PostGame Thread OFFICIAL: Romo Strikes Back - Pats Squeak Past Falcons w/ Win, 24-23

[DoubleDeluxe]

I mean, that's the other way to look at it, right?

I think both strategies are fair at this point, now.

I agree that both can work.
I just don't agree that we are a "few years" away.
Multiple year rebuilds only exist if you miss on a QB.
Once you find a guy, it's game on.

 

[TommyD4207]

I agree that both can work.
I just don't agree that we are a "few years" away.
Multiple year rebuilds only exist if you miss on a QB.
Once you find a guy, it's game on.

I think they have to 100% this offseason if they're going to be contenders for Maye's whole rookie window.

Realistically, it might be more like 2 years, so it's not that crazy of a statement.

 

[NFL Mystique]

A few years?
No, the NFL doesn't work that way.
Once you find a top QB, your SB window is open.

They have a good QB thus far. They don't have the other pieces yet. I'm just trying to think of the future

 

[TommyD4207]

It's not worth a fight, because both arguments are totally valid at 7-2.

 

[Ross12]

Here's how I'd approach things the next few weeks:

- Next week, rest a few more guys than usual. You are going against a team in Tampa that you'd likely have a hard time beating on a normal day. They are an NFC opponent who mean very little for you in the standings. Give some guys nursing things some extra time, because...
- You then have to play on a short week, Thursday night against the Jets. At least it's at home, and it's the Jets. I'd spend some of the Bucs week game-planning for this game to make sure you're completely ready to ensure a win - conference opponent, division opponent, etc.
- You now get a "mini-bye" with 10 days off until your next game, away at Cincinnati. The Bengals are already close to dead as far as playoff standings go after their loss today, and if they lose in two weeks vs. Pittsburgh (they're on a bye next week), they'll definitely be dead. So, this game against NE may ultimately mean nothing for them. Should be a game they can prep a lot for on the mini-bye.
- Week after that is a home game vs. the Giants, who are spunky but irrelevant and not going anywhere, and who have lost almost all of their weapons except for QB Dart. I'd probably be a bit conservative here too - rest some guys - give them advanced rest ahead of the bye coming up the following week.
- This next week is a bye. Get healthy.
- After the bye, Bills at Foxboro. Spend your bye getting healthy and game planning to sweep them. If you do then you probably have the division basically locked up.
- The last 3 weeks of the season then become less tense (at Ravens, at Jets, home v Dolphins) - with at least two of those games being vs irrelevant teams and perhaps all three.

If they play their cards right they can put themselves in position to really only need to "go hard" for about 3 of these games, lock up the division, and otherwise just play smart and get playoff ready and healthy.

 

[Uptown]

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I think they have to 100% this offseason if they're going to be contenders for Maye's whole rookie window.

Realistically, it might be more like 2 years, so it's not that crazy of a statement.

In 2 years from now Diggs probably won't be here.
Moses won't be here.
Hollins won't be here
Owenu won't be here
Bradbury won't be here
Chaison might not be here
Henry might not be here
Hooper won't be here
Pop might not be here
....etc
So we need to replace all those guys and more in FA and through the draft.
With our schedule, this might be our best chance in the next few seasons.
I'm not suggesting we sell our souls down at the crossroads, but I don't think we should be wasting this opportunity.

 

[p8ryts]

I think they have to 100% this offseason if they're going to be contenders for Maye's whole rookie window.

Realistically, it might be more like 2 years, so it's not that crazy of a statement.

This was a good preview for the offense. They got to face a lot of blitzes and stunts in preparation for Todd Bowles next week.

 

[TommyD4207]

In 2 years from now Diggs probably won't be here.
Moses won't be here.
Hollins won't be here
Owenu won't be here
Bradbury won't be here
Chaison might not be here
Henry might not be here
Hooper won't be here
Pop might not be here
....etc
So we need to replace all those guys and more in FA and through the draft.
With our schedule, this might be our best chance in the next few seasons.
I'm not suggesting we sell our sells down at the crossroads, but I don't think we should be wasting this opportunity.

Yes, but you might have better players than Hollins, Onwenu, Bradbury here in 2 years, if you stay strictly committed to the long-term approach.

That's why both approaches have merit at this point. You're not wrong, your argument is totally valid now at 7-2.

 

[manxman2601]

I think they have to 100% this offseason if they're going to be contenders for Maye's whole rookie window.

Realistically, it might be more like 2 years, so it's not that crazy of a statement.

Agreed. Unless they sign a couple of FA OL, they need to draft at least two which means another year of rookie teething issues on the OL. I'm fine with the team sticking to their plan.

 

[TommyD4207]

Agreed. Unless they sign a couple of FA OL, they need to draft at least two which means another year of rookie teething issues on the OL. I'm fine with the team sticking to their plan.

Again, I can't find fault in that.

Then again, you can get two good, young guards in FA for a lot less than some 6th-tier WR, then you're good for the next half-decade.

I'm really curious what Cowden/Highsmith end up doing here.

