The optimism thread

[RobertWeathers]

I'll take it!

 

[grux]

I just read some of BB comments from his interview with OMF and he likes the effort the team if putting forth, they just need better execution. Every season is different and this team needs to find it's own identity. I am happy to hear that BB likes the teams effort. The return of Edelman will help the offense, hopefully Hightower will continue to play himself into game shape and Chung/Flowers are ready to play soon. There is a lot of football left to be played and historically BB's teams get better throughout the year. Lets hope this year is no different.

 

[ViperGTS]

I'll take it!

I think people are sleeping on him, and for good reason. I’m not however and see big things from him because he will benefit from Jules and Gronk himself.

 

[Uptown]

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

The afc isn’t particularly strong right now, so that helps. There’s nobody you look at and say wow they would take an A+ effort to win. Kc maybe but historically speaking they are bound to fizzle. The only team I look at right now that truly scares me is the rams and the only way we face them is in the sb.

I think most agree the offense should be fine once Edelman returns and hopefully Gordon pans out. But defense is a concern even after flowers gets back because there’s lots of concerns. I still think B.B. should figure something out, we’ve had some defenses that looked brutal in the first half that pulled it together down the stretch. 2011 comes to mind, just look at that roster and they ended up giving up 10, 20, and 21 in the playoffs. They’ll probably give up a little more since we may face at least one potent offense but hopefully they will be in a spot where they can play good enough to give Brady a chance.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

If Indy beats us I will be worried

Yeah. Losing to Indy and Detroit in two out of three weeks would be worrisome.

 

[IllegalContact]

 

[Bradyking12]

Having Flowers back would help.

 

[ralmat55]

What happened last night is the best thing that could have happened to them. There are tensions which are untenable long term but in the short term these are proud and competitive men and what’s happened the last two weeks is just not acceptable to them. I trust them to right the ship.

Offensively, the 2nd most important position in this offense is the slot receiver. They’ve been playing without one so far this season. McCarron, Berrios and Decker did not work out. When Edelman returns, Brady will have back his most trusted receiver other than Gronk. Josh Gordon will be the outside the hash mark threat this team needs and also allow Hogan to be used in the slot more to supplement Edelman. Dorsett will be a productive receiver as well.

On defense, Belichick and Flores will use their front 7 personnel in a way to accentuate their talents rather than be restrained by the defensive scheme. They will run more 5 man front defenses with Dont’a Hightower on the right edge where he can set the edge against the run and make plays rushing the QB against the pass. Trey Flowers can play the left end which is where he plays the best on early downs and slide inside on passing downs next to Butler. Van Noy will be an off the line LB on early downs with Bentley and be an edge rusher on passing downs.

They will play much less nickel on early downs. Pat Chung will play in the box against heavy sets, as this team has no DLs with the skill to two-gap, it will mostly seek to penetrate gaps rather than control them.

Little if any big nickel will be played. The nickel back will be the third CB. Depending on matchups, they will play J. Jones as CB2 and move him inside when in the nickel. D. McCourty and Harmon will mostly play center field and be the qb of the secondary. Because less nickel will be played, it will necessitate playing more zone defense which will serve as an effective change of pace from their primary man coverage schemes.

All of this will happen and. a 6th Lombardi will be added to the trophy case come 2-3-2019 in Atlanta.

I feel better now.

 

[signbabybrady]

Just wanted to be sure to check in and let everyone know I'm still optimistic.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I'm waiting to hear how the "players only" meeting goes. That will turn things around.

 

[BradytoMosstoGronk]

Come on guys. The OPTIMISM!

 

[borg]

 

[pheenix11]

It would be just like the Patriots to go in 1-2 against a 3-0 Dolphins team and destroy them. It’s what they do. Just when you think they’re done they come back from the dead and lay waste to their opponent. I attribute that to great coaching more than anything.

Funny thing is, the Dolphins know this and they’re ****ting themselves right now.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

stat to make you feel A LITTLE better

If the Patriots were to lose the next 26 games with Tom Brady as starter, TB12's career winning percentage in the regular season would STILL be higher than Peyton Manning's.

Brady 197-57, 0.776
Fivehead 186-79, 0.702

Brady after 26 more losses and no wins: 197-83, 0.704

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

stat to make you feel A LITTLE better

If the Patriots were to lose the next 26 games with Tom Brady as starter, TB12's career winning percentage in the regular season would STILL be higher than Peyton Manning's.

Brady 197-57, 0.776
Fivehead 186-79, 0.702

Brady after 26 more losses and no wins: 197-83, 0.704

That's nice, but I really hope that they don't lose their next 26 games.

 

[borg]

I hear TB12 crushes the Patriots LB corp during daily windsprints

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

It would be just like the Patriots to go in 1-2 against a 3-0 Dolphins team and destroy them. It’s what they do. Just when you think they’re done they come back from the dead and lay waste to their opponent. I attribute that to great coaching more than anything.

Funny thing is, the Dolphins know this and they’re ****ting themselves right now.

Funny you mention that.. was talking to my old boss yesterday, an avid Dolphins fan and Pats hater - was talking to him about the DIVISION LEADING MIAMI DOLPHINS and the Pats struggles, he pretty much admitted as much saying he wouldn't be surprised if the Pats won and won big on Sunday. We shall see how they respond.

 

[Soliel]

Miami is a rivalry game hopefully

 

[Uptown]