Idle Thoughts - the AM edition

[BradyFTW!]

You might be right, but I doubt, its a valid long term strategy. Having a player double teamed by two guys, who can't even remotely help on other areas of the field comes with a steep price. And it should also be possible to wriggle out of that one with some pre-snap movement. Actually its pretty weak by the Falcons not to have tried to exploit this more, when they saw it the second time.

Agreed - I think Belichick and Patricia pulled out this wrinkle because they knew that Mike Smith wouldn't react in time for it to make a difference. Smith isn't exactly a situational guru who's capable of adjusting on the fly.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Although Thompkins had a good game, i have some issues the way he tries to catch the ball, i am not expert but it always seems clunky.

Disappointed we haven't seem much of Boyce yet, but he did show a few flashes, well relative to how many times he played.

One of the rookie receivers was inevitably going to see limited snaps; if it wasn't Boyce, it would be Thompkins or Dobson. If Dobson's out for any extended period of time, I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of Boyce in the coming weeks.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Agree 100%. I mean we cant run one or 2 plays for sudfield to try and get his confidence up some simple TE routes? Bolden and Ridley can both catch it would be a great way to take some pressure off rookie wrs and edelman by doing so.

The problem with Sudfeld is that he sucks. When the ball goes anywhere near him, bad things happen.

I'm sure he'll get better with coaching, but for now, I'd prefer that he play as little as humanly possible.

 

[Gwedd]

Again, Ken, another nice read on Monday. Thanks for your insights.

I was happy to see Mulligan get a touchdown too. As a Mainiac and Black Bear fan, it's a treat to see him on the team, and even better to see him contributing. A nice catch as well.

1.) Talib is going to get paid a big chunk of money by someone. I'm hoping it's New England, but he seems to me the best corner we've had since Ty Law left.

2.) The running game is going to get better. It's already pretty good, but the more this team gels, the better things will become.

3.) Same for the receivers. Practice makes perfect, and real-world game experience is even better. Brady had more time this last game to sit in the rocking chair and toss the rock out there. That's a good thing.

4.) I believe that the bye week comes at the perfect time. We'll be getting folks back, and it'll be a good rest to gather up thoughts, heal up a bit and be refreshed (well, as much as you can be) before the last part of the year.

That's my initial thoughts this morning. I've got more, but they'll have to wait as real-life stuff is still keeping me busy. I hate it when that happens.

Again, thanks Ken for these posts always a good read, and much appreciated.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Thanks for the thoughts. Here were some of mine last night:

1. We have a down field passing game. Yay!!

2. What a great game to watch, start to finish. The Pats and Falcons gave football fans a good one.

3. Walt Coleman, we thought you were our friend! What horrible officiating! No call against the guy who intentionally launched himself into Edelman after he signaled fair catch?! (BS he was blocked into him - the Pats player pulled up). PI against Talib when the receiver held & shoved him?! At my house we were clapping because we were sure that was going to be offensive PI. What a joke. No call on the Dobson debacle? Two fouls committed there - held all the way and then shot to the head of a defenseless receiver, and when Brady complained - did you see the look of absolute confusion on the face of the line judge? DOOFUS. The spot, or lack thereof on the Blount 3rd down carry?! And a review confirming it?! Are you kidding me?! I even thought it looked like, in slow motion, that Boldin's knee was never down, just bent, before he launched himself into the endzone on his TD that was overturned (luckily we got it back 2 plays later).

The only paybacks we got were the personal foul call on the Thompkins reception (I didn't see any helmet to helmet or hit to the head - Thompkins managed to duck it) and the fact that the replay wasn't working on the challenge by BB, as that WAS a catch and we would have lost our time out.

4. Aqib Talib is the man. Great coverage on that last throw and an INT in a most needed spot.

5. Tough night on injuries. So sad to read this morning that Big Vince is likely done for the season. We'll miss him. And, how are Boldin & Dennard this morning? Go away injury bug.

That's all I have for now. So glad to get this win. I was actually never worried we wouldn't until Sudfeld muffed that on-side kick.

I more or less agree with everything, with a few caveats.

Having Thompkins to stretch the field is HUGE - even more so without a TE game, and limited short game (Edelman can only do so much)

Note the game calling involved running the ball much more - not that they wouldn't run in the past the short passes to Welker were in essence, their de facto run game. With limited WRs they've adapted game calling against a good opponent nicely.

