Belichick are here, all of these enormous "concerns" that everyone talks about are just worries that may make the difference between a very successful season (like last year's loss in the AFC championship) and winning another SB.

I don't think that spygate had any negative influence on the team since that was the year they went 18-0 as described above, but obviously no one wants a distraction like that.

 

[ATippett56]

Safety

Adrian Wilson
Devin McCourty
Steve Gregory
Juron Harmon
Tavon Wilson

Nate Ebner (on the bubble)

Official Website of the New England Patriots | Team - Players

 

[supafly]

Safety

Adrian Wilson
Devin McCourty
Steve Gregory
Juron Harmon
Tavon Wilson

Nate Ebner (on the bubble)

Official Website of the New England Patriots | Team - Players

Man, if either one of Harmon or T.Wilson can pan out things will be in a pretty decent place.

As far as Ebner making it, I tend to believe that his chances are decent. Belichick tends to find a use for a player that does what they're told and works hard, as those 2 traits account for many a player who has been cut.

Ebner and Cole are 2 of the more interesting battles to keep an eye on.

 

[Christiancat]

Either you're living in a monestary or haven't been following professional football too long, but either way I'll try and show you the benefit of the doubt. Please don't take advantage of my patient nature though and make me look like a fool in front of people whom I respect--that's all I ask. If you are genuinely here to interact and follow the team more, that's one thing. If you have a reputation on other boards for making people look like asses, that's something altogether. For now I am trying my best to give you the benefit of the doubt and be kind--just as I believe you'd do also. I just wanted to throw that out, so don't anything personally by it if it does not apply to you.

The helmet catch was during the season of 2007 when the Patriots had a perfect 16-0 season and won their first 2 playoff games to go 18-0. They were winning in the SB with about 2 minutes left when Eli Manning led them to a game winning drive to win the game. It was highlighted by a very controversial catch that was brought down off the side of a one-hit wonder named David Tyree, who later went on to write a book about it and never really played professional football on much of any level again post-fame.

The point of all of this is that sometimes you get the breaks, and sometimes the breaks get you--so all you can do is try and put yourself in a position which focuses on success not only now, but also with an eye towards the salary cap and the future, and that's what the Patriots have done on a consistent basis for many years now. You really can't ask for much more than that. As long as Brady and Belichick are here, all of these enormous "concerns" that everyone talks about are just worries that may make the difference between a very successful season (like last year's loss in the AFC championship) and winning another SB.

I don't think that spygate had any negative influence on the team since that was the year they went 18-0 as described above, but obviously no one wants a distraction like that.

okay thanks I am not trying to make you look like bad or anything. Thanks for all your feedback. All I was trying to do is get people talking about the team. Hence I mentioned what challenges the team face, how to overcome them etc.

I saw the video Manx provided and it brought back memories, so now I know what you mean by helmet catch.

 

[ATippett56]

New England Patriots Defense (positional distribution):

Defensive End - 5
Defensive Tackle - 4
Linebacker - 6
Cornerback - 5
Safety - 5

Practice Squad (positional distribution):

Defensive End - 1
Defensive Tackle - 1
Linebacker - 1
Cornerback - 1

Note: Practice Squad - 4 offense, 4 defense

 

[ATippett56]

Ebner and Cole are 2 of the more interesting battles to keep an eye on.

Ebner versus Tebow versus Blount

I personally don't envision six safeties on the 53 man roster in lieu of an additional running back or wide receiver or quarterback. Unless the New England Patriots sustain a season ending injury during training camp at the safety position or a surprise cut (Adrian Wilson), Ebner may be on the outside looking in.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Ebner versus Tebow versus Blount

I personally don't envision six safeties on the 53 man roster in lieu of an additional running back or wide receiver or quarterback. Unless the New England Patriots sustain a season ending injury during training camp at the safety position or a surprise cut (Adrian Wilson), Ebner may be on the outside looking in.

I don't see Adrian Wilson being a cut and I'm sure any superbowl team needs a veteran presence overall, especially someone who has been around, has experience and has seen a lot to offer the defense. Not only that, but a guy that doesn't necessarily need to play at the same level he has before but someone who could give the defense a physical, and tenacious identity and swagger while Tavon Wilson DEVELOPS. Don't get me wrong, 4 picks is good for a rookie but there were many rookie mistakes and times where he got beat last year. I'm sure that's why Bill brought in Adrian in the first place, need of a strong veteran presence. For that, I don't see Adrian being cut.

