ESPN/Scouts Inc. Take II

[tssd888]

I won't post the entire thing as it's paid ESPN insider content but I'll post enough to generate some debate/discussion. This just came out today:

Edge:

QB: NE
RB: SD
WR: SD
OL: SD
DL: NE
LB: SD
CB: SD
ST: SD
Coach: NE
Overall: SD

 

[lander]

Looks right to me. Although I'm not sure our WRs deserve the edge, I would have probably split that.

 

[tssd888]

Looks right to me. Although I'm not sure our WRs deserve the edge, I would have probably split that.

keep in mind though that they lump TE (Gates) in with the WR category.

 

[lander]

keep in mind though that they lump TE (Gates) in with the WR category.

Oh yeah. OK we deserve the edge then.

 

[QB12]

I won't post the entire thing as it's paid ESPN insider content but I'll post enough to generate some debate/discussion. This just came out today:

Edge:

QB: NE
RB: SD
WR: SD
OL: SD
DL: NE
LB: SD
CB: SD
ST: SD
Coach: NE
Overall: SD

Interesting they're picking SD to win (I assume b/c they're getting the overall edge) because Jeremy Green is picking the Pats.

QB12

 

[DougGabriel2007]

I really like scouts inc a lot..

Their predictions aren't great (whose in the national media are?) but they do a good job of telling you certain matchups and situations to watch for during the game, as well as giving you a general idea what each team must do to win. I'd rather hear their thorough analysis of the game over "WILL HE OR WON'T HE HUG HIM?!?!" anyday. I agree with all of their assessments about Patriots/Chargers and think the game will probably be a close one.

Interestingly enough, they have the Ravens winning by 10 over the Colts, they usually give the Colts a lot of credit...

 

[patfanken]

The 2 matchups that I have trouble seeing the Pats combating is LT out of the back field in the passing game, and Gates on our S's.

BTW- People seem to forget that not only are we missing Rodney and Wilson; we also are missing Tebucky. Think about how different our feeling would have been if those three were back their, or any 2 of those 3. Jones might have had his limitations, BUT he was a decent starting NFL safety and would have been a great match up on Gates because of his size. Ahh whistful would haves and could haves.

 

[tedy hagler]

Patriots may have an edge only in a few categories, but football is not played in neat columns. The edge at QB, DE, and coaching is critical, and it may be enough to win.

The Patriots are a team that always is greater than the sum of its parts -- just ask the Steelers, who had similar advantages and died miserable deaths at home in the playoffs. Sound familiar, Chargerettes?

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

Notice how most stuff (not this!) is coming out of San Diego these days, and not much is emanating from the Pats' camp?

I sense a perfect storm brewing....

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Yeh, Sportscenter used this analysis to pimp the Chargers too - Sunday will be interesting and I echo Fervor's post, New England is working quietly behind 'battle shield' while San Diego is all over the media. Talk'em up folks, da Bolts is smokin' hot - a regular post-season Miami!

 

[sarge]

Looks right to me. Although I'm not sure our WRs deserve the edge, I would have probably split that.

You do realize that our #1 receiver basically didn't make your team!

 

[wdkantro2]

I agree with that assesment, but I don't see how you could give the SD defensive backfield the edge. I know we are weaker without Rodney, but SDs secondary has basically nothing.

 

[wdkantro2]

You do realize that our #1 receiver basically didn't make your team!

He didn't make the team because of injuries. He has played very well this year, the past doesn't matter.

 

[Deus Irae]

I won't post the entire thing as it's paid ESPN insider content but I'll post enough to generate some debate/discussion. This just came out today:

Edge:

QB: NE
RB: SD
WR: SD
OL: SD
DL: NE
LB: SD
CB: SD
ST: SD
Coach: NE
Overall: SD

New England's OL and defensive secondary are both as good, if not better, than their counterparts. And, for that matter, I'd take the Patriots receivers if that includes the TE position, because I'll take 3 over 1 every time.

 

[tssd888]

New England's OL and defensive secondary are both as good, if not better, than their counterparts. And, for that matter, I'd take the Patriots receivers if that includes the TE position, because I'll take 3 over 1 every time.

so it sounds like you believe NE is better in all aspects except at RB? c'mon that's not very objective. I think you are the only Pats fan I have seen so far claim that your OL is better than the Chargers OL. If I'm wrong on this then I'm sure others will be chiming in shortly.

