Content Post Idle thoughts - the what could have been edition

[VrabelJr]

We’re either going to look back on this game as a close game between two crappy teams or two really good teams. I personally think it will be the latter. I was surprised to see this level of football in week 1. Brian Flores is building a tough team down there.

 

[PScottman]

Brian Flores is building a tough team down there.

I too hope that is the case as many around here had their defense as good in the secondary, terrible at linebacker and just okay at DL. What I thought they excelled at was tackling. They blitzed so much that one missed tackle on some of those hot reads and it could've been 30-40 yard RAC.

Speaking of which - did TB sell his access to the Fountain of Youth to the McCourty twins?

 

[DropKickFlutie]

I too hope that is the case as many around here had their defense as good in the secondary, terrible at linebacker and just okay at DL. What I thought they excelled at was tackling. They blitzed so much that one missed tackle on some of those hot reads and it could've been 30-40 yard RAC.

Speaking of which - did TB sell his access to the Fountain of Youth to the McCourty twins?

I don't think I've ever seen or heard of Devin eating bread.

.

 

[captain stone]

We’re either going to look back on this game as a close game between two crappy teams or two really good teams. I personally think it will be the latter. I was surprised to see this level of football in week 1. Brian Flores is building a tough team down there.

I too hope that is the case as many around here had their defense as good in the secondary, terrible at linebacker and just okay at DL. What I thought they excelled at was tackling. They blitzed so much that one missed tackle on some of those hot reads and it could've been 30-40 yard RAC.

Speaking of which - did TB sell his access to the Fountain of Youth to the McCourty twins?

Why in the world would you hope that?

 

[Sicilian]

We’re either going to look back on this game as a close game between two crappy teams or two really good teams. I personally think it will be the latter. I was surprised to see this level of football in week 1. Brian Flores is building a tough team down there.

I think that's certainly possible, but week 1 is so hard to read. These two teams could go in opposite directions from here, it's just too wild in the beginning with every team trying to figure out who they are with a lot of new faces.

 

[PScottman]

Why in the world would you hope that?

I hope that it is a tough defense versus what the board thought (average) because if it's a BAD defense...that does NOT bode well for the Patriots' offense moving forward after that performance.

 

[mgteich]

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS

1) patriots teams hold on to the ball

2) we had the fewest penalties in the NFL last year

3) If we want more from the defense, we might be disappointed. Consider such stats as running yards, passing yards, QB rating and points. These are certainly top 5 numbers.

4) OK, I'll say it. I would have preferred to have had Michell active. Harris needs a #2. Harris is a beast, but he needs to be able to block. The running game will get better, but I still don't think that it is the superior unit that others think it is. However, this running game is good enough; it isn't a weakness.

5) cap said 100 or 200 times that we had a weakness after our top 6 OL's. I expect Onwenu to start at RT next week. Belichick doesn't like to switch 2 players after an injury during the game. A week of practice should make the difference. Perhaps, we are undervaluing Herron; I suspect not. The rules have changed. This is still a top OL.

6) And then there is the passing game. Jones will learn, but as a first game as a rookie, his performance was a clear A+. We are fine with our receivers (WR's, TE's and White).

7) Red zone efficiency will/should likely be one of the items of focus this week.

 

[Pats2000]

I hope that it is a tough defense versus what the board thought (average) because if it's a BAD defense...that does NOT bode well for the Patriots' offense moving forward after that performance.

That was a middle of the pack defense yesterday, Top 10 in rushing, top 15 in yards and top 10 in QB completion % after first game. So the defense wasn't bad, they gave up some big chunk plays to really fast guys, often being in good coverage. Except for those slants.

There's def room to improve, which I think they will.

 

[50-yard-line]

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS

1) patriots teams hold on to the ball

2) we had the fewest penalties in the NFL last year

3) If we want more from the defense, we might be disappointed. Consider such stats as running yards, passing yards, QB rating and points. These are certainly top 5 numbers.

