Curran:Pats have experience to draw on - good and bad

[SVN]

Pats have experience to draw on - good and bad

There is an urgency around the Patriots that borders on desperation sometimes. A tightness. Single-minded focus is a good thing. But mania may not be. And, if you'll allow me to play armchair psychologist, it could be something the Patriots are suffering from.

this is what concerns me. If they can relax and play they might be able to do well..

 

[Guts]

What I've learned this season is that this team is mentally tough. Losing the three games they've lost to a TD or less... I think they'll be fine

 

[Metaphors]

The Pats were hurt against the Ravens in 2009. They are as close to 100% healthy as a team can be this late in the season.

The Pats were on cruise control in 2010 and came out flat against the Jets. Poor starts the last 3 games have them wide awake and aware of what a lackluster start can turn into.

One other benefit that people overlook is that the Pats haven't packed a travel bag in 25 days. When teams have 3 straight home games on their schedule, that is considered a huge advantage. The Pats have this with a bye week in the middle.

The Broncos just played their 4th home game in 5 weeks and I'm sure that helped them in beating the Steelers. Now this is their 2nd east coast trip in 21 days and the trip to Buffalo didn't exactly leave positive memories.

 

[Kontradiction]

The Pats were hurt against the Ravens in 2009. They are as close to 100% healthy as a team can be this late in the season.

The Pats were on cruise control in 2010 and came out flat against the Jets. Poor starts the last 3 games have them wide awake and aware of what a lackluster start can turn into.

One other benefit that people overlook is that the Pats haven't packed a travel bag in 25 days. When teams have 3 straight home games on their schedule, that is considered a huge advantage. The Pats have this with a bye week in the middle.

The Broncos just played their 4th home game in 5 weeks and I'm sure that helped them in beating the Steelers. Now this is their 2nd east coast trip in 21 days and the trip to Buffalo didn't exactly leave positive memories.

Can I ask how you know the mindset of the team?

 

[NEP4Life]

Having been to the summit, both Belichick and Brady know what it feels like. Each man is blessed football-wise with the presence of the other. They are the winningest head coach-quarterback combo in NFL history and both will go directly to the Hall of Fame on their first ballots. But winning a fourth Super Bowl together has become their white whale.

Is he referring to Moby **** or Rex Ryan?

 

[italia44]

2010...How soon we forget....Brady had a broken foot.....totally friggin' immobile:bricks:

 

[PatsDeb]

2010...How soon we forget....Brady had a broken foot.....totally friggin' immobile:bricks:

So true. Wasn't he spotted with a boot on the day after the game?

 

[RobertWeathers]

So true. Wasn't he spotted with a boot on the day after the game?

That is accurate. They were also depleted on the line. Wright was out. Brace was out. Pryor was inactive. They also have Waters playing instead of Connolly. MAJOR upgrade.

Going into the playoffs, the 2011 Pats are a superior team on both sides of the ball than the 2010 Pats.

Pats are going to roll.

 

[Uncle Rico]

That is accurate. They were also depleted on the line. Wright was out. Brace was out. Pryor was inactive. They also have Waters playing instead of Connolly. MAJOR upgrade.

Going into the playoffs, the 2011 Pats are a superior team on both sides of the ball than the 2010 Pats.

Pats are going to roll.

Pretty sure Hernandez was pretty banged up too.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Pretty sure Hernandez was pretty banged up too.

Correct. Hip injury forced him to miss the last two games and he needed surgery because of it.

He was a shell of himself vs the Jets. Lovett Purnell might have performed better.

 

[BB4PRez]

I think the front 7 of the Pats D was a shambles against the Jets in the playoffs and it showed. This year seems better but to be honest we really don't know (and I am glad we don't). Having two players on the pup for the first 6 weeks seemed was fortunate.

This year the Pats are still banged up. Brady's left shoulder is banged up and he probably has other ailments we will never hear about. Mankin's knee is hurt and we don't know how he will play. Ditto Volmer. BJGE, Welker, and Branch are all banged up.

Despite these injuries I think this team is alot deeper than last years.

 

[BradyManny]

As a fan, SB42 probably ruined me for life in terms of sports viewing. At least in the short term with this Patriots team. In spite of all the successes and accolades this era has brought New England football, I'm obsessed with this team getting redemption for that game. If they had never gone 18-0 and never gotten to that Super Bowl, I think we all could have gone on with our lives more than content with the embarrassment of riches we've been dealt as fans - but then SB42 happened. And it changed the way we look at the remainder of this Belichick-Brady era.

If I, just a mere fan, feel that way - then imagine how Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Vince Wilfork, etc., etc. feel about it.

Now, they are paid athletes conditioned to deal with defeat. But SB42 was a rare defeat and I do think there is a lingering anxiousness and antsiness. A hunger to avenge that loss - and also a fear of a closing window on this team's greatness.

So I agree with Curran's premise. But frankly, all I think it would take is one playoff win to shake those jitters and that tightness.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Its becoming clearer to me that the 2011 offense is light-years better than the 2010 offense..

2010
-Welker a year removed from a major knee injury. He was productive but nowhere near as good of a player as this year's
-Connolly starting instead of Neal
-Brandon Tate starting
-Rookie Gronk
-Rookie, banged-up Hernandez
-Not alot of top-end, playmaking in the backfield

2011
-Epic year by Walker
-Epic year by Gronk
-Epic year by AH
-Epic year by Brady (2010 too)
-Waters > Connolly & Neal
-Ridley is the playmaking force (as long as he hangs on to the ball)

Only concerns for 2011 is Ocho making a play when he needs to and Branch's health and ability to create separation when he needs to. Somewhat concerned about BJGE's health. If the time comes when the need to run and Ridley coughed it up and is pulled from the game, can BJGE make plays?