 

[tssd888]

New England's OL and defensive secondary are both as good, if not better, than their counterparts. And, for that matter, I'd take the Patriots receivers if that includes the TE position, because I'll take 3 over 1 every time.

and if you'll "take 3 over 1 every time" then mind as well as RB to the list of areas where the Pats have the advantage.

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

Patriots may have an edge only in a few categories, but football is not played in neat columns. The edge at QB, DE, and coaching is critical, and it may be enough to win.

The Patriots are a team that always is greater than the sum of its parts -- just ask the Steelers, who had similar advantages and died miserable deaths at home in the playoffs. Sound familiar, Chargerettes?

This is exactly correct IMO. Besides, I don't give the Bolts the edge at CB or Receiver. At worst the Pats are equal and might have an edge. But beyond that is the "quality factor" of the edge.

Quality Factor = amount of edge + position of edge.

2 of the biggest differences are at QB and Head Coach which favor the Pats big time due to the criticality of the positions. Now...all this being said...it means crapola as the Tedy Hagler said correctly....The Steeler games and the SB win versus Rams bear proof of this.

 

[sarge]

He didn't make the team because of injuries. He has played very well this year, the past doesn't matter.

I think his play has a little more to do with who is throwing him the ball!

 

[JR4]

I won't post the entire thing as it's paid ESPN insider content but I'll post enough to generate some debate/discussion. This just came out today:

Edge:

QB: NE
RB: SD
WR: SD
OL: SD
DL: NE
LB: SD
CB: SD
ST: SD
Coach: NE
Overall: SD

On Defense:

This is so hard because you have two different systems.

For instance, in BB's system they depend on the LB's smarts a lot
so for BB's system the PATs LBs while not as young and as atheletic
have the brains needed in his system.
So let's say LBs are a draw based on the system they play in.

The secondary is the same ... BB requires a lot of communicating...
... PATs secondary guys are just as atheletic ... so say a draw.

All together the PATs defense is different and has alot more felexibility
... this is definitely a case where BB's defense when tuned, as it is now,
is greater than the sum of its parts.
Under BB, the defense edge goes to the PATs.

The offense
QB edge, the most crucial element , is PATs.

The RBs as a Unit go to SD. no doubt but the PATs aren't so far behind.

The Olines I'd say could be adraw. Both Olines have a lot of guys that have
been working together for years. However I am going to give the slight
edge to the PATs. Why? because I've seen the PATs Oline step it up in the post season and
do things many couldn't believe. SB 38 for example.

The TEs edge go to the PATs. Sorry, Gates is one guy and a great receiver.
But PATs get the Blocking edge and with three very good TEs can bring 3
TE sets that can cause lots of mismatches.

The WRs ... as of now I'd say a draw in physical ability.
But if PATs' Jackson has a break out game, which he due to have anytime,
the edge could be the PATs.

The offense over all is a draw.

If PATs D plays like it can, it will be the determining factor. IMO.

 

[Deus Irae]

so it sounds like you believe NE is better in all aspects except at RB? c'mon that's not very objective. I think you are the only Pats fan I have seen so far claim that your OL is better than the Chargers OL. If I'm wrong on this then I'm sure others will be chiming in shortly.

Two things:


1.) Your disagreeing with me doesn't mean that I'm not being objective, or at least as objective as possible in a situation like this. In this case it just makes you wrong.


2.) You misread the first post, missing the LB advantage to SD, so I'll take this opportunity to offer a little more depth. I'd give the edges like this:

RB#1 to SD
RB#2, RB#3 to NE

FB to SD

QB to NE

WR to SD, but it's a case of 6.1 of one and 5.9 of the other. Neither team is well-served here.

TE#1 to SD
TE overall to NE, because I'll take the NE combo over the SD combo

DL to NE
LB to SD
DB to NE

That leaves the OL to be compared, and I'll take the NE interior (Mankins, Koppen and O'Neal) over the SD interior, while giving SD the advantage on the outside. Overall, however, I'd give the nod to NE in a close call.