 

[supafly]

okay thanks I am not trying to make you look like bad or anything. Thanks for all your feedback. All I was trying to do is get people talking about the team. Hence I mentioned what challenges the team face, how to overcome them etc.

I saw the video Manx provided and it brought back memories, so now I know what you mean by helmet catch.

No disrespect intended on any level. Just wanted to throw that out there.

 

[Off The Grid]

Either you're living in a monestary or haven't been following professional football too long, but either way I'll try and show you the benefit of the doubt. Please don't take advantage of my patient nature though and make me look like a fool in front of people whom I respect--that's all I ask. If you are genuinely here to interact and follow the team more, that's one thing. If you have a reputation on other boards for making people look like asses, that's something altogether. For now I am trying my best to give you the benefit of the doubt and be kind--just as I believe you'd do also. I just wanted to throw that out, so don't anything personally by it if it does not apply to you.

The helmet catch was during the season of 2007 when the Patriots had a perfect 16-0 season and won their first 2 playoff games to go 18-0. They were winning in the SB with about 2 minutes left when Eli Manning led them to a game winning drive to win the game. It was highlighted by a very controversial catch that was brought down off the side of a one-hit wonder named David Tyree, who later went on to write a book about it and never really played professional football on much of any level again post-fame.

The point of all of this is that sometimes you get the breaks, and sometimes the breaks get you--so all you can do is try and put yourself in a position which focuses on success not only now, but also with an eye towards the salary cap and the future, and that's what the Patriots have done on a consistent basis for many years now. You really can't ask for much more than that. As long as Brady and Belichick are here, all of these enormous "concerns" that everyone talks about are just worries that may make the difference between a very successful season (like last year's loss in the AFC championship) and winning another SB.

I don't think that spygate had any negative influence on the team since that was the year they went 18-0 as described above, but obviously no one wants a distraction like that.

OK, Brother SupaFly's just about the kindest, most forgiving Cat around.

And if you've got his Wind up...

 

[Off The Grid]

What challenges do you think the team face?

How do you think the team can overcome those challenges and meet their goal?

Struggling to see what's wrong with this

Do you mind elaborating on this part and explain?

What are your thoughts about the Patriots team as it is right now as a whole?

not to familiar with helmet catch. Do you want to elaborate on that.

Also do you think spygate from a few years ago had damaging effects on the team?

...

 

[Brady6]

4) OVERALL: We are a passing team without receivers.

We have the "saying nice things about people after they die" approach when talking about our receivers last year. We lost Welker which is big, outside of that we lost a player in Hernandez who was really only healthy and effective in week one, a journey man WR in Lloyd with one season over a 1000 yards on a 3-13 team over his 10 years in the NFL, and Deion Branch who was 1/8 the player he used to be last year, the player he was at his best was slightly above average to boot.

I share your concerns with this current group MG, there is a lot of youth and a lot of injury concerns, but the reality is every player no matter how good or how bad enters the NFL as a rookie/1st year player, and every NFL player is at risk for an injury every time they walk onto the field.

I will say if you consider us a passing team without any WR's than we'd also of been a passing team with one WR for the last 4 seasons.

 

[Brady6]

I am a football fan. However, I am doing my best to get a better understanding of the team. Thus, I want all your wonderful opinions about the team. Hence I asked the questions. Can you share with me some of your thoughts to my questions Off the grid.

I don't claim to be an expert or anything. So please throw me a bone. I didn't create this thread to make it seem like I was a football expert. I do watch football and I enjoy it. My point in making this thread was to get conversation going about the Patriots team.

Also I am trying to delve into other topics on this board so I thought I would create this topic.

I commend your attempt to become a viable member of this board, and do believe it is sincere.

I'm of the opinion that you and other Tebow fans may not of been football fans growing up like many of us in here but Tebow being of the same religion opened your eyes to a sport you now enjoy watching.

I think that Tebow isn't really the reason you're hear but rather the means to get into a place you want to be but felt you had no compelling reason to enter or be accepted without using Tebows name at the door.

I also think that in most boards you're met with so much adversity for being a Tebow fan that you find yourself on the defensive and become unable to see the merit behind why people argue against Tebow making the roster, along with feeling unwelcome.