On the Defense, while I'm pleased to see a win yet again, this time I'd say they truly got lucky. The Falcons were horrendous in the Red Zone. I'm not sure why they didn't target whoever was in Steve Gregory's vicinity, rather than trying to force the ball in Talib's direction, but they had numerous Red Zone opportunities that fell short, and I blame the Faclons more than I credit the Patriots D (I didn't think Gregory had a good game.)

The big overriding question for the team is whether they will work a trade (a la Talib last year) to improve either the Offense, Defense or both.

There's quite a few good teams out there with bad records (and THAT should be a big point of pride for the Patriots showcasing just how difficult it is to maintain greatness in this era).

But given all those teams with good players who aren't going anywhere this year, perhaps a trade can be worked out. Perhaps the Steelers? Perhaps the Giants? Heck - would Gonzales consider joining Brady for a Super Bowl push in his last season rather than stay on the 1-3 Falcons?

We have the cap space available for a mid sized contract - maybe that's why it's still there, unused.

This team is not as good as their record indicates - but even with the injuries, they are getting better, and hopefully the injury bug will not continue, and that healthy bodies can join the ranks and be up to speed by the playoffs.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Loved the play action. Brady was under center quite a bit. Always feel they should use this more often.

Four years ago vs. Atlanta, they also went play-action heavy. something about this opponent, I guess.

Loved the double jam on Gonzo in the 4th.

Regards,
Chris




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[patfanken]

Before my mind went to sleep in the AM, I had meant to put this into the original post.

The Pats very wisely abandoned their hurry up offense for a traditional eat the clock slow down version similar that reminded me of the 2003-4 team. IT was a very wise strategy choice that we might not see for the rest of the season. It only goes to reiterate on of BB's great strengths. That he isn't tied to any single base philosophy on offense or defense. Its only about what will work on any given week against any given opponent.

The other thought I had after the game was how much that win reminded me of another away game an injury depleted Pats team had to go into a dome being prohibitive underdogs. IIRC it was 2003 when the Pats when to St. Louis to play the still high flying Rams missing a lot of key players. It was another game I fully expected to loose, and was pleasantly surprised when they eventually won going away.

If you don't recall it was the game Adam V threw his TD pass to Troy Brown, who spent most of his time playing defense. BTW- 2003 is my favorite Pats season as it was the team who won the superbowl while playing and winning 10 games against teams that ended up winning 1o or more games that season. Talk about running the gauntlet. I doubt any other team had to do that in a season in winning their Lombardi.

 

[everlong]

It was 2004 and the 8-8 Rams with Bulger not Warner were still decent but not the greatest show on turf any longer.

 

[jah]

It was 2004 and the 8-8 Rams with Bulger not Warner were still decent but not the greatest show on turf any longer.

Probably even more similar to this Falcons game then. I think they'll end up winning 8 to 10 games.

 

[DaBruinz]

Hell, he even got a nice early completion and gain in to my personal whipping boy, Develin!

(....who STILL can't block worth a damn).

Develin did pretty damn well last night. Focused on him several times and only remember one time where the man he had made a play and that was Osi.

 

[DaBruinz]

Again, Ken, another nice read on Monday. Thanks for your insights.

I was happy to see Mulligan get a touchdown too. As a Mainiac and Black Bear fan, it's a treat to see him on the team, and even better to see him contributing. A nice catch as well.

1.) Talib is going to get paid a big chunk of money by someone. I'm hoping it's New England, but he seems to me the best corner we've had since Ty Law left.

2.) The running game is going to get better. It's already pretty good, but the more this team gels, the better things will become.

3.) Same for the receivers. Practice makes perfect, and real-world game experience is even better. Brady had more time this last game to sit in the rocking chair and toss the rock out there. That's a good thing.

4.) I believe that the bye week comes at the perfect time. We'll be getting folks back, and it'll be a good rest to gather up thoughts, heal up a bit and be refreshed (well, as much as you can be) before the last part of the year.

That's my initial thoughts this morning. I've got more, but they'll have to wait as real-life stuff is still keeping me busy. I hate it when that happens.

Again, thanks Ken for these posts always a good read, and much appreciated.

