Post Game Thread Ravens @ Pats

[RelocatedPatFan]

Nice to hear Gruden giving a shout out to Scar for his work with the offensive line.

 

[The Gr8est]

He was caught from behind.

Yeah, but it took a while.

 

[BobDigital]

Few quick thoughts.

#1 Bennett looked very healthy last night. I think they know they will need him to win it all so they are using him a limited amount. Bring him out next week but then shut it down. I expect him to be a big factor in the playoffs. Something like 4 catches 70 yards with a TD is a stat line we will likely see in Denver and then in the playoffs.

#2 More Flowers. He needs to play more as he is our best pass rusher. I think he is the only guy who can beat his man and win within 2 seconds right now for us. Use him more.

#3 Jonathan Jones did well on D tonight and STs. Butler went out for a bit and JJ made a play when called upon. Glad to see that. Hope we won't need him again as clearly Butler/Rowe/Ryan is the best trio.

#4 No injuries was key. Harmon/Butler gave us scares but on the whole got out in one piece.

#5 Great coaching tonight. A few questionable things but i overall liked the coaching and play calling on O and D. It was creative and aggressive.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Golden rule on special teams- if the ball is going to land within the 5 yard line don't try to run it back, let it go into the end zone.

For punts, I agree with you. For kickoffs, totally different story since the ball is live. If the ball bounces in an unexpected direction you likely just let the other team get possession. And even if it rolls into the endzone you'd better get to it before the other team does.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

I've been waiting for a kick returner to give up on a deeper kick only to have it hit the back of the end zone and bounce back into play as the returner is trotting back to the bench. I've seen a couple of those that were close.

30-35 years ago I remember watching game on TV (Rams/Giants? Pretty sure it was the Giants) where the rookie kick returner just watched the opening (I think) kickoff of the game bounce and come to a stop in the endzone. Then he started walking off to the sideline. The kicking team nonchalanted it down the field until they were near the ball and then sprinted to it and got there before anyone on the receiving team for an easy TD.

 

[BobDigital]

Plenty to like. I just hope they are able to quickly find an answer in the return game.

The answer is don't return it unless you 100% have to and hold out till the playoffs. Amendola will be back and then this is a non-issue.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Come on...

Slater has years of experience in games, ST practice and film review in the ST room - he is a veteran and should know better.

He simply ****ed up on that return and there is no reason to scapegoat anyone else. Slater not only could have played for a touchback but also had a gap to run through but instead decided to run into a wall of players.

**** happens but it's similarly unfair to blame Jones for the Slater fumble as it was when Dola got injured on a return.

Slater is the best special teams player in the league, but he's not a returner. You need to practice fielding kicks and punts, otherwise stuff will happen. You need a veteran returner back there.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

It was a seemingly little thing, but when the Pats got the football just before the two minute warning, everyone including the Ravens D were thinking "OK, let's stop Blount three times and we've got a chance".

But...SITUATIONAL FOOTBALL... the clock is going to stop ANYWAY, so instead run a safe pass play with an opportunity for more yards! Gain 8 yards, making it 2nd and 2. That makes the conversion easy and took the clock down to under 15 seconds.

Then I just loved the Blount blast on 4th and 1 to end it.

These LITTLE THINGS that Belichick's teams do are so fascinatingly smart.

 

[bormio]

The pass to JE at the 2 minute warning when an incomplete would not have hurt (clock was going to stop) - set up the last first down. Superb situational thinking. (Sorry - you mentioned that above - I missed it)

 

[Deus Irae]

Both special teams' blunders were the result of Jones. He obviously muffed the punt, and on the subsequent kickoff they took him out and put freakin' slater in there.

No

Golden rule on special teams- if the ball is going to land within the 5 yard line don't try to run it back, let it go into the end zone.

Again, no. You don't let the ball hit down on kickoffs.

 

[Ring 6]

Both special teams' blunders were the result of Jones. He obviously muffed the punt, and on the subsequent kickoff they took him out and put freakin' slater in there. Slater is not qualified to return kickoffs or punts - the ball was going to land at the 1 and would have likely bounced into the end zone for a touchback. Slater instead decides to field it. Golden rule on special teams- if the ball is going to land within the 5 yard line don't try to run it back, let it go into the end zone.

What are you smoking?
You don't let a kickoff land inside the 5, that is on a punt. My god the things that get posted here.

 

[luuked]

Slater is the best special teams player in the league, but he's not a returner. You need to practice fielding kicks and punts, otherwise stuff will happen. You need a veteran returner back there.

I agree with most of what you are saying. My point is that with all those years of experience he should know better than run full-speed into a wall of people. There is not much good that can come out of that..

 

[luuked]

It was a seemingly little thing, but when the Pats got the football just before the two minute warning, everyone including the Ravens D were thinking "OK, let's stop Blount three times and we've got a chance".

But...SITUATIONAL FOOTBALL... the clock is going to stop ANYWAY, so instead run a safe pass play with an opportunity for more yards! Gain 8 yards, making it 2nd and 2. That makes the conversion easy and took the clock down to under 15 seconds.

Then I just loved the Blount blast on 4th and 1 to end it.

These LITTLE THINGS that Belichick's teams do are so fascinatingly smart.

Not trying to say that I am particularly smart or anything but didn't most of us realize that and assumed that this is as good of a chance as any for a throw ?

 

[mosi]

Is Brady ill? He's at the podium right now and looks really pale.

He may have looked ash white because during the game he WAS ON FIRE!

 

[SHOWTIME15]

What are you smoking?
You don't let a kickoff land inside the 5, that is on a punt. My god the things that get posted here.

Yeah but wouldn't there be a good chance for the ball to go into the end zone? I wouldn't touch anything inside the 5 yard line.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Not trying to say that I am particularly smart or anything but didn't most of us realize that and assumed that this is as good of a chance as any for a throw ?

I was thinking that, but I don't think the Ravens were and the play-by-play guy Sean McDonough even remarked that JE made a mistake by going out of bounds, before he realized that it made no difference. Arguably the Ravens were playing softer to the boundaries, thinking the same thing. 8 yards for free, due to smarts.

 

[patsinthesnow]

The team needs to learn if Jonathan Jones can cover because he was lightning yesterday on limited snaps. I haven't seen a CB besides Butler with that type of acceleration. His hustle play on 3rd down was awesome. He looked like the energizer bunny out there.

 

[Ring 6]

Yeah but wouldn't there be a good chance for the ball to go into the end zone? I wouldn't touch anything inside the 5 yard line.

If it goes into the end zone on a kickoff it's a live ball.
No team ever has purposely allowed kickoff to bounce into the end zone.

 

[FrodoBagginz]

 

[QuantumMechanic]

If it goes into the end zone on a kickoff it's a live ball.
No team ever has purposely allowed kickoff to bounce into the end zone.

Hell, once it goes more than 10 yards it's a live ball no matter where it goes!