How Bad Are We?

[borg]

Going out on a limb here............
I'm taking the under on "Pats commit 5 turnovers vs Panthers"

 

[Huckleberry1]

I like what I see from this team, but I have one major concern, and I think it starts with coaching which is why we see it on the field:
BALL SECURITY.
Belichick made it his number one priority, and he drilled his players relentlessly and they got benched immediately if they failed to do it.
So my main concern is Drake Maye's stat line of 16 career games, 24 total turnovers. THAT isn't good.

Peyton Manning had 28 interceptions his rookie year, and was still named AP ROY

 

[Thelonious]

So, you don't like Vrabel's public statements.

As with Belichick, personally, I don't care. Let him do what he thinks is right for the locker room. For example, I wouldn't have given Bourregales the game ball, but if Vrabel thinks that it helps, then fine.
=========
I have no easy answer for handling the situation with Stevenson. Benching him and playing Jennings as our #3 doesn't seem quite right going forward. I can see why he isn't sure what he wants to do. He has to decide whether to give Handerson and Gibson 95% of the reps.
The answer may be to trade for our 3rd back and make whatever deal we need to in order to move Stevenson.

"if Vrabel thinks that it helps, then fine." It's not "fine" if he is wrong, clearly.

A coach's "public statements" are obviously important. Today's young players, obsessively attuned to comments in the various media, pay attention to them more so in these times even than in the past. It is simply erroneous to say such statements do not matter.

Re Rhamondre, if there are not adverse consequences for failure and dereliction, you will get more failure and dereliction. That is a simple fact of human nature, one far too often ignored, to our national detriment, these days.

 

[Huckleberry1]

This is a new team, they haven't played together before, and they are playing 6-7 rookies regularly. They are already much better than last season's team, and appear to be headed in the right track. I'm very happy with where they are.

 

[mgteich]

A coach's "public statements" are obviously important. Today's young players, obsessively attuned to comments in the various media, pay attention to them more so in these times even than in the past. It is simply erroneous to say such statements do not matter.

I strongly disagree.
===============
I do understand that some think that an important part of coaching is public relations and statements to the press.

If Belichick worried about that, he wouldn't have been a patriot coach for more than a year or two. And, NO, getting fan and young player approval for public statements is NOT any more important today than 20 years ago.

 

[signbabybrady]

"if Vrabel thinks that it helps, then fine." It's not "fine" if he is wrong, clearly.

A coach's "public statements" are obviously important. Today's young players, obsessively attuned to comments in the various media, pay attention to them more so in these times even than in the past. It is simply erroneous to say such statements do not matter.

Re Rhamondre, if there are not adverse consequences for failure and dereliction, you will get more failure and dereliction. That is a simple fact of human nature, one far too often ignored, to our national detriment, these days.

LoL. You'll be complaining about this stuff still even if he wins multiple championships. At least you're consistent.

 

[reflexblue]

If Parcells was the coach theres a good chance he would cut Stevenson
Belichick would have benched Stevenson
Just sayin

 

[NFL Mystique]

They aren't good/talented enough to overcome penalties, turnovers, missed tackles, and mental errors. They will lose the majority of games that happens in. Now, if they limit those mistakes and actually don't beat themselves, I could see a 9-8 type record. They.aren't a horrible team like the Saints. Where each game is likely a loss. If this team went into Buffalo and won for instance, I would be surprised. Not shocked. Overall, a below to average type team imo. No way should they be in the top 5 of the 2025 draft.

Even when this team becomes great, the days of overcoming two to three score games while making the opposition look like fools are, well, over. Brady is a once in a lifetime type QB. Bill was a defensive genius. That was an outlier. Not the norm.

 

[NFL Mystique]

They’re a great team at everything except one… shooting themselves in the foot. Otherwise there’s not much they can’t do well.

Young inexperienced teams need to learn not to lose before they learn how to win.

And shooting themselves in the foot is correctable. But it has to happen. Actions speak louder than words.

