Patriots Pregame Thread Week 5 pregame discussion: Squish the fish @ Pats

[40yrpatsfan]

I really hope Onwenu is back at guard starting this week. I’m glad the team is at least acknowledging his ideal position is at G.

I prefer him at G too, but there’s no other choice this week due to injuries. The team isn’t acknowledging anything, and he could be back at tackle next week

 

[Uptown]

 

[Real fan 02]

I wanted to get back to this to point out what's become a real dilemma for Mayo. Bedard argues that the coaching staff is at a "crossroad."

But to me, the only person who's really at a crossroad is Mayo himself, who has a real challenge facing him right now. We're aware of a clear cut case of mutiny growing within the ranks because the QB driving the offense is driving like grandma drives a schoolbus (to use a metaphor I have used before). That schoolbus is going to feel like it's never to get anywhere, so the frustration is understandable.

But- if Mayo gives ground or makes concessions to this mutiny, the inmates are going to think they can run the asylum anytime they want, especially when there is a problem. This won't be the last problem that this young team lacking an identity, will face, as it grows into its identity over the next few years.

So that's the real "crossroad" for Mayo. Does he remain the "player-friendly" coach and acknowledge or respect their frustration and risk his standing? Or does he take a page from the BB playbook, throw down the gauntlet and not yield an inch? He will lose the personal touch but be able to keep that locker room in order.

Or can he find some sort of middle ground?

Interesting times are ahead... for sure.

Pape made a great post and valid points. "If" Mayo's choosing himself to let things play out and not do the easy thing by putting maye in then he deserves big respect. Personally becuase of the set up in the organization I don't feel Mayo's going to make the choice alone of starting maye it will likely be a collective decision. Not saying that Mayo answers to any one becuase he doesn't. He doesn't answer to Wolf he answers to ownership. Loosing create this kind of talk. I believe Mayo is going through the growing pains of any 1st year coach and will just have to go through it and continue gaining experience as the season goes on.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

Not sure what his thought process is for gamesmanship or impact on team on saying it outright due to a need for “transparency” vs. just simply doing it on game day, but..
.

This looks like discipline theatre to me. I agree that it would have been better to put his ass on the bench for the rest of the 49er game and allow Stevenson to 'earn' the job back in practice for this week.

 

[Real fan 02]

This looks like discipline theatre to me. I agree that it would have been better to put his ass on the bench for the rest of the 49er game and allow Stevenson to 'earn' the job back in practice for this week.

I just think that the offense is so I inept right now that rham and slye are the best players on the offense. Taking either one out the equation is handicapping the offense even more. It's on rham to secure the ball if not then Mayo's going to have to bench him. You give teams scoring opportunities if this team is down 7 points the game is over.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

I just think that the offense is so I inept right now that rham and slye are the best players on the offense. Taking either one out the equation is handicapping the offense even more. It's on rham to secure the ball if not then Mayo's going to have to bench him. You give teams scoring opportunities if this team is down 7 points the game is over.

No argument about the importance of Stevenson to the offense and why he was put back in the game. Not starting him for this game makes it look like Mayo is reacting to the media reaction even though there will be the same impact on the team. Either keep him in the lineup after some stern words on the sidelines or bench him to send a message. You can't go half way and keep the respect of the team.

 

[archstanton543]

No argument about the importance of Stevenson to the offense and why he was put back in the game. Not starting him for this game makes it look like Mayo is reacting to the media reaction even though there will be the same impact on the team. Either keep him in the lineup after some stern words on the sidelines or bench him to send a message. You can't go half way and keep the respect of the team.

I don't agree with that. Mayo said before the season started that ball security was job security. This isn't him bending to outside pressure.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

I don't agree with that. Mayo said before the season started that ball security was job security. This isn't him bending to outside pressure.

The original question was about in game discipline, or waiting until the next game. I was commenting on the optics of the decision to wait to bench the player. Worst case scenario, Stevenson did not take ownership of the situation during practice, prompting Mayo to take further action. At this point the most important thing is for the player to channel his inner Kevin Faulk and get on top of the problem ASAP.

