Pats - Titans postgame thread

[catent]

The Pennel situation is mystifying.

The fact that he's playing with 3rd stringers in the preseason isn't promising, and while he has flashed some power with his long arms at times, he also hasn't looked particularly impressive.

That said, Shelton was 'meh' through much of last season and improved with time. JMac played at bizarre moments of preseason games last season and ended up being a key starter.

It's hard to read. If you had a gun to my head I'd guess that Pennel makes the roster but I think there's a decent chance I end up dead with that guess. There's a lot of depth, talent, and athleticism at DL and many of those guys appear to be playing better than Pennel right now, or have superior upside.

We shall see.

 

[Ring 6]

Come on Andy. Now you are just being argumentative. He "disappeared" because he was NEVER mentioned in any action, against 2nd and 3rd stringers, and the fact that, according to @patchick, the Titans averaged over 6ypc when they ran the ball in the 2nd half.

Wouldn't you expect at least SOME impact from your top FA signing vs the run ? They all weren't outside plays. Again you'd expect him to DOMINATE that kind of opposition, or at least make ONE play that warranted an announcer to mention your name......ONCE.

Listen, Andy. I'm not a Pennell hater. The guy has been a proven run stopper for a few years now. I read where he graded #1 in some category of some rating service. So I expected the guy to excel, and he DID early on.

Maybe he's having some of the same problems about picking up the system, or new techniques that he's been asked to learn, that haunted Shelton for most of the regular season. I don't know. What I DO know is that he's being out played by Shelton in the last 2 practice games, and it is a legitimate issue to discuss by astute fans of this team.

I mean, aren't you concerned that he isn't dominating future XFL players? Are you in any way satisfied with his performance thus far? All we are asking to to figure out, what's up with Pennell. Maybe your are right and it's nothing, but all the actual evidence say's something's wrong. That's all.

Well as I said the proper way to judge Pennell’s play is to evaluate him on film. I didn’t realize how many times the announcers said his name or ypc in the second half without accounting for if he was on the field, where the run went to and how he handled his responsibility was how we evaluate players now.
Not sure what standard you are using to say Shelton outplayed him.
What would you want see to indicate dominating guys who may be cut?
I don’t expect him to be a pass rusher so I don’t care how he rushes against anyone.
I want him to anchor the middle of the DL.
Other than a bunch of people who evidently are looking for something else I don’t understand where the negativity on this guy is coming from.

He is changing systems. They have him out there for a lot of plays evidently to adapt to the system and difference in techniques.
Show me some bad plays and I’ll start getting concerned but “he played in the second half” and “I didn’t hear his name” just mean nothing to me.

 

[Ring 6]

Unless Calhoun is injured he's making the team.

I think him and Rivers are competing for one spot. Prior to last night both had looked good but I think Calhoun had a slight edge. Based on the hunch that Calhoun's injury isn't as severe as Rivers, I think that now gives him a greater-than-slight edge.

Calhoun was a major bust in Oakland. I’m
hoping he can contribute something but I’m not seeing the love.

 

[Vatahala]

The throw wasn't great.
The route wasn't great.

Thus the desire for hearing BB/JMcD splitting up the blame pie on that one.

Was any blame given to the target Berrios who never saw another pass come his way. Much like a RB who fumbles and is benched it seemed BB punished Berrios.

 

[mgteich]

FANS seem to learn a bit from this game, not so much for the patriots who probably learned all they needed from 2 weeks of joint practices.
========
Sure, we liked to see Stidham, Wynn, Myers, Harris and Winovich out there. However, I suspect that the team had all the information that they needed.

The primary positions that the fans still need to sort out are WR, TE and DL. Perhaps game action (the second half of next week's game) will help the team make a decision; I suspect not. The practice field and evaluation of injuries are likely to be more important.

 

[p8ryts]

A casual observation from Draft Weekend when the naysayers critiqued BB's draft, at this stage the Pats appear to have done well.. Harry, Williams, Winovich, Stidham, Harris, Stidham, Bailey and UDFA Meyers.. looks like a very good draft, but time will tell as the season progresses.

The play of Williams, Winovich, Stidham, Harris, Bailey and Meyers looked impressive last night..

The jury is out on Cajuste and Froholt... but they may stick also..

I focused on Froholdt watching the first half replay and a quarter had Titans starters in there. I thought he did well. I know he had a couple holds later in the game but he might have been tiring. Don't care for Ferentz or Lang or Skipper.

 

[p8ryts]

For those of you who have followed the off season much more closely than me. Sell me on why Meyers isn’t another Tyms, Bam Childress, Chris Harris (muffed punt guy? May have the name wrong).

We’ve gone through many pre season stud wide outs that didn’t amount to anything.

True, just hoping I'm not wrong again.

 

[Deus Irae]

FANS seem to learn a bit from this game, not so much for the patriots who probably learned all they needed from 2 weeks of joint practices.
========
Sure, we liked to see Stidham, Wynn, Myers, Harris and Winovich out there. However, I suspect that the team had all the information that they needed.

The primary positions that the fans still need to sort out are WR, TE and DL. Perhaps game action (the second half of next week's game) will help the team make a decision; I suspect not. The practice field and evaluation of injuries are likely to be more important.

If it helps you to sleep at night, I can assure that that coaches can learn things from "serious" exhibition games, too.

