The optimism thread

There are genuine reasons for optimism:

--Football is very much a complementary game. With Brady having almost literally nobody to throw to, the offense is going to struggle. That puts more pressure on a defense that isn't equipped to handle it. Get Edelman back and if Gordon has something, suddenly they're scoring points, keeping the defense off the field, etc.

--The Pats need some youth and speed, no question. But Chung isn't done, and McCourty, while near the end, isn't either. Get Chung and Flowers back, hope HT isn't through (fingers crossed) and that side of the ball looks better too.

--The Pats get better as the year goes on, and pieces WILL be added. This isn't the finished product. Brady and Belichick are still here. Look--no more trading first round picks for a year of a wideout. And this could be a year like 2009 where we're "between" better periods. But maybe not. As always, will be interesting to find out.

Better talent and those pats had playmakers. This team has a massive talent issue. Brady is playing with receives that should be on the practice squad and the D has issues in every spot.

People are understating how bad the lions are. This is the team that gave up 48 points against a rookie QB.

Pats historical rarely lose two games in a row nevermind the second one coming from a weak team like the lions.

Like others have stated, the talent drain is hard to overcome.

I think with Edelman coming back and if Gordon can be decent we will turn it around on O and will be in the playoffs. Our depth at WR and TE worries me though. We can’t afford any long term injury to Gronk or Edelman.

The big question mark going forward is our D. No pass rush. Can’t stop the run. No speed at LB. We are very far off on defence. We need a major influx of talent.

We always lose games so I never overreact but The only thing that is worrisome is the way we are losing. We lost both games the same way. For a coach that preaches don’t make mistakes twice, it’s concerning that we aren’t making the proper adjustments.

My brain has these 3 thoughts depending what mood I'm in:

Optimism: As soon as we get this years version of Moss and Welker back we can party like it's 2007!

Realism: This years team looks average, wouldn't be shocked with 9-7 from here on out but could grab a wildcard.

Pessimism: We've lost 3 of the last 4 games to Bortles, Foles and the 0-2 Lions, after a lot of drama in the offseason. Is this the end?

We had way more talent those years tho.

There is no mistery, the league has the blueprint to beat the Pats and we can't answer, there is no talent, there is no physicality to at least try to beat them in Brutal force instead of technique.

The players know what the play will be, BB knows, we know, the other team goes and execute like it is against a College Team.

I believe the four teams that went to the conference championship games were a combined .500 through 4 weeks last year. Mike Lombardi says that Belichick has taken to treating September like an extended preseason, because since the last CBA there is less useful practice time before the season and rosters generally skew younger. This is the main reason why I try not to put too much stock in the first four weeks of the season.

OTOH, I think it's a mistake to think the Pats can turn 2-2 into 12-4 or better every year. They've done it plenty of times before, but this still comes with the implicit assumption that whatever enabled the Pats to round into form in 2014 and 2017 is still here in 2018. And looking at the quality of talent that's on this roster on rookie contracts, I'm not sure if I see it. There just aren't enough good players on cheap rookie deals, I don't think.

So I really have no idea what to make of where we are now. On one hand, I could easily see the Pats taking advantage of having 3 games at home and being 4-2 in 3 weeks, at which point a lot of these concerns could seem like a bit of a distant memory (hopefully not to resurface in the playoffs). OTOH, I expect the Pats to lose on Sunday, so... we'll see I guess. None of the 3 teams we've played have looked very good in their other 3 games, so it sure looks like we're getting beaten by middling-to-bad teams.

Basically, I still have no idea where this team is going, and I'm going to try to reserve judgment until Sunday. If we beat the Dolphins I'll feel cautiously okay, if we lose we'll be basically four games down in the division in September.