This is why I'm doing my best and hoping others do as well to accept you into this board, encourage you to engage in other subjects aside from Tebow, because I feel as though if you do those things you will accomplish your true goal which is simply to be a football fan and be accepted amongst other football fans. And if that happens here I sincerely believe you will feel no reason to follow Tebow to another team should he leave, but rather stay and cheer on your team amongst your fellow forum friends.

 

[ATippett56]

I'm sure that's why Bill brought in Adrian in the first place, need of a strong veteran presence. For that, I don't see Adrian being cut.

Tell that to Lawyer Milloy.

 

[Kontradiction]

In keeping with the spirit of the OP and the bland link in it, I think the team will face many challenges to their manhood. :bricks:

 

[situational_awareness]

I commend your attempt to become a viable member of this board, and do believe it is sincere.

I'm of the opinion that you and other Tebow fans may not of been football fans growing up like many of us in here but Tebow being of the same religion opened your eyes to a sport you now enjoy watching.

I think that Tebow isn't really the reason you're hear but rather the means to get into a place you want to be but felt you had no compelling reason to enter or be accepted without using Tebows name at the door.

I also think that in most boards you're met with so much adversity for being a Tebow fan that you find yourself on the defensive and become unable to see the merit behind why people argue against Tebow making the roster, along with feeling unwelcome.

This is why I'm doing my best and hoping others do as well to accept you into this board, encourage you to engage in other subjects aside from Tebow, because I feel as though if you do those things you will accomplish your true goal which is simply to be a football fan and be accepted amongst other football fans. And if that happens here I sincerely believe you will feel no reason to follow Tebow to another team should he leave, but rather stay and cheer on your team amongst your fellow forum friends.

Wat?

 

[mgteich]

I find this to be a reasonable framework.

However, I would note that we are fine without the 5th DE, 6th LB and 5th S. The last few roster spots could filled by almost any position for reasons of development, the need for more positional depth, or to add to our Special Teams strength. I accept a 5th corner as part of our rosters since the NFL has become a passing league. Clearly, we have had fewer under Belichick.

DEFENSIVE POSITION #23
We seem to be committed to TWO positions for developmental safeties Wilson and Harmon). That makes life a bit difficult. So, one of last 3 defensive positions is the 5th safety.

DEFENSIVE POSITION #24
I strongly favor 9 DL's, so I would include the 5th DE, who also might be a swing DL like Cunningham.

DEFENSIVE POSITIONS #25/#26
I could see us keeping the traditional LB/ST as most of us do. This player could be added after Game One, and more during the year (as seems normal).

For me, this is more a Special Teams position that a LB position. We seem a bit light. So, I would think the competition would be between the LB/STers, Cole and Ebner.

And yes, it reasonable for us to fill two such positions, taking a position from the offense.

DEVELOPMENTAL PLAYERS
Many of us have the following on the 53 man roster: Bequette, Buchanan, Beuharnais, T Wilson, and Harmon. I am finding it a bit uncomfortable to have so many developmental players who may produce very little this year.

New England Patriots Defense (positional distribution):

Defensive End - 5
Defensive Tackle - 4
Linebacker - 6
Cornerback - 5
Safety - 5

Practice Squad (positional distribution):

Defensive End - 1
Defensive Tackle - 1
Linebacker - 1
Cornerback - 1

Note: Practice Squad - 4 offense, 4 defense

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

I feel as though the team has 14-2 talent, and ability to go along with the coaching and experience on both sides of the ball.

 

[mgteich]

This is not the policy of this board. On this board, as soon as anyone goes, he's considered washed up, a player who succeeded because he was on the patriots and or wasn't very good in the first place.

A proper board understanding of Welker/Amendnola is that when Welker came he was no better than Amendola is now. If Welker hadn't been Brady's binky, he wouldn't have been noteworthy. Besides Brady threw to him too much or he was too short to do well in the red zone.

The general expectation is that Welker will be just an ordinary good player for Denver in his last two years or so.

We have the "saying nice things about people after they die" approach when talking about our receivers last year.

 

[Kontradiction]

This is not the policy of this board. On this board, as soon as anyone goes, he's considered washed up, a player who succeeded because he was on the patriots and or wasn't very good in the first place.

A proper board understanding of Welker/Amendnola is that when Welker came he was no better than Amendola is now. If Welker hadn't been Brady's binky, he wouldn't have been noteworthy. Besides Brady threw to him too much or he was too short to do well in the red zone.

The general expectation is that Welker will be just an ordinary good player for Denver in his last two years or so.

You're going to ruffle a few feathers with this one, but I liked it.