 

[manxman2601]

In 2 years from now Diggs probably won't be here.
Moses won't be here.
Hollins won't be here
Owenu won't be here
Bradbury won't be here
Chaison might not be here
Henry might not be here
Hooper won't be here
Pop might not be here
....etc
So we need to replace all those guys and more in FA and through the draft.
With our schedule, this might be our best chance in the next few seasons.
I'm not suggesting we sell our souls down at the crossroads, but I don't think we should be wasting this opportunity.

To be fair, and I don't mean this as an insult to any of those players, none of them seem irreplaceable. Hunter Henry because of his chemistry with Maye is probably the toughest loss.

 

[p8ryts]

Here's how I'd approach things the next few weeks:

- Next week, rest a few more guys than usual. You are going against a team in Tampa that you'd likely have a hard time beating on a normal day. They are an NFC opponent who mean very little for you in the standings. Give some guys nursing things some extra time, because...
- You then have to play on a short week, Thursday night against the Jets. At least it's at home, and it's the Jets. I'd spend some of the Bucs week game-planning for this game to make sure you're completely ready to ensure a win - conference opponent, division opponent, etc.
- You now get a "mini-bye" with 10 days off until your next game, away at Cincinnati. The Bengals are already close to dead as far as playoff standings go after their loss today, and if they lose in two weeks vs. Pittsburgh (they're on a bye next week), they'll definitely be dead. So, this game against NE may ultimately mean nothing for them. Should be a game they can prep a lot for on the mini-bye.
- Week after that is a home game vs. the Giants, who are spunky but irrelevant and not going anywhere, and who have lost almost all of their weapons except for QB Dart. I'd probably be a bit conservative here too - rest some guys - give them advanced rest ahead of the bye coming up the following week.
- This next week is a bye. Get healthy.
- After the bye, Bills at Foxboro. Spend your bye getting healthy and game planning to sweep them. If you do then you probably have the division basically locked up.
- The last 3 weeks of the season then become less tense (at Ravens, at Jets, home v Dolphins) - with at least two of those games being vs irrelevant teams and perhaps all three.

If they play their cards right they can put themselves in position to really only need to "go hard" for about 3 of these games, lock up the division, and otherwise just play smart and get playoff ready and healthy.

I don’t agree. I think they can win in Tampa. I don’t like the idea of looking ahead two games. We have just as big a chance of losing to the Jets. Let down game, short week.

 

[raduray]

Curious thing about Pop. Twice now, when he's caught long balls he then proceeds to stumble all over the field. He stumbled three times after the catch on the 58 yarder today. There was a play similar to that earlier in the year. What's that about?

He's running so fast his feet can't keep up.

 

[reflexblue]

Has anyone mentioned the pats now have the best record in football after indys loss? Update...they technically don't

 

[Ring 6]

Here's how I'd approach things the next few weeks:

- Next week, rest a few more guys than usual. You are going against a team in Tampa that you'd likely have a hard time beating on a normal day. They are an NFC opponent who mean very little for you in the standings. Give some guys nursing things some extra time, because...
- You then have to play on a short week, Thursday night against the Jets. At least it's at home, and it's the Jets. I'd spend some of the Bucs week game-planning for this game to make sure you're completely ready to ensure a win - conference opponent, division opponent, etc.
- You now get a "mini-bye" with 10 days off until your next game, away at Cincinnati. The Bengals are already close to dead as far as playoff standings go after their loss today, and if they lose in two weeks vs. Pittsburgh (they're on a bye next week), they'll definitely be dead. So, this game against NE may ultimately mean nothing for them. Should be a game they can prep a lot for on the mini-bye.
- Week after that is a home game vs. the Giants, who are spunky but irrelevant and not going anywhere, and who have lost almost all of their weapons except for QB Dart. I'd probably be a bit conservative here too - rest some guys - give them advanced rest ahead of the bye coming up the following week.
- This next week is a bye. Get healthy.
- After the bye, Bills at Foxboro. Spend your bye getting healthy and game planning to sweep them. If you do then you probably have the division basically locked up.
- The last 3 weeks of the season then become less tense (at Ravens, at Jets, home v Dolphins) - with at least two of those games being vs irrelevant teams and perhaps all three.

If they play their cards right they can put themselves in position to really only need to "go hard" for about 3 of these games, lock up the division, and otherwise just play smart and get playoff ready and healthy.

Are you seriously saying the team with the best record in the NFL shouldn’t do everything they can next week because you are afraid of a Todd freaking Bowles coached them that is 14th is scoring and 16 in scoring defense? You want to sit players out and game plan for the next game and throw this game? Are you insane?
Staying in first place matters in the standings.

 

[TommyD4207]

Has anyone mentioned the pats now have the best record in football after indys loss?

It's changed that part of the equation.

I was 100% committed to long-term rebuild. But you don't go 7-2 every year.

 

[A Defiant Goose]

Good news on Gonzo. How about Boutte?

 

[Ring 6]

The Patriots should not go all in yet. There time is coming. But it's going to be a few years. Jmo.

They have the best record in the NFL. Coming into this week the were #8 offense and #4 defense.
How is this not the time?

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

To be fair, and I don't mean this as an insult to any of those players, none of them seem irreplaceable. Hunter Henry because of his chemistry with Maye is probably the toughest loss.

Understood, but you don't have unlimited resources (draft picks and FA$) to replace all those guys with better, you just don't.