8-8 or 9-7

[Ring 6]

Ok, so we haven't changed the 12th ranked run offense much.
The D that allowed the 5th fewest points has had losses to equal its additions. We may well be looking at a very average defense. The receiving corps is top notch.
Yeah, I think this is an 8-8 or maybe 9-7 team, with Matt Cassel at QB.

Luckily we have the best players in the NFL at the most important position, and he is 100 healthy, and he has the most and best weapons he has ever had. THAT turns an 8-8 team into 12-4, and better than that if the schedule turns out to be less than brutal.

 

[tombonneau]

Good posting. I can't wait for the season to start and everyone to see how improved this offense is, especially in the red zone. The D won't be winning the Pats games anytime soon, but its good enough to win 11 games or more with this offense.

Defense hasn't won a championship in the NFL since 2000 (or 2001 )

 

[Gwedd]

Good posting. I can't wait for the season to start and everyone to see how improved this offense is, especially in the red zone. The D won't be winning the Pats games anytime soon, but its good enough to win 11 games or more with this offense.

Defense hasn't won a championship in the NFL since 2000 (or 2001 )

Agreed....... September 12th is gonna be a great day.

 

[signbabybrady]

well played sir well played

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

I hate all of you that are free on Sundays to watch football. I'm in college and have to have a job and I will most likely have to work Sundays and miss these games. I need to make up an excuse to not work Sundays.

 

[Ring 6]

Good posting. I can't wait for the season to start and everyone to see how improved this offense is, especially in the red zone. The D won't be winning the Pats games anytime soon, but its good enough to win 11 games or more with this offense.

Defense hasn't won a championship in the NFL since 2000 (or 2001 )

As much as everyone wants to gripe about the D, lets not forget Bill Belichick is running it, he has many hand selected and personally developed players on it that will be put into a position to make an impact this year, and even though allowing 1 3rd down conversion 150 total yards and 3 points would have a lot of people complaining the D sucks on this board, our defense doesnt have to compare to the unrealistic expectations of fans, but to what NFL defenses are doing. Last year that was allowing the 5th fewest points, and to this day we have people saying it sucked, so I won't be putting much stock in the gloom and doom movement.
I expect the D to have some struggles because of youth and transition, but I would be willing to wager that our D ranks somewhere in the top 10-12 or better in points allowed. And also that while its happening, we will continue to see posts about the 'nonexistent pass rush', 'inability to get off the field', 'run D getting gashed', and '10 yard cushion' oh yeah, and my favorite about how the QB we beat 'looked like a probowler'. I'll stick with the results and leave the style points and silly expectations to others.

 

[reflexblue]

I've seen this movie before, the Pats look horrible in pre-season only to come out and play great when its for real. And thats what i think is going to happen, people will be shocked at how good the team, the defense is on opening day.

 

[PatsChamp88]

I hate all of you that are free on Sundays to watch football. I'm in college and have to have a job and I will most likely have to work Sundays and miss these games. I need to make up an excuse to not work Sundays.

The Patriots are playing?

 

[cmasspatsfan]

As much as everyone wants to gripe about the D, lets not forget Bill Belichick is running it, he has many hand selected and personally developed players on it that will be put into a position to make an impact this year, and even though allowing 1 3rd down conversion 150 total yards and 3 points would have a lot of people complaining the D sucks on this board, our defense doesnt have to compare to the unrealistic expectations of fans, but to what NFL defenses are doing. Last year that was allowing the 5th fewest points, and to this day we have people saying it sucked, so I won't be putting much stock in the gloom and doom movement.
I expect the D to have some struggles because of youth and transition, but I would be willing to wager that our D ranks somewhere in the top 10-12 or better in points allowed. And also that while its happening, we will continue to see posts about the 'nonexistent pass rush', 'inability to get off the field', 'run D getting gashed', and '10 yard cushion' oh yeah, and my favorite about how the QB we beat 'looked like a probowler'. I'll stick with the results and leave the style points and silly expectations to others.

Your right, a lot of people havent caught on that this league is all about offense, all the rule changes favor the offense. This aint the 70's and 80's anymore, you have to score.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

The Patriots are playing?

I would rather be unemployed and get to watch the Pats... *sigh* idk what to do.

 

[Ring 6]

Your right, a lot of people havent caught on that this league is all about offense, all the rule changes favor the offense. This aint the 70's and 80's anymore, you have to score.

Or, at least if people had a reasonable expectation about the defense.
We hear constant compliants about 3rd down conversions in seasons when we are in the top 5 or 10 in stopping them.
The other day, there was a post asking aren't we sick of seeing receivers running open in our secondary all day long. So I did a bit of research.
I went back to 2001 and found only 1 season when we were below average defensively in the # of pass completions allowed, gross passing yards allowed, or completion % allowed. (I didnt look it up but Id bet 3rd down converstions were the same) If you listen to this board, we have been unable to cover anyone for years, when in reality we were, in the worst case better than most teams.
I know its the evolution of fans who grew up Red Sox fans, but it gets really hard to come here and see posts where fans seem to revel in overexxagerating pessimism.

 

[Ring 6]

I would rather be unemployed and get to watch the Pats... *sigh* idk what to do.

Record them?

 

[PatsChamp88]

I would rather be unemployed and get to watch the Pats... *sigh* idk what to do.

You have class on Sunday so you can't work

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I'm not sure if our gains on defense match the losses, especially ones as big as Ty Warren and Leigh Bodden. It may have, and it may even overcome them, but there's still alot of question marks there.

- Have the youngsters gained the expected/desired year-to-year progression? Especially Butler who will be counted upon to start this year?
- Was Mayo's regression last year really injury related or did he actually take a step back? Which Mayo do we get this year?
- Will McCourty prove to be worth his 1st round selection and be a starter quality CB?
- Can Brace, Wright, G Warren, Deadrick, Pryor, etc step up to make up for the loss of Ty Warren and an already weak position at the other DE spot?
- Who will start opposite TBC and will he even be any good?

 

[SammyBlueCat]

I hate all of you that are free on Sundays to watch football. I'm in college and have to have a job and I will most likely have to work Sundays and miss these games. I need to make up an excuse to not work Sundays.

Do you know anyone that is a member of the Reserves or National Guard?

 

[Satchboogie3]

I hate all of you that are free on Sundays to watch football. I'm in college and have to have a job and I will most likely have to work Sundays and miss these games. I need to make up an excuse to not work Sundays.

Two options: Say you have class and simply don't work that (but lose the pay) or get a double shift on Saturday.

I have a similar problem that might crop up, I'm working a full time job right now with Sundays/Tuesdays off, but with summer coming to an end, so does my overtime (I work in a restaurant kitchen). So I'm looking at picking up another fulltime job in addition (I really need the money) and will either work a bunch of 12+ hour days with Sunday off or work 7 days a week.

 

[Gwedd]

Or, at least if people had a reasonable expectation about the defense.
We hear constant compliants about 3rd down conversions in seasons when we are in the top 5 or 10 in stopping them.
The other day, there was a post asking aren't we sick of seeing receivers running open in our secondary all day long. So I did a bit of research.
I went back to 2001 and found only 1 season when we were below average defensively in the # of pass completions allowed, gross passing yards allowed, or completion % allowed. (I didnt look it up but Id bet 3rd down converstions were the same) If you listen to this board, we have been unable to cover anyone for years, when in reality we were, in the worst case better than most teams.
I know its the evolution of fans who grew up Red Sox fans, but it gets really hard to come here and see posts where fans seem to revel in overexxagerating pessimism.

Yup.... There's always an awful lot of DOOM! postings and people keep ragging on about the (myth) of our poor drafting/rushing/defense/offense/whatever. However, when you look at the actual stats, and see the record this team has compiled over the past 10 years, that's a WHOLE different (and quite positive) story.

Thanks for this thread, Andy. It's been needed.

V/R

 

[ausbacker]

10-6 at worst assuming the status quo.

 

[nabwong]

I would rather be unemployed and get to watch the Pats... *sigh* idk what to do.

One word..... DVR

plus u won't have to watch commercials.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Can anybody predict the score against the Colts?