Team started 3-0 in 2002
Team started 3-1 in 2008

When it comes to the Patriots and Tom Brady ,,I am always an optimist.
No matter the result. We sucked against Detroit,,,a worse loss than against the great Jaguars who also lost at home to the Titans !!
There were times during the Game I was asking why did we let Amendola walk ?
Who did Tom have to throw,,,?? It was obvious from the beginning we were not going to win the game.
Still I think we go 11 - 5 ,,,win the Div and if lucky get the 2nd Seed but who cares now ,,as long as we play better football in December.
The reason we get to the playoffs is the Offense will carry this Team.
Can't give up on the GOAT although I wish I could read his mind while he looked around for someone to be open.
Go Pats

hold your horses.... we'd have to first beat Miami before we can declare a 2-2 record....

Bourne Patriot said:

My brain has these 3 thoughts depending what mood I'm in:

Optimism: As soon as we get this years version of Moss and Welker back we can party like it's 2007!

Realism: This years team looks average, wouldn't be shocked with 9-7 from here on out but could grab a wildcard.

Pessimism: We've lost 3 of the last 4 games to Bortles, Foles and the 0-2 Lions, after a lot of drama in the offseason. Is this the end?

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Cynicism: We go 17-2 and win the Superbowl

zimmy said:

There aren't any reasons to be positive right now if our pre-season expectation to win the Super Bowl remain valid. We ain't near that level.

There isn't really anyone out there who might fix the D. It looks unfixable to me in the short term. They might paper over the cracks for a few games but the issues are deep rooted and liable to appear at the most important times.
.
Even if the O improves with Edelman and Gordon, I don't see how it will improve to the level where we can consistently beat the best teams in the league.

Maybe I'm just being negative the day after but this just isn't a SB team. It might be a playoff team. And there is a change it's just be a bad team. We all heard through training camp that there was a different atmosphere, a lack of intensity and emotion. We all wrote it all off but maybe it was a serious issue, You don't just turn that on and off. It's difficult to find.

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I think it’s still valid because the teams from 2014 and 2016 did not play at super bowl level in September either. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not blind to the shortcomings of the team but I’m trying to keep it in perspective of previous seasons

I am optimistic that the Patriots will adjust and fairly certain that Bill isn't trying to sabotage Brady (crazy nonsense flying in the air) by not preparing for games and trading key players. A home game against Miami is a great way to rebound from a loss, I expect an explosive start and dolphins for dinner next game.

archstanton543 said:

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

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Indeed. Cyrus Jones looked pretty good out there catching punts. No case of the yips, no muffed punts, etc.

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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Cannon played 71% of the snaps last night. Sorry you missed it.

His pass pro wasn't great - allowed 2 hits and pressure and (technically) the "late coverage sack". He got a couple of good run-blocks in, though. Clearly not yet 100%.

I think part of the problem is not enough in mini camp. It’s taking more time to get it together than normal but I think they will ultimately get it sorted

Silver Blue&Red said:

But who do we have for depth?

Are there any hidden gems on the practice squad.

But I do agree, they need a shake up.
Not enough competition in Training Camp?.

Thank God we have BB.
If anyone can right the ship, he can

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The only defensive players on the PS are Wiltz, Valentine, and rookie DE Trent Harris.

It's nice to dream about cutting players who we think are crap, but any replacement who might make a relatively immediate positive impact would cost more than the Pats can afford. Unless Eric Reid would be willing to play for the vet minimum.

We’re in a pickle with cap space.

Won’t be surprised if they give dez a call

I think the defense is going to have to do

I am always optimistic, I don't see the season gone just because of a bad game. Most of the negative posters will slink back to their basements once things start going better. You don't need 16-0 to win a super bowl, you just need to make the playoffs. Plenty of examples of teams getting hot at the right time and winning it all.

ashley1992 said:

I would definitely give Grigsby a look. He can't be any worse than Roberts although I thought Roberts was the slowest linebacker I ever saw until I saw Hightower run last night.

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Grigsby got 3 D-snaps last night.

So far this season, Roberts - with 73 snaps - has been about as productive as Hightower has been - with 159 snaps.

The defensive snaps counts from last night: