Four Great Acquisitions

[Metaphors]

I must protest! I consider Coles an elite WR, he's burned our DBs on many occasions and that catch was a great example of his body control, reacting to Favre's flat-footed, scrambling throw and using it to spin out of the coverage and back outside for the big gain. The Pats secondary was lucky he wasn't 100% and had so little time to work with Lord Favre. BB was able to take Cotchery away, Coles did his usual damage, but it was limited because his QB was limited - game two will be a bigger challenge for the secondary.

I wasn't trying to be critical. O'Neal was positioning himself for where he read the route to be going and Favre just threw behind the receiver. Coles did a good job to adjust as you indicated. If the route had continued across the field and Favre had made a good throw, O'Neal may have broken up the pass or been able to drill Coles to force the ball out.

My point was not saying that O'Neal should have been further off the receiver and able to react to the change in direction, holding Coles to a 15 yard gain instead of 50. The Pats could have kept Gay and gotten that result. My point was that O'Neal is covering aggressively and that more than makes up for an occasional busted play that goes for big yards.

 

[Patti37]

Mayo being able to play on every down is just amazing. There was no bigger cheerleader for the Pats drafting Mayo than me, but I didn't see this level of trust coming in his rookie year. Once he gains some more experience and does more reacting rather than thinking, I expect more big plays to follow.

O'Neal is a mixed bag at time, but overall is a good fit. He is a playmaker that will occasionally get caught out of position and plays like the Coles big-gainer will result. I'm more than willing to trade those plays for a more aggressive approach in coverage.

LSanders is a prime example of why you let people earn jobs in training camp and don't just hand out jobs based on past success. Sanders stepped up and has thrived in the new coverage schemes. He has had injury issues and played for horrible teams. This team and these coaches must be a breath of fresh air for him.

Jordan is just a man, proving once again that Oakland is a black hole for careers. I didn't understand how Jordan fit with the team, but it is becoming clearer now. A fresh Jordan in the 4th quarter against a tired defense is a mismatch that can be used to finish games.

You mentioned the bench guys as well and it is easy to be down on them not getting on the field. I'm actually happy to see them getting the opportunity to learn without taking live fire. They will see the field before long and will be counted on to deliver when the games really count. Sucks that Brady isn't a healthy part of this team but there are very positive signs looking forward.

Great analysis Metaphors...

And I would add that they haven't even used Jordan as a receiver yet. LSanders came out of nowhere for me. Not sure why he didn't make an impression on me during TC...I am usually checking out the DBs. This year I spent a lot of time watching May. You could just tell this kid was going to be good...high motor, desire to learn and ability. I didn't see how he could not be this good.

 

[spacecrime]

I think it has to do with what players are expected to do in the system. I'd say there are a few different jobs a corner has to perform:

• Jam the receiver at the LOS
• Cover man to man
• Cover deep zones
• Disguise coverage

Now, most corners can not do all of these things. If the Pats like corners that are proficient in say disguising coverage and cover deep zones*, then the high priced man-to-man corner doesn't really have a place in the system.

*For example only. Don't crucify me for getting what the Pats look for in a corner wrong.

No crucifixions today, you havae it exactly right. Sometimes a player needs to be in exactly the right situation or used jsut right, and sometimes he gets a percerption he can't shake.

My perception of O'neil was that he took too many chances for his INTs, and didn't care for the signing. SOmeone told my that my description of O'Neal (it was a bit longer than above) could also be used to describe Asante Samuel.

 

[Jimke]

Hopefully, the Pats won't lose O'Neal, Sanders, and Jordan to free agency

next March.

 

[pats1]

Dom Capers...

 

[mgteich]

I would like to see extensions during the bye.

Hopefully, the Pats won't lose O'Neal, Sanders, and Jordan to free agency

next March.

 

[Tyler.Durden]

I think they appreciate the opportunity and will take cuts to stay here.

 

[JSn]

I would like to see extensions during the bye.

Depends on the $$$. I think they'll go Moss Style and let them decide when the year's done.

I'd like to see us find another fast safety or get Slater out there.

Dolphins might be a good week for experiments.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Jordan is just a man, proving once again that Oakland is a black hole for careers. I didn't understand how Jordan fit with the team, but it is becoming clearer now. A fresh Jordan in the 4th quarter against a tired defense is a mismatch that can be used to finish games.

If he keeps playing like he did this past weekend, I may start calling him PapelJordan.

 

[patfanken]

i honestly DONT GET IT

how can we acquire o'neal a week before the first game, and have him play a ton and look great? if its the SYSTEM, how does he learn it so fast?

if its not the system, how come he is available?

i guess there are certain "types of players" that we are looking for to play "within our system"

but geez, it sure looks like wizardry doesnt it, with everyone else shelling out $60-80MM to sign "lock down corners". WTF

good question, but good coaching is still involved. What the Pats generally do very well is NOT ask players to do things they can't physically do, or aren't mentally prepared to do. I'm sure that O'Neal was physically prepared to play when he got here. He did have a full TC. However I'm betting that for the near future at least, he will have a limited responsibility list. Also the CB in the defense has the LEAST to absorb mentally as opposed to the LB and S positions

 

[Metaphors]

If he keeps playing like he did this past weekend, I may start calling him PapelJordan.

I like the whole Closer mentality for Jordan. Brings the whole "Clock Killin" Dillon thing back to the team. Good times...good times.

He needs a theme song when he comes into a 4th quarter huddle with the lead...something like "Enter Sandman" when Rivera comes into a game (I know its a NY team but you get the idea).

 

[mgteich]

We have our three safeties for this season. We will need safeties in the off-season with both starters being free agents. Meriweather will be the only safety remaining.

I do not include Slater as a safety, but I guess that he is potential future starter at safety, in the same way Ventrone is a potential future starter at wide receiver. In both cases, these players are on the team to play special teams. They are listed at safety and wide receiver because they are emergency players at those positions. I don't see them as long term solutions at these positions, any more than I consider Spann and Richardson as long term solutions at corner.

Depends on the $$$. I think they'll go Moss Style and let them decide when the year's done.

I'd like to see us find another fast safety or get Slater out there.

Dolphins might be a good week for experiments.