The Official Patriots vs Steelers Post game thread

[DaBruinz]

If my memory serves, it was against Drew Brees. Jones basically hit him behind the line where 9 times out of 10 it would have been a sack, but whatever reason they counted it as a running play for negative yardage.

It was because Brees was outside the tackle box.

 

[Jangles]

Re: R: The Official Patriots vs Steelers Post game thread

great game to watch

although I have tempered excitement

Brady almost always owns the Steelers.

Again though it was awesome to watch.

 

[JMarr]

could you explain how Dennard was exposed? It was Arrington who gave up the huge plays to Brown and Cotchery..

Yes Arrington was especially bad. Dennard broke up one, maybe two passes, but got beat in one on one coverage a few times as well. Just saying he's good but nowhere "elite" yet. Definitely not the ideal guy you want as your #1 corner at this point in his career--but we all knew that anyway.

 

[Crononaut]

could you explain how Dennard was exposed? It was Arrington who gave up the huge plays to Brown and Cotchery..

Some people on this board see a CB get burned on one play and are calling for his head. It probably has to do with us legitimately having an awful secondary from 2010-mid 2012, but I think of all our positions we are by far the most critical of our CBs.

I thought Dennard played good and solid today. From memory I recall him getting completely burned only once, and three or four plays where he was slightly out of position or the receiver/QB just made a good offensive play.

I also saw him defense a number of passes, and (the biggest thing IMO) any time his player is not being targeted is either partially or directly attributable to his coverage.

That being said, I think we really need Talib back asap. I think Arrington has played fantastic in the slot this season, but he is simply a liability on the outside.

 

[50-yard-line]

Yes Arrington was especially bad. Dennard broke up one, maybe two passes, but got beat in one on one coverage a few times as well. Just saying he's good but nowhere "elite" yet. Definitely not the ideal guy you want as your #1 corner at this point in his career--but we all knew that anyway.

Well, he was playing mostly against Antonio Browne, who leads the league in receptions. The guy's a beast.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Awesome win! And the bye week comes at the perfect time

- Vereen will be back next game so the offense will only get better...that's scary good.

- Ninkovich is given time to rest after his injury today.

- Talib has more time to get to full health.

- If Gregory is lost for the year, then Harmon has time to get more situated with the defense.

This team is in relatively good position for the second half of the season. The league is officially on notice..

Yup

10char

 

[BKBroiler]

Just coming from the game, but haven't seen any updates yet on the injuries to Ninkovich, Dennard, or Gregory. Looked like Gregory hurt his hand / arm as they covered it with a towel on the way to the locker. Room. Any news on what knocked Ninkovich out of the game?

 

[fnordcircle]

 

[RayClay]

So, those crappy, horrible wins early look just as good as this one (1).

7-2 at the bye and, despite even more horrible significant injuries...we're looking as good as anyone.

Playoffs!?!? (Mora)

Anyone can win if they're in, but a glaring weakness or lack of balance makes it hard.

Quick analysis...

Sopoaga's acquisition is huge. The one thing you can't hide is a marsmallow middle and I think we're average or better with that big guy. Chris Jones is a find and we've got some effort guys on the bench and PS.

If I don't start seeing Armsteads name in th paper this week, I think he's done for the year. He needs that bye week practice at least.

Nice secondary if all hands are on deck. Talib the key, but Gregory will be missed too, if he's out.

Plenty of talent at LB and pass rush to work with (nice to see Fletcher). Andre Carter looked tired. Hope he's got enough, I have faith in his spirit (mind over matter, burt he is a fave of mine).

Ridley is our #1, Blount will rip tired 2nd half D's, Vereen will continue our renaissance as a receiver and Bolden backs up all and plays teams. That's just a beautiful strength to have.

Dobson seems to have "graduated" and with Gronk and Edel and Collie, we've got a good crew IMO. Little depth even with Thompkins. Hooman is consistent anyway and we can even go FB.

In my opinion, the pass rush and our opinion of our line, will be transformed as Brady morphs into the killer again. I am convinced the problems were 90% Brady holding the ball because receivers weren't open or in the right place.

By the way, Brady looked more like an 18 year old on the bench today than some old washed up guy. Can we drop that meme now?

 

[Ozymandias]

Yes Arrington was especially bad. Dennard broke up one, maybe two passes, but got beat in one on one coverage a few times as well. Just saying he's good but nowhere "elite" yet. Definitely not the ideal guy you want as your #1 corner at this point in his career--but we all knew that anyway.

The thing is, the Steelers wideouts are the types of receivers Dennard has had trouble with in college and the pros. They're exceptionally quick, and great technical route runners. If Dennard doesn't get his hands on them at the line, he's likely lost on that route. He doesn't have the COD and short-area quickness to handle those guys all game.

With that said, I thought he played fairly well given his obvious limitations, all things considered. He got beat, but his short-term memory allowed him to make some key breakups when the defense needed to most.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Why does Brady look so weird doing that?

 

[Sfpat]

The thing is, the Steelers wideouts are the types of receivers Dennard has had trouble with in college and the pros. They're exceptionally quick, and great technical route runners. If Dennard doesn't get his hands on them at the line, he's likely lost on that route. He doesn't have the COD and short-area quickness to handle those guys all game.With that said, I thought he played fairly well given his obvious limitations, all things considered. He got beat, but his short-term memory allowed him to make some key breakups when the defense needed to most.

There are few, if any, db's in the league who have the COD and short-area quickness to handle those guys

 

[fnordcircle]

Why does Brady look so weird doing that?

I don't know because his whiteness has blinded me.

 

[SVN]

Felger as usual finding the -ves and is getting agitated at people throwing Brady is old theory back today and claims he never said he is old when the first thing he pulled today this morning was the ross tucker column. Boy this guy is annoying . "You are allowed to analyze" he says and troy brown agrees but no one seems to acknowledge that they called stupid things like brady is old and should be benched.

 

[patchick]

Great to see Gronk gronking, and Dobson developing into a legitimate threat. On the last drive of the first half, I loved how Dobson alertly stayed in bounds and picked up extra yardage while always remaining within a half step of the sidelines to make certain he could stop the clock once the running room dried up. And, no surprise: reports of Tom Brady's death were greatly exaggerated.

But...so hard not to think of what might have been. Oh, to have seen just one game with Wilfork, Mayo, Kelly, Talib and THIS offense! Once Ninkovich and Gregory went down today, the lineup was practically unrecognizable from game 1. Get well soon, guys!

 

[hwc]

For comparison, Deion Branch's rookie year (the best of any patriot)

43 receptions 489 yards 2 TDs

Me excited

I'm excited, too, but...

Terry Glenn's rookie season in '96:

90 receptions
1132 yards
6 TDs

 

[DefenseRules]

Felger as usual finding the -ves and is getting agitated at people throwing Brady is old theory back today and claims he never said he is old when the first thing he pulled today this morning was the ross tucker column. Boy this guy is annoying . "You are allowed to analyze" he says and troy brown agrees but no one seems to acknowledge that they called stupid things like brady is old and should be benched.

WHY do you punish yourself by listening to that guy? Don't do it my friend. It's better for your health. Felger has no credibility, IMO. I have not listened to him for years.

 

[SVN]

WHY do you punish yourself by listening to that guy? Don't do it my friend. It's better for your health. Felger has no credibility, IMO. I have not listened to him for years.

Iam tuned in to the post game to see brady and mankins interview but this guy is so useless..now worried about the defense he says and a good qb wouldve given us trouble.

 

[JMC00]

It was nice to see after Ridley had the ball stripped they stuck with him.

 

[Uncle Rico]

shalise manza young ?@shalisemyoung 59s
today was 1st time in franchise history #Patriots have had three receivers with 100+ yards each (Gronk 143, Dobson 130, Amendola 122)

cool.