 

[signbabybrady]

I don't agree with that. Mayo said before the season started that ball security was job security. This isn't him bending to outside pressure.

I wonder if everyone will give Mayo the same grief that Bill got over Welker or Butler lol. Not such a simple answer when you actually see discipline is a problem.

 

[denverpatsfan]

What was Huntleys best game as a pro? Let's hope he doesn't eclipse those stats tomorrow.
Might skip this one depending on how much gets done today. Fall projects in full swing here.

 

[Real fan 02]

No argument about the importance of Stevenson to the offense and why he was put back in the game. Not starting him for this game makes it look like Mayo is reacting to the media reaction even though there will be the same impact on the team. Either keep him in the lineup after some stern words on the sidelines or bench him to send a message. You can't go half way and keep the respect of the team.

I understand that. I think Mayo's likely already spoke to rham. Rham isn't a rookie and knows how important especially to this team with 0 margin for error. Rham is a leader on the team and needs to be better with ball security. I remember when he fumbled in his rookie season and he was benched for most of the year.

 

[Real fan 02]

I wonder if everyone will give Mayo the same grief that Bill got over Welker or Butler lol. Not such a simple answer when you actually see discipline is a problem.

My guess is no. We are talking about a championship team as opposed to a rebuilding team. I believe each coach has different methods to get thier message to players. The championship teams were held to a far higher standard. Speaking for myself my expectations are so low for this team that simply making a first down is an accomplishment.

 

[borg]

Not sure what his thought process is for gamesmanship or impact on team on saying it outright due to a need for “transparency” vs. just simply doing it on game day, but..
.

It's amateur hour at the home of the inland lighthouse with tiny bell.
Mayo's naive eagerness to be the Anti-BB continues to create unnecessary, self-inflicted distractions.
It's as if Mayo enjoys tossing landmines in front of his vehicle and then immediately running over them.
One would think a person whose executive experience as a celebrity intern at a healthcare company would be better prepared for such a leadership role.
I'm surprised the imbedded attorney from the Kraft Group isn't providing Mayo better counsel.

 

[Real fan 02]

What was Huntleys best game as a pro? Let's hope he doesn't eclipse those stats tomorrow.
Might skip this one depending on how much gets done today. Fall projects in full swing here.

He worries me because he can run.. we will need to contain the edge. Without Jennings last week we lost containment on the edges.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Pats rack up win #2 Sunday.

 

[Thelonious]

I have a confession. I'm sort of intrigued by the prospect of a blowout loss. I mean, the team isn't very entertaining, but the holy hell kerfuffle which would follow such a loss could be hilarious, if you are into dark humor. I know: what a despicable thought. It's the same impulse which makes it such that the Dante's Inferno is far more interesting and sell more copies than either of the other two sections, and why Milton seemed more fascinated with Satan than with all the other angels and divinities in Paradise Lost. Wiliam Blake took delight in this fact and wrote his "Proverbs of Hell," a work which I can tell you adolescents enjoy discussing than they enjoy parsing out theodical issues arising out of theb\ almighty's ominipotence. The most alluring image of Jesus, maybe the most beautiful -
Go and sin no more." - involves his chatting up a floozie at a well. Women love a bad boy. The UFC is a massive hit, but a show in which manly men talk out their differences in an atmosphere of profound, mutually nurturant respect would never fly. We bad, bad to the bone. "Look, Mom, a car wreck: slow down." I'll post something more respectable come the Sabbath, depending on the outcome of the game.

 

[ViperGTS]

Oh I am expecting another loss. The Dolphins aren't a tomato can really. They have some good playmakers on offense and a veteran QB that had another weeks to get acclimated to the offense and the offense to him.

The Phins will move the ball of that I am sure.

 

[Mack Herron]

 

[Real fan 02]

This is a definite loss now. Bombs away for Tyreek and waddle... wait it gets better.. next week with Houston!

 

[Real fan 02]

Oh I am expecting another loss. The Dolphins aren't a tomato can really. They have some good playmakers on offense and a veteran QB that had another weeks to get acclimated to the offense and the offense to him.

The Phins will move the ball of that I am sure.

Especially with Dugger with peppers out!