4) OK, I'll say it. I would have preferred to have had Michell active. Harris needs a #2. Harris is a beast, but he needs to be able to block. The running game will get better, but I still don't think that it is the superior unit that others think it is. However, this running game is good enough; it isn't a weakness.

5) cap said 100 or 200 times that we had a weakness after our top 6 OL's. I expect Onwenu to start at RT next week. Belichick doesn't like to switch 2 players after an injury during the game. A week of practice should make the difference. Perhaps, we are undervaluing Herron; I suspect not. The rules have changed. This is still a top OL.

6) And then there is the passing game. Jones will learn, but as a first game as a rookie, his performance was a clear A+. We are fine with our receivers (WR's, TE's and White).

7) Red zone efficiency will/should likely be one of the items of focus this week.

Agreed, except on the last word. Change "week" to "year."

This dismal red zone efficiency has been with the Pats since the second half of 2019. No excuse for it with two good TEs. It's really baffling. One of the best RZ series last year had Newton high-pointing Harry, who made a good DB - I think it was Chris Harris) look like a child when he pulled it down.

They didn't try it again the rest of the year. I just don't get it.

 

[Sicilian]

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS

1) patriots teams hold on to the ball

2) we had the fewest penalties in the NFL last year

3) If we want more from the defense, we might be disappointed. Consider such stats as running yards, passing yards, QB rating and points. These are certainly top 5 numbers.

4) OK, I'll say it. I would have preferred to have had Michell active. Harris needs a #2. Harris is a beast, but he needs to be able to block. The running game will get better, but I still don't think that it is the superior unit that others think it is. However, this running game is good enough; it isn't a weakness.

5) cap said 100 or 200 times that we had a weakness after our top 6 OL's. I expect Onwenu to start at RT next week. Belichick doesn't like to switch 2 players after an injury during the game. A week of practice should make the difference. Perhaps, we are undervaluing Herron; I suspect not. The rules have changed. This is still a top OL.

6) And then there is the passing game. Jones will learn, but as a first game as a rookie, his performance was a clear A+. We are fine with our receivers (WR's, TE's and White).

7) Red zone efficiency will/should likely be one of the items of focus this week.

Agreed on everything, except for point 5. I think if they expect Brown back soon, they're not going to move Onwenu to RT for one week, then back to LG in week 3. I think as long as they suspect Brown will be back for the Saints game, they'll plug in the best RT reserve they think they've got, let them practice with the 1's all week, and reduce the amount of shuffle as best they can. If they think Brown is gone longer than that, then getting Karras on the field as your best 6th guy makes sense, but if that were the case we'd probably see Brown on short term IR. The injury report today will be interesting to watch on this front.

 

[NewEraWithMac]

Mac Jones initially seemed shaky and tentative, but as the game went on and he got his feet beneath him he seemed more self confident. He throws a really good ball, and is as accurate as advertised. He will be a much better QB by the time Thanksgiving comes around. Jones completed passes to 8 different players and had just about a 75% completion rate. Remember the adage we were fed by the announcers that said, "Brady's favorite receiver is the open receiver"??

Freaking penalties, IMO that was the difference how many times were the Pats going backward either at the beginning or mid drive.. might want to invite Scar back to inspire these guys and provide a few words of wisdom.

Defense seemed good, initially they were vulnerable to the run, but that quickly changed... do not know if Gilmore would have made a difference, but the Miami receivers have a lot of potential.

Overall the glass is half full and look forward to a decent season, what we do know after yesterday is that Mac Jones is gonna be OK (great??) and this team will get better as the season goes on. Many of my fears about the QB position are temporarily allayed..

We weren't fed the adage, it was a true thing. It's part of what made Brady, his understanding of that. Brady used to throw to the open guy until he started only throwing to All Star level players to try to stoke his own ego. Once that changed, he started playing poorly in postseasons vs the better Ds.