 

[mike_usagisan]

"if Vrabel thinks that it helps, then fine." It's not "fine" if he is wrong, clearly.

A coach's "public statements" are obviously important. Today's young players, obsessively attuned to comments in the various media, pay attention to them more so in these times even than in the past. It is simply erroneous to say such statements do not matter.

Re Rhamondre, if there are not adverse consequences for failure and dereliction, you will get more failure and dereliction. That is a simple fact of human nature, one far too often ignored, to our national detriment, these days.

Vrabel made a point in one of his press conferences that they needed to practice the heck out of it. That's the only way to change it. So I think there are adverse consequences, but also hopefully teachable ones.

 

[Triumph]

Yes of course. Next week's game.. I hate late games... how much do we loose by 20 or 30?

Buffalo will likely go easy on NE.

Josh Allen is the best QB in the NFL right now.

 

[Triumph]

Vrabel is out there flying by the seat of his pants.

 

[Thunderhead]

Look out below if they lose on Sunday is all I'm gonna say

 

[Bill Lee]

The Steelers were a pretty good opponent - not top tier but above average. In a game that was close throughout, we held their offense to about 200 yards and our offense generated close to 400, which are both outstanding. Rham and Drake each committed 2 terrible, avoidable, damaging turnovers that cost us a sure win. Those kinds of turnovers will probably not recur, but there was nothing flukey about our offensive and defensive performances, they appear to be the new normal. The wins will follow.

My $0.02 again: I think things are heading in the right direction but we disagree on when things will consistently be at playoff level or better. I think Drake Maye is young enough to see a lot of development this year and next. I think Rham's fumbling problem has been with him for years with just a small short-term improvement but not enough to justify him being our RB1 if/when we are a serious playoff team. He has had some nice runs, but turnovers are killers. I bet this is his last season here. I think Stephon is a useful WR but not a game changer. Maybe his game opens up as he continues to heal, maybe it doesn't. IMO none of our WRs scare the other team. I think PIT is a bad measuring stick because Ahole is in decline.

 

[Huckleberry1]

If Parcells was the coach theres a good chance he would cut Stevenson
Belichick would have benched Stevenson
Just sayin

Parcells would have been wrong. Belichick dealt with this with Kevin Faulk, and he went on to be an integral part of their first dynasty. From what I understand they have made turnovers a central focus of this week's practice. Stevenson can be a good running back if he fixes the issue, they can't afford to give up on good players.

 

[rkarp1]

This is a new team, they haven't played together before, and they are playing 6-7 rookies regularly. They are already much better than last season's team, and appear to be headed in the right track. I'm very happy with where they are.

I am aligned with you that I am happy with the progress and growth, but disappointed that the team is not 3-0.
they could be. should be.

 

[rkarp1]

Parcells would have been wrong. Belichick dealt with this with Kevin Faulk, and he went on to be an integral part of their first dynasty. From what I understand they have made turnovers a central focus of this week's practice. Stevenson can be a good running back if he fixes the issue, they can't afford to give up on good players.

from my recollection and perusing the stats, Bill stopped handing the ball to Faulk, and started passing him the ball. perhaps with Faulk, that made a difference.
Faulks 5th season, he did fumble 4 times. his 7th season 3 times.
Bill never was able to fix Ridley

 

[mike_usagisan]

I think we're overlooking the obvious. To reduce fumbles, we just need to deflate the balls.

 

[Triumph]

Look out below if they lose on Sunday is all I'm gonna say

But, but, but its Vrabes and he is awesome.

 

[Wozzy]

from my recollection and perusing the stats, Bill stopped handing the ball to Faulk, and started passing him the ball. perhaps with Faulk, that made a difference.
Faulks 5th season, he did fumble 4 times. his 7th season 3 times.
Bill never was able to fix Ridley

There’s been RB’s who fixed themselves at fumbling through coaching and technique. It’s not an all or nothing proposition.

BB himself said he used to ride Rhamondre to protect the ball. It’s not a new problem, it’s a lack of attention problem.