 

[ralmat55]

Greg Bedard insinuated last week that Pennel’s usage is consistent with how teams use a player who might be appealing a pending suspension. While I prefer thinking Pennel’s usage has other causes, I have a hard time believing something so damning to the player would just be thrown out there as speculation. Hate to think it, but I’m beginning to think Bedard might actually know something.

 

[catent]

Calhoun was a major bust in Oakland. I’m
hoping he can contribute something but I’m not seeing the love.

Based on camp reports and performance he appears to be carving out a role as a pass-rusher on the 53-man roster.

 

[Ring 6]

Based on camp reports and performance he appears to be carving out a role as a pass-rusher on the 53-man roster.

Camp reports have never been very reliable for bubble players. He’s in a battle. I wouldn’t say he has made the team if he is healthy. He has a chance but could easily be cut.

 

[Family]

Greg Bedard insinuated last week that Pennel’s usage is consistent with how teams use a player who might be appealing a pending suspension. While I prefer thinking Pennel’s usage has other causes, I have a hard time believing something so damning to the player would just be thrown out there as speculation. Hate to think it, but I’m beginning to think Bedard might actually know something.

Heard that as well.

This would be Pennel's third offense, but not sure what it would mean. Last time he served 4 games.

If this were true Pennel might be gone a while and that would explain things.

To be clear I am not saying Pennel is a cut, but there is evidence he is far from a lock IMO.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Was any blame given to the target Berrios who never saw another pass come his way. Much like a RB who fumbles and is benched it seemed BB punished Berrios.

The route seemed flat but that was bad throw

 

[DaBruinz]

I made it a point earlier to note that the Patriots seem to be playing a lot more 3 man fronts.

Simon isn't a D-lineman in a 3 man front. He's going to line up outside. So will Wise and Van Noy.

The D-linemen currently signed are: Shelton, Pennel, Guy, Butler, Cowart, Bennett, Thurman, Parry, Kamalu.

Outside guys (DE/OLBs) are: Wise, Rivers, Van Noy, Hightower, Collins, Simon, Winovich, Harris, Davis, Calhoun.

It's my believe they'll keep 4-6 D-line and 6-8 "Outside" guys. I say up to 8 "Outside" guys since Hightower, Van Noy and Collins can play both ILB and OLB for the Pats.

Guys like Bennett, Wise, Van Noy, Hightower and Collins give the Patriots a lot of flexibility.

 

[Family]

Guy & Bennett are the only inside locks and Wise, Van Noy, Hightower, Collins, Simon, Winovich on outside.

 

[Ring 6]

I made it a point earlier to note that the Patriots seem to be playing a lot more 3 man fronts.

Simon isn't a D-lineman in a 3 man front. He's going to line up outside. So will Wise and Van Noy.

The D-linemen currently signed are: Shelton, Pennel, Guy, Butler, Cowart, Bennett, Thurman, Parry, Kamalu.

Outside guys (DE/OLBs) are: Wise, Rivers, Van Noy, Hightower, Collins, Simon, Winovich, Harris, Davis, Calhoun.

It's my believe they'll keep 4-6 D-line and 6-8 "Outside" guys. I say up to 8 "Outside" guys since Hightower, Van Noy and Collins can play both ILB and OLB for the Pats.

Guys like Bennett, Wise, Van Noy, Hightower and Collins give the Patriots a lot of flexibility.

Wise is a DL under all circumstances. Davis as well.

There is also a big difference between DL who play G IN and DL who play outside the G, as significant as the difference between RB and FB or TE and WR or OT and C.

 

[Hyped]

If Meyers does not make the team and at a minimum become a solid contributor I will never follow pre-season WR play ever again. I admit to being very excited about what he may be able to do this year and beyond and if it is ultimately a mirage I will finally hang up what little prognosticating skills I have left.

x2

 

[Hyped]

Barring a trade, I expect our LB's to be
Hightower, VanNoy, Collins, Bentley, Roberts and King (really a STer)
============
That leaves us with 8-9 DL
I think that we start with Bennett, Guy, Shelton, Simon and Winovich
============
PICK 3-4 ADDITION FRONT 6 PLAYERS
(if you pick 3, we can carry an additional DB or Ster)

I think that we need a NT, a couple of EDGE players, a 34 DE, and a #3 NT. The last roster spot or two could be from any position.

Who do you have making the team?
Calhoun, Cowart, Pennel, Butler, Wise, Rivers, Parry, Sam, Kamalu

Wise, Calhoun, and Butler.....then maybe Cowart/Rivers....

Tough calls to make for the coaches..

 

[Wheelman]

I think he's a little too cerebral for some teams... (like Thuney was afraid of being perceived) Look at his tweet quoting Shakespeare to which Brady responded " read your playbook". How many NFL players tweet from the Bard????

Good ESPN article on him...
Inside the mind of Chase Winovich, the NFL draft's most curious prospect

There's never a good BSPN article even if it's a good article.

 

[p8ryts]

The Pats preseason broadcasts have gotten worlds better since they dumped Roche and Fauria and brought in the radio guys Socci and Zolak. Chatham and Nink have provided insight from the sidelines. Unfortunately Paul Perillo is still there so you can’t win them all.

I don't blame Paul, the show concept has no foundation. Lets ask Paul and then Paul repeats what they just said. Stupid concept.