Thankfully, BB drafted JimmyG, worked daily with him and it scared Brady back under Center and Brady got back to basics helping win 3 more SBs.

The thing I like about Mac so far, is he shows no signs about trying to chase stats. Doesn't care about em. It's great especially for a generation so hung up on fantasy football as if it means something.

 

[mgteich]

Agreed on everything, except for point 5. I think if they expect Brown back soon, they're not going to move Onwenu to RT for one week, then back to LG in week 3. I think as long as they suspect Brown will be back for the Saints game, they'll plug in the best RT reserve they think they've got, let them practice with the 1's all week, and reduce the amount of shuffle as best they can. If they think Brown is gone longer than that, then getting Karras on the field as your best 6th guy makes sense, but if that were the case we'd probably see Brown on short term IR. The injury report today will be interesting to watch on this front.

I agree that if Brown is only out for a week, then Onwenu is unlikely to be moved. I was expected short term IR.

 

[1960Pats]

If the Pats cut down the mistakes and shield Jones from hits, I could see them possibly facing my Chiefs in the championship game.

I honestly believe they have a QB good enough to win it all. We know they have the coach. And unlike last year, guys were getting open yesterday. Yes, they didn't always catch the ball. But I'd expect some of that stuff to be cleaned up.

I think the number one priority is for the OC to not have Jones taking so many hits. That's play calling and scheming. Might even be something Belichick himself has to address to McDaniels.

The offensive problems for the Pats are due to the amount of new players on offense combined with a rookie QB. They'll lose some early games and may not get to the playoffs with a tough schedule.
On the defensive side they'll probably miss Gilmore.

And what about Mahomes? He looks a little off this year with his accuracy.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

We weren't fed the adage, it was a true thing. It's part of what made Brady, his understanding of that. Brady used to throw to the open guy until he started only throwing to All Star level players to try to stoke his own ego. Once that changed, he started playing poorly in postseasons vs the better Ds.

Thankfully, BB drafted JimmyG, worked daily with him and it scared Brady back under Center and Brady got back to basics helping win 3 more SBs.

The thing I like about Mac so far, is he shows no signs about trying to chase stats. Doesn't care about em. It's great especially for a generation so hung up on fantasy football as if it means something.

Oh look it's NewEra back with the crap about Brady being a prima donna and Giselle being yoko ono.

.

 

[MahomestoKelce]

The offensive problems for the Pats are due to the amount of new players on offense combined with a rookie QB. They'll lose some early games and may not get to the playoffs with a tough schedule.
On the defensive side they'll probably miss Gilmore.

And what about Mahomes? He looks a little off this year with his accuracy.

Not sure what's going on. Two meh games in a row. AFC is pretty weak though so I expect to get back to the SB. Just a temporary problem.

Patriots probably won't get to the championship game if they lose tomorrow. Not impossible though. Honestly I thought Miami & NO would be slam dunk wins.

 

[1960Pats]

Not sure what's going on. Two meh games in a row. AFC is pretty weak though so I expect to get back to the SB. Just a temporary problem.

Patriots probably won't get to the championship game if they lose tomorrow. Not impossible though. Honestly I thought Miami & NO would be slam dunk wins.

The Pats under Belichick have always been a much stronger team at the end, providing they didn't have too many injuries.

Miami and NO have given the Pats trouble in the past so I wasn't surprised, especially with a whole new offense led by a rookie QB. I was actually the only one to take NO in our family pool, which is based off of point differential so I picked up 30 points on them all.

 

[1960Pats]

Oh look it's NewEra back with the crap about Brady being a prima donna and Giselle being yoko ono.

I would never have known that if you didn't repeat it here.

 

[captain stone]

The offensive problems for the Pats are due to the amount of new players on offense combined with a rookie QB behind an OL that completely ****ing sucks, especially at BOTH Tackle positions. They'll lose some early games and may not get to the playoffs with a tough schedule.

fify