The Pats need to offer Talib a 4yr/$7mill per deal and guarantee half of it. That will get Talib signed. Talib knows he may get a better deal on the Market, but he won't thrive in the defense the way he's doing here, so he won't see the end of the contract somewhere else.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Can I add Cris Collingsworth's applauding the Falcons going for it on 4th and 2, " you're not going to beat the Patriots with field goals" early on but singing a different song in the 4th quarter, claiming that they should have taken the easy FG...WTF?????

 

[PlainOldEd]

They play the chiefs twice this year and their own team once?

Read much?

 

[PlainOldEd]

Can I add Cris Collingsworth's applauding the Falcons going for it on 4th and 2, " you're not going to beat the Patriots with field goals" early on but singing a different song in the 4th quarter, claiming that they should have taken the easy FG...WTF?????

That is Collinsworth's M.O., Whatever is true at any given moment is his opinion. He is the ultimate fence sitter. He's still better than many of the other talking heads out there though.

 

[AzPatsFan]

After the preseason I hoped that the Pars would win their first three games recognizing that Division games are unpredictable.

But I thought that playing iron on the road might result in three losses. I merely hoped to go 1-2 instead of 0-3 during the toughest portion of their schedule. They have already won 1 of the 3 and could do even better, We shall see.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Did anyone give a shoutout to Edleman? He was like a Timex. Took a lickin' and kept on tickin'

 

[shmessy]

Did anyone give a shoutout to Edleman? He was like a Timex. Took a lickin' and kept on tickin'

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...ficial-julian-edelman-crow-eating-thread.html

 

[Buchanty]

Always look forward to Idle Thoughts - better than any pro blog.

Agree with almost all points, and would like to add a few more:

Firstly on the negative side:

We still seem to be slow to get up to game speed on both sides of the ball. This week wasn't quite so bad but both possessions to start each half were lack luster (penalties on the second half possession stifled the drive). While the D didn't look too bad in the Falcons' first possession of the first half (credit to Gonzales for an amazing game), it also didn't look like we could stop them until they ran out of confidence in the red zone. So still waiting for the first game of 60 minutes all out effort to become a reality.

Vince's injury didn't look too bad on tape, and one that many players have come back into the same game after having the ankle bandaged. In Vince's case, however, I suspect that injury has been there for quite some time (ie a small partial tear that has gradually deteriorated to the point where a minor wrench can really make it season ending). Looking back over the early season the original minor injury might even have occurred in TC or a pre-season game (I cant remember if Vince played much in the last 2, if at all).

Low snaps - that's the second fumble by Brady/Wendell on a close snap, they had better practice that hard before trying the QB sneak again. I appear to be in the minority in liking Wendell but those two game fumbled snaps are a sign of miscommunication. I cant remember Koppen having such trouble.


On the positive side:

What no love for the Ghost? I am surprised that there has not been a whisper on his name this week. All three FG's were on the long side and his touchback ratio remains superlative. Converting those drives into points gave the whole team visible confidence.

Talib/McCourty - the best part of our secondary. While Talib justifiably gets all the limelight (thanks in part to Gregory for providing deep cover, McCourty seemed to be up in run support and then back in the right place for pass defense all night. No highlights but I would hate to lose him to injury. (As an aside - I do wonder why he wasn't elected as a team captain this year, he's the best safety we have had since Rodney).

Edelman continues to surpass expectations. Again I am in the minority but I have never thought of him as Welker version 2. I guess I have never been able to overcome my stereotyping him as a QB coming out of college. But he has been clutch time and time again. While he has caught many of the short passes to lead the league in receptions (or share the lead), those deep catches yesterday did make me forget about WW and really appreciate his uniqueness. I am sure I am not alone in my gratitude. It was also nice to see that he got the first of his incentive payouts in just 4 weeks). Great game!

 

[Patstopia]

As far as Sudfield goes, I am starting to get a bad feeling for him. He seems over matched and quickly losing any confidence he might have had. Maybe if he made a few plays it may turn around for him. But for now he would screw up a a free lunch.

 

[shmessy]

BTW - - HUUUUGE ups to Connolly for his incredible blocking coming around to the left side for the hole opener - taking out 2+ defenders - on the Blount TD run!

New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount 47-yard TD - NFL Videos