The optimism thread

I know how it looks right now. Playing poorly and the D is non existent but I still think the Pats will turn it on and challenge.

Reasons for thinking this way.

Sony Michel is better than what we’ve seen. He’s bound to grow into the role.

We have a new receiver and get Edelman back after this week, that should make some difference and become a positive if Gordon can stay off the dope.

Brady will still be brady once we provide him with the full compliment of weapons. He can not be expected to win games with only two receivers

The defense can go nowhere but up. Perhaps they gel and start rolling. The trouble or at least one thing about the D is they can’t be put out there over and over because of three and outs and be expected to play like teenagers.

There’s a point also in the removal of over inflated expectations. They will play better.

Just some abstract thoughts

What do we consider the first game against Houston now? A sign that this team is better than it has looked the past two weeks? Or simply that the Texans are that bad?

Joey007 said:

What do we consider the first game against Houston now? A sign that this team is better than it has looked the past two weeks? Or simply that the Texans are that bad?

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I consider it a win.

Joey007 said:

What do we consider the first game against Houston now? A sign that this team is better than it has looked the past two weeks? Or simply that the Texans are that bad?

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Well, my view is neither. It was a first game. Houston stunk up the place but they are better than that. The pats were lucky in that game really but the first game is not a good barometer. I hope that all these first four are not indicative of anything

The Jaguars loss didn't terribly concern me. It certainly raised alarming questions about our defense though.

The way we lost to Detroit was very concerning. The Dolphins game is huge and a must win. Fortunately it is at home. Josh needs to call a much better game and Josh Gordon needs to be on the field to keep that defense honest at the very least.

If we win that we get Edelman back and maybe our offense can win us a few and buy us enough time to make this defense close to passable.

I'm not as worried about the offense as I am the defense. With Edleman, Hollister and hopefully Gordon coming back, Brady will have more weapons and that should free up Gronk.

Wouldn't be surprised if we saw someone getting cut this week on the defensive side.(Sheldon, Brown, Hightower are a few that come to mind, although Roberts definitely needs to go.)

I expect a nice bounce back week against Miami coming up...fingers crossed

Kdo5 said:

If we win that we get Edelman back and maybe our offense can win us a few and buy us enough time to make this defense close to passable.

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The D will be better if the O can just get a first down or 2. I know that sounds crazy, but its true. And if JE and JG cant help than nothing can

we need a "they don't like their coach" moment

ashley1992 said:

Wouldn't be surprised if we saw someone getting cut this week on the defensive side.(Sheldon, Brown, Hightower are a few that come to mind,

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Hightower's dead cap hit is over 13 million. Wont be him

Bruins29 said:

Hightower's dead cap hit is over 13 million. Wont be him

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If he doesn't approve, the dead money after this season is $5M.

I said to my son going into last night's game that I wouldn't be surprised if they lost. So depleted everywhere.

That said, I have great optimism for this team.

We're on to Miami.

ctpatsfan77 said:

If he doesn't approve, the dead money after this season is $5M.

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Correct. Yes, I just think any of it is too much to swallow. Lets see if he can turn it around.

oldrover said:

I said to my son going into last night's game that I wouldn't be surprised if they lost. So depleted everywhere.

That said, I have great optimism for this team.

We're on to Miami.

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This game did not look great on paper. Pats start slow most years, going against old DC, Away game against a very desperate team, etc etc

I was not to surprised by this.

Roberts shouldn't be the one to go. There dies need to be an assessment of the defense. There needs to be an evaluation of the roles of Hightower, Brown and Rowe. Roles could change with the players remaining on the team. After all, getting Flowers and Chung back will help.

There are lots of options. We could bring up Valentine. I think that the defensive backfield could be OK with Chung back; the question is whether Jason McCourty is able to be the #3 CB, getting more reps than Rowe.

ashley1992 said:

I'm not as worried about the offense as I am the defense. With Edleman, Hollister and hopefully Gordon coming back, Brady will have more weapons and that should free up Gronk.

Wouldn't be surprised if we saw someone getting cut this week on the defensive side.(Sheldon, Brown, Hightower are a few that come to mind, although Roberts definitely needs to go.)

I expect a nice bounce back week against Miami coming up...fingers crossed

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I still see no reason why they won't win the AFC East, even if they miss out on a bye.

Anything can happen in the playoffs. See Giants, NY.

Loss is not a shock and I can't even say i'm surprised because anything is possible or impossible depending on how you see glass filled. I'll wait and save judgement until after week five and when hopefully we get a close to healthy team back. Making 3rd down stops MUST get better no matter who is in there. A legit Pass Rush does wonders for our LBs & DBs.

It's WAYYYY TOO EARLY to panic...However concern on the play on both sides of the ball is not to be dismissed easily........Josh, BB, and Brady have their work cut out for them..When will Cannon return? He could have made a difference last night......

BlueThunder said:

It's WAYYYY TOO EARLY to panic...However concern on the play on both sides of the ball is not to be dismissed easily........Josh, BB, and Brady have their work cut out for them..When will Cannon return? He could have made a difference last night......

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Don't forget the lone bright spot on the team. The special teams unit seems to be pretty good this year.

I’ll say this. If this team can turn it around and be a contender at the end of the season it’ll be a much more impressive feat than 2014 and even just possibly 2001.

BlueThunder said:

It's WAYYYY TOO EARLY to panic...However concern on the play on both sides of the ball is not to be dismissed easily........Josh, BB, and Brady have their work cut out for them..When will Cannon return? He could have made a difference last night......

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Agree. But Cannon did play last night didn't he?